The significant decline in the solar PV manufacturing supply chain in Europe in recent years has reached a critical condition, according to a string of R&D and trade groups in the region.
A collective of wind and solar lobbies together with groups representing major energy users and European power utilities have formed a new partnership.
The UK’s continued membership of the internal energy market (IEM) is crucial to further and more efficient integration of renewable energy throughout Europe, a trade body has warned.
Major materials supplier Heraeus Photovoltaics has entered into a new strategic technology partnership with China-based multicrystalline solar cell producer, Solar Space, also known as Zhonghui Photovoltaics (Jiangsu Solar Space Photovoltaic Technology Co.), which was established 2010.
Conductive inks specialist PV Nano Cell is joining forces with major materials firm, Merck to develop and deploy its single-crystal, nanometric inks such as copper and silver to expand its applications.
Power electronics firm Ingeteam said it had supplied 23 of its 4.8MW power stations for the 125MW (DC) Clare Solar Farm project being built by Fotowatio Renewable Ventures (FRV), located in the Australian state of Queensland.
According to Bernreuter Research, polysilicon consumption for the production of solar wafers is set to impact the supply-side as the PV industry adopts diamond wire technologies that significantly lower kerf loss.
UK solar and wind asset owner Greencoat Renewables is eying an IPO to raise as much as €250 million (US$280 million) to pursue additional wind and solar projects across Europe.
