International PV developer and investor Sonnedix has acquired a 136MW solar portfolio from Centerbridge Partners, in what is claimed to be one of the largest PV transactions in Europe.
German PV systems integrator Phoenix Solar has reported a return to operating profit for the first time since 2010, with earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) at €0.6 million (US$0.64 million), up from losses of €1.6 million last year.
China-based PV manufacturer Yingli Green Energy and industrial technology partners, Dutch research centre ECN and equipment manufacturer Tempress, a subsidiary of Amtech Systems have fabricated their first IBC (Interdigitated Back Contact) n-type solar cells on 6-inch monocrystalline wafers at the manufacturer's pilot line in China.
Specialist PV manufacturing equipment supplier Singulus Technologies expects to double sales in 2017 after its new order backlog in 2016 reached €109.9 million, a 310% increase over the previous year.
Spain has approved the first of four norms necessary to carry out a major renewable energy tender, but the size of capacity available remains in doubt.
China-based PV energy provider (PVEP) United Photovoltaics Group reported a 58% increase in revenue for 2016, driven primarily by the addition of 415.4MW of new PV power plants under ownership.
Major PV inverter manufacturer SMA Solar Technology came through another tough year with unit volume sold a record 8.23GW in 2016 but ASP pressure ensured sales were down. The bright spot was its commercial solar business unit, which bucked lower sales in the residential and utility-scale sectors with 27% growth, year-on-year.
This week's Movers & Shakers features new CEOs and the inauguration of new international offices. Sunworks and the Australian CEFC both welcome new CEOs and Enel Green Power North America opens its new office in Massachusetts, with Array Technologies expanding Down Under.
Since Wacker Chemie opened its new 20,000MT polysilicon plant in Charleston, Tennessee in 2016, there was a good chance that the German-headquartered chemicals firm could overtake incumbent market leader, GCL-Poly.
