Solar panel manufacturers that fail to keep up with emerging technology trends will be under tremendous pressure in 2017, according to host of their peers at SPI 2016.
The annual US-based Solar Power International (SPI) exhibition and conference historically generates a significant number of new product launches and can set new trends and directions for the downstream solar PV sector, globally. High-efficiency modules and high-voltage were the themes of new products announced at SPI on the second day.
The average severity of insurance claims from the solar PV industry has increased by 87% over the past five years often as a result of extreme weather, according to new research from renewables insurance specialist GCube Underwriting.
German-based PV module manufacturer aleo Sunrise said it had started production of its ‘CELCO’ high-efficiency PERC (Passivated Emitter Rear Contact) solar cells at its production plant in Prenzlau, Germany.
‘Silicon Module Super League’ (SMSL) member Hanwha Q CELLS is planning to introduce its first ever monocrystalline modules, which will use its PERC (Passivated Emitter Rear Contact) cell technology. New and prototype products will be showcased at Solar Power International (SPI) in Las Vegas next week.
Leading global ‘Silicon Module Super League’ (SMSL) member JinkoSolar has officially announced that it is withdrawing from the EU minimum import price agreement, following a number of major China-based PV manufacturers and Taiwan-based producers.
Renewable energy firm BayWa r.e has partnered with US PV project developer, Geenex Solar to build 350MW of PV power plant projects across North Carolina and Virginia. BayWa r.e. will provide turn-key engineering, procurement, construction, financing and O&M services.
Integrated PV module manufacturer SolarWorld is offering US solar installers commercial project funding resources amounting to US$225 million, guaranteed by REC Solar majority-owner Duke Energy, in California, Hawaii and the Northeast states of Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York.
According to Deutsche Bank’s US market analyst Vishal Shah, strong PV manufacturing capacity expansion growth in the second half of 2016 and 2017 is expected to lead to a global 16% solar module oversupply through the period.
India-based PV module manufacturer Vikram Solar has revealed plans to expand capacity to 2GW by 2019, up from recently completed expansions that have taken nameplate module capacity to 500MW.
