Leading PV manufacturing equipment supplier Meyer Burger Technology has reported strengthening sales, orders and backlog in the first half of 2016, driven by planned capacity expansions from major PV manufacturers across wafer, cell and modules, primarily in Asia.
Integrated PV manufacturer SolarWorld has started using two module assembly subcontractors to boost capacity to meet demand in the US and Europe, according to the company’s first half 2016 financial report.
PV and electronics equipment manufacturing and automation specialist Manz AG has reported continued demand for automation system in China for solar manufacturing applications that have generated €17.5 million in first half year revenue, up 66.7% from the prior year period.
PV and polysilicon manufacturing equipment specialist centrotherm photovoltaics has reported first half 2016 consolidated revenue of €61.9 million and an order intake for the period of €89.5 million.
PV inverter manufacturer SMA Solar Technology said it would close production facilities in Denver, US, and Cape Town, South Africa on continued competition issues and consolidate global inverter production in Germany and China.
PV inverter firm SolarEdge Technologies reported fiscal fourth quarter revenue of US$124.8 million, which was at the low end of guidance, due to a slowdown in the US residential market, its biggest market for the company.
The world's biggest asset manager BlackRock Real Assets has secured €650 million (US$726 million) from more than 25 institutional investors in Europe and Asia for its Renewable Income Europe fund.
In this week's Movers & Shakers segment, PV Tech focuses on employment shakeups in the US, Europe and Asia as key renewables companies reveal some hires and departures from the last fortnight.
