PV industry module and component manufacturers have brought down costs significantly over the last four years. This trend is clearly evident as most publicly traded companies continue to grow revenue despite falling module and component prices. However, it is far less clear how downstream system integrators are handling the drop in system prices and contributing to value creation. System prices are generally higher in the U.S. than in Europe, despite lower module prices in the U.S. This disparity often raises questions on the part of European PV professionals where these costs come from, and secondly, what have U.S. system integrators done to reduce costs. This two-part series will shed light on how U.S. system integrators have undertaken tremendous efforts to decrease cost and add value through innovation by focussing on labour-intensive value creation in the downstream segment. Part I will focus on the residential market segment by delving into activity cost savings through innovation in engineering and construction, while Part II will illustrate how changes in sales, rebates, interconnection, and the supply-chain management over the last five years have reduced costs.
Camstar Systems’ employees will soon be seeing new faces at their Silicon Valley headquarters with the company’s new purchase of SigmaQuest. Camstar has bought the new company in its entirety, with all SigmaQuest employees to become Camstar staff members. SigmaQuest is a provider of software as a service supply (SaaS) chain intelligence solution.
Continuing to gain major OEM module supply deals for its high performance, low cost solar modules, JA Solar has signed a multi-year supply agreement with MEMC Electronic Materials. The supply-deal wills see MEMC subsidiary, SunEdison use JA Solars OEM modules for projects starting in the third quarter of 2010 and going through 2012. The move means that JA Solar’s modules will be used in commercial-scale and utility-scale projects in the future.
Wacker Chemie has signed a PPA with Fesil group for the acquisition of its silicon-metal production site based in Holla, Norway. The transaction will still require the approval of Wacker's supervisory board and Fesil's board of directors as well as clearance by the antitrust authorities.
According to Greentech Media Research, 2009 was the most challenging year to date for the PV industry. Although, global PV cell production grew by 51% from 7.1GW in 2008 to 10.7GW in 2009 and PV panel production increased 41% to 8.9GW, many of the solar panels were produced in Germany during the third and fourth quarters of 2009.
Product Briefing Outline: Due to technology partnerships and longtime experience RENA has been able to optimize the handling and process sequence for the complete process chain after wafer sawing with its ‘Wafer Line’ system. With this complete system, 200MW production per annum is possible.
GCL-Poly Energy Holdings has entered into acquisition agreements with the indirect shareholders of Konca Solar Cell in which the company will indirectly acquire a controlling stake of 70.19% in Konca Solar at an aggregate consideration of RMB854.1 million (€86.1917 million).
Hoku Scientific and Tianwei New Energy Holdings have signed a definitive agreement that will make the vertically integrated Chinese solar company the primary shareholder of Hoku. The deal stipulates that Tianwei take a majority investment in Hoku and that debt financing by Tianwei and China Construction Bank be used to complete Hoku's Pocatello, ID, polysilicon production facility, which has faced numerous delays in its construction schedule because of financing and other issues.
The Government of Ontario, Canada, announced back in March plans for renewable energy, and in particular a feed-in tariff (FiT) for the region. These plans have now been finalized, as the government announces that it will proceed as planned. The Government of Ontario, Canada, announced back in March plans for renewable energy, and in particular a feed-in tariff (FiT) for the region. These plans have now been finalized, as the government announces that it will proceed as planned. The FiT program is a critical element of the government's Green Energy and Green Economy Act.
Although there is an expected decline in the demand for advanced chemicals and materials used in PV solar cells and modules, Linx-AEI Consulting said in a new report that the market would return to growth in 2010 and reach a value of approximately $15 billion by 2015. PV chemicals and materials used for all types of technology will decline to US$2.3 billion in 2009, Linx-AEI Consulting said.
