LG Electronics USA has started shipments of its flagship ‘NeON 2’ 72-cell solar panels in the US commercial and utility-scale markets. LG's N-type double-sided cell structure provides more energy with a 6.41- by 3.28-foot, footprint that comes in 365 to 375 watt ratings.
‘Silicon Module Super League’ (SMSL) member Canadian Solar has retained both PV module shipment and revenue guidance for 2016, despite fears of overcapacity hitting both third party demand and ASP declines as it plans tight inventory control, curtail capacity expansions and use its downstream PV project development business as its overall buffer.
Lerri Solar, DelSolar, CNPV, Motech and Xian Longi have withdrawn from the EU’s Minimum Import Price (MIP) undertaking and will instead have to service their European customers via manufacturing facilities abroad.
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.
During the period 2006 to 2011, equipment spending for solar manufacturing was a really big deal for capital equipment suppliers. Companies such as GT Advanced Technologies (then GT Solar) and Applied Materials (serving thin-film and c-Si expansions alike) were clocking up billion-dollar plus backlogs.
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.
High-efficiency PV module producer and project developer SunPower said it was reducing its focus in PV power plant development outside the US and focusing more resources to the distributed generation market in the US.
Taiwan-based solar cell and wafer producers are being impacted by slowing demand from China and unfolding overcapacity that has resulted in ASP declines hitting monthly revenue figures since June.
