first solar inc

Leading CdTe thin-film PV module maker expects to start volume production at second US facility in early 2020, restoring spot as largest PV module manufacturer in US and western hemisphere.

Based on analysis of 21 PV manufacturers that were listed on various stock exchanges around the world in 2018, PV Tech can reveal the top 10 R&D spenders.

PV-Tech will reveal all PV module suppliers with PV ModuleTech Bankability Ratings in the ‘A’ and ‘B’ classes (premium and second-tier rating categories) at the forthcoming PV ModuleTech 2019 meeting in Penang, Malaysia on 22-23 October 2019.

PV Tech has been covering analysis of R&D expenditures of PV manufacturers for over a decade. This blog anticipates some of the key trends set to be fully revealed in the forthcoming edition of technical journal Photovoltaics International.

This article continues our series of features introducing new methodology that allows leading PV module producers to be categorised, ranked and short-listed by manufacturing and financial strength metrics; ultimately providing an investor-risk (or bankability) profile of PV module suppliers for non-residential end-market selection.

This article continues our series of features introducing new methodology that allows leading PV module producers to be categorised, ranked and short-listed by manufacturing and financial strength metrics; ultimately providing an investor-risk (or bankability) profile of PV module suppliers for non-residential end-market selection.

This article introduces a new methodology that allows leading PV module producers to be categorised by manufacturing and financial strength metrics, ultimately providing an investor-risk (or bankability) profile for non-residential end-market selection.

The PV industry roadmap - and related metrics of technology and bankability - are now being driven by leading module supplier, JinkoSolar, with others seeking to replicate Jinko’s product line options, trying to differentiate in markets that are receptive to low-cost alternatives, or focusing only on rooftop markets where volumes are lower and sales/distribution efforts are more intensive.

Leading CdTe thin-film manufacturer and ‘Solar Module Super League’ (SMSL) member, First Solar reported significantly lower than expected first quarter sales, due primarily to challenges in its EPC PV project business in the US and Japan that impacted sales by US$159 million.

Ahead of PV Tech launching its new PV IndiaTech conference, on 24-25 April 2019, in Delhi, I review in this blog what the event is all about, and why the timing of the event has turned out to be perfect as India debates how to create a sustainable manufacturing segment that supplies quality modules to its downstream segments.