mission solar energy

US-based PV module manufacturer Mission Solar Energy will ramp up its manufacturing capacity to 1GW in the US to meet industry demands for 2023 and beyond.

A further three companies have submitted a petition that aims to extend the US’ import tariffs of crystalline silicon cells and modules.

At Solar Power International 2018 in Anaheim, numerous PV module manufacturers are continuing to roll-out a wider range of panels that embrace new technologies such as bifacial and half-cut cells as well as increased performance from existing product offerings that include both monocrystalline and multicrystalline.

Fiji, Niger and Tuvalu to join International Solar Alliance, Greenwood Energy opens 7MW Elizabeth Mine Solar project in Vermont, Mission Solar Energy to supply rooftop PV panels for PetersenDean Roofing.

Updated: With the solar industry transitioning to high-performance products backed with innovation, Solar Power International 2017 in Las Vegas is showcasing an ever increasing portfolio of solar modules exceeding 300 watts in the standard 60-cell format. However, 72-cell modules exceeding 360 watts are also entering the mainstream and 400 watts is just around the corner. Driving the high-performance wave is PERC (Passivated Emitter Rear Cell), bifacial and the migration to 5 busbars and beyond, whether with multicrystalline or monocrystalline wafers. The growing use of half-cut and multi-cut cells that reduce cell to module losses, boosting overall performance are also becoming mainstream as well as heterojunction (HJ) modules.

High-efficiency monocrystalline wafer producer Comtec Solar Systems Group reported a net loss of US$146 million in 2016, after previously announced write-down on assets at its Malaysian manufacturing facilities that were being sold leading mono wafer supplier, LONGi Green Energy Technology.

In this week's Movers & Shakers, PV Tech reports mostly on good news, with new appointments in sales, public policy, asset management and business development. However, Texas' Mission Solar Energy has announced its second wave of big job cuts - this time slashing 170 jobs as the company realigns its objectives to purely module assembly.

US-based PV module manufacturer Mission Solar is to cut its existing workforce by a further 58% after closing its solar cell production lines at its facilities in San Antonio, Texas in October 2016.

US-based high-efficiency integrated PV manufacturer Mission Solar Energy is reportedly to close its N-type mono solar cell line with the loss of 87 jobs and focus on module assembly to remain competitive.

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.