Updated: The US solar trade body, Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) said it would spearhead the campaign against the trade petition by US-based bankrupt cell and module manufacturer, Suniva with the USITC (United States International Trade Commission) that threatens import duties on all crystalline solar cells and panels imported from anywhere across the world not produced in the US.
Shanghai Aerospace Automobile Electromechanical Co., (HT-SAAE) has introduced its Milky Way N-type bifacial Dual Glass 5BB (busbar) PV modules, which are upgraded versions of the Milky Way bifacial N-type PERT monocrystalline PV modules. The new bifacial module brings a 10W increase in power output compared with the first generation of Milky Way PV modules with 4BB technique.
Taiwan-based cell and module producer Neo Solar Power (NSP) is not expecting a recovery in sales until fourth quarter of 2017, due to a series of market forces impacting its business.
With its parent company SolarWorld AG and German-based subsidiaries at the early stage of insolvency proceedings, US subsidiary SolarWorld Americas Inc., has said for the first time since its parent company went bankrupt that it was planning to operate its manufacturing plant in Hillsboro, Oregon and other operations as normal.
‘Silicon Module Super League’ (SMSL) leader JinkoSolar said it had been first manufacturer in China to receive the latest IEC61345 module certification that employs stricter testing requirements for solar panels. The certification was carried out by TUV Rheinland.
SolarWorld AG's insolvency will not impact the continuation of the minimum import price (MIP) with the extension of the measures already enshrined in law by the European Commission.
Agfa Specialty Products has introduced ‘UNIQOAT,’ its next generation of polyester-based backsheet product. UNIQOAT eliminates the risk of backsheet delamination as it is manufactured as a single layer backsheet and achieves a level of reflectivity. The new product was showcased at SNEC 2017.
The seasonally soft first quarter of the year for the residential solar rooftop market in the US played out again in 2017, with the addition of much heavier rainfall, notably in California. A basket of primarily US residential installers that are publically listed have recently reported first quarter results.
High-efficiency module manufacturer Ten K Solar, has announced that it will be “discontinuing” its current operation – but has claimed it is not because of any product performance issues, contrary to media reports.
US-headquartered high-efficiency PV module producer SunPower reported a first quarter 2017 net GAAP loss of US$134.5 million, while guiding further losses of between $110 million to $135 million for the second quarter of the year as the company transitions its business model.
