The solar industry is set to reach annual demand at the 100GW level much earlier than has been forecast by both third-party observers and the leading component suppliers. During 2018, the solar industry is shaping up to ship more than 100GW of solar modules during the calendar year, while 2017 alone will see the number exceed 90GW comfortably.
Canadian Solar has launched an innovative ‘cool’ PV module design, dubbed ‘Ku’ modules. The new PV module series is based on Low Internal Current (LIC) module technology to provide better module energy yield and reliability.
Solar PV cell and module ribbon interconnect supplier Ulbrich Solar Technologies has closed its production operations in Hillsboro Oregon, due to operating difficulties of SolarWorld Americas after parent company SolarWorld AG went into insolvency proceedings.
Struggling US-headquartered solar PV encapsulant producer STR Holdings foray into recapturing market share by producing in China has come to an end with the closure of its manufacturing operations in the country.
International solar PV systems integrator Phoenix Solar said that it was forced to lower its full-year revenue guidance, due to delays in securing previously expected PV power plant projects for completion in 2017. However, its project pipeline hit a new record.
PV and electronics equipment manufacturing and automation specialist Manz AG said it expected to generate revenue of at least €350 million in 2017, including significantly improved and positive EBIT as it starts execution of its large CIGS thin-film orders.
‘Silicon Module Super League’ (SMSL) member Hanwha Q CELLS reported inline second quarter revenue but margins continued to be impacted by declining average selling prices (ASP).
Key manufacturing and R&D assets of bankrupt German integrated PV module manufacturer SolarWorld AG have been acquired by its former founder and chairman, Dr. Ing. Eh Frank Asbeck.
The first floating solar (FPV) power plant in Turkey was officially operational on August 4, 2017 as part of a testing phase that could lead to a significant number of systems installed by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality on reservoirs, lakes and dams.
Specialist solar PV equipment supplier centrotherm has warned that it is unlikely to be profitable in 2017, due to the loss of an arbitration case against a cancelled €290 million integrated (wafer/cell/module) plant in Algeria.
