Solar panel manufacturers that fail to keep up with emerging technology trends will be under tremendous pressure in 2017, according to host of their peers at SPI 2016.
US-headquartered PV manufacturer Sunpreme is one of the recipients of the latest SunShot Initiative funding rounds that have just been announced through the U.S. Department of Energy. The copper patterning development funding is expected to lead to the company building a manufacturing plant in US.
The US Energy Department is planning to provide solar technology funding to the tune of US$107 million via the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy's (EERE) SunShot Initiative.
High efficiency modules could be “the future of solar” as module manufacturers are making the move to such technologies to get the most out of solar as prices come down.
Hybrid amorphous Si thin-film module producer Sunpreme said had completed deployment of 12.8MW utility-scale project in the Eastern region of the US, using its bifacial double glass GxB370W panels, with 21.5% cell efficiency.
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.
Indian corporates are taking a significant share of the domestic solar PV market with Indian conglomerate Adani taking top spot in terms of capacity additions in the last year, according to consultancy firm Bridge to India.
‘Silicon Module Super League’ (SMSL) member Hanwha Q CELLS is planning to introduce its first ever monocrystalline modules, which will use its PERC (Passivated Emitter Rear Contact) cell technology. New and prototype products will be showcased at Solar Power International (SPI) in Las Vegas next week.
The hardest and most ‘controversial’ aspect of analyzing capacity expansion announcements is converting them to actual or ‘effective’ new nameplate capacity.
SolarWorld has launched a new era of modules for free-field and flat roof systems. The new ‘Sunmodule Bisun’ is a solar module active on both sides (bifacial) that converts light from all directions into electrical energy. This ensures up to 25 % more yield per installed kWp, depending on the surface on which it is installed. The modules are expected to be provided in 270Wp through 331Wp configurations. SolarWorld has also developed a new racking system for flat roofs that is optimized for the bifacial technology.
