Post SNEC 2016 exhibition reports are starting to raise concerns over a looming collapse in downstream solar PV demand in China in the second half of the year that could lead to wider implications of both solar cell and module overcapacity and subsequent ASP declines hitting the global solar industry.
PV Tech’s preliminary analysis of global PV manufacturing capacity expansion announcements in April, 2016, revealed nearly 9GW of planned future expansions of thin-film modules, solar cells and module assembly production, up from over 7.3GW in the previous month and the third consecutive monthly increase.
Solar Frontier has expanded its portfolio of CIS (Copper, Indium selenium) thin-film module-based ‘PowerSets’ for residential rooftops, introducing the new ‘PowerSet Mini’ and ‘PowerSet Maxi’ to supplement its ‘PowerSet Turbo’ product offering. By expanding its PowerSet product line, the company is addressing growing demand for standardised PV systems that better suit various roof and system sizes.
Optical inspection equipment firm ISRA VISION / GP Solar has reported strong fiscal first-half year sales and a strong order backlog that includes solar PV system sales.
Silicon module super league member (SMSL) JA Solar is to provide 420MW of modules for China’s National Energy Administration’s (NEA) “Front Runner” programme which aims to promote the development of advanced solar PV technology by domestic suppliers.
Leading ‘Silicon Module Super League’ (SMSL) member Trina Solar has lowered its planned global solar power plant project connections for 2016, while reiterating full-year module shipment guidance.
Struggling China-based PV manufacturer Yingli Green Energy has launched its new high-performance and durable ‘TwinMAX’ series of modules, which includes its ‘PANDA’ n-PERT bifacial cells.
Specialist PV manufacturing equipment supplier Singulus Technologies said it had signed ‘pre-contracts’ worth more than €110 million (US$123 million) for CIGS thin-film production equipment with China National Building Materials (CNBM), owner of manufacturer Avancis.
PV wafer and module manufacturer ReneSola reported first quarter 2016 results inline with guidance as the company continues to shift away from its OEM module business and focus on downstream PV power plant projects.
