Solar PV manufacturing in 2016 has seen the highest capex (capital expenditure) levels for years, and a return to capacity expansion plans. Furthermore, many of the companies announcing the capacity expansions are doing so for the first time, especially at the cell and module stage.
Canadian Solar has introduced a new suite of 1500V system voltage monocrystalline and multicrystalline solar modules in 60-cell and 72-cell configurations as well as a T4 field-installable PV connector portfolio for commercial and utility-scale PV power plants. The products were launched at Intersolar North America 2016.
Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, Morgan Solar is one of the industry's last remaining concentrated PV firms. It recently appointed Celestica's Mike Andrade as its new CEO, who discussed with PV Tech the place for such technologies, that are traditionally more expensive and harder to scale than conventional PV.
The main event this year at Intersolar North America was the installation demonstration of Beamreach Solar’s new ‘Sprint’ lightweight PV module system for flat commercial rooftops.
A significant decline in the cost of PV modules and project construction, as well as a shift from small-scale projects to cheaper capex utility-scale projects, is a main driver for an clean energy investment slowdown in 2016, says Bloomberg News Energy Finance (BNEF).
‘Silicon Module Super League’ (SMSL) leader Trina Solar said it had achieved an average efficiency of 21.1% for its industrially-produced P-type monocrystalline cells (156 x 156 mm2) with Passivated Emitter and Rear Cell (PERC) technology at its ‘golden’ pilot production line.
Module manufacturer Seraphim Solar is looking for fresh locations for future manufacturing plants and praises Mexico as both and end-market and a potential production centre.
