upstream

In the first of a two-part feature Joseph C. Johnson, technology and quality senior analyst at Clean Energy Associates, explores recent polysilicon price volatility and its impact on the upstream solar sector.

As China enters its usually frantic solar build-out season, a shadow is being cast by module price hikes and supply bottlenecks. PV Tech’s Carrie Xiao gets the inside scoop on how solar deployment in China risks being pushed into next year.

Liam Stoker and Andy Colthorpe return for the August 2020 episode of the Solar Media podcast, reflecting on the biggest news stories from the global solar and energy storage ecosystems.

Suntech has placed into production a new 3.5GW high-efficiency module manufacturing facility in Changzhou, China, continuing its recent run of expansions.

PV Tech continues its deep-dive into the making of Trina Solar’s new Vertex platform, delving into the thought process behind the manufacturer’s ‘low voltage, high current’ approach, how Trina intends to scale up manufacturing, and why it believes the solar supply chain must unite behind 600W+ modules.

The announcement from Tongwei on 10 August disclosing new cell price rises was a surprise for the whole PV industry. Compared to its previous quote on 24 July, the price of poly cells rose by another 6 USD cents/W, with a further increase of 8 cents/W for 156.75mm, 158.75mm and 166mm mono cells.

Having launched its new Vertex range of modules, Trina Solar is pushing the technology envelope as it joins the latest in a wave of manufacturers to bring 500W+ modules to market. PV Tech spoke to Dr. Franck Zhang, head of product strategy and value management at Trina Solar, to get all the details about the technology within the module.

Suntech has confirmed that the 1.5GW, first-phase expansion of its manufacturing facilities in Wuxi has been placed into production.

China’s upstream sector witnessed growth in all major metrics throughout H1 2020 as the industry shrugged off any meaningful impact from the pandemic, figures released today by the China Photovoltaic Industry Association (CPIA) show.

Vikram Solar is to bolster its solar manufacturing capacity with a new 3GW wafer, cell and module facility in Tamil Nadu.