‘Solar Module Super League’ (SMSL) member First Solar is undertaking capacity expansions at its two existing manufacturing plants in Ohio, while evaluating several new international locations to grow its global module sales business as initial Series 6 CdTe thin film module expansion plans come to an end, effectively becoming capacity constrained again from 2021, onwards.
PV Tech’s analysis of ‘Solar Module Super League’ (SMSL) member JA Solar’s capacity expansion announcements in the first nine months of 2020 have revealed the company has already announced a total of over 104GW of combined plans, including ingot/wafer, solar cell and module assembly.
Coming out of stealth-mode, US-based integrated PV panel manufacturing start-up, Violet Power intends to disrupt the PV industry with in-house production of high-efficiency IBC (Interdigitated Back Contact) solar cells. The company will use cell-to-module ‘flex circuit’ and thermal plastic encapsulant technology in a glass/glass configuration that will have a solar panel warranty of 50 years, more than three times the average in the industry, today.
SunPower exceeded its previous guidance for both revenue and shipments in Q2, capitalising on what it said was improving demand for distributed generation.
Floridian utility Gainesville Regional Utilities (GRU) has penned a power purchase agreement with developer Origis Energy for a solar-plus-storage project in the state.
Additions have been made to support action on climate change through federal tax incentives in the proposed Congress bill to invest US$1.5 trillion in infrastructure across the US.
Campaign by ratepayer association against rooftop solar support triggers rebuke from 450 organisations, pushing green energy to crossfire of nation grappling with social injustice.
Second instalment (week of 8-14 June) delves into talk of 18GWdc US-wide solar installs in 2020, solar's embrace of online events and the campaign to revive European manufacturing.
SEIA, WoodMac point at robust utility-scale segment as they predict 33% year-on-year jump in PV additions, with residential still expected to take major hit from pandemic in 2020 and 2021.
