SunPower sets new solar efficiency record
US company SunPower achieved an efficiency of 24.1% for a module using silicon cells, which is just the latest in a number of efficiency records for solar technology, showing that the modules are moving in the right direction.
Overheating and incompatible plug connectors
Black sheep I: In a Bavarian solar farm, experts discovered overheated junction boxes after commissioning and, later, overheated plug connectors as well. The prime contractor was willing to fix both defects. The crossed plug connectors from different manufacturers, which are relatively common in the PV farm, are still a headache for the operator. In a […]
SolarCity/Silevo must pay duties on Chinese-made PV cells
In its final ruling, U.S. trade authorities have stated that SolarCity’s heterojunction silicon solar cells are subject to duties on Chinese-made cells. Last Friday, the International Trade Association gave its final ruling on whether or not Silevo’s “Triex” heterojunction PV cells are subject to anti-dumping and anti-subsidy import duties on cells and modules imported from […]
GTAT bounces back with large polysilicon orders
The American equipment maker has made its first announcement of large equipment orders since exiting bankruptcy in March. Yesterday U.S. polysilicon, solar and sapphire equipment maker GT Advanced Technologies (GTAT) announced that it had received several new orders for polysilicon production equipment since exiting bankruptcy in March. The company reports a particularly large order for […]
Inverter shipments to reach 90 GW globally by 2020, says GTM
New report suggests that PV inverters and module level power electronics will grow by an average annual rate of 11% between now and 2020, with central inverters set to relinquish market dominance. The GTM Research Global PV Inverter and MLPE Landscape 2016 report, released today, forecasts a period of strong growth for both standard inverters […]
IRENA forecasts 59% solar PV price reduction by 2025
New report from the International Renewable Energy Agency suggests that the average cost for electricity generated by solar PV could decrease by as much as 59% by 2025 compared to 2015 prices.
SolarWorld ramps 72-cell module production in Oregon
The German-American PV maker has now reached 550 MW of annual module capacity at its facility near Portland, Oregon, and has additionally begun production of 5-busbar cells and monocrystalline silicon ingots.
First Solar unveils two new PV module series
The company will move to a larger format with its Series 6. modules. The Series 6 will be 120 x 180 cm, with an expected output of over 400 watts. First Solar has unveiled two new module series which it expects to launch over the next three years. The company plans to begin commercial production […]
Soltec ships 150 MW of trackers to the United States
The company won’t say where its first U.S. tracker shipment is headed, but all indications are that it is Enel’s 150 MW project in Minnesota. On Tuesday, Spanish tracker maker Soltec announced that it had supplied its SF Utility Single Axis Solar Tracker for an un-named 150 MW project somewhere in the United States. The […]
