China

New configuration gives perovskite cells 18% efficiency
Cesium lead black perovskites could be interesting for solar cell development if their crystals are observed in their less efficient but more stable beta phase. The efficiency shortfall can be solved by healing emerging cracks in the surface of the cell using a choline iodide solution, according to an international team of scientists.
Oct 4, 2019 // Technology, Manufacturing News, China, Europe, Asia, Switzerland, Luis K Ono, Jiao Tong University
Singyes shareholders show discontent
The holders of almost six million shares in the company voted against the reappointment of chairman and CEO Liu Hongwei as a non-executive director. On Liu’s watch the company has had to turn to a state bail-out from China to help ensure its survival.
Oct 4, 2019 // Manufacturing News, Markets & Finance News, China, Asia, Singyes, Liu Hongwei, Zhuo Jianming
REC Silicon prepared to power down the rest of its operation
The Norwegian polysilicon and silane gas producer has announced it will listen to offers for its production facility in Butte Montana after mothballing its other manufacturing operation – at Moses Lake, Washington – in the summer.
Oct 4, 2019 // Manufacturing News, Tariffs, USA, China, Trump, Asia, North America, Silicon ASA, REC Silicon, Barack Obama
GCL wants a 1 GW perovskite cell production line in place by 2022
With the Chinese manufacturer claiming it has already hit 16% conversion efficiency on a large panel, a recent perovskite conference heard predictions the technology will make up the next generation of PV cells – provided it avoids the pitfalls experienced by thin-film devices.
Oct 3, 2019 // Technology, Manufacturing News, China, Asia, GCL, monocrystalline silicon, Fan Bin
Taiwan solar to become rapid-growth market despite FiT cuts
Taiwan is expected to become one of the fastest-growing solar markets worldwide despite this year’s feed-in tariff (FiT) reductions, according to a new report, but a local developer has challenged the document's conclusions about the impacts of global PV module supply.
Oct 3, 2019 // Manufacturing News, Markets & Finance News, China, Asia, Taiwan, nuclear, vpc, Andy Tang, New Green Power, Tsai Ingwen
Singyes winding-up petition is put back
Deutsche Bank’s attempt to shut down the Chinese solar developer and BIPV maker, due to be heard this morning, has been adjourned for two weeks.
Oct 3, 2019 // Manufacturing News, Markets & Finance News, bipv, Singyes Solar, China, Asia, Deutsche Bank, Building-integrated photovoltaics
Solargiga’s Taiwan shares to be de-listed
The ever worsening balance sheet of the Hong Kong-based solar manufacturer has triggered the removal of shares listed in Taiwan, which is likely to leave the company with a $2.84 million bill for buying them back.
Oct 2, 2019 // Manufacturing News, Markets & Finance News, China, Hong Kong, Asia, Solargiga, Eric Luo, Taiwan, GCL System
Renewables and geopolitics: The United States
An accelerated transition to renewables could go either way, regarding the United States’ unique geopolitical strength. According to Indra Overland – head of the Center for Energy Research at the Norwegian Institute for International Affairs – the U.S. could surrender a major advantage if it abandons fossil fuel. The nation could, however, remain dominant in the global energy sector if it continues to lead on innovation and clean energy tech-related intellectual property.
Oct 2, 2019 // Policy, USA, China, Trump, Asia, Israel, Africa, Egypt, North America, Indra Overland, Norwegian Institute for International Affairs
Argentina stakes claim to Latin American PV crown with 300MW launch
Argentina has staked a claim to Latin American solar records after wrapping up the extension of a complex that could reach gigawatt-scale proportions within 10 years.
Oct 2, 2019 // Plants, Large-Scale, Commercial, China, Argentina, South america, Asia, cauchari, jujuy, jemse, shanghai electric, power china, Gerardo Morales, Eduardo Macri
China firms complete building Argentina's largest solar farm: Xinhua
Chinese companies have built a 300-megawatt solar farm in the highlands of northern Argentina, the largest of its kind in the South American nation, China’s state news agency Xinhua reported on Wednesday.
Oct 2, 2019 // Plants, Large-Scale, Commercial, China, tender, Argentina, South america, Asia, Xinhua, Shanghai Electric Power Construction Co. Ltd
Why Solar Energy Stocks Are Dropping Like a Rock
Investors are afraid of solar energy right now, but the long-term prospects of the industry are improving.
Oct 2, 2019 // Inverters, USA, SunPower, China, First Solar, Enphase Energy, Europe, JinkoSolar, Asia, solaredge technologies, North America
Belt and Road to bring 1 GW of solar to Italy
Chinese state-owned PV manufacturer Jetion Solar says it has signed a deal with Italian government-owned oil and gas major Eni to develop a slew of new solar projects across five regions in the next three years in a deal worth €2 billion.
Oct 1, 2019 // Manufacturing News, Markets & Finance News, Italy, China, Europe, Asia, Jetion Solar, Eni
Solar panels bring light to Amazon communities
Residents of the Verde Para Sempre extractivist reserve in the Brazilian Amazon protested as loudly as they could about the Tucuruí transmission line.
Sep 30, 2019 // Plants, Residential, Markets & Finance News, China, Amazon, South america, Brazil, Asia, Jinko, BYD, Trina, Angelo Mallet, José Pancrace, Liane Lima, JÁ Solar, Margarida Ribeiro da Silva
How will China’s electricity price reform affect solar?
The nation’s plan for grid-parity solar – brought forward to ease a mounting public PV subsidy debt burden – could be left in ruins by a newly-announced scheme to part liberalize the electricity price, itself motivated by a need to bail out financially stricken state-owned power companies.
Sep 30, 2019 // Plants, Large-Scale, Commercial, Markets & Finance News, Policy, China, Asia, China Central Television, NDRC, Song Jie Cao
Longi unveils results of bifacial module test
The exercise, conducted on Longi PERC bifacial modules by Germany’s TÜV SÜD at a test field in China, showed surprisingly higher gains in panels getting light reflection from painted-surface and grassland albedo. It also showed, Longi claimed, bifacial panels operate at lower temperatures than single-sided alternatives.
Sep 30, 2019 // Manufacturing News, Germany, China, Europe, Asia, LONGi, TÜV SÜD, PERC bifacial modules