Manufacturing

SunPower has reported that the enhanced power density and 25-year warranty for its shingled P-Series modules was a key factor behind its selection by Belectric as the module supplier to the 349 MW Limondale utility scale solar project. Chris O’Brien, SunPower’s Australian Managing Director reports “strong bookings” for the new module concept.

The China-headquartered battery manufacturer has joined Germany’s sonnen as an exclusive approved battery storage provider for the South Australian Home Battery Scheme. Alpha-ESS plans to set up a manufacturing facility in Adelaide, where it will build more than 8000 batteries a year and create up to 120 jobs.

German inverter supplier SMA has continued to build on its very strong position in the Australian large scale solar market segment, being selected to supply what will be the largest PV power plant in the country. The Limondale Solar Farm in NSW will 57 SMA MPVS systems and two SMA Power Plant Controllers.

While the SRES appears safe, the rooftop PV market is likely to thrive even as the certificates phase out. So says Hans-Georg Einwagner – Area Sales Manager Asia-Pacific Region, for Austrian inverter maker Fronius. With something approaching 40% market share in the DG rooftop segment in certain segments, Einwagner says Fronius’ quality and service model is behind the company’s strong showing.

Enphase’s 3rd quarter results saw revenues at $78 million with an estimated $10 million sales shortfall due to a component shortage, as the company shipped 204 MW of inverters. Future speculation saw an international play on the IQ8, the SunPower partnership, and energy storage driving growth.

German inverter supplier SMA has picked up two landmark projects in the APAC region. The 50 MW Minbu Solar Park in Myanmar, the largest solar array in the country, will deploy SMA’s Sunny Central platform, while string inverters from SMA’s Chinese subsidiary Zeversolar have been installed at a 20 MW floating project in Jiangsu.

The inverter maker took number one spot in the United States from SMA this year, and acquired majority stakes and IP in uninterrupted power supply company Gamesa and storage system provider Kokam. While other companies have consolidated, SolarEdge managed to report robust results.

Passing the 2 GW installation milestone, opening its DG business and moving into Southeast Asia: Nextracker’s Australian operations is proving to be a bright spot on global map. For Peter Wheale, VP responsible for Australia, Southeast Asia and the Pacific, it’s vindication of his conviction that the market was going to take off, and success in which fortuitous timing played no small roll.

Chinese module manufacturer Trina Solar has launched its “all-in-one“ kit in Australia targeting the rooftop solar segment. Its expectations of the Aussie market are high, as the company continues to pursue overseas expansion to ride out the China government policy shake-up.

With over 1 GW of trackers supplied to Australia, which is one of its key markets alongside the home turf of the United States, Array Technologies claims a substantial market share amid fierce competition Down Under. pv magazine Australia caught up with Ron Corio, the company’s Founder and Chief Innovation Officer to discuss Array’s new tracking optimization technology and performance in the market.