SunPower to exit utility-scale solar development
The company is pivoting to DG solar and expanding its manufacturing as it continues to struggle with profitability.
SMA confirms guidance for 2018
In the first quarter of 2018 SMA saw its sales increase slightly, while EBITDA improved compared to the same period of the previous year. Net profit, however, was significantly below the level of the first quarter of 2017.
sPower, Array Technologies announce multi-gigawatt US tracker partnership
Over the next three years, Array expects to supply multiple gigawatts of trackers to the developer, as its “primary” tracker supplier.
JA Solar sees profits decline despite strong growth of shipments, sales
The Chinese company said its gross margins were impacted by lower ASPs and rising material costs, while the decline in net and operating profits was due to higher operating expenses. Shipments and sales, however, grew by 52.4% and 25.5%, respectively.
First Solar still sold out into 2020
The thin film solar maker is also reviving its EPC division with a goal to build 1 GW of solar projects each year, as well as increasing its presence in O&M services.
Yingli’s financials go from bad to worse
In reporting its FY 2017 financials, Yingli has again revealed that “substantial doubt exists as to the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.” It is seeking to agree on a debt restructuring plan with creditors, and is asking them to refrain from initiating bankruptcy proceedings. Overall, it recorded a 2017 net loss of US$510 million and total liabilities of $3.2 billion. It has not issued guidance for this year.
Longi half-cut cell PERC module exceeds 360 W
Longi is progressing at breakneck speed, having announced yet another world record. This time, the Chinese manufacturer says its 120-cell half-cut monocrystalline PERC module has exceeded 360 W.
Long read: China’s monocrystalline boom
Two large Chinese ingot and wafer makers have announced bold plans to expand their capacities beyond anything seen to date. In the process they could transform the entire upstream solar manufacturing landscape.
A commitment to American manufacturing: An interview with SunPower CEO Tom Werner
In this interview with pv magazine USA SunPower CEO Tom Werner gets into the why and how of his company’s purchase of SolarWorld Americas, and what to expect from SolarWorld’s Oregon factory in the future.
Global inverter shipments to grow just 2% in 2018
Global solar PV inverter shipment are expected to increase just 2% this year, to just over 100 GWac, GTM Research’s Scott Moskowitz tells pv magazine. He further reveals that Huawei knocked SMA off the top revenue spot in 2017, for the first time.
