China stirs the PV world – by preparing to shift to auction mechanism
Projects not encompassed by the new, central-subsidy-free, ‘grid-parity’ regime will be eligible to bid for a government subsidy. But, at a reported $446 million, the pot is not big.
Tesla dives deeper into energy storage, as solar slumps
Elon Musk’s company is seeing tremendous success with its EVs and global manufacturing, and dramatically scaling its energy storage deployment, but the Solar Roof is still not being widely deployed.
Jinko achieves 24.2% efficiency for its n-type monocrystalline cell
The Chinese module maker said the result was certified by the Photovoltaic and Wind Power Systems Quality Test Center at the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The record, Jinko said, is thanks to its high quality n-type wafers, selective doping technology and advanced fine-line printing.
China installed 44.1 GW of solar in 2018, according to official NEA data
The world’s biggest solar market reached a cumulative installed PV capacity of 174.63 GW at the end of last year.
PERC cell efficiency records tumble
Last week, Chinese manufacturers Risen Energy and LONGi both announced conversion efficiency records for PERC cells as the twin quest to drive down costs and increase energy output shows no sign of abating.
Energytrend: Stockpiles down, utilization and prices recovering
The Taiwanese market research company has published its latest price trend data for PV modules, cells, wafers and silicon. Across the value chain, rising demand is causing stockpiles to dwindle and utilization rates to rise. Prices are rising in China as well as for high-efficiency products. Module prices have stabilized.
Tesla begins construction of Shanghai gigafactory
The EV and battery maker wants to start production of its Model 3 for the Chinese market by the end of the year. Next year, according to high-profile CEO Elon Musk, mass production of electric cars will start there, and this is expected to include their batteries as well.
JinkoSolar posts significant shipment growth in Q3
The Chinese manufacturer saw its shipments increase 24.4% year-on-year, to around 3 GW of modules in the latest quarter, with overseas shipped products accounting for approximately 80% of sales. The outlook for full fiscal 2018 was maintained almost unchanged, while new positive changes from policy side in China are confirmed.
IHS revises up outlook for Chinese solar to 40 GW after underestimating demand
Around 34.5 GW of PV was installed in China in the first three quarters – 1.5 GW more than expected by IHS analysts, who have raised their full-year guidance.
Canadian Solar privatization plans on ice
Last December, the company’s CEO made a proposed transaction offer to acquire Canadian Solar. Mulling the offer, a special committee has now advised the company’s board to cease its review of the proposal, highlighting that it could not find sufficient certainty in the CEO’s ability to secure the funding for the transaction. Following the news today the CEO has withdrawn his offer.
