On 22 Dec, 2010 Trina Solar announced that its subsidiary, Changzhou Trina Solar Energy, previously signed a supply agreement with CECEP Solar Sheyang Power Company, a subsidiary of China Energy Conservation and Environmental Protection Group ("CECEP"), for a ground-mounted solar project in China.
Under the terms of the agreement, Trina Solar has been supplying PV modules for the construction of a ground mounted solar project of approximately 20 MW located in Sheyang, Jiangsu. Additionally, together with local partners, the Trina has been designing and managing the construction and development of the project. The project is expected to be completed by the end of December 2010.
The solar power station is believed to be one of the largest solar projects being built in China in 2010. The installation uses an optimized combination of both fixed and single-axle tracking systems and will be a useful platform on which to evaluate the performance of monocrystalline and multicrystalline module performance on a large scale basis.
"We are excited to partner with CECEP Solar Sheyang Power Company to supply our high quality solar PV modules for the development of this large scale solar PV power plant in China," said Mr. Jifan Gao, Chairman and CEO of Trina Solar. "This is an important and significant milestone in the development of China's solar industry as Trina Solar continues to actively promote the adoption of large scale solar projects and solutions as part of its commitment to creating sustainable PV solutions."
"We are very pleased to partner with one of the industry's PV leaders on this landmark project powered by Trina Solar's high performance products and system integration capabilities," said Mr. Cao Huabing, General Manager of PV Solar Business of CECEP. "We look forward to continue building our partnership with Trina Solar to develop more large scale solar projects in China."
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
France Solar Moratorium Intended to Give Lawmakers Time to Deal with Chinese Import Issue
Tuesday 21 Dec 10, France’s Environmental Minister told a radio program today that the nation’s decision to place a three-month freeze on most solar-energy projects was taken at least in part to stem the tide of cheaper Chinese solar panels flowing into the country.
Speaking on France Info Radio, Minister Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet said as much as 90 percent of the solar panels installed in France come from China and that as a result lawmakers must consider tightening import restrictions on those products.
“We are not here to subsidize the Chinese economy but to create green jobs in France,” Kosciusko-Morizet said.
According to the Bloomberg News Service, which reported on the minister’s remarks, a number of European governments are currently revising solar policies after realizing their subsidies were too generous and that developers bought a majority of the panels from Chinese suppliers rather than home-grown companies.
French lawmakers suspended solar projects with a capacity of at least 3 KW on 10 December as they consider what to do about the situation. However, some projects – those that agreed on earning the subsidized rates more than nine months ago with Electricite de France SA and are poised to generate power within the next 18 months – have been allowed to proceed.
France’s feed-in tariffs, among Europe’s highest, have sparked a boom in project applications and France, following similar moves in Spain and Germany, is seeking to limit the spiralling cost of clean energy for consumers, Bloomberg said.
Speaking on France Info Radio, Minister Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet said as much as 90 percent of the solar panels installed in France come from China and that as a result lawmakers must consider tightening import restrictions on those products.
“We are not here to subsidize the Chinese economy but to create green jobs in France,” Kosciusko-Morizet said.
According to the Bloomberg News Service, which reported on the minister’s remarks, a number of European governments are currently revising solar policies after realizing their subsidies were too generous and that developers bought a majority of the panels from Chinese suppliers rather than home-grown companies.
French lawmakers suspended solar projects with a capacity of at least 3 KW on 10 December as they consider what to do about the situation. However, some projects – those that agreed on earning the subsidized rates more than nine months ago with Electricite de France SA and are poised to generate power within the next 18 months – have been allowed to proceed.
France’s feed-in tariffs, among Europe’s highest, have sparked a boom in project applications and France, following similar moves in Spain and Germany, is seeking to limit the spiralling cost of clean energy for consumers, Bloomberg said.
Chinese PV suppliers in Q3 2010
Chinese crystalline PV giants, Suntech and JA Solar, topped the rankings for PV module shipments and PV cell production in Q3'10, according to the latest quarterly report from IMS Research . Suntech increased its PV module shipments by an impressive 25% over the previous quarter, to retain the top position, which it had first claimed in the second quarter of this year.
Demand for PV modules remained very strong in the third quarter and shipments climbed once again by 20%, reaching 5.4 GW. As a result of this high demand, the ten largest suppliers all increased their shipments in the quarter. All of the companies which improved their rankings since Q3'09 are Chinese. In fact, five out of the top seven suppliers in Q3'10 were Chinese crystalline suppliers.
While the PV module shipment rankings remained unchanged compared to the previous quarter, a new leader of the PV cell production rankings emerged in Q3'10. JA Solar, another Chinese crystalline manufacturer, increased its cell production by a massive 35% to top the rankings for the first time. First Solar, which had previously led the rankings, was also surpassed by Suntech, and fell to third place in the quarter. A further notable gain came from Q-Cells, another previous leader, which became the fourth largest cell producer in Q3'10, continuing its recovery having lost considerable market share throughout 2009.
"Once again, records were broken throughout the PV industry in the third quarter," remarked one of IMS Research's PV analysts, Sam Wilkinson. "Whilst all of the ten largest PV module suppliers recorded record module shipments in Q3'10, Chinese suppliers continued to dominate the industry and both the largest module supplier and largest cell producer were Chinese in the quarter. In fact, Chinese suppliers shipped over half of all modules in the third quarter," continued Wilkinson.
Chinese dominance aside, the outlook continues to be bright for the industry; IMS Research forecasts that PV module shipments will reach 18.9 GW in 2010, nearly twice the amount shipped in 2009, and although growth will slow in 2011, shipments are still forecast to continue increasing at double-digit rates.
Demand for PV modules remained very strong in the third quarter and shipments climbed once again by 20%, reaching 5.4 GW. As a result of this high demand, the ten largest suppliers all increased their shipments in the quarter. All of the companies which improved their rankings since Q3'09 are Chinese. In fact, five out of the top seven suppliers in Q3'10 were Chinese crystalline suppliers.
While the PV module shipment rankings remained unchanged compared to the previous quarter, a new leader of the PV cell production rankings emerged in Q3'10. JA Solar, another Chinese crystalline manufacturer, increased its cell production by a massive 35% to top the rankings for the first time. First Solar, which had previously led the rankings, was also surpassed by Suntech, and fell to third place in the quarter. A further notable gain came from Q-Cells, another previous leader, which became the fourth largest cell producer in Q3'10, continuing its recovery having lost considerable market share throughout 2009.
"Once again, records were broken throughout the PV industry in the third quarter," remarked one of IMS Research's PV analysts, Sam Wilkinson. "Whilst all of the ten largest PV module suppliers recorded record module shipments in Q3'10, Chinese suppliers continued to dominate the industry and both the largest module supplier and largest cell producer were Chinese in the quarter. In fact, Chinese suppliers shipped over half of all modules in the third quarter," continued Wilkinson.
Chinese dominance aside, the outlook continues to be bright for the industry; IMS Research forecasts that PV module shipments will reach 18.9 GW in 2010, nearly twice the amount shipped in 2009, and although growth will slow in 2011, shipments are still forecast to continue increasing at double-digit rates.
Evergreen Solar
As Evergreen Solar Inc. (Nasdaq: ESLR) works to become more competitive in the global solar power industry, the company said Tuesday 21 Dec 10 that it will double a warranty on two of its solar panel lines to 10 years.
The Marlborough, Mass.-based maker of solar wafers, cells and panels said it has embarked on a quality improvement program for the past two years. The initiative is designed to address all aspects of our product life cycle by implementing more robust product safety, reliability monitoring and supplier quality management programs, the company said.
“In keeping with our brand promise of delivering more electricity with less impact on the environment, our product development team consistently explores ways to improve the end product that Evergreen Solar delivers to its customers,” said Peter Rusch, Evergreen Solar’s vice president of global sales.
The Materials & Workmanship Warranty will apply to the company’s ES-A and ES-E solar panels that are purchased after Jan. 1, 2011.
Evergreen has faced stiff competition in the market for solar power products, particularly from Chinese manufacturers. The company is working to outsource its panel assembly operation from Devens, Mass., to China, as a way to cut costs. The company expects the transition to be complete by mid- to late-2011.
The company’s share price fell earlier this month after the company announced a re-capitalization plan that could have a dilutive impact on its share price.
The Marlborough, Mass.-based maker of solar wafers, cells and panels said it has embarked on a quality improvement program for the past two years. The initiative is designed to address all aspects of our product life cycle by implementing more robust product safety, reliability monitoring and supplier quality management programs, the company said.
“In keeping with our brand promise of delivering more electricity with less impact on the environment, our product development team consistently explores ways to improve the end product that Evergreen Solar delivers to its customers,” said Peter Rusch, Evergreen Solar’s vice president of global sales.
The Materials & Workmanship Warranty will apply to the company’s ES-A and ES-E solar panels that are purchased after Jan. 1, 2011.
Evergreen has faced stiff competition in the market for solar power products, particularly from Chinese manufacturers. The company is working to outsource its panel assembly operation from Devens, Mass., to China, as a way to cut costs. The company expects the transition to be complete by mid- to late-2011.
The company’s share price fell earlier this month after the company announced a re-capitalization plan that could have a dilutive impact on its share price.
Pakistan-China Energy Technology Transfer Agreements
A project to generate 2,300MW of electricity through wind turbines and solar panels has turned out to be the most important agreement reached with China during the recent visit of Premier Wen Jiabao, says Board of Investment (BoI) chairman Saleem H. Mandviwala.
Briefing the media on the outcome of the Pakistan-China Business Cooperation Summit, he said the project would involve an investment of $6.5 billion and wind power projects of 1,000MW each would be set up in Punjab and Sindh. A 200MW solar power project would be set up in Punjab and another of 100MW in Sindh.
Mr Mandviwala said the agreement signed between the China International Water and Electric Corporation and the Alternate Energy Development Board would also involve transfer of technology and China would assist Pakistan in manufacturing solar panels and turbines.
He said the summit had worked out 22 memorandums of understanding (MoUs) in different sectors, including wind power generation, solar energy, mining, trade, textile, engineering goods, automobile, electronics and chemicals, but 18 MoUs were signed and the remaining four would be taken up in the near future when the BoI would hold another ‘business-to-business’ meeting with Chinese investors to formalize the agreements.
He said the 18 MoUs negotiated through the forum of BoI involved $15 billion, including investment, equity sharing and borrowing. The two sides would jointly look into feasibility of the projects, decide locations in consultation with the provinces and arrange financing, he said.
The BOI chairman described the $3.55 billion MoU on National Transmission Distribution Company as yet another landmark in the energy sector, saying that power generation required new transmission and distribution lines which would be financed by the China Development Bank.
About an agreement on Bilateral Investment Treaty with the United States, Mr Mandviwala said that talks were progressing since the US had made changes in the templates which were delaying signing of the treaty
Briefing the media on the outcome of the Pakistan-China Business Cooperation Summit, he said the project would involve an investment of $6.5 billion and wind power projects of 1,000MW each would be set up in Punjab and Sindh. A 200MW solar power project would be set up in Punjab and another of 100MW in Sindh.
Mr Mandviwala said the agreement signed between the China International Water and Electric Corporation and the Alternate Energy Development Board would also involve transfer of technology and China would assist Pakistan in manufacturing solar panels and turbines.
He said the summit had worked out 22 memorandums of understanding (MoUs) in different sectors, including wind power generation, solar energy, mining, trade, textile, engineering goods, automobile, electronics and chemicals, but 18 MoUs were signed and the remaining four would be taken up in the near future when the BoI would hold another ‘business-to-business’ meeting with Chinese investors to formalize the agreements.
He said the 18 MoUs negotiated through the forum of BoI involved $15 billion, including investment, equity sharing and borrowing. The two sides would jointly look into feasibility of the projects, decide locations in consultation with the provinces and arrange financing, he said.
The BOI chairman described the $3.55 billion MoU on National Transmission Distribution Company as yet another landmark in the energy sector, saying that power generation required new transmission and distribution lines which would be financed by the China Development Bank.
About an agreement on Bilateral Investment Treaty with the United States, Mr Mandviwala said that talks were progressing since the US had made changes in the templates which were delaying signing of the treaty
JA Solar to expand capacity in 2011: CEO
JA Solar plans to expand solar-cell production capacity by at least 30 percent next year, Bloomberg News reported Saturday, citing the company's chief executive officer Fang Peng.
The Shanghai-based company has an annual capacity of two GW, about 2.5 times its 2009 level, Fang said in an interview in Beijing. It's in negotiations to build a solar-cell production facility in the US, he said.
Global installations of solar panels may more than double to 15.8 gW this year as developers seek to set up systems and benefit from government incentives, according to technology researcher Isuppli. Demand may rise to 19.3 GW in 2011, Isuppli said in November.
JA Solar aims to increase its global market share from 10 percent next year and is seeking opportunities in emerging markets including Canada and Africa, Fang said.
The company began producing modules this year and has reached 500 megawatts (mW) of capacity. JA Solar has supplied modules to Italy, the US and Germany-based companies including MEMC Electronic Materials Inc, SunEdison LLC and BP Solar, Fang said.
JA Solar also has capacity to turn out 300 mW of solar wafers, Fang said, and will expand wafer production as long as it can secure a supply chain and keep costs low.
The company said Dec 2 that it signed an agreement to buy 10 GW of wafers and polysilicon from Hong Kong-listed polysilicon maker GCL Poly Energy Holdings Ltd between 2011 and 2015.
The Shanghai-based company has an annual capacity of two GW, about 2.5 times its 2009 level, Fang said in an interview in Beijing. It's in negotiations to build a solar-cell production facility in the US, he said.
Global installations of solar panels may more than double to 15.8 gW this year as developers seek to set up systems and benefit from government incentives, according to technology researcher Isuppli. Demand may rise to 19.3 GW in 2011, Isuppli said in November.
JA Solar aims to increase its global market share from 10 percent next year and is seeking opportunities in emerging markets including Canada and Africa, Fang said.
The company began producing modules this year and has reached 500 megawatts (mW) of capacity. JA Solar has supplied modules to Italy, the US and Germany-based companies including MEMC Electronic Materials Inc, SunEdison LLC and BP Solar, Fang said.
JA Solar also has capacity to turn out 300 mW of solar wafers, Fang said, and will expand wafer production as long as it can secure a supply chain and keep costs low.
The company said Dec 2 that it signed an agreement to buy 10 GW of wafers and polysilicon from Hong Kong-listed polysilicon maker GCL Poly Energy Holdings Ltd between 2011 and 2015.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Solarfun Opens New North American Office
Solarfun Power Holdings Co. Ltd., a vertically integrated manufacturer of silicon ingots, wafers and photovoltaic cells and modules based in China, has opened a new North American office in Cheshire, Conn. The new office is Solarfun's second location in North America; the company also maintains a facility in Costa Mesa, Calif.
CTDC Supplied Transparent Modules for MW-Level Solar Power Plants in Italy
On 17 Dec 10, China Technology Development Group Corporation (CTDC), a clean energy group based in China to provide solar energy products and solutions, announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Linsun Power Technology (Quanzhou) Corp. Ltd., has been selected to supply 1.55 MW of transparent multi-crystalline solar modules for two on-grid solar power plants in Molfetta and Verona of Italy. The transparent solar module is a new product developed by CTDC's subsidiary, with nice appearance and high transparence, especially suitable for Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) projects.
The first shipment of the transparent modules has been made and the modules are in the process of installation in Italy, while the second shipment will be done by end of this year. The two solar power plants are expected to be operational in January 2011.
"We are excited for being the supplier of transparent modules to the solar power plants in Italy," said Mr. Sean Liaw (Liao Lin-Hsiang), Chief Operating Officer of the Company. "We have consistently paid attention to the development trend in overseas front-end market, which is in line with our company's values – innovative and pragmatic. This time our innovative product is recognized by overseas market, which fully reflects our company's development is on a right track. Looking forward, we believe the real concept of 'China Technology' will be delivered and reached to our overseas customers by creating and providing differential products and excellent service."
The first shipment of the transparent modules has been made and the modules are in the process of installation in Italy, while the second shipment will be done by end of this year. The two solar power plants are expected to be operational in January 2011.
"We are excited for being the supplier of transparent modules to the solar power plants in Italy," said Mr. Sean Liaw (Liao Lin-Hsiang), Chief Operating Officer of the Company. "We have consistently paid attention to the development trend in overseas front-end market, which is in line with our company's values – innovative and pragmatic. This time our innovative product is recognized by overseas market, which fully reflects our company's development is on a right track. Looking forward, we believe the real concept of 'China Technology' will be delivered and reached to our overseas customers by creating and providing differential products and excellent service."
Germany may slash solar energy incentives by 16% in mid-2011
According to Digitimes, the government and opposition parties in Germany are in talks regarding a 16% cut of the FIT for PV solar systems on July 1, 2011, according to market rumors. Germany is already scheduled to reduce feed in rates by 13% on Jan 1, 2011.
I expect Chinese solar companies are closely watching this and will adjust their marketing strategies accordingly.
I expect Chinese solar companies are closely watching this and will adjust their marketing strategies accordingly.
Taiwan's Eversol to Double Capacity in 2011
According to Digitames, Eversol is scheduled to complete construction of a new plant in Taoyuan, northern Taiwan, in October 2011, according to company president Martin Kuo. Installed capacity at the new plant will reach 170MWp by the end of 2011, bringing the company's total capacity for the year to 500MWp.
Capacity at Eversol's existing facility in Tongluo, Miaoli County, is estimated at 250MWp for 2010. The company aims for an annual capacity of 1GWp in 2012, said Kuo.
With new capacity coming online, Eversol's revenues for 2011 are projected to top NT$7 billion (US$235 million) in 2011, Kuo indicated.
Eversol's revenues from January through November totaled NT$3.99 billion, showing a 239.4% hike from the same period of 2009.
Kuo estimated the company will shipped about 220MWp of solar wafers in 2010, and the level is set to increase driven by more capacity available in 2011.
Commenting on price trends for solar wafers, Kuo said there is room for a 5% reduction in the fourth quarter as the market enters the annual off season. Prices for the first quarter of 2011 remain uncertain, but will certainly start to rebound in the second quarter and hit the year's peak levels in the third, Kuo said.
In other news, Eversol plans to submit an application to list on Taiwan's over-the-counter (OTC) market in March 2011, according to Kuo. It is currently listed on the Taiwan Emerging Stock Board (ESB).
Capacity at Eversol's existing facility in Tongluo, Miaoli County, is estimated at 250MWp for 2010. The company aims for an annual capacity of 1GWp in 2012, said Kuo.
With new capacity coming online, Eversol's revenues for 2011 are projected to top NT$7 billion (US$235 million) in 2011, Kuo indicated.
Eversol's revenues from January through November totaled NT$3.99 billion, showing a 239.4% hike from the same period of 2009.
Kuo estimated the company will shipped about 220MWp of solar wafers in 2010, and the level is set to increase driven by more capacity available in 2011.
Commenting on price trends for solar wafers, Kuo said there is room for a 5% reduction in the fourth quarter as the market enters the annual off season. Prices for the first quarter of 2011 remain uncertain, but will certainly start to rebound in the second quarter and hit the year's peak levels in the third, Kuo said.
In other news, Eversol plans to submit an application to list on Taiwan's over-the-counter (OTC) market in March 2011, according to Kuo. It is currently listed on the Taiwan Emerging Stock Board (ESB).
Thursday, December 16, 2010
GCL Solar
This week Lux Research has released excellent analysis of GCL Solar and its recent deal with Wells Fargo. This deal will provide more than $100 million of tax equity to GCL-sponsored projects by the end of 2011 – which Lux Research estimates is equivalent to roughly 40 to 50MW of new installations.
Below is Lux Research's analysis:
A quickly emerging Chinese solar company, GCL Solar Energy is a subsidiary of GCL Poly Energy Holdings, which produces polysilicon ingots and wafers. The firm’s latest development is important in a number of respects. First, the transaction breaks the mold cast by Yingli, Trina, and other integrated Chinese manufacturers by putting GCL into the project-development space. These other companies are integrated from ingot to module, and they hesitate to enter the U.S. project space for fear of competing with their customers. Further, one firm that took the leap -- Suntech Power through its subsidiary Gemini Solar -- failed dramatically due to its poor understanding of the U.S. regulatory environment.
Secondly, GCL’s move effectively duplicates the value chain model established by MEMC's acquisition of SunEdison, giving GCL presence in the two parts of the value chain with the most pricing leverage, poly to wafer and project development. This enables the company to subjugate device manufacturers, especially those without access to their own polysilicon or end markets, into low-margin tolling arrangements.
Lastly, it puts Chinese project developers directly in competition with U.S.-owned project developers for limited tax equity financing. This is especially critical at this juncture, given the possibility that the U.S. ITC grant will expire at the end of 2010 -- and the market is moving into "zero sum game" territory, where any tax equity agreement subtracts from the appetitive available to keep other project developers active.
Those watching the U.S. solar market closely should prepare for protectionist cries against Chinese companies, magnified by the fact that GCL Solar is partially (and explicitly) owned by the China Investment Corporation, China's sovereign wealth fund (see the December 10, 2009 LRSJ). Though this move solidifies GCL as a leader in the solar space -- and it could do quite well for itself in the U.S. in 2011 -- Lux Research is concerned about the potential for political fallout as the strength of China's energy policies take advantage of the paucity of similar policies in the U.S.
Below is Lux Research's analysis:
A quickly emerging Chinese solar company, GCL Solar Energy is a subsidiary of GCL Poly Energy Holdings, which produces polysilicon ingots and wafers. The firm’s latest development is important in a number of respects. First, the transaction breaks the mold cast by Yingli, Trina, and other integrated Chinese manufacturers by putting GCL into the project-development space. These other companies are integrated from ingot to module, and they hesitate to enter the U.S. project space for fear of competing with their customers. Further, one firm that took the leap -- Suntech Power through its subsidiary Gemini Solar -- failed dramatically due to its poor understanding of the U.S. regulatory environment.
Secondly, GCL’s move effectively duplicates the value chain model established by MEMC's acquisition of SunEdison, giving GCL presence in the two parts of the value chain with the most pricing leverage, poly to wafer and project development. This enables the company to subjugate device manufacturers, especially those without access to their own polysilicon or end markets, into low-margin tolling arrangements.
Lastly, it puts Chinese project developers directly in competition with U.S.-owned project developers for limited tax equity financing. This is especially critical at this juncture, given the possibility that the U.S. ITC grant will expire at the end of 2010 -- and the market is moving into "zero sum game" territory, where any tax equity agreement subtracts from the appetitive available to keep other project developers active.
Those watching the U.S. solar market closely should prepare for protectionist cries against Chinese companies, magnified by the fact that GCL Solar is partially (and explicitly) owned by the China Investment Corporation, China's sovereign wealth fund (see the December 10, 2009 LRSJ). Though this move solidifies GCL as a leader in the solar space -- and it could do quite well for itself in the U.S. in 2011 -- Lux Research is concerned about the potential for political fallout as the strength of China's energy policies take advantage of the paucity of similar policies in the U.S.
Yingli Signs 220MW Supply Contract with Euro Solar Co
Pacific Epoch is reporting Yingli has agreed to supply European solar power products manufacturer S.A.G. Solarstrom with 220MW of PV modules from 2011 through 2013, Yingli announced on December 14. The modules are expected to be installed in residential and commercial rooftop projects and in ground-mounted power plants.
Yingli announced December 2 that it will supply roughly 70% of the PV modules for the Ministry of Finance-sponsored Golden Sun solar subsidies program.
Yingli announced December 2 that it will supply roughly 70% of the PV modules for the Ministry of Finance-sponsored Golden Sun solar subsidies program.
JinkoSolar Partners with Innovalight
JinkoSolar, a vertically integrated solar product manufacturer based in China, announced today that it has entered into a commercial agreement with Sunnyvale, Califonia-based Innovalight, a privately-held company that manufactures proprietary silicon ink and licenses proprietary processing technology to solar cell manufacturing companies.
Under the terms of the agreement, JinkoSolar will purchase silicon ink from Innovalight and license Innovalight's processing technology to produce solar cells with higher conversion efficiencies.
Innovalight's proprietary nanotechnology-based silicon ink and processing platform provide a simple upgrade to solar cell manufacturing production lines that boosts the performance of solar cells and lowers production costs. With Innovalight technology, JinkoSolar expects to produce monocrystalline solar cells with conversion efficiencies greater than 18.6% in the first half of 2011.
Innovalight is venture capital backed and has received additional development funds from the US Department of Energy.
Under the terms of the agreement, JinkoSolar will purchase silicon ink from Innovalight and license Innovalight's processing technology to produce solar cells with higher conversion efficiencies.
Innovalight's proprietary nanotechnology-based silicon ink and processing platform provide a simple upgrade to solar cell manufacturing production lines that boosts the performance of solar cells and lowers production costs. With Innovalight technology, JinkoSolar expects to produce monocrystalline solar cells with conversion efficiencies greater than 18.6% in the first half of 2011.
Innovalight is venture capital backed and has received additional development funds from the US Department of Energy.
Trina Solar Eyes 10% Global PV Market Share in 2011
According to a China Knowledge Newswire, Trina Solar plans to have more than 10% market share in the global photovoltaic market next year. The solar product maker, currently has a global market share of 8%, plans to allocate up to US$400 million in capital expenditure for 2011. CFO Terry Wang said Europe will still be the largest market but will have a slow sales growth next year. Sales in the region are expected to account for 60% of the firm's global sales from the current 75%. Rapid sales increase with strong demand is likely to be recorded in the U.S., Australia, China and Japan, said Wang, adding that Trina Solar intends to double shipments to the U.S. in 2011 from 130 megawatts this year. Trina Solar, based in Changzhou, Jiangsu Province, previously indicated a shipment guidance of 1.5 GW for 2011, and the firm is expected to surpass the sales goal. Next year, Trina Solar's output is expected to swell to 1.7 GW from this year's 1.1 GW.
Motech Industries Joins EPIA
On 15 Dec 10, Motech Industries (TAIEX:6244), a Taiwan-based solar cell maker, said Wednesday it has been accepted as a member by the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA) , becoming the first Taiwanese solar company to join the group.
Canadian Opel Launches Hong Kong Joint Venture
On 15 Dec 10, Canadian high concentration photovoltaics (HCPV) maker Opel Solar Inc, part of Opel Solar International (CVE:OPL), said yesterday it established a joint venture in Hong Kong to facilitate its expansion into the rapidly growing HCPV market in eastern Asia.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
There was an error in this gadget
Facebook Share
There was an error in this gadget
