First Solar announces first development project in India
While First Solar has been the single largest module supplier for the Indian market, with the 45 MW-AC project at two sites in the new state of Telangana the company is moving into project development in the nation as well.
Vivint files for IPO for solar business
The home automation and security company has filed to spin off its solar business. Vivint Solar is the second-largest residential installer in the United States, and is gaining market share.
GT looks to the future in its solar, polysilicon businesses
The company’s quarterly results show the lowest revenues in over three years in its PV and Polysilicon businesses, and only $3 million in new orders across the two divisions. However, GT expects a rebound in the second half of 2014 and beyond, based on new technologies including Merlin, Hyperion and HiCz.
First Solar sets new world record for thin film solar PV at 21%
The U.S. PV maker’s new cadmium telluride (CdTe) solar cell narrowly beats Solar Frontier’s 20.9% record for copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) solar PV.
SunPower results slip slightly in the second quarter, amid trend of strong growth
While revenues and margins fell in the second quarter, SunPower is still producing modules at full capacity with expansions planned, and is holding more of the solar projects which it builds to retain additional long-term revenue.
SunPower to supply solar panels for 29 MW-DC Japanese PV plant
The American PV maker will supply its high-efficiency E20/327 modules to a Japanese conglomerate for a project in Southern Japan. SunPower has supplied around 400 MW of PV modules to the nation to date.
400 solar PV projects registered in Brazil auction
Brazil’s October 31st reserve auction will for the first time include a separate solar-only category. However GTM Research warns that many hurdles must be overcome before any projects awarded get built.
California Governor Brown signs MOU with Mexico to encourage cross-border renewable energy development
Non-binding agreement calls for work in renewable energy R&D, deployment and investments in infrastructure, as well as exploring grid integration between California and Baja California.
Arizona Public Service unveils plans to install 20 MW of solar PV on customer rooftops
The move by the Arizona utility would replace a utility-scale solar PV plant that it planned to build. APS’ rooftop solar plans are in sharp contrast to its attacks on net-metered solar, and the move has been questioned by SEIA.
Direct Energy acquires US residential installer Astrum Solar
By acquiring the eighth-largest residential solar installer in the United States, Direct Energy and parent company Centrica plc have moved into the U.S. solar PV market. This is part of a trend of acquisitions in this space.
