Report shows Tesla’s US battery gigafactory booming
The report found over 3,200 employees working at the factory at the end of 2017, and US$3.7 billion in invested in the plant.
Big steel goes big solar in the US
A deal between Xcel Energy and steelmaker EVRAZ includes the building of a 240 MW solar project near the company’s Rocky Mountain Steel mill in Pueblo, Colorado. This is by far the largest behind-the-meter solar project pv magazine staff has heard of to date.
Enphase boosts confidence, touts technology during analyst day
While the microinverter maker is still the target of an aggressive short, Roth Capital Partners has reiterated its “buy” at $6.50 per share, describing the IQ8 as a “game changer”.
SunPower borrows $110 million to refinance
The PV manufacturer plans to pay off the high-interest ‘mezzanine loan’ with revenue from its residential lease portfolio.
Saudis may take Tesla private
Elon Musk has revealed that a Saudi sovereign wealth fund has approached him with a definite offer, and has announced advisors as the company forms a special committee.
US: EIA forecasts modest, uneven solar market growth in 2019
The organization’s short-term energy outlook forecasts that 10.3 GW-AC of solar will be installed in 2019, a 7% growth from 2018 – but for 60% of this solar to come online in December.
Trump confirms additional 25% tariffs on Chinese cells and modules
While the duties make importing solar from China even more impractical, they are unlikely to have a significant impact on trade flows or on the U.S. market, with Chinese manufacturers outsourcing operations overseas.
BREAKING: Trump calls for 25% tariffs on Chinese inverters, other products
U.S. President Donald Trump has asked trade officials to consider increasing import duties from 10% to 25% on a list of products from China, including inverters, AC modules and non-lithium batteries.
Enphase within striking distance of profitability in Q2 results
The company has brought its operating margin to below -1%, as it fends off component shortages, short sellers and potential tariffs.
SunPower to shift IBC solar production to new technology
The PV maker plans to shift its 800 MW of E-Series production to its new NGT technology, as it records a massive loss on depreciation of its old equipment. The move was revealed in second-quarter figures featuring plenty of red ink.
