Solar’s global footprint grows
Following years of concentration and consolidation of the entire supply chain in China and a few neighboring countries, solar is again spreading its manufacturing footprint around the world. The United States and India have shown great determination to come this far in reducing their reliance on imported products and both are now sitting on […]
Growth stalls in August
Utility-scale solar in the United States has been held back by duties on PV module imports, but Jesse Pichel, of Roth Capital Partners, says growth could be on the horizon for residential solar stocks as falling interest rates open the door to an uptick in battery demand.
India’s PV production push
India is emerging as a key player in solar manufacturing, focusing on enhancing domestic capacity to meet ambitious solar targets driven by energy security concerns, environmental sustainability aims, and economic growth goals.
Low prices shaping polysilicon’s future
Polysilicon was in short supply in 2021 and 2022. High prices and fat profits drove investment into huge new production capacities, including from new market entrants. The resulting surpluses have driven down prices, according to InfoLink analyst Dora Zhao.
Best of the BESS suppliers
The choice of battery project partners and suppliers – including for battery cells – can make or break a battery energy storage system (BESS). Price is not everything and a supplier’s technology and long-term support must align with buyer needs and risk appetite.
Production closures bump poly price
Recent price hikes in the upstream solar supply chain have seen limited success, writes OPIS editorial director Hanwei Wu. But solar manufacturers are pressing ahead, hoping that production cuts will reverse the negative market sentiment.
Hybrids powering the renewables rollout
Growth in India’s renewable energy sector has been remarkable, driven by the government’s ambitious net-zero target, supportive policy, and falling technology costs. Now, as the country looks to integrate more renewable energy into its grids, Crisil’s Sehul Bhatt finds that hybrid systems, combining solar, wind, and energy storage are proving an attractive solution.
India’s stored potential
Renewable Energy Expo India (REI) returns at the start of October 2024, for what will be its 17th edition. For the second year running, the Battery Show India will run concurrently with REI. pv magazine had the chance to catch up with Julian Thomas, senior project director at show organizer Informa Markets, to discuss growth in energy storage and early moves to establish a battery supply chain in India.
An oasis for Chinese solar
China’s solar manufacturing giants have significantly ramped up investment in Middle Eastern manufacturing and renewables projects since September 2023. Vincent Shaw examines the market and policy conditions behind this trend.
Oversupply and demand in Pakistan
Solar panels flooded into Pakistan during the first half of 2024 and oversupply has wiped out module margins. Solar developers want greater liberalization of the nation’s electricity market but the government is concerned that moving too quickly could place more pressure on utilities already burdened by high capacity payments.
