China’s Chint investigates US solar manufacturing
The company is planning pilot U.S. inverter assembly in Texas, while it scouts for manufacturing locations in the U.S. Midwest.
Solar corporate funding rises 15% YoY with $5.3 billion in H1 2018 – Mercom
Despite the uncertainty caused by U.S. solar panel import tariffs, deteriorating trade relations between the U.S. and China, and the looming consequences of China’s PV policy change, the solar industry saw a 15% YoY increase in corporate funding in the first half of 2018, on the back of a Q2 rebound, finds the latest Mercom Capital report.
New solar water-splitting cell demonstrates 19.3% efficiency, increasing longevity significantly
The cell uses a novel approach that increases its conversion efficiency and longevity at the same time. Researchers claim it is a new world record for this type of application and highlight its importance in storing renewable energy in hydrogen to compensate for output and demand fluctuations.
Schletter acquisition finalized
The new shareholder obtained business operations, and shares in the German solar PV company. This transition finalizes Schletter’s financial recovery.
United States: Texas to get its biggest solar plant at 315 MW-DC
Innergex purchased the rights to develop the massive Phoebe solar power plant on the day that the project received a full notice to proceed with construction.
Alta Devices sets 28.9% efficiency record for single junction, GaAs cell
U.S. high efficiency specialist Alta Devices has announced the achievement of a 28.9% efficient single junction cell, based on its lightweight gallium arsenide (GaAs) technology. Alta’s solar cells are designed for integration into unmanned air vehicles and other autonomous systems.
ABB finalizes $2.6bn GE Industrial Solutions acquisition, deploys VPP in Italy
The company reports that its IoT ABB Ability platform connects to existing GE Industrial Solutions’ installations. The company will supply its products to GE, with the GE brand name being retained. Access to the North-American market was named as one of the primary motivators for the acquisition. At the same time, the company inked a deal to support Be Power in the Italian market for dispatching services with its ABB Ability solution.
Panasonic mulls further investment in Tesla battery gigafactory as shortages loom
The suggestion of additional investments beyond the $1.6 billion follows reports of battery cell shortages as Tesla’s Model 3 picks up production. It is unknown what impacts this will have on Tesla’s stationary storage business.
Norway’s REC Silicon lays off 40% of US workforce, reduces production
REC Silicon ASA has announced that it will today lay off around 100 employees from its workforce based in Washington, the U.S., and reduce production, as a “direct result” of the trade dispute between the U.S. and China.
Yingli to transfer to OTC Pink after NYSE delisting
Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Limited has been delisted from the New York Stock Exchange, and expects to begin trading on the OTC Pink on July 2, where there are no disclosure requirements.
