Manufacturing

University of Michigan team hopes to offer a 15% efficient solar window product, that allows 50% of the light through, and have received $1.3 million from the Department of Energy’s Solar Energy Technologies Office to develop it further.

Caterpillar-branded SunPower modules will be available in Southeast Asia, Africa, South America, and the Middle East – but not yet the United States.

RGS Energy says it expects to deliver its first POWERHOUSE solar shingles in December. The company did not accept deposits for its $127 million in written reservations, but now that UL approval is in they’re soliciting those groups for cash deposits.

Enphase’s 3rd quarter results saw revenues at $78 million with an estimated $10 million sales shortfall due to a component shortage, as the company shipped 204 MW of inverters. Future speculation saw an international play on the IQ8, the SunPower partnership, and energy storage driving growth.

Esdec has acquired EcoFasten Solar, which it says gives it access to a large ecosystem of installers and distributors. The European racking manufacturer launched its US offensive earlier this year.

The Kroll Bond Rating Agency delivered an Investment Grade preliminary rating on a SunPower residential lease portfolio of 317 MW. The P50 and P90 ratings after 20 years were projected near 90%, and 73-80%, respectively.

In a slow global solar market, SolarEdge grew total shipments 44% year-over-year, expanded its presence in the C&I market, and grew global sales. Margins did slip, and growth rates were slower.

The high efficiency PV maker is still chasing elusive profitability, but had some major successes this quarter and is optimistic about new technologies and opportunities.

The German inverter maker has joined forces with the Chinese battery maker after losing U.S. market share to SolarEdge. This follows BYD linking up with Kostal to optimize communication interfaces between inverters and storage applications.

The PV maker’s quarterly results show not only the ramping of its Series 6 production at a third location, but also bookings that continuing to climb, with 11.3 GW of modules now under contract.