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.
REC Silicon lays off 40% of US workforce, reduces production
The Norwegian polysilicon maker has announced that it will today lay off around 100 employees from its Washington plant and reduce production, as a “direct result” of the trade dispute between the United States and China.
Elon Musk’s unprecedented solar+storage vision for Puerto Rico moves forward
Puerto Rico is requesting ten 20 MW / 20 MWh batteries to be deployed strategically in the country’s power grid. The RFQ notes that sites should be upgradable to 40 MW / 160 MWh.
LG to make high-efficiency solar panels in Alabama
LG Electronics has announced plans for a 500 MW/year solar module manufacturing facility in Huntsville to make its NeON2 60-cell 340-W modules. With this and other factories the nation will be well over the 2.5 GW cell exemption under Section 201.
Monocrystalline solar prices fall
The latest figures from Taiwanese analytics firm PVInsights shows that prices for monocrystalline solar PV products have fallen sharply in a week-on-week comparison. The price drops for wafers were particularly strong.
GT Advanced Technologies opens silicon carbide factory in New Hampshire
The upstream technology company plans to sell silicon carbide for applications including advanced inverters for solar and battery storage, as part of a new emphasis on materials supply.
Solar trade dispute: U.S. agrees to consultation w/ Korea, EU, China, Malaysia & Thailand
Through the consultation, the United States aims to settle the dispute over the 30% import tariffs introduced under Section 201.
Kaua’i to near 70% renewables with massive solar + storage project
The 70 MWh energy storage system accompanying a 19 MW solar project is one of the largest batteries to be deployed in the United States, and is coming in at under 11 cents per kilowatt-hour.
Made in the USA
In the wake of the Section 201 tariffs, the United States is seeing a minor renaissance in solar module manufacturing. However, in terms of why this is happening, the tariffs are only one part of a more complicated story.
Court strikes down Canadian solar makers’ attempt to stay solar tariffs
Three manufacturers with Canadian module assembly have had no luck in trying to get a preliminary injunction against the Section 201 tariffs.
