What China’s subsidy pull-back means for U.S. solar (part 2): manufacturing
Global oversupply and a collapse in module prices are not good news for manufacturers. But the details are always more complex, and many of the factories planned for the United States appear to be staying the course.
BNEF expects 34% fall in PV module prices in 2018
The organization is expecting carnage throughout the solar value chain as the result of reduced policy support for deployment in China.
Tesla and Panasonic to kill cobalt curse
Panasonic announced an aim to produce batteries for Tesla without using cobalt, much of which is sourced from the unstable and conflict-ridden Congo.
GameChange reaches over 6 GW of manufacturing capacity
The racking and tracker maker has secured eight additional manufacturing lines, including in six Southeast states.
Hanwha Q Cells to build America’s largest solar module factory in Georgia
The South Korean group plans to commence construction of a facility with an annual capacity of at least 1.6 GW near the border of Georgia and Tennessee by the end of this year, with completion slated for 2019.
Panasonic and Pika up the pace
Pika Energy has increased its home battery capacity to 17.1 kWh – about half an average home’s daily usage. The units are powered by Panasonic lithium-ion cells.
The path to 1.5¢/kWh solar power, and lower
GTM Research projects 24¢/w solar panels and utility scale fixed-tilt systems at $0.70/W by 2022, which opens up new possibilities for ultra-cheap power from solar.
Hurricane Maria moves Solartech Universal’s expansion to South Florida
Solartech Universal plans to expand its current 80 MW/year capacity by 180 MW/year. The company is seeking a facility in South Florida.
Tesla and Panasonic to hire 80 workers at Buffalo gigafactory
The Tesla/Panasonic gigafactory is taking on more workers, as a sign of health. However many details remain unclear.
NEXTracker to supply trackers for 634 MW of First Solar projects
The tracker maker will also supply a new type of racking for the roll out of First Solar’s large-format Series 6 modules.
