Silicor low-cost silicon may foster greater cell efficiency
Silicor Materials is striving to demonstrate that its low-cost PV silicon production process should help boost efficiency records in the near future. The company performed its own attempt at producing a mono PERC cell with greater efficiency, and hit a 20% level on the first try, company officials say.
Seraphim Solar earns confidence of financing firms
In an atmosphere where U.S.-based solar module manufacturers are dropping like flies, it’s nice to see one ramping up production to meet ever-increasing demand for U.S.-made modules.
Tesla moves one step closer to Solar Roof deployment
Underwriters Laboratories certified the product last week, which should allow Elon Musk to keep his promise to roll the product out this summer.
United States informs WTO of trade petition investigation (ITC notification embedded)
The U.S. International Trade Commission has informed the WTO that it is moving forward with its investigation into whether Suniva and SolarWorld deserve “global safeguard” protection from their competitors.
BREAKING: SolarWorld Americas joins Suniva’s trade petition
After originally being cool to Suniva’s petition to the U.S. International Trade Commission for protection from its Chinese competitors, SolarWorld has reversed its stance and joined the complaint as a co-petitioner.
BREAKING: U.S. trade commission moves ahead with Suniva investigation
The International Trade Commission decided late tonight to move forward under Section 201 of the Trade Act of 1974 to investigate whether the bankrupt module maker deserves protection from its Chinese competitors, with potentially severe results for the U.S. solar market.
BREAKING: SolarWorld may close Oregon factory
The company has given WARN Act notices to all of its employees, and says that it is trying to determine the right size going forward.
Report: Suniva case could slash U.S. PV market 60% by 2021 (with chart)
IHS Markit says the complaint creates uncertainty among module manufacturers, who can no longer offer price guarantees to clients until the case is resolved.
Thin film solar hangs on as a niche
A new report by Lux Research finds that First Solar and Solar Frontier are holding onto a corner of the market, if not posing much of a threat to c-Si dominance.
Panasonic’s 2016 profit falls as solar sales sag
While declining sales of solar panels in Japan eroded the electronics giant’s earnings, Panasonic is holding on for growth driven by its collaboration with Tesla.
