Manufacturing

Two European energy companies, Meyer Burger and BayWa r.e., have finalized a contract for their U.S. operations in which the developer will purchase 1.25 GW of modules from the manufacturer’s Arizona facility from 2025 to 2029.

Also on the rise: SolarEdge to integrate Vaillant, Samsung heat pumps with residential PV. Solar-plus-storage microgrids to replace diesel generators in Mojave water conservation project. And more.

First Solar has announced a limited production run of the “world’s first” bifacial solar panel with a cadmium telluride (CdTe) semiconductor. The pre-commercial Series 6 Plus Bifacial module is making its debut this week at Intersolar Europe in Munich, Germany.

Designed for large-scale solar projects, the bifacial hybrid passivated dual-junction cell solar module has a reported efficiency of 22.5%.

Driven by incentives in the Inflation Reduction Act, CubicPV plans to establish 10 GW of conventional mono wafer manufacturing capacity in the United States. The wafers produced by the new facility could fill a void in the domestic supply chain as well as create 1,500 new direct jobs.

A new report by Dartmouth and Princeton University found that solar and wind project developers stand to reap significant cost savings by using U.S.-manufactured components and paying workers fair wages, thanks to investments tied to the Inflation Reduction Act.

Also on the rise: Goats perform O&M at Oregon community solar project. Solar recycling/remanufacturing plant in Tennessee. And more.

Kore Power received the loan to produce 6 GWh of grid storage and electric vehicle battery capacity.

A division of automotive aftermarket leader BBB Industries, TerrePower sets up shop in Tennessee where it can recycle over 125,000 solar modules a year.

Also on the rise: BMW electric vehicle battery supplier breaks ground on 30 GWh factory. Solar development found to not impact biodiversity. And more.