Exclusive: Solarworld CEO Frank Asbeck breaks silence on Hemlock dispute
Solarworld CEO Frank Asbeck talks to pv magazine on the recent finding against the company in its legal dispute with Hemlock Semiconductor. A supremely confident Asbeck explains why he doesn’t think the judge’s decision changes the case at hand, while still expecting a settlement with Hemlock, and why any final decision will not affect the company’s American subsidiary nor the German company.
SolarWorld Q2 shipments, revenues rise, as legal troubles mount
SolarWorld has increased its Q2 2016 shipments 39% YoY, to 342 MW, in 2016. Revenues increased almost 30% for the quarter, to €222 million ($246 million), while achieving an EBIT profit of €20.5 ($22.7 million) million.
Hemlock claims $793.5 million in damages from SolarWorld
SolarWorld could face bankruptcy as a result of its polysilicon supply dispute with Hemlock. The U.S. polysilicon supplier is claiming up to $793.5 million in damages, in court documents acquired by Reuters today.
Deutsche Bank: U.S. utility-scale solar costs to fall below $1 per watt
The bank says that lower-than-expected U.S. demand coupled with significant new module supply is leading to greatly reduced costs and prices in the U.S. market.
Hemlock leveraging SolarWorld contracts to get Chinese trade duties removed
The court document from the dramatic initial ruling in the SolarWorld and Hemlock Semiconductor polysilicon dispute reveals that Hemlock was willing to negotiate amendments to the polysilicon Supply Agreements with SolarWorld subsidiary Deutsche Solar, if the German company assisted in resolving a dispute “between the US and China over the exchange of solar-industry products.”
SolarWorld ready to appeal Hemlock case
The German PV group says it is optimistic that Hemlock will not succeed in actually enforcing any claims against it in Germany, arguing that the disputed silicon supply contract at the center of the legal dispute violates EU antitrust law.
Sonnen introduces new residential battery at up to 40% cost reduction
The new 4 kWh sonnenBatterie eco compact retails at $5,950 plus inverter but before installation.
IHS inverter scorecard praises leading suppliers’ tenacity and ambition
The analyst’s holistic review of the inverter landscape finds SMA, SolarEdge, Schneider Electric, Sungrow, Huawei and ABB each boast certain strengths that enable them to serve various markets.
Trina Solar hits 21.1% efficiency for mono PERC cells produced in industrial conditions
The Chinese solar module producer says it has achieved 21.1% average efficiency for P-type monocrystalline PERC cells produced in industrial standard conditions.
ABB to close Phoenix inverter fab, move jobs to Estonia and Italy
The Swiss power electronics firm will end manufacturing operations at the U.S. site, shifting an undisclosed number of jobs to Estonia and Italy later this year. Some sales and service staff will be retained in Phoenix.
