Solar panels manufactured by a solar power installer
Vikram Solar recently announced three commercial sized solar modules for the US market – a framed and frameless bifacial, and a half cut standard monoPERC – whose peak output ranges from 375 through 425 watts, available starting in January 2020.
Hanwha Q Cells loses first round of patent infringement suit
U.S. trade authorities plan to issue an initial determination finding non-infringement on the company’s patents by JinkoSolar, LONGi and REC Group, which could prevent Hanwha from shutting their PERC-based products out of the U.S. market. Hanwha intends to appeal.
SunPower splits in two
The company’s transformation from a manufacturer to the 2nd-largest residential solar company in the United States is complete with it spinning off of its high-efficiency cell and module production into a new company, in partnership with Chinese wafer maker TZS.
First Solar is sold out through mid-2021
The thin film PV maker reported solid third quarter results, following on the opening of its massive 1.3 GW factory in Ohio.
Roth: Trump admin could end bifacial tariff exemption
The U.S. Trade Representative has not responded to the claim that it will end the exemption from Section 201 duties. If accurate this could be a loss for Asian PV makers and a minor loss for the larger U.S. market, but a positive for First Solar.
The long view: an interview with Steven Zhu of Trina Solar
In this interview Trina Solar’s President of America Steven Zhu provides a longer perspective on the current U.S.-China trade war, and also speaks to the evolution of Trina’s offerings in the U.S. market.
Logic supports renewables, not nuclear
The latest edition of the World Nuclear Industry Status Report reiterates that clean power is taking the lead in the world’s energy system and nuclear is not only too costly a remedy for carbon emissions but too slow to deploy.
Trump ratchets up tariffs on Chinese products including batteries
While the damage is largely already done for cells, modules and inverters, the increased tariffs on U.S. module components and 15% tariffs on lithium-ion batteries are not good news for either sector.
Lithium-ion batteries are (still) headed for tariffs as of September 1
The energy storage market is set to be the latest affected by Trump’s trade war, and lithium-ion batteries were not included in a group of Chinese imports where tariffs will be delayed until December 15.
ET Solar is back in the U.S. market
Six months after settling claims in the Chapter 11 bankruptcy case of its U.S. distribution subsidiary, the Chinese PV maker says it has signed more than 500 MW of U.S. module supply contracts.
