Trina unveils two 500-watt bifacial solar modules
The panels are equipped with glass-glass or glass-backsheet frames. Both offer a reported 21% efficiency. Trina plans to have a combined 5 GW of annual production capacity for the products this year.
Chinese solar production juggernaut rumbles on
Three more PV manufacturers are announcing plans to invest in an expansion of production capacities — as the industry appears to make light of coronavirus fears.
Beijing to develop 500 MW of solar in Uganda
State-owned China Energy Engineering said the PV capacity will be developed in two phases in a deal worth $500 million.
New SunPower: Focusing on building the world’s highest efficiency PV modules at Maxeon Solar
In part 2 of our interview, the SunPower brain trust talks about scaling-up its high-efficiency PV technology in a way that it has not been able to do in the past — now that it has cash and a definitive focus.
Coronavirus could cause solar panel price spike
The coronavirus outbreak in China could raise solar module prices in the near term as manufacturers have already begun experiencing wafer and solar glass shortages. Production rates are also being affected by an extended new year holiday introduced by the authorities as a measure to deal with the virus, and the requirement workers from infected areas quarantine themselves for two weeks.
Hanergy named in class action complaint by ex-employees at Alta Devices
“Hanergy…is not above the rule of law, and this is not China. In abruptly closing the Alta plant, defendants violated the federal and California WARN Acts, which require at least 60 days written notice of termination where a plant is shut down and/or mass layoffs occur.”
Raising the efficiency of polycrystalline cells with new luminescent EVA film
Chinese researchers have developed a pure EVA film, which they claim can enhance the conversion efficiency of conventional crystalline solar cells by around 0.50%. The film is able to convert UV light into strong visible light.
Mystery solved? Active Tesla roof tiles come from New York? Passive tiles from China?
All of this guesswork would be unnecessary if Telsa press relations related to the press. And why does Elon Musk insist that the solar glass is made entirely in Buffalo, New York?
Does Tesla make solar glass roof tile in its Buffalo, New York factory? Or in China?
Elon Musk has spoken of the “exponential” ramp-up of its solar glass tile at the Buffalo factory. But pv magazine has found indications that the solar tile product is coming from a Chinese source.
Shifting to a larger solar wafer format: the rise of M6
The shift to the larger M6 wafer format could occur faster than many have expected. Promoted heavily by mono giant Longi, the format is said to be a good fit for both cell and module production, while still allowing for relatively trouble-free integration into PV arrays.
