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.
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.
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.
SunPower’s slow climb towards the black
The high efficiency solar maker pulled off a rare profit during the second quarter due to selling off leases, but expects to report another loss during Q3.
REC Silicon can’t say when polysilicon lines will start up again
The Norwegian polysilicon supplier – which has most of its manufacturing operations on U.S. soil – cannot give any estimate on when its production of polysilicon for solar will return, and has been left entirely dependent on the semiconductor products made by its Montana facility.
Tesla results: solar down, batteries up
Elon Musk’s EV and energy company is becoming increasingly irrelevant in the rooftop solar market, but battery sales are booming.
Schletter to restart its North Carolina presence, sans factory
The mounting systems maker is opening a new sales and distribution office in the Charlotte metro area, and has maintained manufacturing in Europe and Asia.
