GCL, Canadian Solar, First Solar show biggest solar pipelines
GCL, Canadian and First Solar are reporting the largest project pipelines in GTM Research’s ranking of global developers, however it is unclear how Section 201 duties will affect Canadian Solar as well as No. 4 developer SunPower.
SunPower continues to bleed red ink
Due largely to write-downs the high-efficiency PV maker lost a whopping $750 million during Q4 2017, as it sells off assets.
EU, China request consultation with US over solar tariffs
Following the introduction of 30% graduated tariffs on U.S. imports of solar cells and modules, the European Union and China have joined South Korea and Taiwan in filing a complaint with the World Trade Organization.
Longi Solar confirms 500 MW Indian cell, module factory
Longi Solar’s planned PV fab in Andhra Pradesh will manufacture 500 MW of cells and 500 MW of modules. The facility will seek to take advantage of India’s partial exemption from the recent U.S. solar tariffs under Section 201.
Battery storage challenges: Materials, longevity and project management
An academic event held last week in the U.K. presenting the results of two major research projects on energy storage provided an update on the current and future directions of battery storage technology and development.
Malaysia, Korea and Vietnam dominate U.S. solar imports (w/ chart)
Over the past five years, the pattern of imports has moved away from China and towards Southeast Asia and Korea.
BNEF releases 2018 clean energy predictions
BNEF has released its top 10 clean energy predictions for 2018, including at least 107 GW of solar PV installs. China will lead, but Latin America, Africa, Asia and the Middle East will notably up the ante. India will install less RE than in 2017, but will see fossils outpace RE for the last time; and China will see distributed grid connected solar leading the market. Li-ion prices are also declining, while EV sales grow.
China pushes global clean energy investment to $333 billion in 2017
BNEF has found that U.S. investment levels fell 1% year-over-year, with the Section 201 case hanging over the head of the industry.
Hemlock calls on Trump to restore access to the Chinese polysilicon market
The last round of the trade war decimated U.S. polysilicon, and Hemlock Semiconductor is calling on Trump to address this in the Section 201 remedy.
Tariffs risk U.S. position in global solar markets
In this op-ed for pv magazine, Madison Freeman, a research associate for the Council for Foreign Relations, argues that U.S. trade action against imported solar products is not in the nation’s best interest.
