Malaysia

First Solar is scrambling to meet demand as the Section 201 case drives module hoarding, and may keep its Series 4 product running longer at its Malaysia plant.

First Solar brought in a net profit on the sale of a major solar project, as it orders tools and prepares for the switch to its large-format series 6.

The panel manufacturer, which operates a production facility in Oregon hopes the president’s call for strict enforcement of U.S. trade laws will give it, as well as other domestic panel companies, a better chance against Chinese competition.

The company took a significant hit in its Q4 results due to restructuring and impairments, as it shuts down lines and orders tools for the transition to its Series 6 modules.

The collaboration between the two companies is moving beyond Panasonic running the Tesla/SolarCity gigafactory, and will enable Panasonic to re-open a factory in Japan.

U.S. solar producer SunPower will acquire Taiwan’s AU Optronic’s stake in a cell production facility joint venture the companies entered into in 2010. Under the deal, SunPower will pay $170 million over four years and take complete control of what is describes as “our highest performing solar cell fab.”