First Solar still sold out into 2020
The thin film solar maker is also reviving its EPC division with a goal to build 1 GW of solar projects each year, as well as increasing its presence in O&M services.
First Solar to build the biggest solar factory in the Western Hemisphere – in Ohio
The 1.2 GW factory will employ 500 workers. The new facility is expected to First Solar’s total capacity to 7.6 GW by the end of 2020.
Wacker to restart U.S. polysilicon production
Wacker Chemie has said it is gradually ramping up production at its beleaguered U.S. polysilicon production site, with product expected to be again available in Q2. The shutdown has affected its Q1 earnings, with sales down 18% compared to a year ago.
FirstEnergy’s 202(c) request is a bigger deal than you think
In this op-ed, Environmental Defense Fund’s Dick Munson explains how FirstEnergy’s federal bailout request poses a serious threat to competitive, clean energy, and why FirstEnergy’s attempts to block the sun and stop the wind present an existential threat.
DOE lashes out at 1366 Technologies
1366 Technologies, “recipient” of an undisbursed $150 million manufacturing loan guarantee, has received an aggressively-worded letter from the U.S. Department of Energy as it seeks a Section 201 exemption.
Cypress Creek opens solar control center in North Carolina
The developer says the facility is one of the few NERC-CIP compliant control centers run by a solar company, and will manage nearly 2 GW of solar projects in 14 states.
New York to take bids for 20 large renewable projects by 2022
The Empire State state has announced a solicitation for 1.5 million megawatt hours of renewable electricity, to be delivered by 2022.
Solar power policy roundup April 25
Our first solar power policy roundup looks at a bills to scrap net metering while raising the RPS in Connecticut, the establishment of performance-based ratemaking for utilities in Hawaii, and more.
Schletter Inc. files for chapter 11 bankruptcy
The solar mounting systems maker’s U.S. division has filed for bankruptcy, one month after the German parent company filed for insolvency.
Majority of Americans oppose Section 201 solar panel tariffs
A new poll by the University of Maryland finds that 58% of Americans surveyed do not agree the imposition of tariffs on imported solar panels. However, Trump voters back the measure.
