ABB to produce PV inverters in South Africa

May 24, 12:39

ABB, a Switzerland-based power and automation technology group, plans to start production of central PV inverters in South Africa to support the rapidly growing local solar market and local content requirements.

Solar cell prices may increase to US$0.43/W in Taiwan

May 23, 21:42

Since the beginning of the second quarter, prices of solar wafers and cells in Taiwan have been increasing due to expectations that Europe may levy anti-dumping and anti-subsidy tariffs on China-based peers. Currently, prices of solar cells have returned to US$0.41/W. Industry sources disclosed that...

Solar industry capex hits 7-year low in 2013, says IHS

May 22, 10:44

Although global capital spending this year in the solar supply chain is expected to fall to its lowest level since 2006, indications signal that the downturn in investment has hit bottom and that purchases of equipment may soon rebound.

Digitimes Research: Europe solar trade tariffs may slow down market growth

May 20, 11:11

The European Union (EU) plans to announce the details of its anti-subsidy tariff against China-based solar firms on June 6, 2013. The tariff is expected to be 30-67.9% with the average as high as 47.6%. The anti-dumping tariff rate will be announced in August. Both tariff rates will be finalized at...

SMA Technology sees 1Q13 revenues fall on year

May 16, 14:20

Germany-based PV inverter firm SMA has revealed its financial results for the first quarter of 2013.

SunPower announces fiscal 2013 financial guidance

May 16, 14:20

US-based solar firm SunPower has provided financial guidance for second-quarter and fiscal year 2013. The firm stated that second-quarter 2013 revenues are likely to be between US$550-600 million, gross margin between 14-16 %, and megawatts (MW) recognized in the range of 260-280MW.

Suntech agrees on new forbearance agreement with converible note holders

May 16, 11:32

China-based solar firm Suntech Power Holdings has announced that it has agreed on a new forbearance agreement with the majority of the holders of the firm's 3% convertible notes, for which a principal payment of US$541 million was due on March 15, 2013. The firm noted that under the new forbearance...

Mirle sales affected by slow investments in large-size LCD panel, solar energy sectors

May 13, 16:23

Equipment supplier Mirle Automation has seen its sales continue to be affected by slow investments in large-size LCD panel and solar energy sectors, according to industry sources.

Digitimes Research: Battery technologies regain focus as energy storage demand rises

May 13, 14:15

Demand for energy storage continues to rise and lithium-ion batteries are a common choice. However, due to prices, safety and energy storage, many substitutes such as lithium-sulfur and sodium-sulfur batteries have been surfacing. In addition, US-based GF has been promoting sodium-nickel halide batt...

MEMC reports 1Q13 net sales down 26% sequentially

May 13, 13:54

US-based polysilicon maker MEMC has reported first-quarter 2013 financial results with net sales of US$443.6 million, down 26% on quarter and 15% on year. The firm reported first-quarter gross margin of 11.2%, lower than 18% in the fourth quarter of 2012 but higher than 9.6% in the first quarter of...

Solar wafer production forecast to grow 19% in 2013, says Solarbuzz

May 9, 20:38

After falling 15% in 2012, solar wafer production is forecast to grow 19% in 2013, passing 30GW and recovering to 2011 levels, according to Solarbuzz. However, industry utilization is expected to remain below 60%, and while prices have stopped falling, no significant increases are expected, so profitability...

Motech optimistic about 2Q13 performance

May 8, 21:01

Due to rising capacity utilization rates and rising solar cell prices in the first quarter of 2013, Taiwan-based solar cell maker Motech saw gross margin rise to negative 8% from negative 15.7% in the fourth quarter of 2012.

Motech, Giga Solar report 1Q13 financial results

May 8, 18:49

Solar cell maker Motech reported first-quarter 2013 consolidated revenues of NT$3.667 billion (US$124 million), representing an on-quarter increase of 11% but an on-year decrease of 6%. Gross margin in the first quarter was negative 8% compared to negative 15.7% in the fourth quarter of 2012. Net loss...

First Solar reports 1Q13 net profits

May 7, 12:06

US-based thin-film solar firm First Solar reported first-quarter 2013 net sales of US$755 million, lower than the US$1.1 billion reported in the fourth quarter of 2012 but higher than the US$497 million reported in the first quarter of 2012. The firm reported first-quarter 2013 net profits of US$59...

Digitimes Research: Emerging solar markets see rapid installation growth in 1Q13

May 3, 16:07

Solar demand in major markets in Europe continues to grow steadily as governments lower incentives. In the first quarter of 2013, total new solar installations in Germany, Italy, and the UK reached 2GW, accounting for 30% of global new installations. The combined first-quarter new installations in...

Top 20 solar module suppliers grab 70% market share in 1Q13, says Solarbuzz

May 3, 11:19

The top 20 solar module suppliers accounted for almost 70% of global solar shipments in first-quarter 2013, according to Solarbuzz.

SunPower reports falling 1Q13 revenues

May 3, 11:16

US-based solar firm SunPower has reported financial results for first-quarter 2013.

PV inverter supplier base fragments in 2012, says IHS

May 3, 10:42

The supplier base for PV inverters further fragmented in 2012, with the total market share of the 10 largest suppliers falling by more than four percentage points, according to IHS.

JA Solar and Flextronics enjoy booming solar module growth, says IHS

May 2, 12:20

China's JA Solar and Singapore-based Flextronics achieved the fastest growth among the top 10 producers of solar modules in 2012, as the two companies cashed in on the soaring demand for contract manufacturing in the solar value chain.

OCI cancels polysilicon supply contracts with Suntech

Apr 30, 10:39

South Korea-based solar material provider OCI has terminated two supply contracts with China-based Wuxi Suntech Power and one supply contract with Suntech International. OCI noted that the contract termination was based on Wuxi Suntech's insolvency and restructuring plan disclosed on March 20, 2013...

REC reports 24% sequential decrease in 1Q13 revenues

Apr 26, 10:45

Norway-based Renewable Energy Corporation (REC) has reported first quarter 2013 revenues of NOK1,278 million (US$217 million), down 24% compared to revenues in the fourth quarter of 2012.

Solar storage market set to explode to US$19 billion in 2017, says IHS

Apr 25, 20:51

The worldwide market for solar storage is forecast to grow rapidly to reach US$19 billion in 2017, from less than US$200 million in 2012, according to IHS.

GaN and SiC Power IC market set to rise by factor of 18 from 2012 to 2022, says IHS

Apr 25, 20:46

The emerging market for silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN) power semiconductors is forecast to grow a factor of 18 during the next 10 years, energized by demand from power supplies, photovoltaic (PV) inverters and industrial motor drives, according to IMS Research, part of IHS.

Europe solar module prices rise for first time in 4 years, says IHS

Apr 24, 15:27

Reflecting a major shift in the global solar market after four years of severe erosion, prices for solar modules in the key Europe market are rising due to number of factors, including the newly restored balance between supply and demand.

Commentary: Foxconn can focus on solar end market applications

Apr 22, 16:19

Terry Guo, chairman of Foxconn Electronics (Hon Hai Precision Industry), has mentioned that the firm wants to produce different kinds of solar products. Market observers believe Foxconn has strength in manufacturing, hence should focus on solar applications for the end market.

LDK reports negative 4Q12 gross margin

Apr 19, 15:23

China-based vertically integrated solar firm, LDK Solar, reported fourth-quarter net sales of US$135.9 million, a relatively low figure compared to US$291.5 million reported in the third quarter of 2012 and US$420.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2011. The firm shipped 184.7MW of solar wafers, and...

PV inverter revenues expand to US$7 billion in 2012, says IHS

Apr 18, 10:49

Energized by a surge of shipments in Asia, the global PV inverter market in 2012 bucked weak worldwide solar industry conditions to expand by 5% and break the US$7 billion level for the first time. Global PV inverter market revenue last year rose to US$7.1 billion, up from US$6.7 billion in 2011, according...

LDK announces partial nonpayment for convertible notes due to cash shortage

Apr 17, 14:56

China-based LDK Solar has announced that due to a temporary cash-flow shortage, the firm was not able to make full payments to the holders of its 4.75% convertible senior notes due 2013 in an aggregate principal amount of US$23.793 million, plus interest, otherwise due and payable on their maturity...

Digitimes Research: China solar makers faced with high debts and government policy shifts

Apr 17, 14:49

China-based makers' solar product shipments to Europe have been falling due to the ongoing trade dispute, but their shipments to the US, Japan and the domestic market have been rising. Due to orders related to China's Golden Sun Demonstration Projects, China-based solar module makers such as Yingli...

Foxconn invests in solar energy green houses in China, says paper

Newswatch - Apr 16, 13:50

Foxconn Electronics (Hon Hai Precision Industry) plans to cooperate with the local government in China's Guangxi autonomous region to develop solar power applications for agricultural purposes, according to a report in the Taiwan-based United Daily News (UDN). The project will focus...

Gigastorage, GET see March revenues increase on month

Apr 11, 21:50

Taiwan-based solar wafer maker Gigastorage reported March consolidated revenues of NT$736 million (US$24 million), up 28.63% on month. Gigastorage noted that the rising revenues were due to strong demand of the firm's high efficiency solar wafer, G3+.

Yingli Solar tops solar module supplier rankings in 2012, says IHS

Apr 11, 20:48

Yingli Solar from China became the largest global supplier of solar modules in 2012 based on annual merchant shipments, while previous leader and besieged fellow China-based producer Suntech Power dropped to fifth place, according to latest findings from market research institute IHS.

Digitimes Research: GE, First Solar improving CdTe thin-film solar cell efficiency

Apr 11, 10:52

US-based GE Energy entered the CdTe thin-film solar cell industry in 2011. In January 2013, GE Energy developed a CdTe thin-film solar cell with conversion efficiency of 18.3%, surpassing the record efficiency from industry leader First Solar. However, within less than one month, First Solar announced...

Taiwan solar cell makers report rising March revenues

Apr 10, 20:38

Taiwan-based solar cell makers saw March revenues rise compared to February. Motech reported March revenues of NT$1.606 billion (US$53 million), representing an on-month increase of 61.04% and an on-year increase of 5.48%.

First Solar provides optimistic 2013 financial guidance

Apr 10, 14:51

US-based thin-film solar firm, First Solar, has announced full-year 2013 financial guidance with net sales forecast at US$3.8-4.0 billion. The firm expects total module shipments in 2013 to reach 1.6-1.8GW. First Solar also stated that consolidated gross margin in 2013 is expected to be 20-22% and...

Digitimes Research: Solar incentive programs aim at steady growth till grid parity

Apr 10, 14:38

In 2012, the global solar market was affected by incentive policy changes in various countries. Now such incentive programs are mostly aimed at pushing steady market growth until grid parity is achieved.

China solar market to experience demand swings, says Solarbuzz

Apr 9, 11:44

Falling demand in the China market drove global solar demand down to 6.2GW in the first quarter of 2013, said Solarbuzz. The figure represents an on-quarter decrease of 23%. Although the China market will account for 20% of global solar demand over the next fourt quarters, ranging between 0.9-3.6GW,...

Global solar installations to exceed 35GW in 2013, says IHS

Apr 9, 10:47

Global solar installations are forecast to exceed 35GW in 2013, equivalent to growth of 12%, according to IHS. Global solar installations in 2012 grew 14% on year to reach 31.4GW.

Neo Solar Power sees March revenues increase 11% on-month

Apr 3, 13:28

Taiwan-based solar cell maker Neo Solar Power (NSP) has reported March consolidated revenues of NT$932 million (US$31 million), representing an on-month growth of 11.04% compared to February revenues of NT$839 million.

Solar demand in emerging Asian countries to grow by 28% annually through 2017, says Solarbuzz

Apr 2, 10:40

Solar demand from the emerging Asia Pacific and Central Asia (EAPCA) region is forecast to exceed 3GW by 2017, according to Solarbuzz. Compared to 723MW of solar demand in 2012, this represents a strong compound annual growth rate of 28%.

GT Advanced and Powertec Energy sign MOU

Apr 1, 10:11

US-based GT Advanced and Taiwan-based Powertec Energy have announced the execution of a memorandum of understanding (MOU), which states Powertec's intention to purchase polysilicon technology and equipment from GT Advanced for their phase two and three expansion projects. Design work for these projects...

Digitimes Research: China 2013 rare earth mining targeted at 46,900 tons

Mar 29, 10:54

To prevent an oversupply of rare earth materials, China's 2013 rare earth mining target is only half that of 2012, at 46,900 tons. China's export quota has been around 30,000 tons since 2010 and the actual export volume has been lower due to falling demand from major customers in countries such as...