New Csun solar manufacturing facility in Turkey opens door for maker

Jun 17, 10:24

China-based solar firm China Sunergy (Csun) announced the opening of its new solar product manufacturing facility in Turkey at the end of May. This announcement came days before the announcement regarding anti-dumping tariffs of 11.8% on China-made solar products made by the European Commission (EC)...

LDK reports falling 1Q13 revenues

Jun 13, 15:41

LDK Solar, a China-based solar firm reported its unaudited financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2013.

Europe solar anti-dumping duties may cause 2H13 installations to fall by 1.3GW, says IHS

Jun 13, 15:23

Europe solar installations are forecast to fall by more than 6GW in 2013, with 1.3 GW of this decline attributed to incoming EU anti-dumping duties on China-made modules, according to IHS.

Solargiga strengthens cooperation with Sharp

Jun 11, 16:47

China-based mono-crystalline solar wafer firm Solargiga Energy Holdings recently announced a new business cooperation with Japan-based Sharp Corporation, in which the latter will purchase 370MW of solar modules from Solargiga in the fiscal year of 2013.

Digitimes Research: Chemical bond energy can store electricity generated by solar power

Jun 11, 14:44

To have a steady supply of electricity generated from solar energy, energy storage is crucial.

Solar trade dispute spreads to wine industry; gets personal

Jun 7, 11:35

In retaliation for Europe setting a punitive tariff (11.8%) on China-made solar panels, China announced on June 5 plans to start an anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigation against Europe-made wine imports. According to

China anti-dumping duties to drive up solar polysilicon devices, says IHS

Jun 7, 10:25

China's pending move to slap anti-dumping tariffs on imported solar polysilicon from key countries will generate a surge in pricing for this key raw material in June and July, but the magnitude of the increase will be limited by market factors, said IHS.

Yingli Solar comments on Europe preliminary anti-dumping duties

Jun 6, 20:48

Yingli Green Energy (Yingli Solar), a China-based solar firm, has commented on the imposition of preliminary anti-dumping duties by the European Commission (EC) targeting solar products originating in China as well as those shipped from China. As of June 6, Yingli Solar's products will be subject to...

Neo Solar Power sees May revenues grow 8% sequentially

Jun 5, 19:28

Solar cell maker Neo Solar Power (NSP) has announced May consolidated revenues of NT$1.114 billion (US$37 million), representing an on-month growth of 8.92% compared to NT$1.023 billion in April, and an on-year decrease of 16.75% compared to NT$1.338 billion in May 2012.

NSP, DelSolar complete merger

May 31, 15:01

Taiwan-based solar cell maker Neo Solar Power (NSP) has announced its merger with DelSolar, the solar subsidiary of Delta Electronics, was completed on May 31, 2013. NSP is the surviving company.

Hanwha SolarOne sees 1Q13 revenues increase 33% sequentially

May 31, 13:58

China-based solar module maker Hanwha SolarOne saw first-quarter 2013 consolidated revenues show a 33.3% sequential growth to CNY1.1129 billion (US$181 million). First-quarter 2013 revenues also showed an on-year increase of 38.4% compared to CNY803.9 million in first-quarter 2012.

Yingli Solar sees falling 1Q13 revenues

May 31, 11:54

China-based Yingli Green Energy Holding Company (Yingli Solar) has reported consolidated revenues for the first quarter of 2013 dropped.

Japan set to become largest solar revenue market in 2013, says IHS

May 30, 20:34

Japan's solar installations surged by 270% (in GW) in the first quarter of 2013, positioning the country to surpass Germany to become the world's largest solar market in terms of revenues in 2013, according to market research institute IHS.

Strong reaction from China, EU members over solar trade row

May 28, 11:13

Europe may levy anti-dumping tariffs on China-made solar products. This will increase the prices of China-made solar products in Europe. To retaliate, China will likely impose tariffs on Europe-based polysilicon through its on-going anti-dumping investigation into US-, South Korea-, and Europe-based...

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.

Digitimes Research: US new solar installations may only reach 3.5GW in 2013

May 24, 10:37

The US has rich natural resources and states in the southwest region have sufficient sunshine with an annual average of over 2,200 hours. Western states in the US have been introducing large-size solar projects, helping new installations in 2012 to reach 3.3GW, an on-year growth of 78.6%. However,...

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...