The PV market is booming. But European manufacturers are in crisis mode due to the overwhelmingly favourable competition from China. Companies such as Meyer Burger are threatening to close down module production. They are calling for resilience bonuses, among other incentives.
Rethink Energy has published a new report analyzing the cost breakdown of silicon solar modules through to 2040, with particular detail given to usage rates pf polysilicon, high-purity quartz, and silver paste, as well as technological improvements in the Czochralski Process and wafer production.
NexWafe strengthens its management team with the appointment of Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Rick Schwerdtfeger and André Seemaier as Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Recently the company has broken grund on ist first wafer production facility in Bitterfeld/Germany.
The resilience of supply chains for key technologies for the energy transition, such as photovoltaics and wind power, is in a poor state in Europe. Import dependency, especially on China, is immensely high. A study shows this and gives recommendations.
The market prices of solar cells, wafers and panels currently follow the same pattern as energy prices. "The prices are 7 to 8 euro cents per watt peak lower than a year ago, why wait any longer", asks Gerard Scheper, CEO of European Solar.
Wafer manufacturer NorSun and Meyer Burger Technology AG enter into a supply agreement for silicon wafers, thus strengthening the independence of European solar supply chains.
In an open letter, 13 CEOs of leading European solar organisations urge the European Commission to take bold action to boost investment in Europe’s solar PV industrial base, in order to reinforce the Commission’s solar deployment and energy security ambitions.
The PV manufacturing chain in Europe is almost entirely dependent from China. There are first attempts for a renaissance of European PV production. But not all national governments recognize its strategic importance. Jochen Rentsch, Fraunhofer-ISE, comments in an interview.
Meyer Burger has signed a binding supply agreement for silicon wafers with the Norwegian manufacturer Norwegian Crystals. The polysilicon used to manufacture the wafers is of European and U.S. origin.
Swedish solar power developer Soltech will build a 6.1 MW solar system at Coop Sverige AB's new goods terminal in Eskilstuna, Sweden, using Qcells' certified CfP modules, made with recycled and low-carbon polysilicon.
High-efficiency modules and large module formats achieve higher market share and larger wafers are established, the 13th edition of the International Technology Roadmap for Photovoltaic (ITRPV) states.
Trina Solar continues to drive collaboration across the entire value chain to achieve full compatibility with Vertex 210mm silicon wafer modules, designed to enable 600+ watts of output.
