Europe’s solar technology specialists may need up to €7 billion (US$8.51 billion) in capital investment in order to scale up domestic manufacturing to be globally competitive, according to a panel of industry leaders.
Solar manufacturers that plan on setting up integrated, higher capacity plants in India will be given preference in the country’s new production-linked incentive (PLI) programme.
India’s government has increased basic customs duty (BCD) on solar inverters as part of efforts to bolster domestic manufacturing but has excluded modules from any changes.
India will provide additional support for domestic solar equipment manufacturers to help meet the country’s soaring renewable energy generation capacity, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said.
Suntech has placed into production a new 3.5GW high-efficiency module manufacturing facility in Changzhou, China, continuing its recent run of expansions.
Having launched its new Vertex range of modules, Trina Solar is pushing the technology envelope as it joins the latest in a wave of manufacturers to bring 500W+ modules to market. PV Tech spoke to Dr. Franck Zhang, head of product strategy and value management at Trina Solar, to get all the details about the technology within the module.
Despite having experienced numerous ups and downs over the years, Suntech has retained its status within China’s PV industry as an internationally respected and richly experienced solar player. Carrie Xiao reports.
