In conjunction with China's Hefei High-tech Industrial Development Area, 3M has announced plans to build a manufacturing site for photovoltaic solar materials and renewable energy products in Hefei High-tech Park.
The new plant, 3M Materials Technologies (Hefei) Co., will produce a variety of products at the new facility, including 3M Scotchshield Film, a solar backside barrier film used in crystalline silicon solar photovoltaic modules. Ground breaking is set for two-phased construction in the second quarter of this year.
SOURCE: 3M
Showing posts with label China. Show all posts
Showing posts with label China. Show all posts
Monday, April 11, 2011
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Vertical Integration Expanding to Solar Developers
LDK Solar Co. Ltd., a China-based manufacturer of multicrystalline solar wafers and PV products, and Solar Power Inc. (SPI) have signed an agreement under which LDK Solar has finalized its acquisition of a 70% interest in SPI for approximately $33 million.
LDK paid an initial $10 million in January and has now announced it has finalized the transaction with a second payment of $23 million. According to SPI, the transaction adds significant financial strength to its balance sheet, enabling the acceleration of the development of its project pipeline, which primarily consists of utility-scale power plants and commercial/industrial distributed generation systems.
SPI's growing development portfolio and pipeline, in turn, is expected to provide LDK Solar with enhanced downstream benefit to its vertical integration model through module supply for large-scale projects.
SOURCE: LDK Solar
Views - as the market continues to involve - this suggests there may be a move of large panel manufacturers to invest in solar developers to expand their reach into targeted markets
LDK paid an initial $10 million in January and has now announced it has finalized the transaction with a second payment of $23 million. According to SPI, the transaction adds significant financial strength to its balance sheet, enabling the acceleration of the development of its project pipeline, which primarily consists of utility-scale power plants and commercial/industrial distributed generation systems.
SPI's growing development portfolio and pipeline, in turn, is expected to provide LDK Solar with enhanced downstream benefit to its vertical integration model through module supply for large-scale projects.
SOURCE: LDK Solar
Views - as the market continues to involve - this suggests there may be a move of large panel manufacturers to invest in solar developers to expand their reach into targeted markets
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Chinese PV Cell Manufacturers Increased their Marketshare from 49% to 59% in 2010
Market research firm, Solarbuzz has reported its Top 10 rankings by cell capacity in 2010. Actually, there were 12 companies in the ranking due to several companies tying on capacity. Suntech Power and JA Solar tied for the first position, followed closely by First Solar.
On a geographical basis, there were four producers in the rankings that are headquartered in China, (Suntech (1), JA Solar (1), Trina Solar (9) and Canadian Solar (12)). Taiwan was also well represented with three firms in the rankings, (Motech (5), Gintech (6) and Neo Solar Power (11)).
Not surprising was the inclusion of two key producers headquartered in the U.S., First Solar and SunPower, ranked third and tenth, respectively.
Both Kyocera and Sharp were tied for seventh position and were the only two firms from Japan in the rankings.
Only one German manufacturer was included in the Solarbuzz rankings, Q-Cells at number 4. However, like SunPower the majority of cell production is in Asia.
According to Solarbuzz, worldwide solar cell production reached 20.5GW in 2010, up a massive amount from 2009 when production reached 9.86GW.
Thin film production accounted for 13.5% of total production, Solarbuzz said - down (as a percentage from 16.8% in 2009)
Producers in China and Taiwan continued to build market share, and accounted for 59% of global cell production in 2010, up from 49% in 2009.
On a geographical basis, there were four producers in the rankings that are headquartered in China, (Suntech (1), JA Solar (1), Trina Solar (9) and Canadian Solar (12)). Taiwan was also well represented with three firms in the rankings, (Motech (5), Gintech (6) and Neo Solar Power (11)).
Not surprising was the inclusion of two key producers headquartered in the U.S., First Solar and SunPower, ranked third and tenth, respectively.
Both Kyocera and Sharp were tied for seventh position and were the only two firms from Japan in the rankings.
Only one German manufacturer was included in the Solarbuzz rankings, Q-Cells at number 4. However, like SunPower the majority of cell production is in Asia.
According to Solarbuzz, worldwide solar cell production reached 20.5GW in 2010, up a massive amount from 2009 when production reached 9.86GW.
Thin film production accounted for 13.5% of total production, Solarbuzz said - down (as a percentage from 16.8% in 2009)
Producers in China and Taiwan continued to build market share, and accounted for 59% of global cell production in 2010, up from 49% in 2009.
Source: PV Tech and Solar Buzz
Friday, March 18, 2011
Polysilicon Shortage in China Affecting Market Prices
China imported 5,521 tons of polysilicon in January, representing a year-on-year rise of 74.8 percent, according to the latest statistics released by the General Administration of Customs. The figure is 40 percent above the 2010 average monthly import, which was approximately 3,958 tons, providing evidence that the material is in tight supply across the country.
The domestic supply shortages are attributable to a production halt as a result of routine year-end audits performed by major polysilicon makers in China before the Chinese Spring Festival break as well as the down time during the 9-day break itself, leading to significantly decreased production and stock on hand, according to an industry analyst. The country's polysilicon imports for February are expected to remain at the same high level.
Driven by rising oil prices worldwide, combined with tight supplies, polysilicon, which is used in the manufacture of solar PV modules, is experiencing rapid price hikes. The spot price for polysilicon has reached US$114 per kilogram earlier this month an increase of nearly 100 percent from the end of last year.
Furthermore, the Polysilicon Industry Access Standards jointly released by several Chinese regulators in January of this year significantly raise the bar for entry into the polysilicon sector. As a result, growth in polysilicon production capacity is likely to lag behind that of market demand for a long while as 80 percent of the industry’s players are expected to be squeezed out of the market due to non-compliance with the standards.
Demand in the sector is expected to grow at an annual rate of 30 percent, causing polysilicon prices to continue the upward trend, said Hou Wentao, a senior analyst at Hunan province, China-based Xiangcai Securities.
Some major polysilicon manufacturers are aggressively accelerating their efforts to expand capacity in order to take advantage of higher polysilicon prices and stronger market demand. Hong Kong-listed GCL-Poly Energy H
Chinese PV giants including Hanwha SolarOne have gotten off to a good start this year, and are reporting a substantial inflow of new orders, according to a source that attended the SNEC 5th (2011) International Photovoltaic Power held recently in Shanghai.
A report published by CIConsulting, a leading industry research firm in China, indicated that many European countries have put in place measures to cut subsidies to the PV industry since the second half of last year, leading to the speculation that the global PV market will see steep decline in 2011 given that Europe contributes significantly to worldwide sales of PV products.
However, the soaring prices for polysilicon reflect, at least to some degree, that global PV demand has not seen any dramatic drop for the time being.
The domestic supply shortages are attributable to a production halt as a result of routine year-end audits performed by major polysilicon makers in China before the Chinese Spring Festival break as well as the down time during the 9-day break itself, leading to significantly decreased production and stock on hand, according to an industry analyst. The country's polysilicon imports for February are expected to remain at the same high level.
Driven by rising oil prices worldwide, combined with tight supplies, polysilicon, which is used in the manufacture of solar PV modules, is experiencing rapid price hikes. The spot price for polysilicon has reached US$114 per kilogram earlier this month an increase of nearly 100 percent from the end of last year.
Furthermore, the Polysilicon Industry Access Standards jointly released by several Chinese regulators in January of this year significantly raise the bar for entry into the polysilicon sector. As a result, growth in polysilicon production capacity is likely to lag behind that of market demand for a long while as 80 percent of the industry’s players are expected to be squeezed out of the market due to non-compliance with the standards.
Demand in the sector is expected to grow at an annual rate of 30 percent, causing polysilicon prices to continue the upward trend, said Hou Wentao, a senior analyst at Hunan province, China-based Xiangcai Securities.
Some major polysilicon manufacturers are aggressively accelerating their efforts to expand capacity in order to take advantage of higher polysilicon prices and stronger market demand. Hong Kong-listed GCL-Poly Energy H
Chinese PV giants including Hanwha SolarOne have gotten off to a good start this year, and are reporting a substantial inflow of new orders, according to a source that attended the SNEC 5th (2011) International Photovoltaic Power held recently in Shanghai.
A report published by CIConsulting, a leading industry research firm in China, indicated that many European countries have put in place measures to cut subsidies to the PV industry since the second half of last year, leading to the speculation that the global PV market will see steep decline in 2011 given that Europe contributes significantly to worldwide sales of PV products.
However, the soaring prices for polysilicon reflect, at least to some degree, that global PV demand has not seen any dramatic drop for the time being.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Hanwha SolarOne to Build 2GW Solar Cell and Module Complex
As part of the major drive by the former Solarfun Power to capitalise on Hanwha’s major investment in the company, the recently renamed, Hanwha SolarOne is set to build a 2GW solar cell and module complex with Nantong Economic and Technological Development Zone, located in Jiangsu Province. An initial 1GW complex under ‘Phase 1’ is to build at a cost of US$500 million over the next three years according to Hanwha SolarOne.
"The Nantong Economic and Technological Development Zone is home to some of the country's best employee talent in precision electronic manufacturing,” noted Dr. Peter Xie, President and Chief Executive Officer of SolarOne. “Its location is just north of our Shanghai headquarters, and in close proximity to our manufacturing base in Qidong as well as one of the ten largest sea ports in China, allowing us to share management oversight and manufacturing resources. The new facility, once completed, will also provide much needed expansion of our production capacity."
Dr Xie also noted that the new facilities would add capacity that would lower production costs and provide a competitive cost edge over its major competitors.
Previously outlined production capacity expansion plans for 2001, included increasing ingot capacity from 360MW to 510MW and wire saw capacity from 400MW to 572MW. Solar cell capacity will also be increased from 550MW to 820MW, better matching its module capacity.
Recently, Hanwha SolarOne signed a new long-term wafer and polysilicon supply contract whereby GCL-Poly will provide 2,500MW of wafer and polysilicon products from January 2011 until December 2015.
"The Nantong Economic and Technological Development Zone is home to some of the country's best employee talent in precision electronic manufacturing,” noted Dr. Peter Xie, President and Chief Executive Officer of SolarOne. “Its location is just north of our Shanghai headquarters, and in close proximity to our manufacturing base in Qidong as well as one of the ten largest sea ports in China, allowing us to share management oversight and manufacturing resources. The new facility, once completed, will also provide much needed expansion of our production capacity."
Dr Xie also noted that the new facilities would add capacity that would lower production costs and provide a competitive cost edge over its major competitors.
Previously outlined production capacity expansion plans for 2001, included increasing ingot capacity from 360MW to 510MW and wire saw capacity from 400MW to 572MW. Solar cell capacity will also be increased from 550MW to 820MW, better matching its module capacity.
Recently, Hanwha SolarOne signed a new long-term wafer and polysilicon supply contract whereby GCL-Poly will provide 2,500MW of wafer and polysilicon products from January 2011 until December 2015.
Jinko Solar gets $7.6 Billion credit facility
China’s drive to consolidate its leading position in PV manufacturing has been reinforced with a credit facility offered to JinkoSolar from the Bank of China that could be worth approximately US$7.6 billion over a five-year period. According to a recent study by Mercom Capital Group, US$34 billion was provided by Chinese Government Banks to China-based solar companies last year, in which key beneficiaries were LDK Solar, Yingli Green, JA Solar, Suntech and Trina Solar.
JinkoSolar’s credit facility is also significant as the PV manufacturer is much smaller by capacity and revenue than the likes of LDK Solar and Yingli Green. The largest single transaction last year was the US$8.9 billion credit facility to LDK Solar, offered by the China Development Bank.
"Following the successful registration of RMB600 million financing bonds with Industrial Bank, our strategic agreement with BOC reiterates JinkoSolar's successes and strong financial performance and highlights the confidence of Chinese financial institutions in our ability to continue delivering positive results,” noted Mr. Longgen Zhang, CFO of JinkoSolar. “With the long-term financial support of BOC, we are confident we will deliver excellent results in 2011 as well as meet our long-term growth targets."
JinkSolar had recently guided that 2010 revenues would be in the range of US$638-US$648 million, as its production capacity reached its targets of 600MW of production capacity in wafers, cells, and modules each.
However, the company has yet to guide capacity and revenue expectations this year. The signing of an agreement with BOC suggests that JinkoSolar will follow others in expanding capacity aggressively in 2011.
JinkoSolar’s credit facility is also significant as the PV manufacturer is much smaller by capacity and revenue than the likes of LDK Solar and Yingli Green. The largest single transaction last year was the US$8.9 billion credit facility to LDK Solar, offered by the China Development Bank.
"Following the successful registration of RMB600 million financing bonds with Industrial Bank, our strategic agreement with BOC reiterates JinkoSolar's successes and strong financial performance and highlights the confidence of Chinese financial institutions in our ability to continue delivering positive results,” noted Mr. Longgen Zhang, CFO of JinkoSolar. “With the long-term financial support of BOC, we are confident we will deliver excellent results in 2011 as well as meet our long-term growth targets."
JinkSolar had recently guided that 2010 revenues would be in the range of US$638-US$648 million, as its production capacity reached its targets of 600MW of production capacity in wafers, cells, and modules each.
However, the company has yet to guide capacity and revenue expectations this year. The signing of an agreement with BOC suggests that JinkoSolar will follow others in expanding capacity aggressively in 2011.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Feb 14 - Large Solar Flare Disrupts radio Communications in China
Our local star blasted its first X-class solar flare in more than four years on February 14, 2011 at 8:56 p.m. EST. These most powerful of solar events can trigger radio blackouts and long-lasting radiation storms.
The flare disrupted radio communications in China and generated concern around the world. But it could have been a lot worse, experts say.
Despite its strength, Monday's solar storm was a baby compared to several previous blasts, and it provides just a hint of what the sun is capable of. A true monster storm has the potential to wreak havoc on a global scale, knocking out communications systems, endangering satellites and astronauts and causing perhaps trillions of dollars in damages.
The sun's activity cycle is ramping up, so more storms will likely be coming our way over the next few years. The sun has grown more active over the last several months after rousing from a quiet period in its 11-year weather cycle last year.
That's not to say the big one is imminent, experts say — but you never can tell. And analysts warn that with humanity more dependent than ever on the high-tech equipment that can be affected by a solar storm, the stakes are higher than in the past.
"Even if this is a really lackluster solar cycle — as it looks like it's shaping up to be — that doesn't mean you can't have a real bell-ringing event," said Joe Gurman of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, project scientist for the agency's sun-studying STEREO spacecraft.
The roots of solar storms
Solar storm events come in several different flavors.
Solar flares are intense bursts of radiation that send waves of photons streaming toward Earth. The scale measuring their strength has three general categories – Class C, Class M and Class X – with Class X flares being the most powerful.
Monday's Valentine's Day solar flare registered a Class X2.2 on that scale.
Other storms, known as coronal mass ejections (CMEs), are large clouds of plasma and magnetic field that erupt from the sun's surface, sending lots of particles our way.
Both flares and CMEs have the same root cause — a disruption of the magnetic field in the sun's outer atmosphere. And both events can affect life here on Earth. Major flares, for example, can interfere with satellites, causing disruptions in GPS and high-frequency radio communications that can last from a few minutes to a few hours.
These impacts are felt almost immediately, since it only takes light about 8 minutes to travel from the sun to Earth.
"It's like the sun is a giant noise source," said Bob Rutledge, head of the forecast office at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center. "It can disrupt anything that depends on a link between the ground and satellites."
But the most severe damage comes from powerful CMEs. The particles from these outbursts take longer to reach us — up to three days or so. But when they get here, their interaction with Earth's magnetic field can cause massive "geomagnetic storms," which have the potential to wreak long-lasting havoc on power and communications infrastructure around the globe.
Last year, NASA launched its so-called Solar Shield project to serve as an early-warning system for serious space weather events.
Powerful impacts possible
Monday night's storm produced both a big solar flare and a CME. Wdespread satellite or communications disruption, however, is likely not in the cards.
"We don't expect this to cause any kind of lasting damage to our infrastructure," Rutledge said.
But Earth has been walloped by monster solar storms before. One of the most powerful hit us in 1859, a blast that Rutledge estimates may have been 30 times more powerful than Monday's event, though it's tough to put hard numbers on such comparisons.
The 1859 storm shorted out telegraph wires, causing fires in North America and Europe, and spawnedspectacular auroras — the light shows visible near Earth's poles — bright enough to read by, according to some accounts.
If the 1859 storm occured these days, it would likely have devastating impacts, since our electrical and communications infrastructures are so much more developed. A recent report by the U.S National Academy of Sciences found that such a severe storm could cause up to $2 trillion in initial damages by crippling communications on Earth and fueling chaos around the world.
It might take up to 10 years for authorities to re-assert control and get everyting fixed, the report concluded. For comparison, Hurricane Katrina likely inflicted somewhere between $80 billion and $125 billion in damage.
What does the future hold?
The sun works on an 11-year activity cycle, and it's currently gaining strength. Forecasters now expect peak activity might occur in 2013 or 2014, Rutledge said, though nobody knows for sure.
So more flares and CMEs should be headed our way over the next several years. So far, the sun has been relatively quiescent during this cycle, so perhaps peak activity won't compare to the maxima of previous cycles, researchers said.
But a big, Earth-shaking blast could come screaming at us all the same, and researchers are monitoring the sun closely.
"This has been a remarkably quiet solar cycle," Gurman told SPACE.com. "But that doesn't mean there won't be a big event."
The flare disrupted radio communications in China and generated concern around the world. But it could have been a lot worse, experts say.
Despite its strength, Monday's solar storm was a baby compared to several previous blasts, and it provides just a hint of what the sun is capable of. A true monster storm has the potential to wreak havoc on a global scale, knocking out communications systems, endangering satellites and astronauts and causing perhaps trillions of dollars in damages.
The sun's activity cycle is ramping up, so more storms will likely be coming our way over the next few years. The sun has grown more active over the last several months after rousing from a quiet period in its 11-year weather cycle last year.
That's not to say the big one is imminent, experts say — but you never can tell. And analysts warn that with humanity more dependent than ever on the high-tech equipment that can be affected by a solar storm, the stakes are higher than in the past.
"Even if this is a really lackluster solar cycle — as it looks like it's shaping up to be — that doesn't mean you can't have a real bell-ringing event," said Joe Gurman of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, project scientist for the agency's sun-studying STEREO spacecraft.
The roots of solar storms
Solar storm events come in several different flavors.
Solar flares are intense bursts of radiation that send waves of photons streaming toward Earth. The scale measuring their strength has three general categories – Class C, Class M and Class X – with Class X flares being the most powerful.
Monday's Valentine's Day solar flare registered a Class X2.2 on that scale.
Other storms, known as coronal mass ejections (CMEs), are large clouds of plasma and magnetic field that erupt from the sun's surface, sending lots of particles our way.
Both flares and CMEs have the same root cause — a disruption of the magnetic field in the sun's outer atmosphere. And both events can affect life here on Earth. Major flares, for example, can interfere with satellites, causing disruptions in GPS and high-frequency radio communications that can last from a few minutes to a few hours.
These impacts are felt almost immediately, since it only takes light about 8 minutes to travel from the sun to Earth.
"It's like the sun is a giant noise source," said Bob Rutledge, head of the forecast office at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center. "It can disrupt anything that depends on a link between the ground and satellites."
But the most severe damage comes from powerful CMEs. The particles from these outbursts take longer to reach us — up to three days or so. But when they get here, their interaction with Earth's magnetic field can cause massive "geomagnetic storms," which have the potential to wreak long-lasting havoc on power and communications infrastructure around the globe.
Last year, NASA launched its so-called Solar Shield project to serve as an early-warning system for serious space weather events.
Powerful impacts possible
Monday night's storm produced both a big solar flare and a CME. Wdespread satellite or communications disruption, however, is likely not in the cards.
"We don't expect this to cause any kind of lasting damage to our infrastructure," Rutledge said.
But Earth has been walloped by monster solar storms before. One of the most powerful hit us in 1859, a blast that Rutledge estimates may have been 30 times more powerful than Monday's event, though it's tough to put hard numbers on such comparisons.
The 1859 storm shorted out telegraph wires, causing fires in North America and Europe, and spawnedspectacular auroras — the light shows visible near Earth's poles — bright enough to read by, according to some accounts.
If the 1859 storm occured these days, it would likely have devastating impacts, since our electrical and communications infrastructures are so much more developed. A recent report by the U.S National Academy of Sciences found that such a severe storm could cause up to $2 trillion in initial damages by crippling communications on Earth and fueling chaos around the world.
It might take up to 10 years for authorities to re-assert control and get everyting fixed, the report concluded. For comparison, Hurricane Katrina likely inflicted somewhere between $80 billion and $125 billion in damage.
What does the future hold?
The sun works on an 11-year activity cycle, and it's currently gaining strength. Forecasters now expect peak activity might occur in 2013 or 2014, Rutledge said, though nobody knows for sure.
So more flares and CMEs should be headed our way over the next several years. So far, the sun has been relatively quiescent during this cycle, so perhaps peak activity won't compare to the maxima of previous cycles, researchers said.
But a big, Earth-shaking blast could come screaming at us all the same, and researchers are monitoring the sun closely.
"This has been a remarkably quiet solar cycle," Gurman told SPACE.com. "But that doesn't mean there won't be a big event."
Saturday, January 29, 2011
China's New Rules For Solar Polysilicon Factories Expected To Force Consolidation
China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has announced new policies for solar polysilicon plants in the country.
Under the new rules, factories must be capable of producing more than 3,000 metric tons of polysilicon annually and meet specific standards for efficiency, financing and environmental impact, Bloomberg reports.
Existing plants must also comply with the rules, and those that do not are expected to be shut down by the end of the year.
Johnny Lau, an analyst at Hong Kong-based SW Kingsway Capital Holdings Ltd., told Bloomberg that the new policies are expected to benefit large polysilicon producers (e.g., GCL Poly) by driving out rival companies that are less energy-efficient. Industry consolidation is also predicted as a result of the rules.
SOURCE: Bloomberg
Under the new rules, factories must be capable of producing more than 3,000 metric tons of polysilicon annually and meet specific standards for efficiency, financing and environmental impact, Bloomberg reports.
Existing plants must also comply with the rules, and those that do not are expected to be shut down by the end of the year.
Johnny Lau, an analyst at Hong Kong-based SW Kingsway Capital Holdings Ltd., told Bloomberg that the new policies are expected to benefit large polysilicon producers (e.g., GCL Poly) by driving out rival companies that are less energy-efficient. Industry consolidation is also predicted as a result of the rules.
SOURCE: Bloomberg
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Solarfun Changing Name to Hanwha Solar One
Solarfun Power Holdings Co. Ltd., a China-based vertically integrated manufacturer of silicon ingots, wafers and photovoltaic cells and modules, says its board of directors has approved its name change to Hanwha Solar One.
According to the company, the name change reflects the company's ongoing efforts to strengthen its brand worldwide and the strategic business partnership with Hanwha Chemical, which currently owns 49.99% of Solarfun.
SOURCE: Solarfun
According to the company, the name change reflects the company's ongoing efforts to strengthen its brand worldwide and the strategic business partnership with Hanwha Chemical, which currently owns 49.99% of Solarfun.
SOURCE: Solarfun
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
200 MW CSP MOU Signed in China
Sopology and Yu Hao Long Corporation Sign MOU for 200 MW Solar Project using MicroCSP Collectors and Hybrid Sterling Engine
Sopogy, Inc., a leading developer of reliable and cost-effective micro concentrated solar power (MicroCSP) technologies, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Yu Hao Long (YHL) Corporation, the developer of a patented Stirling energy generator for the installation of a 200MW concentrating solar plant for the China National Utility. The MOU also formalized a goal to demonstrate the combined system in Hawaii during the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) which will be hosted in Honolulu.
“This MOU signing brings a spotlight to Hawaii’s developing technology industry. I hope this collaboration is the first of many to come between Hawaii’s companies and the global economies we touch,” said Senator Carol Fukunaga, Chairperson of the Senate Economic and Technology committee.
“Sopogy’s proprietary concentrating solar platform produces high-temperature heat which is a robust energy source for clean power generation,” said Darren T. Kimura, President and CEO of Sopogy. “The heat we produce is captured in thermal energy storage tanks and helps to produce firm and reliable energy during the day into the evening peak. This makes for a perfect complement with a Stirling generator and the China energy grid.”
Kimura and YHL’s Dr. Francis Fung collaborated for over a year to identify and develop a plan for the mass production of YHL’s low temperature, hybrid Stirling engines which use ready-made auto components for utility scale power generation.
“The joint collaboration will create jobs and increase the export market for both China and America,” said Dr. Fung. “It is a natural pooling of resources of two great nations to work unanimously toward human and environmental harmony.”
“Sopogy’s work is a great example of Hawaii’s global market position as the ideal location for research and development of clean technologies. This agreement is a great step forward,” said Ted Peck, Energy Administrator for the State of Hawaii.
Most recently, the 5-megawatt Kalaeloa Solar One broke ground on the island of Oahu which will feature Sopogy’s MicroCSP technologies.
Designed, engineered and proven in the US, MicroCSP technology consists of parallel rows of proprietary parabolic mirror collectors, optics and an integrated tracker to concentrate the sun’s energy on a centrally-located receiver tube and re-circulate heat transfer fluid within the system. The generated high-temperature heat will be used in conjunction with the hybrid Stirling engine to provide a renewable source of power.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Yingli Green Energy Awarded Significant Orders from the Golden Sun Program
BAODING, China, Dec. 2, 2010 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ -- Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Limited (NYSE: YGE) today announced it has been selected as a major PV module supplier to the Gold Sun Program, which is sponsored by the Ministry of Finance of China (the "Program").
In November 2010, a total amount of 272 MW PV projects were announced under the Program, to which the Company is expected to supply approximately 70% of the PV modules.
Under the terms of the Company's secured sales agreements with system owners, the majority of the module shipments are scheduled in the second half of 2011. In addition, according to the guidelines of the Program, the Ministry of Finance will grant 70% of subsidy to the Company once the sales agreements are concluded and the relevant application procedures are fulfilled, which is expected to occur before product delivery.
"We are honored to become a major PV module supplier for the Golden Sun Program, which is a significant business milestone for our expansion in the Chinese solar market," Mr. Liansheng Miao, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Yingli Green Energy commented. "I am happy to witness that the Chinese government has demonstrated its strong commitment to boost renewable energy utilization in its recently announced Five-Year Plan.
Meanwhile, the renewable energy industry, including solar energy, has been identified as one of China's strategic emerging industries by the central government of China.
Earlier today, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, and the National Energy Administration jointly hosted a meeting to further boost the utilization of renewable energy in China. In the meeting, the Chinese government declared its expectations to further expand its PV project portfolio in the next two years to reach a scale of at least 1,000 MW per year after 2012."
"As a solar pioneer based in China, Yingli Green Energy has demonstrated a firm commitment to the Golden Sun Program. The Company is responding to its mission and responsibility to meet the demand for affordable renewable energy in China by supplying high quality PV products from cutting-edge technologies. In addition, we expect this strategic move in emerging markets will further reduce the dependence on the German market, thus strengthening our long-term development dynamics," Mr. Miao concluded.
In November 2010, a total amount of 272 MW PV projects were announced under the Program, to which the Company is expected to supply approximately 70% of the PV modules.
Under the terms of the Company's secured sales agreements with system owners, the majority of the module shipments are scheduled in the second half of 2011. In addition, according to the guidelines of the Program, the Ministry of Finance will grant 70% of subsidy to the Company once the sales agreements are concluded and the relevant application procedures are fulfilled, which is expected to occur before product delivery.
"We are honored to become a major PV module supplier for the Golden Sun Program, which is a significant business milestone for our expansion in the Chinese solar market," Mr. Liansheng Miao, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Yingli Green Energy commented. "I am happy to witness that the Chinese government has demonstrated its strong commitment to boost renewable energy utilization in its recently announced Five-Year Plan.
Meanwhile, the renewable energy industry, including solar energy, has been identified as one of China's strategic emerging industries by the central government of China.
Earlier today, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, and the National Energy Administration jointly hosted a meeting to further boost the utilization of renewable energy in China. In the meeting, the Chinese government declared its expectations to further expand its PV project portfolio in the next two years to reach a scale of at least 1,000 MW per year after 2012."
"As a solar pioneer based in China, Yingli Green Energy has demonstrated a firm commitment to the Golden Sun Program. The Company is responding to its mission and responsibility to meet the demand for affordable renewable energy in China by supplying high quality PV products from cutting-edge technologies. In addition, we expect this strategic move in emerging markets will further reduce the dependence on the German market, thus strengthening our long-term development dynamics," Mr. Miao concluded.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
LDK Solar gains $ 8.9 billion financing boost from China
LDK Solar Company Limited will secure up to 60 billion Chinese yuan ($8.97 billion) in credit from the China Development Bank over five years to bolster its long-term growth and development plans.
Details of the individual credit facilities will be subject to the bank’s internal risk management requirements and operational regulations."Through our strong partnership with [China Development Bank], we will have an enhanced ability to pursue our long-term growth strategy and further strengthen our position within the [photovoltaic] industry market,” said Xiafeng Peng, chairman and chief executive of LDK Solar.
The company is the largest producer of multicrystalline solar wafers in the world and is a leading vertically integrated manufacturer of photovoltaic products.
Early this month, LDK Solar completed the installation and trial runs of the first production line of solar cells in its new manufacturing facility in Xinyu city in China. The new manufacturing line has an annualized capacity of 60 megawatts and is expected to reach 120 MW by the end of the third quarter.
“Our objectives of in-house cell production are to produce approximately [50 percent] of our module manufacturing needs, thereby reducing the cost of our modules and attaining a stable supply of cells,” Mr. Peng explained.
The company also signed numerous agreements that will support its long-term growth goals. LDK Solar recently modified an existing solar wafer supply contract with Q-Cells S.E. inked in December 2007 worth $244.5 million. In the new agreement, LDK Solar will repay the prepayment in its entirety, which currently stands at $224.9 million, by the end of 2011.
Meanwhile, LDK Solar entered a research collaboration with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory that will look into ways to develop standards for solar grade silicon, as well as evaluation methods, crystallization technologies and commercial implementation.
Meanwhile, the China Development Bank also extended credit to JA Solar Holdings Company Limited worth $4.42 billion, with Suntech Power Holdings for $7.29 billion and Trina Solar for $4.3 billion.
Source: EcoSeed
Details of the individual credit facilities will be subject to the bank’s internal risk management requirements and operational regulations."Through our strong partnership with [China Development Bank], we will have an enhanced ability to pursue our long-term growth strategy and further strengthen our position within the [photovoltaic] industry market,” said Xiafeng Peng, chairman and chief executive of LDK Solar.
The company is the largest producer of multicrystalline solar wafers in the world and is a leading vertically integrated manufacturer of photovoltaic products.
Early this month, LDK Solar completed the installation and trial runs of the first production line of solar cells in its new manufacturing facility in Xinyu city in China. The new manufacturing line has an annualized capacity of 60 megawatts and is expected to reach 120 MW by the end of the third quarter.
“Our objectives of in-house cell production are to produce approximately [50 percent] of our module manufacturing needs, thereby reducing the cost of our modules and attaining a stable supply of cells,” Mr. Peng explained.
The company also signed numerous agreements that will support its long-term growth goals. LDK Solar recently modified an existing solar wafer supply contract with Q-Cells S.E. inked in December 2007 worth $244.5 million. In the new agreement, LDK Solar will repay the prepayment in its entirety, which currently stands at $224.9 million, by the end of 2011.
Meanwhile, LDK Solar entered a research collaboration with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory that will look into ways to develop standards for solar grade silicon, as well as evaluation methods, crystallization technologies and commercial implementation.
Meanwhile, the China Development Bank also extended credit to JA Solar Holdings Company Limited worth $4.42 billion, with Suntech Power Holdings for $7.29 billion and Trina Solar for $4.3 billion.
Source: EcoSeed
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Chinese Firms Developing Solar Power Plants for Less Than 1 Yuan per kWh?
A recent round of bids for utility-scale solar plants in China broke the 1 Yuan per kWh ($0.15 per kWh) threshold highlighting the government's push for clean energy at all costs.
The late August round of bids for utility-scale solar power projects in China yielded a new milestone in the economics of solar power in China: a sub-Yuan/kWh price for solar power. To achieve this impressive number, the Chinese government has used the state-owned sector (and particularly enterprises under the direct control of the central government) to help subsidize the price of solar power, to the point where the economics appear to be unsustainable.
Beijing also appears to have decided — at least for the time being -- that large-scale development of solar power will occur more rapidly through a coordinated effort led by a rather short list of government-controlled enterprises.
In its own way, this is China weighing in on the recent R&D vs. government funding debate featured on “Dot Earth” between Richard Rosen of the Tellus Institute and Microsoft’s Bill Gates. China is clearly arguing that marshalling the resources of the state in the form of huge government subsidies for solar power should trump market- and innovation-driven solutions to reduce its cost.
Whether there is a price point at which China’s private sector will be able to participate in utility-scale solar power development remains a question. Also in question is whether the much anticipated innovation culture that the Chinese have said that they are intent on building will contribute in a significant way to the development of solar power in China absent a meaningful incentive for that innovation to occur.
Building Utility-scale Plants Below Cost
The Chinese certainly are displaying their eagerness to scale up domestic use of solar energy, while driving down its cost. Winning bids for the 13 new projects (totaling 280 MW) ranged from US $0.10 per kWh (0.7288 Yuan/kWh, which equals $0.107/kWh@ 6.8 Yuan/$1) at the low end, to US $0.15 per kWh (0.9907 Yuan/kWh equal to $0.146/kWh) on the high end. These bids were approximately one-third lower than the bids that came in last year for the first utility-scale solar power plant, a 10-MW plant to be located in Dunhuang, Qinghai Province.
This year, more than 70% of the winning bids were won by government-controlled enterprises. The China Power Investment Group dominated the most recent round of bidding with a total of seven successful bids. The Upper Yellow River Hydropower Development Co., a subsidiary of the China Power Investment Group, submitted the lowest bid for this round of PPAs (0.7288 Yuan/kWh) and became the winning bidder for the Qinghai Gonghe 30-MW project. At 0.9907 Yuan/kWh, the Xinjiang Energy Co., Ltd., also a subsidiary of the China Power Investment Group, was the winning bidder for the 20-MW Xinjiang Hetian project.
There were a total of 135 bids submitted by 50 firms for the 13 solar power projects, which will be scattered among six provinces: Inner Mongolia (3 x 20 MW); Xinjiang (3 x 20 MW); Gansu (3 x 20 MW); Qinghai (1x 30 MW and 1 x 20 MW); Ningxia (1 x 30 MW) and Shaanxi (1 x 20 MW). The 20-MW Baotou, Inner Mongolia project attracted the most bidders at 16, yet there were at least 10 bidders for most projects. The term of each PPA is 25 years.
These 280 MW of solar power plants to be developed, though much larger than the 10 MW Dunhuang bid process in 2009, do not yet mark the initiation of a real market for scale development of solar in China. Instead this looks like the Chinese government’s attempt to explore the contours of the economics of utility-scale solar power development and to test the ability of firms to produce utility-scale solar power at steadily lower prices.
The 2009 Dunhuang solar PPA price subsequently was adjusted upward to 1.15 Yuan/kWh ($0.169/kWh) from the original successful bid of 1.09 Yuan/kWh. Based on the estimates of component, labor and financing costs for solar power development in China, it would not be surprising if the final prices per kWh for the most recent round of solar PPAs also were adjusted upward.
So, even though these prices may indicate that solar power will be produced in China for less than 1 Yuan/kWh as early as 2012, it is quite possible that the final price will not be as aggressive as the winning bids suggest.
At present the price for utility-grade solar power development in China is said to be as follows: 9-10 Yuan/watt for PV modules; 1 Yuan/watt for inverters; 1 Yuan/watt for structures; 1 Yuan/watt for electric cable; 1 Yuan/watt for labor and an estimated 6% bank interest rate. Based on these current costs, total PV system equipment and labor costs should be in the range of 15 Yuan/watt. If maintenance expenses over 25 years and an internal rate of return of 8% are also factored in, a PV system should be able to have a small profit at 16-17 Yuan/watt [US $2.35-2.50 per watt]. The present average PPA prices, however, are approximately 14 Yuan/watt [US $2.06 per watt].
And even though there are incentives for Chinese companies to bid as low as they did, including the desire to build a brand, realize required emissions reductions, gain recognition for being socially responsible and learn the economics and technology of solar power development, according to Li Junfeng, the Deputy Director of the Energy Research Bureau of the National Development and Reform Commission, projects in this most recent round of PPAs are not be expected to be profitable for 17-18 years. It’s no surprise, then, that the successful bidders primarily are enterprises under the direct control of the government, because other companies would not be able to persevere over such a long period without earning a profit.
As you might expect, this second round of bids resulted in serious grumbling among private enterprises that were among the bidders, including prominent PV firms as Suntech and LDK. They complained that they are unable to compete with their state-owned counterparts. One executive remarked, “Only central government enterprises that do not have funding pressures could operate at these price levels.”
Despite soothing assurances from officials at the China Renewable Energy Institute and elsewhere that as soon as the price of solar power drops enough, there will be room for everyone to enter the market, it is not clear that the private sector will ever be able to get in, especially if they will always be up against government-controlled enterprises.
It remains unclear whether there is room for the private sector in China as it scales up solar power development. In the end, utility-scale solar power development may well remain the province of the public sector a recognition by Beijing that subsidies, not innovation, are the key to large-scale solar development in China.
Source: Renewable Energy World
Author: Lou Schwartz: a lawyer and China specialist who focuses his work on the energy and metals sectors in the People's Republic of China, is a frequent contributor to Renewable Energy World. Through China Strategies, LLC, Lou provides clients research and analysis, due diligence, merger and acquisition, private equity investment and other support for trade and investment in China's burgeoning energy and metals industries. Lou earned degrees in East Asian Studies from Michigan and Harvard and a J.D. from George Washington University. He can be reached at lou@chinastrategiesllc.com.
The late August round of bids for utility-scale solar power projects in China yielded a new milestone in the economics of solar power in China: a sub-Yuan/kWh price for solar power. To achieve this impressive number, the Chinese government has used the state-owned sector (and particularly enterprises under the direct control of the central government) to help subsidize the price of solar power, to the point where the economics appear to be unsustainable.
Beijing also appears to have decided — at least for the time being -- that large-scale development of solar power will occur more rapidly through a coordinated effort led by a rather short list of government-controlled enterprises.
In its own way, this is China weighing in on the recent R&D vs. government funding debate featured on “Dot Earth” between Richard Rosen of the Tellus Institute and Microsoft’s Bill Gates. China is clearly arguing that marshalling the resources of the state in the form of huge government subsidies for solar power should trump market- and innovation-driven solutions to reduce its cost.
Whether there is a price point at which China’s private sector will be able to participate in utility-scale solar power development remains a question. Also in question is whether the much anticipated innovation culture that the Chinese have said that they are intent on building will contribute in a significant way to the development of solar power in China absent a meaningful incentive for that innovation to occur.
Building Utility-scale Plants Below Cost
The Chinese certainly are displaying their eagerness to scale up domestic use of solar energy, while driving down its cost. Winning bids for the 13 new projects (totaling 280 MW) ranged from US $0.10 per kWh (0.7288 Yuan/kWh, which equals $0.107/kWh@ 6.8 Yuan/$1) at the low end, to US $0.15 per kWh (0.9907 Yuan/kWh equal to $0.146/kWh) on the high end. These bids were approximately one-third lower than the bids that came in last year for the first utility-scale solar power plant, a 10-MW plant to be located in Dunhuang, Qinghai Province.
This year, more than 70% of the winning bids were won by government-controlled enterprises. The China Power Investment Group dominated the most recent round of bidding with a total of seven successful bids. The Upper Yellow River Hydropower Development Co., a subsidiary of the China Power Investment Group, submitted the lowest bid for this round of PPAs (0.7288 Yuan/kWh) and became the winning bidder for the Qinghai Gonghe 30-MW project. At 0.9907 Yuan/kWh, the Xinjiang Energy Co., Ltd., also a subsidiary of the China Power Investment Group, was the winning bidder for the 20-MW Xinjiang Hetian project.
There were a total of 135 bids submitted by 50 firms for the 13 solar power projects, which will be scattered among six provinces: Inner Mongolia (3 x 20 MW); Xinjiang (3 x 20 MW); Gansu (3 x 20 MW); Qinghai (1x 30 MW and 1 x 20 MW); Ningxia (1 x 30 MW) and Shaanxi (1 x 20 MW). The 20-MW Baotou, Inner Mongolia project attracted the most bidders at 16, yet there were at least 10 bidders for most projects. The term of each PPA is 25 years.
These 280 MW of solar power plants to be developed, though much larger than the 10 MW Dunhuang bid process in 2009, do not yet mark the initiation of a real market for scale development of solar in China. Instead this looks like the Chinese government’s attempt to explore the contours of the economics of utility-scale solar power development and to test the ability of firms to produce utility-scale solar power at steadily lower prices.
The 2009 Dunhuang solar PPA price subsequently was adjusted upward to 1.15 Yuan/kWh ($0.169/kWh) from the original successful bid of 1.09 Yuan/kWh. Based on the estimates of component, labor and financing costs for solar power development in China, it would not be surprising if the final prices per kWh for the most recent round of solar PPAs also were adjusted upward.
So, even though these prices may indicate that solar power will be produced in China for less than 1 Yuan/kWh as early as 2012, it is quite possible that the final price will not be as aggressive as the winning bids suggest.
At present the price for utility-grade solar power development in China is said to be as follows: 9-10 Yuan/watt for PV modules; 1 Yuan/watt for inverters; 1 Yuan/watt for structures; 1 Yuan/watt for electric cable; 1 Yuan/watt for labor and an estimated 6% bank interest rate. Based on these current costs, total PV system equipment and labor costs should be in the range of 15 Yuan/watt. If maintenance expenses over 25 years and an internal rate of return of 8% are also factored in, a PV system should be able to have a small profit at 16-17 Yuan/watt [US $2.35-2.50 per watt]. The present average PPA prices, however, are approximately 14 Yuan/watt [US $2.06 per watt].
And even though there are incentives for Chinese companies to bid as low as they did, including the desire to build a brand, realize required emissions reductions, gain recognition for being socially responsible and learn the economics and technology of solar power development, according to Li Junfeng, the Deputy Director of the Energy Research Bureau of the National Development and Reform Commission, projects in this most recent round of PPAs are not be expected to be profitable for 17-18 years. It’s no surprise, then, that the successful bidders primarily are enterprises under the direct control of the government, because other companies would not be able to persevere over such a long period without earning a profit.
As you might expect, this second round of bids resulted in serious grumbling among private enterprises that were among the bidders, including prominent PV firms as Suntech and LDK. They complained that they are unable to compete with their state-owned counterparts. One executive remarked, “Only central government enterprises that do not have funding pressures could operate at these price levels.”
Despite soothing assurances from officials at the China Renewable Energy Institute and elsewhere that as soon as the price of solar power drops enough, there will be room for everyone to enter the market, it is not clear that the private sector will ever be able to get in, especially if they will always be up against government-controlled enterprises.
It remains unclear whether there is room for the private sector in China as it scales up solar power development. In the end, utility-scale solar power development may well remain the province of the public sector a recognition by Beijing that subsidies, not innovation, are the key to large-scale solar development in China.
Source: Renewable Energy World
Author: Lou Schwartz: a lawyer and China specialist who focuses his work on the energy and metals sectors in the People's Republic of China, is a frequent contributor to Renewable Energy World. Through China Strategies, LLC, Lou provides clients research and analysis, due diligence, merger and acquisition, private equity investment and other support for trade and investment in China's burgeoning energy and metals industries. Lou earned degrees in East Asian Studies from Michigan and Harvard and a J.D. from George Washington University. He can be reached at lou@chinastrategiesllc.com.
Friday, August 20, 2010
China Restricts Export of Rare-Earth Resources
Over the past 5 years, China has emerged as a world-leading producer of solar and wind technologies. Due to its insatiable appetite for energy, the country is quickly becoming a top installer of renewables as well.
China is still consuming coal and oil at astonishing rates, however. On average, the country installs a new coal-fired facility every two weeks. Some experts believe that this will set China back and negate the progress it has made in the development of renewables.
Even so, China will continue to be a leader in the export of wind and solar technologies.
There's another factor that could increase China's role as a central figure in the renewables space: Its control of 95% of the rare earth resources like Indium, Gallium and Lithium. These are central to the functionality of solar cells (CIGS and CdTe) and battery technologies for automotive and power storage applications.
This is not a surprise. But the announcement from Chinese officials last month that it would decrease shipment of these resources by 72% certainly was. The goal is for China to lure technology companies over to the country by giving them access to restricted resources. If it works, we may see a lot more clean energy firms moving over to China.
It has given such signals in the past. China actually made a similar announcement in 2009, raising the ire of the international community.
Already, companies are setting up shop en masse in China due to lower labor costs and the need to be closer to the burgeoning renewables market around Asia. This decision to restrict exports of rare resources will likely accelerate the trend.
The Wall Street Journal had a great piece on the subject and the Energy Collective had a piece of commentary on the implications of the export restrictions on the renewable energy industry.
Source: Renewable Energy World
China is still consuming coal and oil at astonishing rates, however. On average, the country installs a new coal-fired facility every two weeks. Some experts believe that this will set China back and negate the progress it has made in the development of renewables.
Even so, China will continue to be a leader in the export of wind and solar technologies.
There's another factor that could increase China's role as a central figure in the renewables space: Its control of 95% of the rare earth resources like Indium, Gallium and Lithium. These are central to the functionality of solar cells (CIGS and CdTe) and battery technologies for automotive and power storage applications.
This is not a surprise. But the announcement from Chinese officials last month that it would decrease shipment of these resources by 72% certainly was. The goal is for China to lure technology companies over to the country by giving them access to restricted resources. If it works, we may see a lot more clean energy firms moving over to China.
It has given such signals in the past. China actually made a similar announcement in 2009, raising the ire of the international community.
Already, companies are setting up shop en masse in China due to lower labor costs and the need to be closer to the burgeoning renewables market around Asia. This decision to restrict exports of rare resources will likely accelerate the trend.
The Wall Street Journal had a great piece on the subject and the Energy Collective had a piece of commentary on the implications of the export restrictions on the renewable energy industry.
Source: Renewable Energy World
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Suntech Power Stops Producing Thin Film Panels
Suntech Power Holdings Co. Ltd. plans to overhaul operations at its Shanghai, China, manufacturing facility to focus on the manufacture of crystalline silicon solar cells. As part of the restructuring, the company has ceased the manufacture of amorphous silicon thin-film solar panels.
Suntech expects to incur a thin-film equipment non-cash impairment charge of approximately $50 million to $55 million in the second quarter of this year. The company cites "rapid cost reduction and improving competitiveness of crystalline silicon solar panels" as the reasons for its decision to switch manufacturing focus at the Shanghai factory.
SOURCE: Suntech Power Holdings Co. Ltd.
Suntech expects to incur a thin-film equipment non-cash impairment charge of approximately $50 million to $55 million in the second quarter of this year. The company cites "rapid cost reduction and improving competitiveness of crystalline silicon solar panels" as the reasons for its decision to switch manufacturing focus at the Shanghai factory.
SOURCE: Suntech Power Holdings Co. Ltd.
Yingli Starts Operation of In-House Polysilicon Facility
Yingli Green Energy Holding Co. Ltd. says its in-house polysilicon manufacturing facility, Fine Silicon Co. Ltd. has begun commercial operation. Fine Silicon announced it has commenced trial production and reached certain key technology and operating milestones in December 2009.
With monosilane-based polysilicon manufacturing technology, the polysilicon plant, with a designed capacity of 3,000 metric tons per year is capable of producing solar-grade and electronic-grade polysilicon through energy-efficient and environmentally friendly manufacturing processes, Yingli says. No trichlorosilanes or chlorides are used in the manufacturing process.
SOURCE: Yingli Green Energy Holding Co. Ltd.
With monosilane-based polysilicon manufacturing technology, the polysilicon plant, with a designed capacity of 3,000 metric tons per year is capable of producing solar-grade and electronic-grade polysilicon through energy-efficient and environmentally friendly manufacturing processes, Yingli says. No trichlorosilanes or chlorides are used in the manufacturing process.
SOURCE: Yingli Green Energy Holding Co. Ltd.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Yingli Solar's Production Capacity Reaches 1 GW / Year
Yingli Green Energy yesterday announced the initial production from its latest 400 MW capacity expansions. The new solar PV manufacturing lines include a 300 MW PANDA monocrystalline silicon based production capacity at the Company's Baoding headquarters, and a 100 MW multicrystalline silicon based production capacity in Haikou, Hainan Province.
"We are excited about the initial production of our newly added 400 MW manufacturing lines. These significant milestones were achieved within one year, demonstrating our accumulated expertise in capacity expansion," commented Mr. Liansheng Miao, Chairman and CEO of Yingli Green Energy. "We expect these latest production lines to reach full capacity by the end of this quarter, which will bring our total nameplate capacity to 1 GW. Our success can be attributed to the strong demand for our high performance products, especially our recently introduced Yingli Solar Panda Module™. The expected output of these new lines this year has been fully booked by our customers. We believe our expanded product portfolio and increased capacity will further solidify our industry leadership worldwide."
"Given the higher cell efficiency of the Yingli Solar Panda Module™, we expect to help our customers further reduce their balance-of-system cost. We also plan to continue to invest in high efficiency cell research and development in order to deliver the best technology and products possible to all of our customers with a focus on the reduction of the total cost of KW hour generation," Mr. Miao concluded.
"We are excited about the initial production of our newly added 400 MW manufacturing lines. These significant milestones were achieved within one year, demonstrating our accumulated expertise in capacity expansion," commented Mr. Liansheng Miao, Chairman and CEO of Yingli Green Energy. "We expect these latest production lines to reach full capacity by the end of this quarter, which will bring our total nameplate capacity to 1 GW. Our success can be attributed to the strong demand for our high performance products, especially our recently introduced Yingli Solar Panda Module™. The expected output of these new lines this year has been fully booked by our customers. We believe our expanded product portfolio and increased capacity will further solidify our industry leadership worldwide."
"Given the higher cell efficiency of the Yingli Solar Panda Module™, we expect to help our customers further reduce their balance-of-system cost. We also plan to continue to invest in high efficiency cell research and development in order to deliver the best technology and products possible to all of our customers with a focus on the reduction of the total cost of KW hour generation," Mr. Miao concluded.
Friday, July 9, 2010
The US Commits $2 Billion to Solar - China Commits $17 Billion
A lot was made of President Obama's decision to provide $2 billion to 2 US Solar Companies -- but this pales in significance when compared with China's decision to commit $17 billion in loan guarantees to 3 Chinese Solar Companies - so don't be surprised as Chinese companies continually increase market share, and US and European companies lose out. Here are the details:
July 9 (Bloomberg) -- China may double the world’s capacity for making solar panels by loaning Yingli Green Energy Holding Co. 36 billion yuan ($5.3 billion) to expand production, a Bloomberg New Energy Finance analyst said.
The funds from the state-run China Development Bank Corp. follow an agreement to lend as much as 50 billion yuan to Suntech Power Holdings Co. in April. Some 30 billion yuan was also loaned to Trina Solar Ltd. by the bank in the same month, according to New Energy Finance. The three New York-traded companies are China’s biggest solar firms by market value.
“The loans are enough to increase the world’s solar wafer and cell capacity by 100 percent,” said Jenny Chase, head of solar-energy analysis for New Energy Finance in London. “It will allow the Chinese companies to deliver unprecedented economies of scale.”
The money will allow China to strengthen its position as the world’s largest maker of solar panels used to generate electricity from the sun’s rays. Yingli and its Chinese competitors shipped 43 percent of the world’s solar panels last year, according to the London-based research group owned by Bloomberg LP.
Yingli will use the funds to finance both domestic development and boost its overseas business, the Baoding-based company said in a statement on its website. The company didn’t provide further details or disclose terms of the loan.
China Development Bank also extended an eight-year loan of $70 million to Yingli in December 2008 to fund expansion. The company said in a separate statement it has started production on a solar panel factory able to make 400 megawatts of generation capacity a year.
Capacity Expansion
Yingli expects its newest production lines to reach full capacity by the end of the third quarter, raising its total output capacity to 1 gigawatt. The China Development Bank loan may be enough to raise Yingli’s production capacity to as much as 5 gigawatts, Chase said.
The 50 billion yuan loan agreement with Suntech may be used to help expand output capacity, said spokesman Rory Macpherson.
“The strategic agreement signifies China Development Bank’s confidence in the ongoing growth of Suntech and the solar industry,” he said. “The use of the funds was not specified though could potentially be used for capacity expansion.”
Authors Note: An important caveat in the Chinese solar company loan deals is that these are agreements, but the actual money has not yet been loaned.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
China PV Manufacturer's See Slowing Growth Rate
Recent revenue and shipment announcements by some of China's major PV makers suggest that growth for end-market demand is slowing.
With the exception of Yingli (primarily affected by the depreciation of the Euro vs. Yuan), the major Chinese PV players showed slowing growth vs. previous quarters -- and their growth in 1Q10 was mainly due to increased demand in Europe to get new PV systems installed ahead of Germany's upcoming changes to its feed-in tariff.
With the exception of Yingli (primarily affected by the depreciation of the Euro vs. Yuan), the major Chinese PV players showed slowing growth vs. previous quarters -- and their growth in 1Q10 was mainly due to increased demand in Europe to get new PV systems installed ahead of Germany's upcoming changes to its feed-in tariff.
Coupled with the euro volatility, this could mean a weaker outlook for installations through this year and maybe 2011, and will likely affect demand since all these suppliers are significantly exposed to European markets. Continued financial weakness in Europe (Greece, Portugal, Spain, and Italy), could lead to a roll back in solar incentives, which could affect the PV market for years.
The currency valuations also could spell cost problems for Chinese suppliers, since they report costs in dollars but sales in Euros -- this squeezes gross margins, and narrows the cost-advantage gap between them and European companies (e.g. REC, SolarWorld), Koh writes.
Source: Electro IQ Read the full article here.
Monday, May 31, 2010
25 Year Warranty on Astronergy PV Modules
Astronergy (also known as Chint Solar) - with headquarters in China, says that Munich Re, a reinsurance company, will be covering Astronergy's crystalline silicon and thin-film PV modules. This guarantee holds PV panels to high performance standards for the power-output warranty period.
The agreement covers the length of the 25-year warranty on the solar panels, guaranteeing a rated power output of greater than 90% for the first 10 years and a rated power output of greater than 80% for the remaining 15 years. Additional efficiency losses qualify for compensation.
SOURCE: Astronergy To learn more about Astronergy click here.
The agreement covers the length of the 25-year warranty on the solar panels, guaranteeing a rated power output of greater than 90% for the first 10 years and a rated power output of greater than 80% for the remaining 15 years. Additional efficiency losses qualify for compensation.
SOURCE: Astronergy To learn more about Astronergy click here.
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