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The highly automated factory will boost Sigenergy’s annual output by over 300,000 units, including inverters, battery storage systems and energy gateways.
Increasing production, price fluctuations, and stricter regulations are influencing the solar market on a global scale. We spoke with Gerard Scheper, CEO of European Solar, about the latest developments and their impact on the industry.
The US has imposed tariffs of up to 3,521 percent on solar imports from Southeast Asia, echoing similar protectionist measures taken by the EU in 2013. Gerard Scheper, CEO of European Solar, warns that history may be repeating itself.
The ESMC flags Europe’s energy sovereignty as at risk from remote control of PV inverters by non-European manufacturers, calling for EU action.
The Trump administration continues to escalate the trade wars. Solar modules from Southeast Asia are impacted, but the real enemy is China. Will the EU now waive import tariffs?
The Chinese government has reduced a tax break for solar panels by 4 percent. It may be a first sign that solar panel prices will rise again in the new year. Especially now that it seems likely that the Chinese government will also abolish the remaining 9 percent tax benefit in the first half of 2025, says Gerard Scheper, CEO of European Solar. "This finally seems to be the end of the declining price curve of solar panels and making it less interesting to postpone the purchase any longer."
Aiko achieves high module efficiency in series production. The new panels have already passed their first test in installations in China.
BYD Energy Storage expands the partner program for residential energy storage solution wholesalers and installers. As part of this effort, BYD recently held a partner conference at the BYD headquarters and a production site visit of the Nanning Industrial Park.
Trinasolar has been awarded the bankability certificate for its Vertex n-type TOPCon bifacial PV modules by TÜV Rheinland, an independent third-party agency for testing, inspection and certification.
A solar charging station has been installed at an altitude of 4,300 metres in the Everest National Park near the roof of the world. The solar modules come from Aiko, the system technology from Huawei.
With solar leading their rapid deployment, renewables are on course to meet almost half of global electricity demand by the end of this decade, a new report of the International Energy Agency (IEA) says.
The battle of the Chinese suppliers continues. Hopes that more powerful solar modules will achieve higher prices have not yet been fulfilled. Nevertheless, interesting new products were presented this summer.
Due to an ever-expanding supply, without increasing demand, a gigantic overcapacity in the solar energy sector has rapidly arisen in the past year. The rapidly dropped prices have subsequently caused financial problems throughout the supply chain. "There's no one taking advantage of this at all”, says Gerard Scheper, CEO of European Solar. To put a stop to the current situation, the Chinese government wants to take measures.
LONGi has made significant optimizations at its Jiaxing Lighthouse Factory, achieving a 43% increase in product quality, an 84% reduction in production and delivery cycles and a 20% reduction in energy consumption per unit.
Global solar yearly installations almost doubled in 2023, growing by 87% on the previous year. Though there are several challenges to unleash the full solar potential.
The very low Chinese panel prices have been causing major turmoil on the European market for months. But things are also bumpy in China itself, observes Gerard Scheper, CEO of European Solar. "JinkoSolar has been taken off the Tier 1 list due to financial issues, but it is certainly not the only Chinese manufacturer with problems."
Now that spring is halfway through and temperatures are starting to rise, there is also a cautious optimism in the solar sector. There is a very slight recovery in prices and a pick-up in demand. The big question seems to be: how will demand react to real price increases? "Everyone is now used to low prices and will want to buy just before a price increase," says Gerard Scheper, CEO of European Solar. "That can lead to chaos in another way."
Jens Holm, Sustainability Policy Director of the European Solar Manufacturing Council (ESMC), sees the EU CSDDD Directive and the Forced Labor Regulation as an opportunity for European PV production and as a lever against social and environmental dumping by Chinese manufacturers.
Andreas Wöll, Managing Director of Eco-Worthy Europe, on the future of the European solar industry and the possibilities and opportunities of European-Chinese cooperation.
Despite the fact that the prices of solar panels have not dropped any further, there is certainly no price recovery yet. As a result, the selling price gap between European and Chinese solar panels remains so large that European producers are in serious trouble, according to Gerard Scheper, CEO of European Solar. "European producers are at a standstill and will certainly not be able to keep that up for another six months."
Engin Yaman, Managing Director of LONGi Germany, on current market developments, the security of supply chains and price developments, the discussion on Chinese price dumping and the business strategy for Europe and Germany.
In its 1st quarter 2024 report, Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) still lists Sunova Solar as a Tier 1 module manufacturer.While 43% of module manufacturers were removed from the BNEF list, Sunova fulfilled the new criteria of providing minimum 6 projects with 5 MW or larger size.
Several containers with fake modules put into circulation. Bauer Solar is now taking legal action against the Chinese manufacturer and all other parties involved.
Several major European manufacturers, such as Meyer Burger, Norsun, Norwegian Crystals and REC Solar, have announced that the European market is no longer favourable enough for them to operate in. Gerard Scheper, CEO of European Solar thinks. "This means a very serious setback for any European production plans."
Prices for solar modules have continued to fall. But this could soon change. There are various reasons for this.
