solar modules - Elite Home & Solar

Solar Energy

Steady market confidence as prices drop across categories

December 4, 2024 ryansheehanrts

The PV Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) remains a cornerstone for understanding market sentiment and demand trends in the European solar industry. This metric, derived from the purchasing intentions of over 20,000 registered users on the sun.store platform, serves as a valuable barometer of the industry’s health and future direction. With consistent participation from a diverse network of buyers—spanning installers, distributors, and many others—the PV PMI captures the nuanced shifts in purchasing behavior across the continent.

Sustained demand in a challenging market

In November, the PMI held steady at 68, maintaining the same level as in October. While this stability suggests resilience in demand, it also reflects a market that is cautiously navigating seasonal transitions and broader economic uncertainties. Buyers appear to be adjusting their strategies as the year-end approaches, with 51% planning to increase their purchases, a slight uptick from 50% last month. Meanwhile, 35% intend to maintain their current buying levels, and only 14% anticipate reducing their orders.

sun.store

The Purchase Managers‘ Index in November 2024 was stable.

This balance indicates that the European solar market continues to demonstrate robust confidence, even in the face of declining prices. The steady PMI underscores the ongoing commitment of buyers to secure high-quality components, leveraging favorable pricing trends to optimize their procurement strategies. As seasonal factors influence installation timelines and stock replenishment, the consistent PMI provides a reassuring signal that demand for solar solutions remains strong as the industry gears up for the coming year.

Filip Kierzkowski, Head of Partnerships & Trading, shared his perspective: “This steady PMI demonstrates the resilience of the European solar market, even as we enter the traditionally slower months. It’s encouraging to see consistent interest in high-quality components, despite external challenges.”

Development of PV panel prices since January 2024.

Key price trends for November: panels

Monofacial modules:

N-type: Prices fell by 7% to €0.091/Wp from €0.098/Wp in October. This decline reflects ongoing efforts by sellers to clear inventories ahead of year-end.

P-type: A more modest 2% drop brought prices to €0.088/Wp, down from €0.090/Wp, indicating relative stability in this category.

Bifacial modules:

N-type: Prices saw a significant 10% decline, reaching €0.093/Wp from €0.103/Wp, driven by intensified competition and surplus stock.

P-type: Insufficient sample size to establish trends for this category.

Full black modules:

Prices dropped by 9%, landing at €0.090/Wp, down from €0.099/Wp in October. The continued price decline highlights sustained oversupply and heightened competition among suppliers

Inverter pricing: mixed movements

Hybrid inverters showing both increases and decreases depending on capacity, while on-grid inverters generally experienced declines across the board.

Hybrid Inverters:

<15kW: Prices rose by 7% to €127.18/kW, up from €119.25/kW in October. This uptick reflects increased demand for advanced residential solutions, particularly premium brands like Huawei.

15+ kW: Prices fell by 7% to €84.32/kW, down from €90.69/kW. Larger systems faced slower demand due to a shift in buyer focus toward smaller, more flexible installations.

On-grid Inverters:

<15kW: Prices dropped by 8%, reaching €62.45/kW compared to €67.85/kW in October. This decline is attributed to weaker residential demand as seasonal factors take hold.

15+ kW: Prices dipped by 3% to €26.24/kW, down from €27.11/kW, signaling stabilized demand in larger-scale projects.

Also see: Europe must strengthen its production base for solar inverters

PV inverter prices showed a mixed picture.

Krzysztof Rejek, Head of Business Development at sun.store, offered insights into the trends: “The downward pricing trend persisted in November, with all segments hitting new lows—some module offers even nearing €0.05/Wp. Distributors continue their stock liquidation strategies, driven by end-of-year warehouse clearance efforts.“

Also see: Disappointing solar energy market leads to global shifts

„Looking ahead to December, we anticipate a slight uptick in prices due to China’s limited production capacity and a reduction in export tax rebates for modules. However, the availability of discounted stock from distressed distributors is likely to keep the overall average prices at competitive levels“, Krzysztof Rejek stresses.

Brand preferences: Jinko and Solis dominate

Jinko Solar continued to lead across all panel categories—maintaining its position as the top choice among sun.store users.
For inverters, Solis remained the preferred brand for systems under 15kW, while Huawei held its dominance in the 15+ kW category, reflecting their strong reputation for reliability and performance in larger installations.

In summary

The November pv.index paints a clear picture of a market marked by steady demand and competitive pricing. Panel prices continue to trend downward, while inverter categories present a mixed bag of price changes influenced by evolving buyer preferences and year-end dynamics.

Stay informed, subscribe to our free newsletter

About – pv.index & The PV Purchasing Managers’ Index (PV PMI)

pv.index traces current trading prices for solar components on a monthly basis. Data is recorded on sun.store, a leading online PV trading platform with 7.8 GW+ of components on offer and more than 20,000 registered users. Trading prices are weighted by the power of components involved in the transactions to arrive at a reliable estimate for the whole market.

The PV Purchasing Managers’ Index (PV PMI) is a measure indicating the overall sentiment towards the demand in the PV industry. PV PMI shows whether demand is expected to expand (above 50), remain stable, or contract (below 50), as perceived by purchasing managers.

The PV PMI was calculated as: PMI = (P1 * 1) + (P2 * 0.5) + (P3 * 0), where: P1 = percentage of answers reporting an improvement, P2 = percentage of answers reporting no change, P3 = percentage of answers reporting a deterioration. Survey is based on a sample of 800+ sun.store buyers. (hcn)

Source link

Solar Energy

Disappointing solar energy market leads to global shifts

December 3, 2024 ryansheehanrts

“Actually, things are going badly all over the world,” says Gerard Scheper. “Only in the US, Australia and China things are still going quite well.”

With consumer demand still very low, market recovery seems a long way off. A phenomenon that plays out worldwide with a few exceptions. “Very little is still happening in the private market and the pipeline for 2025 is still virtually empty for many companies,” says Scheper.

Low margins – storage market a cycle path

“On top of that, the margins on the products sold are also low. When the market emerged, there were still gross margins of 25 percent with low sales. After sales went up, that margin dropped towards 15 percent. Now companies are on margins of 10 to 15 percent and nothing is being sold. Although the sale of home batteries can compensate somewhat, they are still not the volumes in which solar panels were sold until recently.”

Also see: “A company cannot be on hold for a year”

The business market is a completely different story. “That works out quite well. The market is at about 80 percent of what it was until recently. Here, too, more and more projects with energy storage of up to 100 kilowatt hours are being built. Especially for farmers and SMEs, who already have solar panels on their roofs, an investment in battery storage is extremely lucrative. Until recently, the solar market was a really busy, big highway. The energy storage market is just a cycle path,” says Scheper.

New players are entering the market

“Energy storage is much more complicated in terms of certification, bank guarantees, grid connection and software. Connecting the software to the grid is also more complicated because it can differ per country what this looks like. In the Netherlands, for example, this is very different from Belgium and Germany. On top of that, you don’t always have to deal with the most flexible parties. That also makes it interesting, because it is not at all certain that the brands that are now big in the battery market will soon dominate the market. Whole new players are entering the market.”

For the free WOS storage report, register here: https://theworldofsolar.com /free-market-outlook-report

The fact that the solar energy market is not moving fast is a global phenomenon. After energy prices have dropped back to their old level, the increased demand for solar panels does not appear to be permanent. “Only in the US, Australia and China things are still going quite well. In the US, solar panel producers can get three times more for their panels than in Europe. As a result, they still earn more in the US – despite the import tariffs – than in Europe,” says Scheper.

Changes in the Chinese domestic market

“This is leading to Chinese solar panel manufacturers moving their European teams en masse to these areas. Chinese manufacturers who previously focused only on foreign markets are now also focusing on their own domestic market. Some of them have had a domestic office and a sales team for one or two years, they do have a chance. Or they enter into a partnership with another party that has been active there for a while.”

Also see: Central & Eastern Europe: Utility-scale storage market set to increase fivefold by 2030

But according to Scheper, something else is changing in the Chinese market. “Producers of polysilicon and wafers are taking matters into their own hands and are now also producing and selling solar panels. They have a stable overcapacity of 50 percent and think they can earn more if they also make the end product themselves. In this way, they do not have to scale down their production of polysilicon and wafers.”

Reduced tax benefit on Chinese module exports

Finally, it is the top Tier 1 manufacturers who have put their stock on sale for some areas at even lower prices. “In this way, they want to create liquidity and then they just leave that area. Dutch companies in the solar energy sector will therefore have to ask for clarity from their Chinese suppliers: How important is Europe to you and what will that be like in the next quarter?”

Also see: General price decline continues amid steady demand in the European solar market

Last Friday it was announced that the Chinese government has intervened and reduced a tax benefit on the export of solar panels by 4%. This means that all panels shipped from China after 1-12 will become 4% more expensive. The rumors are that the Chinese government may also reverse the remaining 9% tax benefit and that could mean that the price will be driven up by 13% in a short time. (GS/hcn)

Source link

Solar Energy

LONGi: Financial net loss in Q3 – more PV modules shipped in 2024

November 14, 2024 ryansheehanrts

LONGi has released its financial report for Q3 2024, showing cumulative revenue of CNY 58.593 billion (770 mio. €)for the first three quarters of the year. The third quarter contributed CNY 20.064 billion (264 mio. €) in revenue, with a net loss attributable to shareholders of CNY -1.261 billion (170 mio. €) reflecting a gradual reduction in losses as the company progresses through a challenging industry cycle and enhances its operational efficiency.

Adapted market strategy and counter measures

In 2024, a supply-demand imbalance in the photovoltaic (PV) industry and intensified price competition have led to the industry’s first collective loss since 2016. In response, LONGi adapted its market strategy and adjusted shipments to manage risks associated with fluctuating supply and demand. For the first three quarters, LONGi shipped 82.80GW of silicon wafers (including 35.03GW for external sales), a decrease of 4.22% year-on-year, while module shipments reached 51.23GW (including 13.77GW of BC modules), a year-on-year increase of 17.70%.

LONGi implemented cost-control measures, reducing management expenses by 34.70% year-on-year to CNY 2.422 billion. This strategic focus on cost efficiency would have bolstered the company’s resilience amid market challenges, LONGi announced.

Continiuous investment in R&D and back contact technology

LONGi has invested over CNY 23.5 billion in R&D over the past five years to enhance core competitiveness and advance its product portfolio. Following the strategic route announced in September 2023 towards BC (back contact) technology, LONGi has introduced several differentiated products to align with market demand.

Previously, BC technology production was limited to less than 1GW annually. In the first half of 2024 Chinese firms, including LONGi or AIKO, have expanded production to nearly 12GW, with BC modules now included in large-scale Chinese procurement bids.

“For twenty years, LONGi has been focused on one thing, which is to make solar power cheaper, easier to use, and safer, so that it can benefit everyone. We always focus on improving photovoltaic conversion efficiency and the safety and reliability throughout the entire life cycle,” said Baoshen Zhong, Chairman of LONGi.

LONGi’s HPBC 2.0 product line further supports this expansion, offering high efficiency and reliability across a range of photovoltaic applications. The adoption of BC technology and the associated laser-based production process reflects a strategic shift toward product differentiation and increased market penetration.

HPBC 2.0 against homogenized competition and industry pressure

In response to industry pressures and to avoid homogenized competition, LONGi launched its high-efficiency HPBC 2.0 technology. With a mass production power rating up to 670W, LONGi’s HPBC 2.0 modules claim to surpass TOPCon modules by over 30W, achieving a mass production efficiency of 24.8%, the highest globally for solar modules according to LONGi.

HPBC 2.0 technology claims to deliver 6% higher power generation than comparable TOPCon products and enhances pre-tax profitability by 15%-20%, according to LONGi. LONGi’s recent releases, the Hi-MO 9 and Hi-MO X10 modules, would incorporate these technological advancements, according to the company.

LONGi sees sustained growth for the photovoltaic industry

LONGi anticipates improvements in the industry landscape as outdated capacity is phased out and some projects are postponed or terminated. The demand for efficient products continues to drive sector growth, with policies supporting further expansion. LONGi projects that the PV industry will achieve stable annual growth of 10%-15%, supported by efficiency gains and high-performing technologies. (hcn)

Source link

Solar Energy

October 2024 pv.index – General price decline continues amid steady demand in the European solar market

November 5, 2024 ryansheehanrts

In October, the PV Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) slightly declined, settling back to 68, which matches the level from August. This decrease comes after a brief uptick in September, indicating a cautious approach as the industry moves towards year-end. Buyers are adjusting their purchasing plans with the season’s end in sight, yet confidence remains relatively stable, with 50% of respondents planning to increase their orders, 37% intending to maintain current levels, and only 13% anticipating a reduction. This steady demand outlook suggests that, despite price fluctuations, optimism persists across Europe’s solar market.

This confidence reflects resilience in the European PV market, even as the sector contends with seasonal and economic factors. As noted by Krzysztof Rejek, Head of Business Development at sun.store: „The stable PMI at 68 shows that the demand for solar components remains strong, yet slighltly decreasing versus previous months. Seasonal factors, coupled with a reduction in installation activities as winter approaches, have influenced purchasing behavior. However, the industry is still vibrant, and we’re seeing a steady demand for high-quality components.“

sun.store

The PV Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) slightly declined in October 2024.

Panel and inverter pricing

Panel prices show mixed trends

October continued the downward price trend across most PV panel categories. Notably:

Monofacial modules:

N-type: prices fell by 15%, landing at €0.098/Wp, down from last month’s €0.105/Wp, as oversupply persists.

P-type: prices for P-type modules showed a modest decrease of 1%, now at €0.090/Wp, compared to €0.091/Wp in September, suggesting relative price stability in this segment.

Bifacial modules:

N-type: modules saw a notable 10% drop, reaching €0.103/Wp, down from €0.114/Wp in September, indicative of competitive pressures and market saturation.

P-type: sample size was too limited to determine a conclusive trend this month.

Full black modules:

Full black modules experienced a price decline of 9%, moving to €0.099/Wp, compared to €0.109/Wp last month, reflecting a steady oversupply and competition among suppliers.

Inverter prices reveal nuanced shifts

For the first time inverters are included in the pv.index. “We’re excited to introduce a more detailed breakdown in the inverter market”, Agata Krawiec-Rokita, CEO of sun.store, commented.

Hybrid Inverters:

<15kW: Prices have decreased by 7% over the last three months, from €128/kW to €119.25/kW. This reduction aligns with slightly lower-than-expected demand for residential installations, coupled with constant oversupply, prompting suppliers to adjust prices for smaller capacity units.

15+ kW: Larger hybrid inverters experienced a 5% price drop between August and September, stabilizing in autumn (September to October) with a slight 1% increase to €90.69/kW, up from €90.18/kW last month. This increase reflects a shift towards premium brands, such as Huawei, indicating a preference for high-quality products in larger-scale projects.

On-grid Inverters:

<15kW: A 13% drop in string inverters for residential use shows both a shift to hybrid options and downward pricing trends in the residential segment. The average price for smaller on-grid inverters fell by 2%, reaching €67.85/kW from €69.21/kW in September, suggesting a price recalibration as the market stabilizes following the summer peak.

15+ kW: Inverters over 15 kW in the on-grid category experienced a 2% rise, with prices increasing to €27.11/kW from €26.49/kW. As with hybrid inverters, this increase is largely driven by a preference for higher-performance brands, reinforcing the trend toward premium choices in larger installations.

Krzysztof Rejek, Head of Business Development at sun.store, comments on the current pricing dynamics: „The trend of module stock devaluation continues with sellers trying to increase their sales figures. We expect for that situation to remain actual especially due to upcoming Black Friday promotions and year-end clearances. This trend allows buyers to secure top-quality components much below regular costs, fueling demand and opening up new opportunities for projects across Europe. We anticipate these attractive prices will continue, providing a unique chance for our users to capitalize on some of the best deals of the year.“

Also see: Battery revenues forecast to rebound in 2026

October’s most preferred brands

In terms of brand preference, Jinko Solar dominated across all panel categories (Monofacial, Bifacial, and Full Black), continuing its streak as a top choice among sun.store users. For inverters, Solis emerged as the preferred brand for systems under 15kW, while Sungrow led in the 15+ kW category, demonstrating a strong demand for reliable, high-performance equipment in larger installations.

Also see: “A company cannot be on hold for a year”

About – pv.index & The PV Purchasing Managers’ Index (PV PMI)

pv.index traces current trading prices for solar components on a monthly basis. Data is recorded on sun.store, a online PV trading platform with 7.8 GW+ of components on offer. Trading prices are weighted by the power of components involved in the transactions to arrive at a reliable estimate for the whole market.

Source link

Solar Energy

FuturaSun manufacturing project selected for EU funding

October 30, 2024 ryansheehanrts

The project, named FENICE (FuturaSun advancEd italiaN manufacturIng CEntre), has entered the Grant Agreement Preparation stage, marking a crucial milestone towards establishing a state-of-the-art factory specializing in next-generation photovoltaic modules.

FENICE Project: leading the way in solar energy for Europe

The FENICE project is a groundbreaking initiative, as it will introduce the production of photovoltaic modules based on advanced technologies like n-type and xBC (Back Contact) in Italy and Europe. This project positions FuturaSun as a key player in a strategic sector, delivering modules with efficiency rates above 24%, fully developed in Europe.

Subscribe to our special newsletter PV for investors

In a market where more than 95% of modules currently come from China, FENICE offers a new path toward an independent, resilient, and sustainable supply chain.

Supporting the energy transition and sustainability

The new factory aims to produce over 7.6 GW of high-efficiency photovoltaic modules within its first 10 years of operation. This will make a significant contribution to Europe’s energy transition goals, as the EU targets 49% of energy in the building sector to come from renewable sources by 2030.

A technological and employment hub

In addition to its environmental benefits, the project will have a strong economic and employment impact. The factory, fully powered by renewable energy and with an annual production capacity of 1.4 GW, will create more than 250 direct jobs and 380 indirect jobs, becoming a technological hub for the local community.

Strategic collaborations and continuous innovation

The project is part of a larger effort to develop a European supply chain, with Italian suppliers providing encapsulants and backsheets, and European suppliers delivering glass, ribbons, and frames.

Also see: Stringer pioneer focuses on innovation and “made in Europe”

FENICE also includes plans for a research center open to collaboration with universities and other institutions, encouraging the ongoing development of new photovoltaic technologies like IBC, n-type, and Tandem Silicon-Perovskite. This will complement the research already being pursued by FuturaSun through its Rome-based start-up, Solertix.

A strong commitment to Europe’s energy future

FuturaSun has been growing steadily for over a decade and continues to invest in innovation and sustainability. With a strong presence in Europe and globally, the company is ready to scale up distribution of the modules produced at the FENICE factory, aiming to help build a sustainable, resilient, and competitive energy future for both Italy and Europe. The project will be covered by direct funding from the European Union through the Innovation Fund with 21 mln €.

Also see: TrinaSolar emphasizes the efficiency advantages of TopCon PV modules

The next major step for the project will be the preparation and signing of the Grant Agreement with the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA), the granting authority, to officially secure the funding. (hcn)

Source link

Solar Energy

PV module technology – TrinaSolar emphasizes the efficiency advantages of TopCon PV modules

October 24, 2024 ryansheehanrts

Trinasolar has completed a field test which has found that TOPCon PV modules deliver an average power generation gain of 3.15% per watt over back contact (BC) modules, with a relative gain of up to 3.4% on a monthly basis. This analysis would demonstrate the superior power generation of TOPCon modules the company claims.

The test was conducted between 16^th July and 10^th September 2024 in Changzhou, China. Trinasolar compared the performance of its Vertex N 600W bifacial dual-glass modules, based on advanced n type i-TOPCon technology, with 620W bifacial dual-glass tunnel back contact (TBC) modules from an alternative manufacturer.

To ensure accuracy, the test site was designed to closely simulate regular installation conditions. It featured a cement ground with around 30% reflectivity, with modules mounted on fixed racking systems with a 23° tilt angle and installed 0.5 metres above the ground. There was no shading on the front or rear rows, and power generation data was collected using an IV tracker.

High bifaciality and low-irradiance performance

The TOPCon modules demonstrated superior performance in low-irradiance conditions such as in the morning and early evening. From 7am to 8am, the TOPCon modules’ power generation per watt was 6.9% higher than the TBC modules, and from 5pm to 7pm, its relative gain was 8.3-8.4%. This is in line with earlier field tests showing that TOPCon outperforms BC by about 5% in low-irradiance conditions.

TOPCon’s higher bifaciality also contributes to its greater power generation: even at midday when sunlight is strongest, TOPCon modules deliver a 2.6% power generation advantage over BC alternatives.

Trina Solar

Field test performance results.

The combination of high bifaciality and low-irradiance performance enables TOPCon modules to deliver a 2-3% power generation gain per watt over BC modules in actual operating conditions. These findings are consistent with results from the National Photovoltaic and Energy Storage Experimental Platform and the National Centre of Inspection on Solar Photovoltaic Products Quality, both based in China.

Further e fficiency gains expected

The test results would provide strong evidence that TOPCon will be the dominant PV technology over the next five years Trina Solar claims, with further improvements to efficiency and reductions in costs still to come. Trinasolar envisions that efficiency of the cells will increase by an additional 1% in this time, and that the power output of TOPCon modules will grow by over 30W in the same period. In five years’ time, the company expects n-type TOPCon-based perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells to become the benchmark for high-quality development in the PV industry.

Recently AIKO claimed the advantages of the back-contact technology with field results from their N-Type ABC PV modules and Longi also emphasizes the advantages of its back-contact cell and module technology. (hcn)

Source link

Solar Energy

Finca La Calabaza goes solar

October 17, 2024 ryansheehanrts

The project features AIKO’s NEOSTAR 1S modules with a capacity of 41.4 kW. This installation not only enhances the farm’s energy independence but also helps reduce its carbon footprint by an estimated 1,638 kg of CO2 per year.

Motivation for solar energy

Finca La Calabaza’s decision to adopt solar energy was driven by the desire to minimize environmental impact and lower operational costs. As farm owner Estebana María Cabrera noted: “We opted for solar energy to minimize pollution and reduce the energy bill. In Fuerteventura, we have many hours of sunlight that we must take advantage of to minimize environmental impact by implementing solar system installations.” By leveraging Fuerteventura’s abundant sunlight in combination with AIKO’s advanced technology, the farm has successfully met its sustainability goals.

Choosing n-type ABC modules

The decision to use AIKO’s N-Type ABC modules was rooted in the farm’s clear objectives—cutting energy costs, increasing energy independence, and promoting environmental sustainability. Estebana María Cabrera praised the modules’ performance: “We opted for AIKO modules due to their advanced technology and reputation for performance and durability. The installation has allowed us to achieve significant energy savings and improve the farm’s operational efficiency.”

Efficiency and energy production

With eighty modules, AIKO achieves an output of 36 kW, compared to 34.4 kW from competing TOPCon modules in the same area. Additionally, for the same power capacity of 36 kW, AIKO requires only 80 modules, while TOPCon requires 84 module, according to the company.

In terms of energy output, AIKO’s modules perform with an expected 69,676 kWh produced in the first year, compared to 65,319 kWh from TOPCon, the company claims. Over a 30-year lifespan, AIKO is projected to generate 1,987,589 kWh, a 7.43 % increase in energy production over competing technologies, the company claims.This boost in energy generation would provide long-term value for the farm and contributes to a stable, sustainable energy supply, according to AIKO.

Cost savings and financial return

The financial advantages of AIKO’s modules would be equally compelling, AIKO claims. Over the system’s lifespan, Finca La Calabaza is projected to generate € 226,585 in revenue, surpassing the € 210,907 estimated for TOPCon. Additionally, the payback period for AIKO’s system is estimated at 3.81 years, compared to 4.02 years for TOPCon, allowing the farm to realize cost savings sooner.

Join Energy Decentral: Meet farmers at Spotlight Solar in Hanover

Beyond reducing energy costs, the farm has benefited from a lower Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE), further optimizing long-term financial returns.

Reliability and durability in harsh conditions

Fuerteventura’s harsh environment, with its frequent dust and sandstorms, demands robust solar technology. AIKO’s N-Type ABC modules have proven to be highly durable and reliable in these conditions. As Hector Henrique Sandes, CEO of Canarias Autosostenible, highlighted: “The AIKO modules have exceeded our expectations in terms of performance. Energy production has been consistent and reliable, even in variable weather conditions, giving us great peace of mind.”

Flawless installation and continuous support

The success of the installation was bolstered by the service provided by Canarias Autosostenible. From the project’s inception to post-installation, their attention to detail ensured that the system was tailored to the farm’s specific needs.

The technical support and warranty offered by AIKO would have further solidified Finca La Calabaza’s confidence in the long-term performance of the solar system, the company claims.

Also interesting: Agri-PV park with PPA and more biodiversity

With the success of this project, Finca La Calabaza is already planning future expansions of its solar facilities. Estebana María Cabrera affirmed: “We are excited about future expansions of our solar facilities“ (hcn)

Source link

Solar Energy

Investments Western Balkons – Albania: 140 MW PV project with bifacial modules

October 17, 2024 ryansheehanrts

Karavasta Solar was initiated following a call for tenders by the Albanian government for this project in 2022 and won by Voltalia, an international player in renewable energies. Trina Solar has partnered with Voltalia for this project and has been selected to provide its ultra-high performance Vertex dual-glass bifacial modules. They are mounted on single-axis trackers to suit the flat terrain of the plant, offering an installed capacity of 140 MWp.

The project is estimated to be live by end of 2023. It is set to yield 265 GWh per year, covering the annual electricity needs of 220,000 inhabitants and saving approximately 29,165 tonnes of CO₂ per year.

PPA revenue model

Karavasta Solar is developed, built and operated by Voltalia, is financed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (ERBD) and will feature a PPA revenue model. This implies that 50% of the electricity produced will be sold through a 15-year sales contract to the Albanian public operator, while the remainder will be sold through long-term contracts to private operators.

Demonstrating Voltalia’s commitment to caring for the communities in which their projects are based, 1% of the company’s total investment in Karavasta Solar will go towards social initiatives in the area. Additionally, 30% or more of the workforce is sourced from the local community in Albania during both construction and operation. Around 200 people are employed during construction of the project, and during operation, there will be 10-15 direct employees and 20-50 indirect employees working on site.

Did you miss that? Albania: Push for subsidy-free solar farms

Constantin von Alvensleben, Country Manager of Voltalia Albania said: “Having launched Karavasta Solar in the summer of 2022, it’s incredible to be working with Trina Solar to bring the project to life. We are dedicated to a cleaner, brighter future for all in a way that also directly benefits the communities where our projects are based, so we look forward to completing the project and seeing the difference it makes to the area.”

Vanguard 1P single-row trackers to be installed

Gonzalo de la Viña, President EMEA at Trina Solar, added: “Our involvement in the Karavasta Solar project is another significant milestone for Trina Solar in expanding our footprint in the fast-growing Balkan region. We are thrilled that Voltalia have chosen our modules for the Karavasta Solar site. I have no doubt that together we will make an extraordinary impact on the local community and beyond as we continue our efforts to drive the energy transition forward.

Subscribe to our new monthly special newsletter for investors:

“Not only is this the largest project in the region, but it comes off the back of another major project in Albania, which was our first project to implement our Vanguard 1P single-row tracker. Our leading presence in the region highlights our commitment to delivering innovative solar solutions in Eastern Europe“, de la Viña said. (hcn)

Source link

Solar Energy

September 2024 pv.index – Demand rebounds as prices continue to decline

October 3, 2024 ryansheehanrts

The PV PMI (PV Purchasing Managers’ Index), purchasing intentions from buyers across the sun.store platform, continues to provide a valuable lens into the industry’s direction. sun.store, Europe’s largest solar marketplace, is central to these market insights, with over 16,500 registered users and more than 7 GW of equipment available from a diverse range of suppliers. This month’s index reveals increasing buyer confidence as 54% of respondents plan to boost their purchasing in October, a significant rise from 49% in September.

PV PMI: Buyer confidence bounces back

September marked a welcome resurgence in market optimism, with the PV PMI climbing to 71. This jump highlights the renewed confidence buyers have in the solar market, with over half of respondents signaling plans to increase their purchases in the coming month. Meanwhile, the percentage of buyers intending to reduce their orders fell slightly to 11%, indicating that overall sentiment is stabilizing after the summer lull. While 36% of respondents plan to maintain current purchasing levels, this strong PMI reading suggests growing momentum as the market heads into the final quarter of the year.

pv.index – Price trends: further declines across the board:

Despite the increase in demand, solar component prices continued to decline in September. This price reduction can largely be attributed to excess supply, which continues to pressure the market.

Monofacial modules:

N-type: modules saw a further 1% reduction, with average prices dropping from €0.106/Wp in August to €0.105/Wp in September.

P-type: modules experienced a steeper decline of 9%, falling from €0.100/Wp in August to €0.091/Wp.

Bifacial modules:

N-type: modules experienced a steeper decline of 9%, falling from €0.100/Wp in August to €0.091/Wp.

P-type: too small sample to calculate the trend.

Full black modules:

Remained steady this month, holding at €0.109/Wp, after dropping significantly in previous months.

This steady reduction in prices is reflective of an oversupplied market, with many manufacturers continuing to offload stock at competitive prices. The PV index consistently highlights these trends, offering detailed visibility into transactional pricing across sun.store’s vast European network.

Jinko Solar continues to dominate

For yet another month, Jinko Solar was the most popular brand among buyers on sun.store. This reflects Jinko’s consistent ability to provide high-quality, competitively priced products, even in a volatile market. As competition tightens among suppliers, Jinko’s dominance underscores the importance of reliable, well-regarded manufacturers in maintaining market confidence.

Victor Cantareli, International Business Development Manager at sun.store, offered his insights into the current dynamics: Having exposure to several markets—from the UK & Ireland to the Nordics and Portugal—I’ve observed first-hand a resurgence in both equipment purchases and installations over the past month. Market dynamics do vary significantly between countries, but the overall outlook remains positive as we head into the final quarter of the year, with more projects and contracts being signed. Despite the noticeable slowdown in August, as highlighted in our previous report, some of my key accounts achieved record project sales, with procurement activities already picking up pace for Q4 2024.

As the PV industry moves into the final quarter of 2024, the rebound in demand and the ongoing price declines are setting the stage for what could be an interesting conclusion to the year. With new projects in the pipeline and growing interest in solar solutions, all eyes are on the market’s next moves. sun.store, with its extensive network and insights, remains a key player in navigating these changes.

About – pv.index & The PV Purchasing Managers’ Index (PV PMI)

pv.index traces current trading prices for solar components on a monthly basis. Data is recorded on sun.store, the biggest online PV trading platform with 7 GW+ of components on offer. Trading prices are weighted by the power of components involved in the transactions to arrive at a reliable estimate for the whole market.

Source link

Solar Energy

Half-year report 2024 – LONGi generates €5.03 billion in sales

September 26, 2024 ryansheehanrts

The company’s delivery volume for silicon wafers in the first half of this year was 44.44 GW (21.96 GW sold externally) and 31.34 GW for modules. 2.66 GW of solar cells were delivered.

In the first half of 2024, the global PV market again saw strong growth. According to the National Energy Administration (NEA), there were new PV installations in China in the first half of the year with a total capacity of 102.48 GW, an increase of 30.68% over the previous year. Solar power plants account for 67% of all newly constructed power plants in China in the same period.

China’s module exports increased by nearly 20% year-on-year in the first half of the year, with Europe remaining the largest export market for Chinese modules. Pakistan, India and Saudi Arabia are now the second, fourth and fifth largest export markets for Chinese solar modules. During the ongoing market changes in the PV industry, LONGi has seen a significant increase in sales of over 140% year-on-year in the Asia-Pacific region in the first half of the year.

New HBPC 2.0 back-contact product line in high demand

Recently, the China Huaneng Group, one of the five largest state-owned power generators in China, announced the details for the procurement of photovoltaic modules for 2024. 1 GW of this is to be back-contact modules. According to LONGi, this shows the importance of the technology for the country. This is the first time that a state-owned energy company has set up its own procurement office for BC (back contact) modules. It is also a signal for a new development opportunity for BC technology in large-scale power plants, which is eagerly awaited by the industry.

In the first half of the year, LONGi launched the Hi-MO 9 bifacial module, which is based on the highly efficient HPBC 2.0 back-contact cell technology (Hybrid Passivated Back Contact Cell Technology). With a mass-produced output of 660 W, it outperforms the industry-leading TOPCon modules by more than 30 W, according to LONGi. The series has a module efficiency of 24.43%, which is a significant improvement over the BC predecessor technology. The module can capture and convert more light under the same conditions, resulting in higher power generation, says LONGi.

New cell technology also for rooftop installations

Compared to conventional products, the Hi-MO 9 offers 80% greater resistance to cracking, according to LONGi. The module would be representative of a significant technological leap forward, as it incorporates LONGi’s new high-efficiency TaiRay silicon wafers.

Mr. Baoshen Zhong, Chairman of LONGi, stated that the company plans to launch the new HPBC 2.0 cell technology for residential, commercial and industrial rooftop installations.

See also our interview with LONGi: “The PV industry is navigating a complex competitive landscape”

According to the company, LONGi’s annual production capacity for monocrystalline silicon wafers will reach 200 GW over the next three years, with more than 80% of the capacity accounted for by “TaiRay” silicon wafers. The annual production capacity of cells with back-contact technology (BC Technology) is expected to reach 100 GW, with a production capacity of monocrystalline modules of 150 GW.

In particular, the next-generation HPBC 2.0 back-contact technology and its product series are expected to reach a capacity of approximately 50 GW by 2025. On this basis, LONGi expects significant growth and a rapid recovery from the volatile situation in the global PV market, where a fierce price war is still ongoing.

“Return to growth by 2025”

In the first half of the year, LONGi modules were awarded the RETC ‘Highest Achievement’ prize for the sixth year in a row. In addition, LONGi modules received the ‘Best Performance’ award in the PVEL reliability tests for the seventh year in a row.

LONGi has also maintained AAA status in the PV ModuleTech Bankability Rating for the 18th consecutive year, further strengthening its position in the global photovoltaic financing market.

Also interesting: “A company cannot be on hold for a year”

Mr. Baoshen Zhong, stated, “LONGi had a clear direction and corporate strategy at the beginning of 2023. By 2025, our company will be the first to return to a growth path and enter a recovery period ahead of the PV industry. (hcn)

Source link

1 2