If you are interested in the photovoltaic industry, you can follow the News section of our website. We will regularly collect global current affairs news in the industry and share it with you.
Hot 1: Chinese Enterprises Sign Contract for 500MW Photovoltaic Project in Algeria
On March 14th, a signing ceremony for a package of photovoltaic power station projects was held in Algiers, the capital of Algeria, with China State Construction Engineering Corporation Algeria signing for two of the projects.
The first project signed by China Construction Algeria is located in Meghila Province, with an installed capacity of 200MW and covering an area of 400 hectares.
The other project is located in Oued Province, signed by China State Construction Engineering Corporation Ltd and the Algerian Renewable Energy Company (SHAEMS), with an installed capacity of 300MW and covering an area of 600 hectares.
It is reported that the contract for the 300MW photovoltaic power plant project in Oued Province includes the design of the photovoltaic power plant, civil engineering, supply, transportation, installation, training, commissioning, trial operation, and grid connection works.
Mohamed Arkab, the Algerian Minister of Energy and Mines, stated that the construction of photovoltaic power stations is an important step towards a secure energy future for Algeria. They will meet the growing electricity demand in a clean and sustainable way, contribute to the energy transition, create a large number of jobs, and bring advanced technology in the clean energy sector.
Zhou Yongfeng, Deputy Chief Engineer of China State Construction Engineering Corporation Algeria, mentioned that winning the bid and successfully signing the contracts for the two photovoltaic power station projects, amidst competition with international companies, reflects the Algerian side’s recognition of the capabilities of China State Construction Engineering Corporation Algeria, demonstrating the company’s competitiveness and reputation in the international market.
These two projects will become an important outcome of China-Algeria energy cooperation, helping Algeria enhance its renewable energy capacity and achieve its energy transition goals.
Hot 2: Laos Constructs 4GW Silicon Wafer Factory
Recently, Imperial Star Solar, a solar manufacturer based in Cambodia, has initiated a silicon wafer production factory in Laos with a nominal annual capacity of 4GW.
Mr. Fei, the General Manager of Imperial Star Solar’s Laotian branch, stated that the factory is under construction and is expected to commence operations in May 2024, with all preparatory work and construction proceeding as planned.
The Laotian factory will produce silicon wafers meeting the requirements for both M10 (182mm) and G12 (210mm) p-type and n-type silicon wafers.
Currently, Imperial Star Solar has an annual capacity of 2GW solar cells and 2.5GW solar modules at its factory in Cambodia, with a module factory under construction in Houston, Texas, USA. This silicon wafer factory will increase the company’s internal capacity for silicon wafers to modules, strengthening its upstream supply chain.
Choosing to build the silicon wafer factory in Laos will also allow the company to comply with U.S. anti-dumping and countervailing duties (AD/CVD) regulations, which are suspended until July 2024, reducing the risk of cost fluctuations.
“With the additional benefits of circumventing anti-dumping and countervailing duties and enhancing product traceability, we aim to lead the market in innovation and reliability. This factory is a crucial step in our supply chain roadmap, ensuring the quality and reliability of our products.”
Furthermore, with the expansion of the 4GW silicon wafer factory in Laos, the company claims to have improved the traceability of its products, meeting the solar industry’s growing demand for transparency.
Hot 3: One of Brazil’s Largest Solar Projects, 520MW, Enters Operation
Recently, the 520MW intelligent tracking solution provided by TrinaTracker for one of Brazil’s largest solar projects, the Santa Luzia Complex, has been put into operation. The project uses the Pioneer 1P tracking bracket system and is equipped with the SuperTrack smart tracking algorithm.
TrinaTracker, a provider of intelligent tracking solutions under Trina Solar, has 20 years of experience in the tracking bracket industry and operates in 40 countries. Trina Solar, the only company in the industry offering an integrated solution of modules, brackets, and energy storage, has been deeply engaged in the photovoltaic and energy storage industry for 27 years, fully understanding customer needs and possessing leading innovative research and development capabilities.
The Santa Luzia project, developed and constructed by the Rio Alto Group, is one of the largest projects of TrinaTracker in Latin America. The project covers more than 1,700 hectares and consists of nine sub-projects. In 2023, TrinaTracker began supplying for the Santa Luzia project. After grid connection, its power generation is sufficient to supply a small city, providing green electricity to 123,000 local households, equivalent to reducing 380,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions. The construction phase of the project created nearly a thousand jobs locally, yielding significant economic, environmental, and social benefits, and promoting the local energy structure transformation and high-quality sustainable economic development.
Hot 4: Spanish Inverter Manufacturer Plans to Build 20GW Inverter Factory in the USA
Recently, Spanish inverter manufacturer Power Electronics announced in its strategic plan for 2024-2027 that it plans to invest 300 million euros ($328 million) to expand its inverter capacity in Spain and the USA.
A spokesperson for the company stated that its current capacity is 30GW, and it aims to add more than 20GW of manufacturing capacity in the USA by 2026.
The new factory will cover an area of 174,015 square meters and will use the latest manufacturing and assembly technologies, serving as an optimal center for manufacturing and distributing its products nationwide.
According to the plan, the company also expects to build a new factory for its electric vehicle division in Llíria, Spain.
Power Electronics’ products are currently used in nearly 2,000 factories across 35 countries. As of 2023, the company’s AC power installation capacity stands at 91GW. According to a report by Wood Mackenzie in August 2022, Power Electronics ranks seventh globally in inverter shipments.
