Balance of Systems

The International Energy Agency (IEA) says that global solar cell and module manufacturing capacity grew by around 550 GW in 2023. It reports that around 80% of the global PV manufacturing industry is currently concentrated in China, while India and the United States each hold a 5% share. Europe accounts for a mere 1%.

Also on the rise: Virginia General Assembly passes pro-solar legislation. Briggs & Stratton releases 6.6 kWh stackable home battery. And more.

Staubli plans to increase manufacturing of American-made connectors and wire harnesses in its California and North Carolina facilities.

Array Technologies broke ground on a factory in New Mexico, while Nextracker expanded operations with a contract manufacturer.

The company remains profitable, generating $41.8 million in free cash flow, despite a slumping market.

Also on the rise: Microsoft signs two large solar power purchase agreements. Amphenol begins operations at solar junction box factory in Arizona. And more.

Sinovoltaics is studying the changes in the supply chains in manufacturing hubs in Europe and North America to determine site capacity, current and planned, for dozens of manufacturers. The results are being published in free reports.

In the Australian leg of its global strategy, US-based tracker supplier Nextracker will use locally produced steel for a major project.

Spanish inverter manufacturer Power Electronics has an annual inverter production capacity of 30 GW, but it now plans to build a new 20 GW manufacturing facility in the United States.

Also on the rise: U.S. solar industry week in review. U.S. expected to outpace Europe in lithium-ion battery cells. And more.