Australian zinc metals producer Sun Metals is to build a 100MW solar PV plant to supply its refinery located near Townsville, in northern Queensland, in a landmark development in the Australian renewable energy landscape.

The wholly-owned subsidiary of ‘Silicon Module Super League’ (SMSL) member Canadian Solar, CSI New Energy, has completed the sale of two Chinese solar plants to state-owned Shenzhen Energy for US$32.2 million.

Efficiency is now the name of the game in the solar industry and leading manufacturers will spend the next few years moving beyond commodity silicon solar panels to higher-efficiency technology. SunPower Corporation (NASDAQ:SPWR) has long led the industry in efficiency and with its X-Series product exceeding 23% efficiency that leadership position won't end soon. But others are starting to catch up. 

China-based PV manufacturer GCL System Integration Technology (GCLS) has teamed with Vietnam-based OEM producer, Vina Solar Technology to establish a 600MW solar cell plant at Vina’s Bac Giang facilities.