Top level, global reports for China’s PV market
The photovoltaics industry is fast paced, constantly evolving and always innovative. And, when it comes to the global PV manufacturers, it is impossible to ignore China. Indeed, the top four crystalline module producers are all based there. With the help of their leading price advantage, they have been growing their businesses over the past few years at such a rate that is has been difficult for competitors from other parts of the world to keep up.
In light of the prominent position of Chinese manufacturers and increasingly the domestic Chinese PV market, especially for large-scale installations, pv magazine created a Chinese version of its international publication in 2011, to help China’s PV professionals gain access to global solar market developments. In addition to its Berlin headquarters, pv magazine China has established a Shanghai office. The goal is to present the very best in photovoltaic technology and solutions from across the world to a Chinese audience throughout Greater China.
Benefiting from pv magazine’s international network and long-standing reputation for objective reporting and in-depth analysis, it offers content in the Chinese language and takes a look at the latest PV-related technological developments. With a specific focus on quality and best practices, it features top players from China and overseas, which are aiming to increase their China-related business.
pv magazine China is published on a quarterly basis and addresses a wide range of issues affecting the Chinese and global PV industry. An online version will be available later this year.
Preview May 2012 issue of pv magazine China – the SNEC issue in 2012
The next issue of pv magazine China will be published on May 14. The advertisement deadline for this issue is April 13. (Please contact us if you require additional time; a certain extension can be arranged.) The following topics will be covered in this issue:
Markets & Trends
India: project status update
India saw an addition of 93MW of PV installations in the last quarter of 2011. Gujarat led the pack. The installations are happening on a steady pace throughout India. Bridge to India provides an update.
PV Expo Tokyo
As the post-Fukushima energy debate in Japan continues, pv magazine attends the major industry event to gauge the industry mood, prospects and latest technology emerging from this east-Asian industrial powerhouse.
Little courage for Europe
The EU Roadmap 2050 is not suitable for the pioneering image of Europe in terms of clean energy. Renewables should be increased. But with regards to a real turning point in energy politics, the EU seems to shy away from a long-term prognosis. Nuclear power and coal, seemingly, will continue to safeguard the energy supply of the continent.
Rising stars in China's PV manufacturing industry
Many young and dynamic Chinese companies are fighting to be at the forefront of their sector in the PV industry, not only in China, but also worldwide. These may be difficult times in the PV industry and for Chinese PV manufacturers affected by the Sino-U.S. trade dispute, but the companies we will look at are not impacted directly by this case, which is one reason they are optimistic about this year and their company’s future. Another important reason are the 5 GW in PV installations forecast for China’s domestic market this year, which provides a fruitful homebase from which to operate from.
WEEE guideline - recycling
The European Union has included PV modules in its e-waste directive. PV Cycle, the industry association that wanted to establish its own waste management system, will now have to comply with the requirements of the European Commission and Parliament.
Mexico
Mexico's PV solar market is beginning to grow rapidly, as government orders for demonstration plants accelerate, as independent power producers embrace the technology, and as manufacturers expand their operations in the country. With its now established wind energy industry proven as economically viable, more developers are seeking to broaden renewable portfolios in Mexico with PV production. And as applications like rural lighting become more widely adopted, PV power plants will follow more readily.
CPV in the MENA Region
CPV has potential in sunbelt markets to provide the most cost-effective form of solar energy at utility scale, where power conversion efficiencies of CPV modules can be in excess of 30 percent using a fraction of the amount of silicon found in conventional PV panels. This underdeveloped sector has attracted new entrants, many from the conventional PV industry. The article explores the latest CPV technologies and strategies of key players as they target emerging sunbelt market opportunities which include India, South Africa and MENA.
Industry & Suppliers
Standards in automation
Automation is a key enabler to reducing overall PV manufacturing costs and to increase quality. The expansion of PV plants is a worldwide phenomenon and thus automation comes into play on larger scales. Standards in automation provide a number of advantages from facilitating plant operation to a smoother entrance of new players. pv magazine China explores the two key concepts of automation and standards
Junction boxes
Junction boxes are much too often seen under pure cost aspects when one purchases such a component to become mounted on photovoltaic modules. In fact, the junction box is the link between upstream and downstream processes. When choosing the appropriate junction box strategy, a PV module maker can leverage his competitive advantage in a significant and sustainable way.
Silicon savings
Polysilicon prices have been falling. But this does not mean that upstream processes ought to stop trying to cut costs and efficiently handle the raw material. Wafers are getting thinner and there are possibilities to reduce kerf loss to save more silicon, while simultaneously ensuring high wafer quality. pv magazine China investigates the technology that can potentially save silicon and the benefits silicon recycling can bring upstream.
Ranking of raw silicon and wafer producers
The prices for raw silicon have dropped dramatically. Above all, those companies specializing in raw silicon production continue to expect good margins. In wafer production, on the other hand, established companies will assert themselves well. Market researchers and analysts provide information about the companies involved and the strategies behind this.
Flexible solar for transportation
Suppliers and developers of thin-film and organic PV modules are focusing on auto and transportation applications where lightweight, flexible and even printable solar cell technologies can be integrated into components such as roofs for cars and trains. Solar Electric Vehicles in California, French firm Disasolar, Powerfilm and organic solar cell firm Konarka are active in the space. pv magazine China investigates how the technology and applications are “moving forward”.
LIEP: new cell metallization process
pv magazine China examines the contribution of a relatively new cell metallization process called light induced electroless silver plating or LIEP. LIEP is a unique silver-plating process that can be used as a cost effective alternative to the normal paste metallization methods. MacDermid Photovoltaics Solutions Bruce Lee and D2Solar’s Duncan Harwood elaborate.
Market overview of ten new inverter manufacturers
There were many new entrants to the PV inverter market in 2010 and early 2011 whilst the market was really booming. However as the market has slowed, so have the number of new entrants. This article presents a list of 10 newcomers to the market. They are a selection of companies that either could have a significant impact on the market in terms of sales volume, or bring a new approach, or technology to the industry. Some of these companies are likely to capture market share relatively quickly, whilst others may simply bring about a new approach to DC-AC conversion.
Lithium-ion battery energy storage supports utility scale PV projects
The inherently variable and unpredictable nature of utility scale PV plants can present a number of challenges for their integration within electrical grids, especially where system operators regard the availability of reserve power as important. This article will describe how the use of high performance lithium-ion storage solutions in combination with utility scale solar power projects can make it possible for PV energy to be integrated within the grid much like other regulated generation assets.
Thin film
In its 2011 solar study, released in November, Bank Sarasin noted that thin-film technologies have a lot of potential in the PV marketplace, with predictions that annual growth rates will reach 32 percent. While the market is a tough one, Sarasin points out that those players backed by “large financially strong corporations” have the potential to address the major issues facing the sector and take a place amongst the world’s leading PV companies. General Electric seems to fit this mold: in October 2011, it announced its move into the thin-film cadmium telluride (CdTe) marketplace, with a new Colorado manufacturing facility.
Applications & Installations
Energy storage system
Europe´s leading utilities are investing in new storage capacities to be able to utilize more solar and wind energy, and at the same time cope with the phasing out of feed-in tariffs. We provide an overview of storage technologies that support photovoltaic energy.
Large rooftop applications
Rooftop PV holds immense potential, especially in the U.S. pv magazine China analyses the current situation of such systems and the future possibilities in the North American market.
PV meets drinking water
It really is the coming together of two of the most primal life forces, sunshine delivering clean, fresh water. In many parts of the developing world, or in communities with poor water infrastructure, PV systems are doing just this and are solving problems through simplicity.
PV+Test update
The test continues. A new module has completed the comprehensive testing program developed by TÜV Rheinland and Solarpraxis. With an overall rating of 2+, it does not have to hide among those that were already tested.
Research & Development
Textured solar glass
Winter is not necessarily the best season for the installation of photovoltaic systems. The reason for this includes different light conditions which lead to lower energy yields for end customers. A deeply textured solar glass offers end-customers an attractive alternative. Due to its specific surface texture, considerable performance improvements can be achieved compared to standardized solar glass, particularly under changing light conditions or increasing diffused light.
Contents 01/2012
Markets & Trends
- Emerging Markets: Traditional leaders see a slow down while new markets look to boost the industry.
- Global Market Outlook: Growth trends point to a shift in global demand, says Solarbuzz.
- Grid Parity: The holy grail of PV seems more possible than ever. Will it be all smooth sailing though?
- Industry ranking: Project developers have been gaining momentum. A look at the stars of the sector.
- Raw Material: The global shakeout in the solar silicon market has begun. The strategies of the big shots.
- Singapore: The island hosted its first exclusive PV event.
- China: A national PV FIT has caused a boom in the domestic market. Can foreign companies participate?
- Direct Investment China: Establishing a foothold in China’s (and Asia’s) booming PV market.
- Intersolar China: updates from the trade show in Beijing.
- Malaysia: Major steps are being taken to lay the foundations for a strong renewable energy future.
- Middle East: Beyond the glamorous big projects. What other MENA countries are doing for PV.
Industry & Suppliers
- CIGS Market: The potential is present but can the CIGS industry play with the crystalline big boys?
- Logistics: Moving photovoltaics. Holger Meyer from Hellman Worldwide Logistics gives an inside scoop.
Applications & Installations
- Trackers: Tracker companies see huge potential in large power plants.
- Battery Storage solutions: The current status of PV storage solutions.
Research & Development
- Selective Emitter:Within the value chain of manufacturing crystalline solar cells, Manz AG focuses on the process of going from wafer to cell.
Download
DOWNLOAD ISSUE 02/2011
Advertising contacts
Andrea Jeremias
Advertising director
jeremias( at )pv-magazine.com
Tel. +49 30 726 296-323
Lan Cao
Advertising sales, Greater China
pvmagchina( at )pv-magazine.com
Tel. +86 21 6103 6799
Mobile +86 135 85768047
Justin August
Advertising sales, Japan, Korea and India
Sakura international
japan(at)pv-magazine.com
justin(at)sakurain.co.jp
Tel. +81 356 461 160
Mobile +81 90 5887 2552
Subscribe for free to pv magazine China
Read the latest PV headlines in English
Subscribe for free to pv magazine Chinese edition. To discover more, click here for latest media kit, or contact Andrea Jeremias via email or at +49 30 726 296-323.
Module supply chain benchmarking
The University of Cologne, Barkawi Management Consultants and pv magazine have developed a benchmarking concept to investigate the success factors for PV module supply chains. The international study will be carried out in the first half of 2012. All module manufacturers are invited to register to take part. Visit www.barkawi.com/solarbenchmark for more information.