Photovoltaic news and pv jobs

Lux Research analyst, Matt Feinstein poses the question: "Does grid parity matter?" He argues that while it may be a useful gauge to measure competitiveness, it would be "foolish" to wait for parity before declaring the viability of solar.

While recent International Energy Agency predictions for renewables as a part of the world's future energy outlook remain conservative, Ray Wills, from Australia’s Sustainable Energy Association, argues that technological change happens more quickly than is often predicted.

They can have sleek smooth lines and glistening surfaces. They can be cool at times and hot to the touch at others. Embracing modernity, they have a look that speaks of the future yet embraces a fundamental nature that is primal and pure. In short, solar can be sexy.

"NOTHING!" I cried, exasperated at the end of this year’s EU PVSEC, after two days filled with scantily clad girls, women’s lingerie and suggestive advertisements. However, after taking to my computer to write a strongly-worded editorial on how there is no connection between the two worlds, I was forced to revise this statement. Digging a little deeper had revealed that there are, indeed, several links between them.

There are few who would argue that 2011 has been a difficult year for photovoltaic manufacturers. Michael Barker from Solarbuzz runs through some scenarios, indicating that downstream is the new focus for many.

Solar power generation is one of the fastest growing industries in the world. This year, solar module shipments will exceed 7.8 gigawatts globally. Taking an average output of 200 Watts per module, this represents 39,000,000 modules per year with an annual growth rate of 30 percent expected over the next several years. Solar Engineering and Manufacturing Association president Matthew Holzmann discusses how module reliability is becoming a crucial factor in photovoltaics.

Attorney Sari Schwartz and Rachel Ishofsky, associate executive director of Jewish Heart for Africa discuss how cell phones and hair trimming in rural Uganda sparked the introduction of mobile solar kiosks. A pilot project, the aim is to see whether these solar stores can be run profitably, thus creating both an independent business and a source of safe, reliable energy.