Magazine Archive 04-2011

Italy: This year, some pressure is going to be released in the world’s second-largest PV market. The Italian government will decide on new, reduced feed-in tariffs by April 30. A report from the Conferenza dell’Industria Solare Italia 2011.

Turnkey TFPV: Thin film turnkey manufacturing plants are a relatively new solution seeking a place in the expanding PV equipment market, and yet it has already gone through a boom and bust. Now that sales of TFPV equipment are resurging with a force, demand for turnkey lines should follow, and companies like Manz Automation and Oerlikon Solar will benefit – or will they?

Ecobuild 2011: After three intense days of showcasing design and built environment developments, product launches and seminars, Ecobuild closed its doors for the sixth time. This year’s event saw a much stronger PV presence and, in particular, highlighted many German companies’ intentions to enter the UK market.

Interview: How did the SNEC PV go from Centrotherm’s point of view? What are the challenges of the Chinese market? In an interview, Centrotherm CTO Peter Fath provides the answers.

Inverters made in China: There are a large number of inverter manufacturers in China that have in time gained international recognition. They are often backed by companies with a lot of technological expertise. Thus it is not unlikely that several manufacturers will soon make a name for themselves worldwide.

PV on Indian islands: Miles offshore, grid connection is a virtual impossibility for many of India’s islands. As such photovoltaics becomes a vital force in renewable energy generation. A report on the islands’ ambitious plans, and successful steps, in solar.

India: The Government of India is giving solar power applications a big boost via the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission. Susmita Das Gupta, Market Research and Strategy Consultant in Bangalore, India, analyzes the potentials and deficiencies of the Indian PV industry, and sums up what needs to be done.

Ardour Solar Index: Strong 4Q10 results were tempered by further subsidy risk. Potential margin pressure weighs on the index.

Mexico: Most of the PV systems in the country are part of rural electrification programs, despite land space being present and solar irradiation is optimal. Some projects and efforts have been undertaken to take solar to larger scales. Nevertheless, the hope remains that with better cooperation with global companies and better knowledge sharing, solar will move to a more favorable position.

China: In developing its production capacities, the Chinese solar industry is setting a pace unmatched by demand. Thus problems are already in the making. Over the long term, continued growth will also depend on the country’s domestic market.