Grapes in the desert
Chile: Earlier this year, innovative Chilean fruit producer Exportadora Subsole completed work on the first stage of a large-scale solar PV project, which it hopes will boost production and help to safeguard jobs in a remote rural region.
Global feed-in tariff overview
Feed-in tariffs: The beginning of 2012 saw many European countries deal crushing blows to the PV industry, through slashing FITs. pv magazine charts the changes.
Fukushima calling
Dear readers, Lessons learned from Fukushima? If one takes a look at the current plans of the German government to cut subsidies for the photovoltaics industry, then it is doubtful. Berlin decided to abandon civilian use of nuclear power this past June and Chancellor Angela Merkel repeatedly makes overblown statements about the transition towards renewables. […]
Fuelling optimism
Poland: Polands photovoltaics market is still at an early stage of development, but local industry representatives say that increasing sales are fuelling optimism for the future.
From land to water
Floating PV systems: Photovoltaic systems have been successfully deployed on land and in space for many years, so it was only a matter of time before water-based PV systems emerged on larger scales. Over the past five years, a myriad of floating systems have evolved in varying degrees for use in ponds, reservoirs, canals, rivers and oceans.
FIT cuts and weak results
Ardour Solar Index: Volume growth continues, but margins remain thin. Outlook for 2012 remains weak.
Fertile grounds for growth
Sri Lanka: Boasting 2,000 hours of sunshine per year, Sri Lanka is a very attractive location for solar investment. Add to that the growing energy demands of this island nations growing population and an ever-increasing standard of living; Solar Bankers share the possibilities and challenges in this fertile market.
End of the free-fall
Module prices: A strong fourth quarter in 2011 and unusually high demand in early 2012 have put an end to the free-fall in module prices, for now.
Caught in the crosshairs
Global market overview: 2011 was a year of extremes for the PV industry: record installations; a dramatic fall in module prices; and a plethora of companies closing their doors. According to Mercom Capital Groups Raj Prabhu, 2012 will remain challenging, with the industry having been firmly caught in the cross hairs of Europes economic crisis. Continued oversupply and less installed capacity are also to be expected.
Among the best
PV+Test: IBC Solar has now subjected its products to the challenges of the testing program of TÜV Rheinland and Solarpraxis. The 240 watt monocrystalline module performed very well in the TÜV chambers.
