Lights-on logic
Microgrids: As extreme weather events become more regular in the U.S., solar-powered microgrids are emerging as a resilient backup power source for municipalities and organizations that are either underserved by the central grid or require a secure, steady supply of electricity. pv magazine finds many leading solar companies are now moving into this space.
Will Jokowi open up Indonesia?
Southeast Asia: Indonesias booming economy, abundant solar resource, and thirst for electricity make it a solar PV destination to watch. But despite Joko Widodos election to Indonesias presidency last year, and an overhaul of fuel subsidies this year, solar hopes remain cloudy. The country suffers from structural business and market deficiencies that will need huge political will to be reversed any time soon.
Wheres your cell at?
Ranking cell manufacturers: While the expansion mania of 2010 and 2011 has not returned in earnest, cell producers are adding capacity. Trade barriers are having a major impact on the market and putting pressure on merchant cell producers, particularly from Taiwan.
Upturn but no boom
Module prices: Prices rise in March but not due to higher minimum price levels the weak euro is to blame.
Trends in DC cabling
Interview: The solar DC cabling market is set to enjoy steady year-on-year growth of around 9% between now and 2019. IHS analyst Cormac Gilligan discusses the trends shaping the market, revealing that the price of copper and the development of 1,500 volt cabling will define the industry over the coming years.
The foundations for Europes heavyweight
300 MW Cestas: Europes largest PV power plant is taking shape. The 300 MW Cestas is different in a number of ways and some of the biggest names in solar have come together to make the project a reality. But one family-owned provider is keeping the project grounded.
Still a place for going big
It is the season for records. With spring having sprung in the northern hemisphere, the past few weeks have repeatedly shattered records for solar electricity being fed into Germanys grid. With its 38.5 GW of installed capacity, each time a high-pressure weather system moves into place over central Europe, Germanys electricity network is on the […]
Smart money on flexible, storable solar
Global electricity: As we move from an era in which generation is king to grid is king, competitive advantage can be gained through PV becoming a better grid citizen, writes Felicity Jones, senior consultant at DNV GL Energy.
RPS shackles come off
U.S. utility scale: Given the rapid increase in installed capacity and corresponding price declines, the U.S. solar industry is undergoing a rapid transformation. GTM Researchs Shayle Kann argues that this is true of the utility-scale segment along with DG, with Renewable Portfolio Standards no longer constraining big PVs growth.
On the positive side
NYSE Bloomberg Solar Energy Index: Top-weighted Hanergy reports profitable 2014, carrying index higher.
