Its not all gold
SNEC 2015: Sprawling across around 15 vast exhibition halls, the SNEC trade show continues to attract the global solar industry to Shanghai. What appears to be a new cycle of manufacturing investment resulted in technology providers arriving in big numbers while Chinas booming downstream market is bringing in international investors.
Managing the big data of an EU giant
300 MW Cestas: Last month, pv magazine took a deep dive into the foundations of Europes largest PV plant, currently under construction in Cestas, France. With the plant using around one million modules, the monitoring component of the array is of crucial importance. Developer Neoen decided on relative newcomer QOS Energy on the project, and pv magazine went in search of why.
High efficiency is mostly talk
Jinkosolar: Long regarded as one of the leaders when it comes to production costs, JinkoSolar has continued to expand its production capacity, right across the crystalline silicon production chain. IHS ranks it as the fifth-largest module manufacturer, and the company is also investing heavily in the booming Chinese downstream market. pv magazine spoke to company chairman Xiande Li at the SNEC trade show in Shanghai to discuss the companys performance and future objectives.
Minimum import price effect takes hold
Module prices: Asian modules continue their price rise throughout April, but advocates of the minimum import price are winding up to deliver the next blow.
In 10 years, Beijing will be clean
Interview: One year ago pv magazine spoke to Shunfeng International Clean Energy Limited CEO Eric Luo, after he took the helm at the former Wuxi Suntech Power.Catching up again with the fast-moving company at the SNEC trade show, pv magazine finds a force that hopes to be the clean utility of the future.
Mining smart management and storage
Offgrid PV+storage: Despite falling oil prices, mine operators are increasingly turning to PV and intelligent power management and storage solutions to deliver reliable and clean electricity. In a cultural shift, the cost savings and advantages are being recognized by the traditionally conservative resource sector. Three standout regions for this type of application are emerging in South Africa, Australia and Chile.
Technology is the route to competitiveness
Inverters: The fragmented, cost-competitive PV inverter industry demands of companies a forward-thinking, flexible approach that places the needs of the customer first. Javier Coloma Calahorra, general director of Spanish inverter supplier Ingeteam, tells pv magazine that a multi-pronged approach to growth is the key to success.
On fertile ground
Palestine: With a nascent industry dependent on donor programs, no money for domestic incentive schemes, a lack of development land and seemingly intractable political problems, the prospects for solar in Palestine seem grim. But hope springs eternal, as one developer told pv magazines Max Hall in the West Bank.
A drop in the ocean
Solar-powered irrigation: Far from being a dry topic, the world of off-grid water irrigation is multi-faceted and endlessly fascinating, with solar PVs role as potential disruptor proving both encouraging and frustrating in equal measure, finds pv magazines off-grid editor, Peter Carvill.
Priced to cell
Cell and module pricing: Quality has always been in the crosshairs for PV cell and module makers, but price pressures bring tough conditions. Paula Mints of SPV Research examines the industrys constant balancing act between prices and revenues.
