Magazine Archive 11-2013

Latin America: For firms in Latin America, the huge amount of second-hand machinery now available on the market offers a great opportunity to start up low-cost industrial projects able to compete strongly on price. However, global overcapacity and as yet scant local demand mean that initiatives of this sort are still small-scale and few and far between.

Feed-in tariffs: The UK Labour party is considering following in Spain’s footsteps with a price freeze on energy. Germany’s energy debate, like with many other nations, is hampered by misinformation from lobby groups. And as the Netherlands finally closes its FIT, Delhi in India considers kick starting its own.

Solar software: Recent advances in inspection and quality control systems, allied to improved software for wafer production, could have a profoundly positive impact on the way wafer manufacturers approach the often delicate production process.

Brazil: Photovoltaics’ inclusion in energy tenders has given the country’s solar sector new impetus. Although the market is still small, firms are jostling for position as they await a solar-specific call for bids.

System prices: Average system prices fell across all segments: residential, non-residential, and utility. Cory Honeyman and Mike Munsell from GTM Research elaborate on the downward trend in PV system prices.

Readers’ Service: The engineering department of Solarpraxis AG answers reader questions regarding rooftop and ground-mounted solar PV installations.

Latin American market: With energy demand typically growing at an annual rate of 4 to 6%, Latin American countries require hundreds of new megawatts of power capacity to be installed each year. Carlos Albero and Ragna Schmidt-Haupt from global renewable energy consultancy GL Garrad Hassan examine the bright opportunity for PV there, exploring how developers are navigating different policy and market conditions across the region.

Building integrated photovoltaics: Despite universally positive forecasts, the reality for BIPV has been one of low market share, insipid growth and perceived expense. But with new environmental directives on the horizon and a handful of innovative technologies improving efficiency and lowering costs, is BIPV poised to enter the mainstream?

Module prices: Prices are generally stable. How can Asian manufacturers continue to stand out from the competition?

Ardour Solar Index: Strong investor sentiment amid several secondary equity offerings. More Chinese government support reinvigorates the Index rally.