Oil, gas, chemicals, SunPower
Interview: The Total Group, till now known for its oil and gas businesses, has taken over 60 percent of SunPower. Totals President for the gas department and renewable energy, Philippe Boiseau, and SunPower Chief Executive Officer, Thomas Werner, defend themselves against accusations of greenwashing and see, rather, many advantages in coming together.
On-site generated fluorine
Materials: With an increasing emphasis on manufacturers maintaining green credentials, Paul Stockman, the Fluorine Technology Manager for Linde Electronics, says that on-site fluorine generation can reduce PVs carbon footprint.
20/20 Vision
National Solar Power: After months of speculation, U.S.-based company National Solar Power announced at a press conference in late September that it had selected Gadsden County, Florida as the site of a 1.2 billion U.S. dollar (USD) solar farm.
Picking up the pace
Global Consensus Forecast: After a tumultuous first half, with huge price drops and uncertainty on just about everything, the solar market is beginning to see some positive signs in terms of demand pick up. Overall, a growth of 20 percent over 2010 is forecast for this year. However, 2012 looks flat. Mercom Capital Groups Raj Prabhu discusses global solar markets.
A dozen dates
2012 trade shows: As each year passes, the number of trade shows in the solar industry expands. To provide readers with a guide to the very best, pv magazine has listed the top 12 for 2012.
PV meets drinking water
Solar water: It really is the coming together of two of the most elemental life forces, sunshine delivering clean drinking water. In many parts of the developing world, or in communities with poor water infrastructure, PV systems are doing just this and solving problems through simplicity.
A new chapter for Asia
PV Asia Pacific Expo: The PV Asia Pacific Expo made its debut in Singapore between November 1 and 3 this year. The exhibition halls were not as full of visitors as expected, but it did manage to bring in top-level decision-makers from leading companies as well as a solid series of conferences. pv magazine reports from the sunny Southeast Asian island.
PVs big thaw
Russia: Known for its oil, cold and its might, Russia does not seem a natural fit for PV expansion. However, as a potential shift in politics might take place and aging fossil-fuel generation infrastructure increases electricity costs, PVs frozen frontier may be thawing out and coming to life.
Availability of indium and gallium
Indium and gallium: Indium Corporations Claire Mikolajczak and Bill Jackson elaborate on the demand and supply of these two important thin film materials.
Risk minimization with photovoltaics
Interview: How do banks assess reliable PV investments? An interview with Dirk Kühnel, photovoltaics expert at DKB Deutsche Kreditbank AG.
