CIGS is back, back again
Stability and reliability, partial transparency, monolithic deposition onto flexible substrates, aesthetically pleasing appearance, applicability in roll-to-roll production, superior temperature coefficient, potential in tandem applications, and suitability for BIPV: The list of advantages that CIGS technology offers is well established and lengthy.
The caterpillar effect
The solar industry is still debating the extent to which this problem, whereby temperature-related expansions and contractions cause an installed system to move gradually across a rooftop, actually occurs in flat-roof PV systems, and what a practical remedy might look like.
The older they get…
The results of a new edition of the pv magazine PID survey show that 16% of the total system capacity surveyed was or has been affected by potential-induced degradation (PID). With newer systems, however, PID scarcely occurs at all – in any case, it is difficult to discover affected systems. Time to sound the all-clear?
Module stability
With production and capacity figures provided by industry analyst IHS Markit, pv magazine gives a rundown of the top ten crystalline silicon module manufacturers based on 2017 production data, and a look at the market forces and technology trends that shaped the supply landscape.
Hybrid, low cost
This June 27, Amiram Roth-Deblon, juwi’s Head of Global Business Initiatives, will provide details on the economics and applications of renewables hybrids for mines in front of an audience of 300+ senior mining and renewables experts at the 2nd Annual Energy and Mines Summit focused on renewables integration for mines.
More than two sides to new technology
Working with bifacial: Bifacial modules are gaining ground in the PV market, thanks to their potential for high efficiency and performance without major changes to the module production line. These efficient PV modules need to be used with the right inverter in order to maximize value. Based on empirical data collected by Huawei, this article describes the best inverter features needed for integration into a project with bifacial modules.
Growing demand for three phase solutions
pv magazine caught up with Alex Pan, Europe General Manager at SolaxPower to discuss the storage inverter supplier’s shift from single to three phase inverters, alongside its latest innovations and market position.
Weighing the costs
Ascertaining whether ballast design calculations provided by mounting system manufacturers are performed correctly is not an easy task for the untrained eye. Thorsten Kray, Head of Building Aerodynamics at Institute for Industrial Aerodynamics Aachen (IFI), has created a checklist for reviewing ballast calculations which can be used by owners, EPCs, and others involved in designing and realizing projects.
Securing income through Guarantees of Origin
Tom Lindberg of renewable energy consultancy ECOHZ explains how energy providers can secure an additional income through various schemes governing guarantees of origin.
More strings to the bow
New developments in inverter architecture suggest that string inverters have charged forwards again to take on the challenge and kick central inverters off the throne in the utility-scale market. Hardware design innovations allowing to cut down BoS capex and improve efficiency of the plants might push string inverters further to take more space in the utility-scale market place.
