Power from the people
United Kingdom: The first British feed-in law, to be implemented as of April 2010, is aimed at the small photovoltaic installations of private households.
Pretty and efficient
Concentrating PV: As the photovoltaics market gets more competitive, new systems that combine solar electricity generation with solar hot water and heating could help reduce cost payback periods. The Center for Architecture Science and Ecology is developing a concentrating PV technology integrated into a glass facade, which also hopes to gain a competitive edge with its gem-like design.
Sharp drops
Ardour solar index: The selling pressure continues, due to mixed fourth quarter results in 2009 and concerns for the second half of 2010.
Sound business environment
Greece: To the relief of many of those involved, the Greek photovoltaics market finally picked up speed in the second half of last year. But the European Commission has now put the Greek budget under strict control, and this financially weakened country, which now has to cut its new borrowings by 75 percent by 2012. Nonetheless, there is hardly anyone who expects the financial crisis to have a negative effect on the Greek solar industry.
Spot market for PV panels:
Modules get cheaper
Module prices: The cuts in feed-in tariffs in Germany, Italy, and France have led manufacturers to reduce module prices. Another reason is a surfeit of solar silicon.
Spring arrival of new PV installations
Solar market overview: Spring is here, with PV installation activity set to revitalize. But the volatility around feed-in tariff changes has been quite disruptive to market developments.
Taking advantage of globalization
Dear readers, Whether you like it or not, the globalization of the photovoltaics industry and markets is a reality and continues to progress. The question is how to make the best of the situation. China is an especially good example; more than half of Chinese PV firms went bankrupt in the first half of 2009 […]
Waiting for the new feed-in legislation
Italy: Despite difficulties at the start, the Italian solar market has undergone rapid development. At the Conferenza dellIndustria Solare Italiana (CIS-IT) the sector showed itself to be sanguine about the future, anticipating a new law that will help fund PV.
Bigger is not always better
Mounting racks: The market for ground-mounted systems is booming. The system that a plant designer opts for depends on various factors. Dimensions, foundations and module mounting must match perfectly. However, too often plants are dimensioned in a stereotypical fashion. Now, wind tunnel trials are helping to save money.
Caught by surprise
Funding policy: The proposals made by German Environment Minister Norbert Röttgen for an extra reduction of the feed-in tariffs for solar electricity surprised the industry. However, the final word has yet to be given. There is increasing resistance, even within the government coalition.
