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One giant leap for CIGS thin film
CIGS thin film: In the lab, thin film modules based on copper-indium have very high efficiencies, but the capacity for mass production is only growing slowly. Now, Centrotherm offers a turnkey plant for such modules. If the firm wants to replicate the run on turnkey systems for silicon thin film, it still has to achieve some milestones.
Sep 13, 2010
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Laundry by the sun
Smart grids: When green electricity gets sold at the wrong time, producers feel the bite. Suppliers sometimes even have to pay to unload their electricity on the power exchange. After all, the amount of solar and wind power flowing into the grid is increasing often at times when nobody wants it. If the available energy is to be used sensibly in the future, improved consumption planning is key. New ideas are currently being tested in a number of model regions.
Sep 13, 2010
New green decade!
Dear readers, We saw recently at the UN Climate Conference in Copenhagen how difficult it is for the world community to pull together on climate protection. Still, the new decade will be a period of energy and resource efficiency and renewable energy. Of that I am firmly convinced. Because how can we hope to save […]
Sep 13, 2010
Not a sticky matter
Adhesives: Theyre a key technology for making photovoltaics cheaper and more reliable. More and more PV manufacturers are asking adhesive providers for customized solutions for their production lines. Most of these manufacturers, however, still lack knowledge about using them to their advantage. A visit to the Sika laboratory.
Sep 13, 2010
Successful visionary
Photovoltaics pioneer: When the self-educated scientist Stanford R. Ovshinsky announced the science of amorphous materials and semiconductors in the 1950s, very few recognized the future. Then he founded Energy Conversion Devices, which became one of the most successful solar companies. Today, the 87-year old is developing a one-gigawatt thin film production process intended to make solar energy cheaper than ever.
Sep 13, 2010
A trim or a chop?
Funding policy: The new German government doesnt want to make any decisions about the future feed-in tariff for solar electricity under the Renewable Energy Act until discussions have been held with industry representatives. PV professionals hope for a prudent reduction.
Sep 13, 2010
Less hum, more efficiency
Inverter technology: Inductors smooth output voltage and current in inverters. They have to be small and lightweight, and inverter efficiency depends not least on inductor quality. Inductor manufacturers have thus begun to cater to the special demands of the photovoltaic industry in recent years.
Sep 13, 2010
A second Christmas
German market outlook: The industry expects an extended Christmas trade season in the first two quarters of 2010. But, in spite of the foreseeable additional feed-in rate reduction, all signs point to further growth of the German PV market over the entire year. However, problems with the supply of inverters are causing worries. A survey of trends and expectations for 2010.
Sep 13, 2010
An end to stagnation
International market: Following last years standstill, the lights have turned green again for the 2010 global solar market. Italy, Greece, Spain and South Africa will be playing alongside Germany in the premier league, forecasts Switzerlands renowned Bank Sarasin.
Sep 13, 2010
New Orleans goes solar
Solar Louisiana: Which state in the U.S. has the best solar policy? If Louisiana is not the first state that comes to your mind, you are probably not alone but not necessarily right either. pv magazine visited the state in November to see what the future of solar might look like there.
Sep 13, 2010
On Aldis roof
Aldi stores: In Germany, Pohlen Bedachung has been taking care of roofing for Aldi for 40 years. In the last four years, the mid-sized firm has also been renting the discounters roofs to install photovoltaic arrays on them. Pohlens biggest customer eventually warmed up to photovoltaics, thanks to strict quality standards and constant system improvement. Aldis founders, the Albrecht brothers, also produce solar electricity now on 59 store roofs.
Sep 13, 2010
Clean and green mass production
Triple Green, part 1: The solar industry is under heavy pressure to reduce costs. Every gram of material and every joule of energy used in making cells, modules and components is being checked. Effective environmental management helps a company reduce its spending on the basis of sustainable criteria. In this way, solar power can really go green. Part 1 of the series on sustainable PV production.
Sep 13, 2010
