A look beneath the surface – 02-2011
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Excerpt from the magazine
The solar park as Noahs ark
Biodiversity: Field installations dont just protect the climate. They can also act, if nature conservation is one of the goals from the start, as green oases for endangered plants or animals. First Solar has been taking stock of the natural state of a number of model parks since last summer together with nature conservation groups, project developers and experts in the field.
Feb 10, 2011
A German-Chinese fight over a Japanese patent
Patents: Solarworld has some serious issues with the Chinese PV manufacturers Solarfun and Suntech. The companies are allegedly gaining a competitive advantage by infringing on the patent rights of Japanese company Shin-Etsu. The patented process increases the efficiency of a solar cell by an average of half a percent.
Feb 10, 2011
Nanoscale light trap
Plasmonics: The plasmonic effect can improve the absorption of light by a solar cells photoactive material. A consortium of institutes and PV companies, coordinated by the research center imec in Leuven, Belgium, is conducting further systematic research into this promising technique. Jan Provoost and Pol Van Dorpe of imec explain the details.
Feb 10, 2011
Introducing ?Best of modules
Quality assurance: PV+Test is a new quality label to help customers navigate the module market. The first results are promising. Most of the modules that underwent the independent test fulfill the requirements. On the other hand, there are some clear differences in individual categories.
Feb 10, 2011
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Robbys field test
Assembly robots: The Gehrlicher Assembly Robot has stood the test in a real-world application for the first time, having assembled 450 full size modules. The robot battled extremely cold temperatures as part of the production test. It later managed to assemble 148 modules in one day. The use of robots could lead to a breakthrough in the use of full size and frameless modules and could significantly reduce the future installation cost of solar parks.
Feb 10, 2011
Brothers, to the sun
Energy cooperative: Earning money while conserving creation this is the aim of an initiative by two churches in Horb am Neckar in southwestern Germany. The project has applied for the Rottenburg-Stuttgart Dioceses Saint Francis Prize for Sustainability, worth 10,000 euros.
Feb 10, 2011
Chances and hurdles
Utility PV projects: Utilities are poised to be the largest solar opportunity in the United States as state based retail level incentives dry up and Renewable Portfolio Standards drive large wholesale transactions with load serving entities. Brian von Moos and TJ Morton of Borrego Solar explain the factors that need to be taken into account.
Feb 09, 2011
Early spring
Dear readers, The year is still young, but on the global PV trade exhibition calendar, one event now follows on the heels of the other – three large solar events in Asia that are seen as an important indicator of current market sentiment offer a showcase for the industry in the weeks to come: EXPO […]
Feb 09, 2011
Herodes versus the sun
Spain: The Spanish government has imposed new restrictions on installed solar power systems. Remunerated solar electricity is to be limited retroactively. Whereas the government wants to save a lot of money, the PV branch fears a wage of bankruptcy among ten thousands of small investors who will be then unable to pay back their loans.
Feb 09, 2011
Too little, too late?
New Turkish FITs: After a delay of over two years, Turkey has finally adopted an amendment to its Renewable Energies Act of 2004 which raises the feed-in tariffs for power generated from renewables. The revised feed-in tariffs, while presenting a considerable improvement over the previous law which provided for an unacceptably low FIT of 0.055 euros for all renewables fall well short of expectations.
Feb 09, 2011
Embracing the sun
Public Procurement China: The Golden Sun Scheme has been good for Chinas solar image. Despite no promises of getting rich quick by bidding for the projects, there are companies that are willing to slash prices to win government-backed projects in China. Will the Golden Sun be worth the low prices it is paying?
Feb 09, 2011
Still going strong
Kyocera interview: Kyocera has a ripe and rich history when it comes to photovoltaics in Japan. The company put its foot into the industry in the seventies and has been on a successful run since. Kyocera Corporation Solar Energy Groups Vice President and General Manager, Tatsumi Maeda spoke with pv-magazine on Kyoceras recipe for success, plans for research and development and the Japanese setting.
Feb 09, 2011
Diving deeper downstream
Project development: As competition increases and both solar panel prices and government incentives fall, more and more manufacturers are entering project development to shore up sales and gain more transparency in their demand. Companies are getting involved in various aspects of the process, including financing, permitting, construction and maintenance, in residential, commercial and utility markets.
Feb 09, 2011
Dollars and sense
Venture Capital China: Even as more established Chinese PV firms continue their dominance of the global PV market, smaller local peers see their rise as a reason to chase private foreign investors, such as those who have made US-listed Yingli the global powerhouse it is today.
Feb 09, 2011
Mapping innovation
VDMA Technology Roadmapping: The Photovoltaic Equipment platform of the German Engineering Federation VDMA has introduced a technology roadmap to identify innovative manufacturing solutions for the PV industry. Florian Wessendorf, Project Manager Photovoltaics Equipment at VDMA, reports on discussions in the working groups.
Feb 09, 2011
Thin, thinner, thinnest
Thin glass: The solar industry has come to realize that the glass industry has really got something to offer. The research that glass manufacturers have been embarking on has certainly reaped fruits, bringing to the market glass both thinner and stronger. The image of thin glass being a fragile weak-link is now officially a thing of the past.
Feb 09, 2011
Still on top
Japan: Despite its failed foray into world of PV without subsidies, Japan still managed to be the third biggest PV market in 2010. With a clear focus on clean energy, combined with a strategic incentive outlook, it doesnt look like the country is ready to give up its leading position just yet.
Feb 09, 2011
Challenges and opportunities
India: There are challenges and opportunities present in the Indian solar PV sector, as has been highlighted time and time again in the past year. The sector has grown significantly but obstacles still remain. Chemtrols Solars Director Anish Rajgopal discusses achievements and challenges.
Feb 09, 2011
