Rising above – 11-2011
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PV for glass and steel
Organic PV: Several developers of novel solar cells are teaming up with suppliers of building façade and envelope materials to turn buildings into renewable electricity generators. But why are these industrial players working with developers of solar cells that fall so far below acceptable efficiencies?
Oct 30, 2011
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Get ready for competitive BIPV systems
BIPV China: BIPV, often overlooked as the much smaller cousin of the rooftop PV market, is a hot topic right now, buoyed by a small but growing band of markets including BIPV as part of comprehensive solar feed-in tariff (FIT) schemes and bullish growth forecasts. Chinese companies are focusing on domestic and export BIPV markets to survive PV commoditization, bringing new products and competition to this niche market.
Oct 30, 2011
Stable texturization process by carbohydrates
Stable texturization: Photovoltaic industries widely use the standard texturization method with NaOH/KOH and IPA (Isopropyl alcohol) to reduce reflectivity of monocrystalline silicon ( crystal orientation) wafers. IPA promotes the formation of uniform pyramidal structure but leads to unstable process. In this work, Microsol Internationals Md. Al-Amin, A.K.M. Rahmatul Alam, Kiran Turlapati and Barath Baskaranathan have investigated carbohydrates as an additive in the etchant solution. It has no evaporation loss and thus leads to a stable process.
Oct 30, 2011
Small but mighty
Taiwan: Taiwans photovoltaic (PV) industry leaders gathered in Taipei from October 5 to 7 for this years PV Taiwan. pv magazine spoke to the movers and shakers to find out how they view the global PV market and how their manufacturing methods can compete in the global arena. Technological advancement was one of the key strategies to emerge. Cost structures, opportunities and threats were also discussed.
Oct 30, 2011
Bad and good news
Dear readers, Is mass extinction about to begin? A number of news items over the past few days and weeks are unsettling. Schott Solar has discontinued wafer production in Jena, Germany, and has shortened the work week for 350 staff members up to December. Phoenix Solar has seen its revenue and earnings outlook for this […]
Oct 30, 2011
Fine film with a big effect
Crystalline cell technology: The anti-reflection coating fulfills a wide range of functions. The most important of these is its effect on the efficiency of photovoltaic cells. An overview of the latest developments in the technology used to manufacture this wafer-thin film.
Oct 30, 2011
Overwhelmingly positive
Interview: Azur Solars UK Managing Director, Markus Feldmann talks to pv magazine about the UK PV market, technological advancements, including battery storage, and how Azur has weathered this years solar market storm. He additionally outlines the companys four key strategies for success.
Oct 30, 2011
Its getting hot in China
Quality for photovoltaics: A packed room, interactive sessions and presentations that gave food for thought. The Solarpraxis workshop Quality for Photovoltaics: the key driver for sustainable growth addressed pressing issues with regards to quality in the PV industry and the solutions that need to be reached.
Oct 30, 2011
Market growth, FITs and flourishing fabs
Malaysia: Many see the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region as a PV market with major potential. Combining a secure, stable government with low-cost manufacturing, Malaysia could find itself in the center of this unfolding market, poised to become a regional PV leader. But will government subsidies for other energy sources and a conservative, tardy feed-in tariff (FIT) nip the blossoming industry in the bud?
Oct 30, 2011
Achieving economies of scale
India: India has clearly caught the attention of the global PV industry, not only as an emerging market that promises to be at the vanguard for the next ten years in terms of growth, but also as an emerging manufacturing hub for the PV industry. Indias National Solar Mission (NSM) aims to install 20 gigawatts (GW) by 2022 in the country, although skeptics inside and outside the country are of the opinion that this target is a little too ambitious.
Oct 30, 2011
The ups-and-downs of PV Down Under
Australia: With vast open-cut coal mines next to big power plants, large mining endeavors and vast distances between population centers, there should be little surprise that Australia continues to be one of the worlds worst greenhouse-gas emitters. However with an environment and mindset that favors photovoltaics (PV), the country appears to be at a juncture between its polluting past and a cleaner PV future.
Oct 30, 2011
The advent of grid parity
Spain: With the decline of module prices, solar energy in sunny regions such as Spain is taking big strides toward becoming competitive with conventional energy. This is even more important because Spanish solar energy technologies can no longer really depend on any future subventions, even though a new government will likely take over after the parliamentary elections in November.
Oct 30, 2011
Leveling solar
Battery storage solutions: The combination of battery storage and photovoltaics has become a hot topic at industry conferences and exhibitions with the introduction of a range of new products and services targeted at utilities, grid operators, and PV power plant owners. The long-term benefit is improving the integration of solar energy into the energy mix. Heres where its at right now.
Oct 30, 2011
Unlocking the residential market
Financing: By offering white-label financing to small installers through its already popular solar software, Clean Power Finance thinks it has found the key to opening the U.S. residential solar market. But its competitors, such as SunRun, SolarCity and Sungevity, have a head start.
Oct 30, 2011
The power of software
Software: Implementing modern industrial application software can present a challenging and sometimes daunting mix of requirements. For example, it is well understood that a typical control system must interface with signals from simple sensors and actuators, yet for many modern applications this is merely the starting point.
Oct 30, 2011
Technology switch
Concentrated solar power: The recent switch in Solar Millenniums technology strategy to use PV technology rather than concentrated solar power in its 1,000-megawatt Blythe solar plant subsequently calls into question the economic viability and bankability of other CSP projects in the United States.
Oct 30, 2011
