Testing the waters – 07-2011
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Foreign investment welcome
Mozambique: On May 17, the Mozambican Parliament approved the National Programme for New and Renewable Energy for 2011-2025, following the launch of the draft policy in 2009. The government is encouraging investors to explore renewable energy sources in the country in order to assure the electrification of rural communities and reduce the costs of the expansion of the national electricity grid.
Jun 27, 2011
The race goes on
Thin film market outlook: In view of dropping silicon prices, the boom years for thin film modules seem to be over for the time being. Now its up to companies to develop strategies for a successful future. On the one hand, they could reduce the production costs. Further differentiation is also an option.
Jun 27, 2011
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The right price and quality
PV Experts Workshop: Smaller German solar module manufacturers will only be able to survive the competition through greater cooperation between themselves and materials manufacturers, mechanical engineers and other industry participants. This was an important conclusion reached at a PV manufacturers workshop of PV Experts in Berlin.
Jun 27, 2011
Solar glass for solar industry
India: India is a huge and emerging market for the solar power production, thanks in part to the governments ambitious Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) announced in 2009. The Solar Mission has set a goal of 20 gigawatts (GW) of on-grid installed solar capacity by 2022. How is the glass industry developing in the country and are foreign manufacturers needed to cater to the market?
Jun 27, 2011
Coming of age
Dear readers, Is it worth regretting the passing of one’s youth? Certainly not in the case of photovoltaic technology. With its coming of age, the really exciting times for solar electricity are just getting started. And the amount of time required before the industry reaches maturity is already in sight. This was an impression underscored […]
Jun 27, 2011
PV at sixty degrees
PV in the Middle East: The countries of the Arabian peninsula are carrying out more and more research on the use of solar energy. The industry is getting into position and competing for the first reference projects. However, some patience is still needed. And time for a nice cup of tea and a chat.
Jun 27, 2011
Post-Fukushima
Japan: Post-Fukushima Japan is a vastly different place to the one which committed to a nuclear energy future. Recent government announcements regarding a drive towards solar research and development and a feed-in tariff scheme with strong political support all indicate Japans energy future will result in a commitment to renewable sources with solar and PV at its core.
Jun 27, 2011
Concentrating on concentrators
Interview: Hes the one that brought photovoltaics to sunny Spain. Under Antonio Luques stewardship, the Institute of Solar Energy at the Madrid Polytechnic University (IES/UPM) became one of the worlds leading academic institutions in photovoltaics. John Perlin spoke with Antonio Luque in Madrid.
Jun 27, 2011
A challenge and an opportunity
Concentrating photovoltaics: In recent months, the market for terrestrial CPV has gained some momentum. As dual axis tracking is a must-have for CPV to maximize investment in materials and optimize conversion efficiency, it presents both an opportunity and a challenge for tracker manufacturers.
Jun 27, 2011
Are you a green hypocrite?
Sustainability: For the solar industry, which produces green products, sustainability is hugely relevant. But do module manufacturers, for example, which happily promote their products environmental credentials, adopt sustainable production principles? A number of companies are investigating this topic. Here, pv magazine looks at the evaluation methods, their effectiveness and their industry relevance.
Jun 27, 2011
Much more than just ramping up production
China: Chinese cell and module manufacturers are ramping up production capacity even as major markets in Europe show signs of slowing down. Chinas production of photovoltaic (PV) cells doubled from four gigawatts (GW) at the end of 2009 to eight GW at the end of 2010. This year will bring a further significant ramp-up in Chinese PV manufacturing capacity and production.
Jun 27, 2011
A thirst for silver
Silver: As a raw material of the contact grid, silver is the highest cost factor after the wafer in the manufacture of solar cells. Given the extreme price hikes this year alone, replacing the precious metal with industrial metals such as copper is becoming increasingly important. Yet this on its own will scarcely be enough to protect the industry from rising raw material costs.
Jun 27, 2011
From dawn to dusk
Yield comparison: In diffuse light, thin film modules produce more electricity than crystalline thick-film variants and thus return higher annual yields overall. That is the promise made by many manufacturers. Yet current studies by TÜV Rheinland show that this isnt the case, at least not across the board.
Jun 27, 2011
Chinese panels dominate the winners podium
Industry ranking: Chinese crystalline module manufacturers have further developed their dominant position. They are scoring big through size and less expensive production. But even they are facing new difficulties: manufacturing is becoming more expensive and it is not at all certain that they will be able to sell the amount of modules that they plan to produce.
Jun 27, 2011
Precision coating
Selective emitter process: The thin, uniform application of dopants is critical to the successful formation of selective emitters on photovoltaic cells. Considerable effort is ongoing to improve the efficiency of photovoltaic cells. Recently, much attention has been given to the formation of selective emitters to significantly improve the efficiency of the solar cell. In a two-part series, Ultrasonic Systems President Stuart Erickson and Chinalight Solars Senior Engineer, Yang Song, Deputy Director of Research and Development, Ye Duan, and Deputy General Manager Youzhong Li elaborate.
Jun 27, 2011
Space for mega-projects
Turkey: A new subsidy law for solar power went into effect in Turkey at the beginning of the year. At about ten euro cents, the tariff is significantly smaller than some expected. However, several solar industry players believe that the production of solar energy in Turkey will pay off with or without attractive subventions.
Jun 27, 2011
Assembly Bill 32
California: What does Californias climate plan mean for photovoltaics? At a time when the U.S. seems far from a national strategy to promote renewable energy, with Congress holding hearings on the supposed flaws of global-warming science, California is moving forward alone.
Jun 27, 2011
Generating dollars where theres no sun
Solar inverter upgrade: A Canadian Engineering Professor has come up with a way to use idle solar inverter capacity in the evening to help relieve congestion on the grid and expand capacity for wind and other renewable sources. If it works as envisioned, it could open up new revenue opportunities for both solar and wind developers and help utilities defer costs.
Jun 27, 2011
And the winner is
Intersolar Awards: It was not just a parade of big names at the Intersolar Awards 2011, which took place in Munich, Germany as part of the trade fair. Newer names, a more global representation, and companies that came over from other industries were on the nomination list. Solar Promotion and Freiburg Wirtschaft Touristik und Messe (FWTM), with the German Solar Industry Association (BSW-Solar) presented the Intersolar Award ceremony.
Jun 27, 2011
