The turning point – 05-2011
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In search of a niche
Fab Managers Forum: With intensified cooperation along the value chain, European cell and module manufacturers aim to lower costs while ensuring quality. To this end, they presented an International Technology Roadmap for Photovoltaics at the 5th Photovoltaic Fab Managers Forum of the SEMI PV Group in Berlin. However, it remains to be seen whether or not this will suffice to counter the dominance of Asian manufacturers.
Apr 20, 2011
A revolution or a niche product?
Power optimizers: Presented two years ago, the first modules with integrated power optimizers are now available, and analysts prophesy a rosy future for them. Are they really worth buying? It depends on each individual case. And statements about those individual cases in which they make a contribution are inconsistent.
Apr 20, 2011
The power flower
Offshore renewable energy: Offshore renewable energy platforms are a common sight, especially the speed at which the wind energy sector has developed and the platforms that have popped up far out at sea. Solar energy has not gone that far offshore yet but developments are emerging. Hann-Oceans Hexifloat is an offshore solution that promises to tie in four of natures power suppliers, solar, tidal, wave and wind, with solar leading the way.
Apr 20, 2011
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In crisis or on the verge of a comeback?
Thin film silicon: Attention focused on alternatives to crystalline modules with the advent of the crystalline module raw material crisis. This rise in demand for thin film was also propelled by turnkey solutions offered by reputable solution providers. New methods, calls for faster implementations, and settled disputes are now paving the way for thin film to come back into the spotlight.
Apr 20, 2011
Breaking point: soldered joints
Invisible quality: In the course of production, most crystalline module manufacturers solder cells to one another. This is an aspect that they share in common. However, the differences lie in how this soldering process takes place. And how that affects quality can even be determined under certain circumstances by researchers based on the amount of crackling.
Apr 20, 2011
The sum of small parts
Solar roof tiles: Small, building-integrated solar modules which resemble tiles have been niche products for a long time. Their high cost of manufacture and assembly has always hindered their entry onto the market, but manufacturers keep trying their luck with new products all the same.
Apr 20, 2011
Quality is key
CEO interview: PV module quality, materials, production, and market issues are set to be the themes of a workshop in Berlin, Germany, on May 12. Organized by PVExperts and Sunnyside upP GmbH, a key focus will be on production line quality. Markus Steinkötter, CEO of Sunnyside upP talks to pv magazine .
Apr 20, 2011
Always on the move
Trackers: As the first quarter of 2011 comes to an end, tracker manufacturers are reporting several trends among buyers. The cost reduction imperative continues to be a big one, with vendors reporting progress and optimism about their ability to follow the cost curve down.
Apr 20, 2011
Raising questions
India: After the launch of Indias Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM), the worlds solar markets have been closely monitoring its progress. Particular interest is focused on the missions movement from the policy stage into execution. In its first quarterly report on the region, Mercom Capital Group discusses its progress.
Apr 20, 2011
Shining potential
Israel: With high irradiation and impressive technical prowess, PV in Israel is ripe for development. But despite its attractive feed-in tariffs (FITs) and prosperous solar thermal market, the industry has historically taken a back seat. The Negev desert is currently helping its talents to shine through, but there are still a number of administrative barriers in the way.
Apr 20, 2011
After the gold rush
Venture Capital: When a venture capital investment company like Good Energies the company that backed Europes solar giants Q-Cells and REC long before solar PV was a multi-billion euro industry drops its exclusive focus on solar PV investing, it is worth finding out more. Is the smart money leaving solar, or are there still opportunities in the PV industry for such investments?
Apr 20, 2011
Chinas push for efficiency
China: After the terrible earthquake and nuclear fallout in Japan, Chinas government put a halt to the approval of new nuclear plants and ordered safety reviews. Nuclear power was to become a key energy source for this fast growing economy, but now the Chinese government is revising its energy plans.
Apr 20, 2011
From chips to cells
Chip fabs to PV fabs: Attracted by the fast growth and potential for new revenue streams, a growing number of big name chipmakers are adding solar photovoltaic manufacturing to their production. While these new market entrants bring with them process know-how and a trading savvy earned in a mature and fiercely competitive 213 billion euro industry, PV industry insiders say success will depend as much on the ability to transfer their assets, be it physical or human, as it will on how quickly they learn the intricacies of the PV industry.
Apr 20, 2011
Portraying development from a product point of view
Interview: At this years Fab Managers Forum, SEMI PV Group Europe presented its latest international technology road map for photovoltaics. Arnd Boueke, Head of Development Solar Cell at Sunways AG and Ralf Lüdemann, Managing Director of SolarWorld Innovations GmbH talk about the objectives and backgrounds.
Apr 20, 2011
Now solar is sexy
Greece: While Greeces economy plods along and the countrys financial market fights for its life, the Greek photovoltaics industry is showing splendid development. The sector has the countrys government to thank, which is clearing the way for photovoltaics step by step.
Apr 20, 2011
The glass is more than half full
Turkey: At the end of last year the Turkish government adopted a law on subsidies for renewable energies. According to the new law the subsidy for solar electricity will amount to a total of 13.3 U.S. cents per kilowatt-hour. However, the subsidy is not regarded as huge breakthrough. Nevertheless, an increasing number of solar companies are setting up business in the country, as evidenced by the Solarex trade exhibition.
Apr 20, 2011
Aftershock
Dear readers, As I write these lines, a major aftershock has once again struck Japan, and the nuclear disaster in Fukushima has officially been raised to the highest risk level after the danger was played down for weeks. Fukushima is now a Level 7 accident – like Chernobyl. The meltdown at the Soviet nuclear power […]
Apr 20, 2011
Between uproar and anticipation
Italy: There is quite some upheaval in Italys photovoltaics sector following the governments announcement of a comprehensive amendment of the Conto Energia. Although this amendment will result in drastic changes in the market, not all those involved are thrown into doubt.
Apr 20, 2011
Nuclear or solar?
The history of energy: Nuclear or solar that was the question in the early 1950s. U.S. President Eisenhower urged the United Nations to bet on nuclear energy to counteract the Soviet propaganda against the American atom bomb. Atoms for peace was the catchword of the day.
Apr 20, 2011
Thin film takes the steering wheel
Thin film: The ultimate success factor for any PV technology to be competitive is the value of electrons it delivers. The most common determining metric here is levelized cost of electricity, calculated based on the present value of all costs required to produce electricity from a photovoltaic panel and also on the present value of expected energy production over the life of the PV system. Oerlikon Solars Chris OBrien elaborates.
Apr 20, 2011
