Time for fresh concepts – 04-2011
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Excerpt from the magazine
Extending lifetimes (copy 1)
Enecsys interview: At this years Ecobuild, Enecsys launched a new dual micro-inverter. Reportedly the worlds highest power density micro-inverter, the company says it promises reduced costs, simpler installation and a longer life expectancy. CEO Henrik Raunkjær and VP of UK Sales, Sulaiman M. Ahmad talk about its market potential.
Apr 14, 2011
Time for new concepts
Laminators: Lamination is one of the most advanced processes in module manufacturing, but there is still room for new ideas and materials. A report on technology, functions and the development of laminators in the solar industry from Markus Steinkötter, founder and CEO of engineering firm Sunnyside upP.
Mar 27, 2011
Residual risk?
Dear readers, A handle on everything!? In Japan we have now seen a brutal example – once again – of how little this is the case when a huge natural disaster is coupled with an exceptionally risky technology. The earthquake with a magnitude of 9.0 that shook the ocean floor approximately 380 kilometers northeast of […]
Mar 27, 2011
The solar revolution goes on
The story of solar electricity: The nineteenth and last part of our series of chapters from John Perlins book From Space to Earth looks back at how photovoltaics is turning into a major energy producer, allowing everyone the benefits of electricity without doing harm to our home, planet earth.
Mar 27, 2011
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Ready for the boom after the bust?
Turnkey TFPV: Thin film turnkey manufacturing plants are a relatively new solution seeking a place in the expanding PV equipment market, and yet it has already gone through a boom and bust. Now that sales of TFPV equipment are resurging with a force, demand for turnkey lines should follow, and companies like Manz Automation and Oerlikon Solar will benefit or will they?
Mar 27, 2011
New names for the Old World
Inverters made in China: There are a large number of inverter manufacturers in China that have in time gained international recognition. They are often backed by companies with a lot of technological expertise. Thus it is not unlikely that several manufacturers will soon make a name for themselves worldwide.
Mar 27, 2011
Tender by email
The Ukraine: The Ukraine is trying to avoid mistakes other eastern European countries made in their renewable energy policy. Ukrainian business etiquette might be surprising sometimes, but the countrys long-standing tradition in engineering makes it easy to establish partnerships. A report by Svea Schröder of Enerparc AG, an industrial consultant and EPC provider based in Hamburg, Germany.
Mar 27, 2011
This is the solar decade!
CEO interview: A full service company, which offers a compete downstream package, Photon Energy has successfully placed itself in the European PV market. However, the company, based in the Czech Republic, has been affected by the introduction of the countrys retroactive solar tax. Here, CEO Michal Gärtner talks to pv magazine about the Czech market changes, the companys survival strategy and how it is eyeing up a number of new markets.
Mar 27, 2011
Nobody believed it
Interview: SunPower, the fourth largest maker of crystalline PV modules, holds the world record for cell and module efficiency. Richard Swanson, founder, President and Chief Technical Officer of SunPower, explains how the company got there and what he is planning next.
Mar 27, 2011
The sun Down Under
Australia: The country has been split in its decisions with regards to feed-in tariffs and with unsteady implementations and policies. Some states in the continent are all for solar power and have gone ahead with their own policies while others are still reviewing their strategies. The solar sector has been swayed back and forth. As one of the most active providers of renewable and sustainable energy systems in the country, Austwide Solars Michael Rahme helps lay out the facts.
Mar 27, 2011
Aging overvalued
Degradation: Most yield assessments include possible module degradation in their calculations, yet theres little evidence to show whether modules really lose power as the years go by. Experts at the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems have now come to the conclusion that many modules are better than previously thought.
Mar 27, 2011
Happiness under a solar hat
Mexico: Most of the PV systems in the country are part of rural electrification programs, despite land space being present and solar irradiation is optimal. Some projects and efforts have been undertaken to take solar to larger scales. Nevertheless, the hope remains that with better cooperation with global companies and better knowledge sharing, solar will move to a more favorable position.
Mar 27, 2011
Slow and steady wins the race?
PV Expo Tokyo: The gathering of the majority of the Japanese PV sector, as well as international solar players seeking to widen their network further east of China, saw three days of innovations, Made in Japan modules and new tests and certifications. pv magazine found itself in the middle of the hustle and bustle, gaining Japanese insider perspectives.
Mar 27, 2011
Extending lifetimes
Enecsys interview: At this years Ecobuild, Enecsys launched a new dual micro-inverter. Reportedly the worlds highest power density micro-inverter, the company says it promises reduced costs, simpler installation and a longer life expectancy. CEO Henrik Raunkjær and VP of UK Sales, Sulaiman M. Ahmad talk about its market potential.
Mar 27, 2011
PV takes a stand at Ecobuild
Ecobuild 2011: After three intense days of showcasing design and built environment developments, product launches and seminars, Ecobuild closed its doors for the sixth time. This years event saw a much stronger PV presence and, in particular, highlighted many German companies intentions to enter the UK market.
Mar 27, 2011
Survival of the fittest and cleanest
Polysilicon China: The Chinese government issued a Polysilicon Industry Access Standards document that listed the rules and restrictions for polysilicon manufacturers in the country. What initially looked like a possible blow might be after all a blessing for prices of the sought after material in the PV sector.
Mar 27, 2011
Integrating the industry
India: The Government of India is giving solar power applications a big boost via the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission. Susmita Das Gupta, Market Research and Strategy Consultant in Bangalore, India, analyzes the potentials and deficiencies of the Indian PV industry, and sums up what needs to be done.
Mar 27, 2011
