Brave new world – 01-2012
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Excerpt from the magazine
Pushing renewable investment
Emerging markets: 2011 may well have been characterized by a number of controversial issues, including declining module prices, insolvencies, production cutbacks, consolidation, the Fukushima nuclear disaster, and the U.S.-China trade dispute. However, not all is lost: while many of the traditional solar markets are suffering, a number of emerging markets are working hard to fill the void.
Jan 08, 2012
Combating the evil under the sun
Theft protection: Solar parks are not only interesting for project planners and investors. Criminals have also discovered large installations with numerous modules and inverters as a worthwhile source for lucrative stolen property. However, the operators are defending themselves against pilferers with a variety of ideas a look at four countries.
Jan 08, 2012
Controlling the process
Interview: Process control is one key to a functionally healthy production line. Economies of scale can be achieved with process control software. Rudolph Technologies is one company that has seen success in this realm. The companys Solar Market Manager David Genova explains to pv magazine the successes and the challenges for this steering software.
Jan 08, 2012
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Let the light shine through
Solar panel cleaning: Dust, leaves, bird excrement when they fall on your car window, they are easy to clean. But if they accumulate on your PV modules, its a bit tougher to wipe them off. But do you really have to? Just how much dirt actually translates into reduced performance and when do owners of solar energy installations need to get their panels professionally cleaned and how should they do that?
Jan 08, 2012
What robotics and automation ought to be
Robotics and automation: Capital investment savings of 23 percent and output per square meter gains of 30 percent would make most PV manufacturers sit up and take notice. But how can gains like this be achieved? pv magazine investigates a number of approaches to bringing about such gains for PV module manufacturers.
Jan 08, 2012
Crash strategies
Raw materials: In spite of declining prices, the leading manufacturers of solar polysilicon still have their sights set on expansion. Thus they aim to be prepared for an upswing in global demand in the next few years. According to financial analysts the global shake-out in the sector has already begun.
Jan 08, 2012
Competitive PV
Grid parity: With supply outpacing demand, most analysts agree that the PV industry is set for its long-predicted period of consolidation. And it wont be without casualties and some pain. However, with the fast-falling price of PV also come the many possibilities presented by grid parity or competitiveness of PV. Is a new day of PV competitiveness dawning? And if so, what does it mean? pv magazine investigates.
Jan 08, 2012
Hoping for the man from the hilltop
PV in Palestine: It was Gershon Baskin who rescued Israeli soldier Gilad Schalit, held hostage by Hamas for over five years. Now maybe Baskin can also save the Palestinian photovoltaics program. After long debates, the Palestinian Authority wants to introduce the first feed-in tariff (FIT) for photovoltaics in 2012 initially only for five megawatt (MW) systems. But Baskin has much bigger plans.
Jan 08, 2012
Cooperation or conflict?
Forum Solarpraxis: Whether to work together or compete across national borders was one of the key themes addressed at the recent Forum Solarpraxis in Berlin. The nuclear industry and lobby were often singled out as being forces to work against as the experts examined key markets.
Jan 08, 2012
On the way to implementation
Ontario: Despite significant financial incentives and a large project pipeline, comparatively few photovoltaic systems have been installed in Ontario thus far. The solar industry is now relying on faster approval phases, greater acceptance on the part of the banks and dynamic adjustment of the feed-in tariffs (FITs) to declining prices.
Jan 08, 2012
Ballast-free through bonding
Flat-roof installation market overview: Aerodynamically optimized flat-roof systems came to market four years ago. They are just as popular now as they were then. But now manufacturers are taking things a step further by bonding the systems to the roof skin.
Jan 08, 2012
GE goes with CdTe
Thin film: In its 2011 solar study, released in November, Bank Sarasin noted that thin film manufacturers backed by large, financially strong corporations have the potential to address the major issues facing the sector and take a place amongst the worlds leading PV companies. GE, it appears, fits this mold: in October, it announced its move into the thin film cadmium telluride (CdTe) marketplace, with a new Colorado manufacturing facility.
Jan 08, 2012
Lessons from Durban
Dear readers, Is climate protection really only a secondary concern? This is the impression that was conveyed in Durban. While earlier international summits on protection of the Earth’s climate stood at the center of media attention, and those interested in protecting the climate expressed great expectations in terms of the results, things are somehow different […]
Jan 08, 2012
Surprises guaranteed
Industry ranking: No photovoltaics sector is developing as dynamically as the field of project development. Companies that were practically unknown last year are suddenly shooting stars, whereas others remain outside of the public spotlight, fine-tuning their success and not saying too much about their strategy.
Jan 08, 2012
