Green leap forward – 02-2012
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Canned sunshine
Energy storage systems: Europes leading utilities are investing in new storage capacities to be able to utilize more solar and wind energy, and at the same time cope with the phasing out of feed-in tariffs. An overview of storage technologies that support photovoltaic energy.
Jan 30, 2012
In good shape
Dear readers, Who says that the solar market isn’t in good shape? For weeks negative headlines have shaped the public debate on photovoltaic energy: 2011 as the year of bankruptcies, misfortunes and mishaps. And now new record figures. New installation of PV systems in 2011 exceeded all of the forecasts from the analysts. In May […]
Jan 30, 2012
Increased output in autumn and winter
Solar glass: In winter, solar panel installation rates decrease, both due to weather conditions and the lack of output. Modules with specialized, deeply textured front glasses offer one possibility to increase the output of a system in cold seasons. Patrick Jonas and Daniel Pohl of EuPD Research explain how it is indeed possible for modules to efficiently generate energy in the colder months.
Jan 30, 2012
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Chinas nuclear program after Fukushima
China: When a national feed-in tariff (FIT) was announced in July 2011, some believed a lack of detail and transparency could undermine the programs effectiveness. Seven months on, though some of the details remain opaque, China as a PV end market is showing signs of rapid expansion. pv magazine investigates the global impact of Chinas FITs and the ways foreign companies can access the market.
Jan 30, 2012
EPCs power play
Engineering, procurement, construction: If there is money to be saved or costs to be shaved in the EPC business, the worlds leading companies are addressing the challenge. Geographic diversification, vertical integration, and lowering of costs, including cost of financing, are three key strategies being taken.
Jan 30, 2012
Swagger and swag on the rise
Sino-US PV trade dispute: It may almost be called The Charge of the Light Brigade, as solar industry forces in the U.S. and China face off in trade hostilities, which like the ill-advised 1854 clash between the British and the Russians may produce no decisive gains and result in high casualties.
Jan 30, 2012
The code
Electrical standards for PV systems: In the USA and several other countries, PV systems must comply with the National Electrical Code (NEC) that defines the requirements for electrical safety. Here is part one of our overview of definitions and specifications relevant to photovoltaic technology.
Jan 30, 2012
No oil, no gas, no coal, no choice?
French nuclear industry: As the world and its energy industries adapt to a post-Fukushima reality and the Fifth Republic gears up for a high-stakes election in 2012, it seems that the current climate within the energy sector is sowing the seeds of change that could grow into a post-atomic market in years to come.
Jan 30, 2012
Roadmap to clean energy
EU Energy Roadmap: The European Union is planning to vigorously increase the proportion of renewable energy by the middle of the century which is the only way to reach the EUs CO2 targets. But fearing high prices, it does not want to relinquish nuclear power and coal.
Jan 30, 2012
Betting on the bear
Solar shares: The crash of renewable energy shares on the stock exchange is not only attributable to the financial crisis and the economic difficulties besetting the industry. For months professional stock brokers have also perpetuated the fall in prices for solar shares through short selling.
Jan 30, 2012
Engineering the future
PV thin glass: Corning Photovoltaics has recently developed a range of engineered glass substrates, specifically designed to replace one of a typical PV modules glass layers, which it claims can improve conversion efficiency, while also being lightweight and maintaining product strength and reliability.
Jan 30, 2012
