Latin Sol-utions – 11-2013
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Pushing the BIPV envelope
Building integrated photovoltaics: Despite universally positive forecasts, the reality for BIPV has been one of low market share, insipid growth and perceived expense. But with new environmental directives on the horizon and a handful of innovative technologies improving efficiency and lowering costs, is BIPV poised to enter the mainstream?
Nov 03, 2013
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PV developers basking in the Latin American sun
Latin American market: With energy demand typically growing at an annual rate of 4 to 6%, Latin American countries require hundreds of new megawatts of power capacity to be installed each year. Carlos Albero and Ragna Schmidt-Haupt from global renewable energy consultancy GL Garrad Hassan examine the bright opportunity for PV there, exploring how developers are navigating different policy and market conditions across the region.
Nov 03, 2013
Fretting over junction boxes
Junction boxes: The Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) sent out a warning in February this year declaring certain installed module types as potentially flammable. Poor contacts in the circuit boards of junction boxes were cited as one of the reasons for this public warning. The safety of solar modules was called into question, giving solar skeptics a field day.
Oct 31, 2013
Energy lies
Dear readers, And so it came to pass once again. In early October an outcry reverberated through Germany’s media. The reason: From next year, average electricity prices for household customers will increase by approximately one cent. And renewable energy is to blame. For years, sun, wind & co. have served as political scapegoats for high […]
Oct 31, 2013
At the inflection point
Silicon industry: Polysilicon prices are stabilizing, but manufacturers are still not turning a profit. That could gradually change as more and more companies collapse under the industrys deadly competition. But for U.S. companies slapped with high Chinese antidumping tariffs, the crisis is likely to continue.
Oct 31, 2013
Low cost solar industry 2.0
Latin America: For firms in Latin America, the huge amount of second-hand machinery now available on the market offers a great opportunity to start up low-cost industrial projects able to compete strongly on price. However, global overcapacity and as yet scant local demand mean that initiatives of this sort are still small-scale and few and far between.
Oct 31, 2013
Fiercer global competition
Ranking inverter manufacturers: The two top dogs SMA and Power-One continue to dominate the inverter market. However, due to increasing competition and the rise in significance of non-European markets, above all Japan, China and the U.S., the balance of power is beginning to change.
Oct 31, 2013
Chiles merchant solar economics
Chile: Chile is emerging as what may be the first major merchant market for solar power in Latin America, thanks to the confidence of a few developers, the power demand of mining companies, and the financial support of multilateral banks. But the limited capacity of the electricity grid could pose some problems.
Oct 31, 2013
UK Labours price freeze
Feed-in tariffs: The UK Labour party is considering following in Spains footsteps with a price freeze on energy. Germanys energy debate, like with many other nations, is hampered by misinformation from lobby groups. And as the Netherlands finally closes its FIT, Delhi in India considers kick starting its own.
Oct 31, 2013
Mono-Multi debate dominates PV tech trends
PV equipment: With solar PV equipment suppliers pushing for increased adoption of next generation high-efficiency concepts, the fundamental issue remains end market adoption of mono or multi PV panels and the requirement of upstream PV manufacturers to move away from proven c-Si multi manufacturing processes says Finlay Colville, Vice President of NPD Solarbuzz.
Oct 31, 2013
A place to recharge
Tierra Atacama Hotel & Spa: Located in Chiles stunning Atacama desert, the Tierra Atacama Hotel & Spa is part-powered by an off-grid solar system installed by Germanys Kraftwerk RPS. pv magazine caught up with Kraftwerks Managing Director, Dr. Karsten Schulte, to discover more about this groundbreaking venture.
Oct 31, 2013
