Let’s talk about US – 12-2013
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Growth in the shadow of Chernobyl
Ukraine: Eastern European PV markets have been characterized by boom and bust of the worst kind like that seen in the Czech Republic and a sometimes agonizing wait for policy, as is the case in Poland. However, in Ukraine the development of PV power plants has been consistent, demonstrated solid growth, and appears to have paid off for market-leading project developer Activ Solar. pv magazine headed to Kiev and Ukraine to find out more.
Nov 27, 2013
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Island in the sun
PV Taiwan: Determined not to be overshadowed by the looming presence of its Chinese neighbor, Taiwans solar industry has explored many revenue avenues over the past few years. But what will the future hold, and where does Taiwan fit into the worldwide solar landscape? pv magazine attended PV Taiwan to find out.
Nov 27, 2013
One of the lowest solar rates in the world?
Uruguay: In May this year, Uruguay approved a 200 MW tender for solar facilities with capacities of between 5 and 50 MW. Despite offering an extremely low rate US$0.09 per kWh the government announced in September that the quota had been filled.
Nov 27, 2013
Indonesias new solar regulations
Indonesia: The generation of renewable energies has become a core focus in Indonesias recent energy policies. In this light, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources has issued Regulation 17 concerning the purchase of energy from solar photovoltaic power plants by the National Electric Company. The regulation became effective in June 2013 and appears of significant relevance for solar energy producers, including foreign investors.
Nov 27, 2013
Bright prospects for the US market
SPI: The atmosphere at this years Solar Power International (SPI) in Chicago was remarkably sunny. The US solar market is growing sustainably, although it is still dominated by utility-scale installations. The main driving forces are declining costs, backed by tax credits. A new trend is the increasing involvement of US utilities in the solar PV industry.
Nov 27, 2013
Same but different
Performance metrics in India: Performance ratio or capacity utilization factor which provides better insights into the performance of a solar PV system? Europe prefers the performance ratio, and India favors CUF. Sebastian Dürr, cofounder and director of REACH Solar Consulting, describes the different viewpoints in India and Europe and the pros and cons of the different approaches.
Nov 27, 2013
How many more wake up calls?
Dear readers, How many more wake up calls are needed? How many more super typhoons, floods, landslides or droughts have to happen? How many thousands of people have to die? How many millions have to become homeless until climate protection is taken seriously? Because despite the terrible wake up call of images bearing the destruction […]
Nov 27, 2013
Land of the highly prized sun
Japan: Historically strong, the PV market in Japan in 2012 and 2013 has provided huge demand to the PV supply chain. While domestic producers are in pole position to benefit, foreign suppliers are entering the market and developing a track record, both in their own right and through partnerships with local firms.
Nov 27, 2013
Off-grid 2.0
Fuel save controller: standalone power systems offer remarkable new opportunities for photovoltaic technology. Among other things, the combination with diesel generators lowers the costs of fuel consumption. In the meantime, there are new control devices in order to ensure both supply and mains stability with a high share of solar electricity.
Nov 27, 2013
Where is the innovation?
Thin film PV equipment: The CIGS PV segment has changed drastically with very few players left standing. While the equipment segment continues to work on processes that can lead to improvements in CIGS PV panel efficiencies, whether or not there is the appetite for innovation in the industry right now is another matter.
Nov 27, 2013
Efficiency up, costs down
Metallization pastes: Innovative metallization pastes help to lower silver cost, while novel cell technologies and new printing techniques enable the optimization of cost and performance, explains Carsten Mohr of the Photovoltaics Business Unit of Heraeus, a precious metals and technology group based in Germany.
Nov 27, 2013
Still innovative
Inverters: Until just a few years ago, efficiency was the only topic that mattered to the inverter market. But from a system engineering point of view, innovation at all levels makes sense in order to improve inverters while increasing the yield of photovoltaic installations.
Nov 27, 2013
