Blue-sky thinking – 07-2014
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A diligent undertaking
PV power plants: The continued growth of the US solar market has been characterized by the growing importance of PV power plants. With a wide range of financiers looking to invest in large-scale PV, how can they be sure that their investment will stand the test of time? pv magazine spoke to energy advisory DNV GLs Jenya Meydbray and John Wilson.
Jul 07, 2014
Wall Streets embrace of solar
Financing solar: This years Renewable Energy Finance Forum Wall Street took place in midtown Manhattan from June 25th to 26th and brought together investors and other market participants in renewable energy and solar markets to discuss the latest trends in developing these resources. Solar PV featured prominently at the conference, including a half-day pre-conference workshop on June 24th devoted to emerging markets.
Jul 07, 2014
SNEC: Chinas PV growth faces challenges
SNEC: The market is on the path for growth but still faces major hurdles. European equipment and inverter manufacturers in particular face intensifying Chinese competition, while the countrys ambitious targets wont be reached unless the government implements its distributed PV power policy. This was the conclusion of this years SNEC PV Power Expo in Shanghai.
Jul 07, 2014
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Japan in numbers
Japan: Following the introduction of Japans FIT program in July 2012, installed PV capacity in Japan in 2013 achieved significant growth, from 1.7 GW in the first year to 6.9 GW last year (DC based), driving record-high shipping volumes for PV modules in the process. The first quarter of 2014 enjoyed a similarly robust performance, with 2.8 GW of modules shipped the most ever recorded in a single quarter. Izumi Kaizuka provides an update on PV in Japan.
Jul 07, 2014
First Solars evolving business model
Intersolar Europe: Thin film producers made something of a comeback at the Intersolar Europe trade show last month, but not as we know them. First Solar was exhibiting in Munich for the first time in three years and Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) Joe Kishkill attended the event and spoke to pv magazine to unveil his companys new strategy for Europe.
Jul 07, 2014
SolarCity targets new horizons
SolarCity: No longer an envelope-pushing solar leasing company, SolarCitys recent acquisition of cell manufacturer Silevo could propel the company into the upper-echelons of the PV industry and transform the U.S. solar landscape in the process, finds pv magazine.
Jul 07, 2014
In tentative mode
Mexico: The sunny country is forging ahead with the groundwork to develop solar power, despite the difficulty of doing so without overt state or federal subsidies. Five more 30 MW plants with government PPAs are expected over the coming year, more private sector projects will attempt to run the gauntlet to construction, and more domestic solar panel manufacturing will start up, industry officials say. However, speculators worry that the contents of a long awaited new set of renewable energy regulations could arrive in Pandoras box late this year.
Jul 07, 2014
The time has come
Chile: With hundreds of MW under construction, Chile is the first national PV market this size in the world without subsidies or feed-in tariffs. How did this happen, and can the new business models emerging here spread to other nations? pv magazine looks at the lessons learned from the first 186 MW of grid connected solar in Chile.
Jul 07, 2014
The show must go on
Intersolar Europe 2014 review: No longer marketed as bigger and better, the Intersolar Europe exhibition of 2014 instead focused on its ability to draw an international crowd, push innovation and shape new market trends an accurate summation of an upbeat yet muted show, reports pv magazine.
Jul 07, 2014
Made in Kenya
Africa: Demand for clean and reliable energy has fueled the growth of Kenyas market for quality solar panels. Ubbink, one of the countrys PV pioneers, has surpassed its projections of three years ago when it commenced operations. Solarcentury is exploring ventures with local partners. Much to the regret of the Kenya Association of Manufacturers the countrys Minister of Finance has recently removed import duties on solar equipment and machinery.
Jul 07, 2014
A tale of disruption
Disruptive technologies, disrupted industries, disruptive entrepreneurs: the principle of disruption has become a common thread running through many aspects of our professional lives and society. And for us in solar PV, the disruptive power of our technology comes as no surprise – just ask the executives of electric utilities in regions with high PV penetration […]
Jul 07, 2014
The heavy hitters: full utilization and expanding
c-Si industry ranking: There has been a shuffling amongst the top 10 crystalline silicon module manufacturers since our ranking last year, however the trend remains the same. Asia is now cemented as the leading module manufacturing base, and with the Japanese and Chinese markets the two drivers for growth for the top 10 players, that should come as no surprise.
Jul 07, 2014
PV embraces the crowd
Crowdfunded solar finance: Smart financial innovation has long been one of solars Holy Grails, and with Mosaics crowdsourcing model garnering praise and a groundswell of public support, pv magazine asks if it is time for crowdfunded solar to enjoy its moment in the sun.
Jul 07, 2014
Survival strategy
centrotherm: Buffeted by the global PV storm that tore through the industry a couple of years back, centrotherm had to maneuver dexterously in order to stay afloat. The companys successful strategy for survival has been an effective double pivot of optimization and diversification, as pv magazine discovered.
Jul 07, 2014
Making pay while the sun shines?
UK market: The UK is poised to lead Europes solar pack in 2014, but is the excitement generated by the British solar PV industry simply a rush to install before the inevitable subsidy cuts hit, or are there signs that a sensible, sustainable solar industry is emerging? pv magazine examines the markets near-term future.
Jul 07, 2014
High aspirations despite missed opportunity
Japan: Ambitions to dramatically scale up the agricultural solar sharing model, plus the entry of new players are signs of innovation bubbling through the Japanese PV sector. Fliss Jones of DNV GL Renewables Advisory (formerly GL Garrad Hassan) argues that although Japans New Basic Energy Plan might have lacked imagination, its solar industry certainly does not.
Jul 07, 2014
