China’s strength – 05-2014
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Global FIT overview
Feed-in tariffs: Greeces government joins the ranks of a number of European nations that have passed aggressive retroactive measures devastating investors. Germany is set to establish a 50% surcharge on renewable energy producers. Asia also sees falling FITs in Japan and Malaysia.
May 07, 2014
Quality lies in the eye of the beholder
PV quality: Chinese renewable energy manufacturers are well positioned to benefit from the growing demand in emerging economies. So, asks Dirk Kayser Ph.D Candidate at the Chinese Academy of Sciences at the University of California, Los Angeles what should Western firms do: compete or cooperate?
May 07, 2014
Hot new entrant to the utility-scale market
Financing Philippines: In May, the largest solar park in the Philippines located in San Carlos City on the island of Negros goes online. The ThomasLloyd Cleantech Infrastructure Fund provided financing, and pv magazine spoke with T.U. Michael Sieg, Chairman and CEO of ThomasLloyd, regarding the background of the pioneering investments.
May 07, 2014
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Make the most out of the limited resources we have
Interview: What is the importance of PV and other renewable energies as the Philippines tackles the risks of climate change? Is the Philippine government on the right track? At what level are PV awareness and financing conditions? pv magazine puts these questions, and more, to Loren Legarda, member of the Senate of the Philippines.
May 07, 2014
Review, repeal, reinvent
Australia: As one of the first countries to arrive and then accelerate past retail grid parity, Australia had the makings of a solar darling. However government measures are rapidly putting up obstacles to the rapid growth of solar in the country as vested interests and incumbent fossil fuel generators appear to be doing an effective job of striking back against PV.
May 07, 2014
Local heroes
Small PV systems in the grid: If small solar PV systems are to be a model of success, they must also be capable of grid integration. Christoph Winter, a photovoltaic systems technician at Fronius, explains how a grid test in Austria is solving this problem. And one thing becomes clear: Just a few simple, local control systems in the inverter can do a lot.
May 07, 2014
Minnesota aims for a grand solar bargain
Solar tariffs: The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission approved a new Value of Solar methodology as alternative to net metering. An analysis by Sara Bergan, energy law attorney at the business law firm Stoel Rives, and Jon Wellinghoff, partner in Stoel Rives and the former chair of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in the US.
May 07, 2014
Managing variable renewable energy
Interview: pv magazine caught up with Simon Müller, energy analyst in the renewable division at the International Energy Agency, to discuss the themes explored in the IEAs latest publication, the Power of Transformation, which outlines ways to fully incorporate renewable energy into global power generation structures.
May 07, 2014
Third-party ownership taking hold in Australia
Australia: Echoing the success of third-party ownership models in the U.S., there is evidence that new financing models in the Australian rooftop PV market will emerge. Even as state-based support schemes are wound back, the fundamentals for solar in Australia remain strong. Elena Bai? of DNV GL Renewables Advisory (formerly GL Garrad Hassan) discusses the potential for third-party models in Australia, examining possible structures and experiences to date.
May 07, 2014
A disruptive partnership
Thin film: The partnership between First Solar and GE is a complex one, but its ability to deliver truly disruptive results to the PV industry and power plant business is beginning to be spoken of more widely. There is no one key to this dynamic, but a focus on efficiency and cost is looking likely to pay off.
May 07, 2014
Selling and purchasing energy behind the meter
Self-consumption in Italy: In December 2013, the Italian Authority for Electricity and Gas finally defined the modalities for efficient consumer systems. Gennaro Sposato of Rödl & Partner Rome explains the regulation and the remaining uncertainties in the implementation of the decree.
May 07, 2014
Increased funding activity fuels strong first quarter
Venture capital forecast: The solar industry is coming off a strong 2013 and looking for an even better 2014. Preliminary numbers indicate that global installations topped 37 GW for 2013 a solid 21% growth year-over-year. Another 20%-plus growth year is in the making as Raj Prabhu, CEO and cofounder of Mercom Capital Group, forecasts 2014 demand to be about 46 GW.
May 07, 2014
Cells could run low
Ranking cell manufacturers: Due to high demand, the capacity utilization of the leading Chinese and Taiwanese crystalline cell manufacturers as well as that of SunPower improved further this year. Cells may even run low. A loss of the U.S. market due to an increase in import duties might have adverse effects on Taiwanese cell manufacturers.
May 07, 2014
Strong partnerships
Dear readers, Without strong partnerships and pioneers the solar PV industry will struggle to move forward – a truism that has once again become apparent in the Philippines. As far back as 2008, a Renewable Energy Act with a feed-in tariff was adopted in the country, but nothing much regarding PV has happened since. But […]
May 07, 2014
SNEC PV Power Expo 2014
Show preview: Like all PV shows and exhibitions around the world last year, Chinas SNEC attracted fewer visitors than previously. But the Expos monolithic appeal, anchored in Chinas PV strength, ensures anticipation for the 8th annual SNEC PV Power Expo is perhaps higher than it has ever been. The question is: Will bated breath be sated?
May 07, 2014
