Europe’s PV heavyweights – 06-2014
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When the market decides
Storage systems: Not only are they being talked about by everyone, they are also splitting the industry. Some are focusing on successfully opening up a new market with them, while others consider them to be inefficient and economically pointless. But the figures are crystal clear.
May 26, 2014
Virtues of automation
Thin film: Automated production lines can provide a number of advantages to module manufacturers. High yields and throughput, detailed monitoring and consistent product quality are all virtues of automated process controls and getting robots to do the handling. It is also a marketing tool to give modules a stamp of quality. On the flip side, new automation tool orders for thin film have been extremely hard to come by for tool suppliers, meaning development has had to be largely self-funded.
May 26, 2014
Shattered myths and fairytales
Dear readers, Those who continue to spread the myth of cheap, safe nuclear power despite Chernobyl and Fukushima will now find it even more difficult to deal in fairytales. In Germany in mid-May, the country’s major energy suppliers announced plans to transfer the ongoing operation, demolition and storage of nuclear waste from its remaining nine […]
May 26, 2014
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A cautious approach to PV technology change
Technology buy-cycles: Overcapacity in the solar PV industry a few years ago continues to impact equipment spending on new technologies. While First Solar and SunPower have set out ambitious roadmaps, capex from Asian-based suppliers is still being kept to minimal levels, explains Finlay Colville, vice president of NPD Solarbuzz.
May 26, 2014
Monitoring and data logging services multiply
Solar monitoring and data logging: There has been a virtual explosion of solar PV monitoring and data logging companies offering services in the global market over the past few years, and consolidation is the watchword. In the U.S. market alone, the number of companies has risen from a few dozen to several hundred, begging the question of what standard services are, and at what price.
May 26, 2014
Casting light on off-grid areas
Interview: Robert Haendel is applying a startup ethos to where the stars are aligning in cost and efficiency. His solar startup Fosera Lighting, based in Singapore, has developed a range of products combining the fast evolving technologies of PV, lithium iron phosphate batteries and LEDs to light up off-grid communities. Norways Differ Group and fosera in Germany are investors in the venture. Before these investors were found, Haendel had launched a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo to be able to start production.
May 26, 2014
Distributed PV: primed, but not yet ready to shine
China: On January 2014, the National Energy Administration announced a target of 8 GW of distributed solar PV and 6 GW of utility-scale PV for 2014. Distributed PV will play an increasingly important role in Chinas energy mix in the next years as part of the countrys efforts to tackle air pollution.
May 26, 2014
Chinese EPCs dominate
Ranking: Chinese EPC companies continued to extend their market position last year, as evidenced by the current ranking of market research company IHS. Of the worlds 10 largest EPC companies, five are from China, three are from the USA and only two are from Europe. They focus mainly on their own domestic market.
May 26, 2014
Prejudices about heating
Heating with light: Now PV is also forcing its way on to the heating market, causing a stir in the solar thermal energy sector. But a fundamental debate such as this cannot resolve which solution will be the best for customers. These are the most common arguments.
May 26, 2014
The Balkan PV balk
Bulgaria and Romania: Having developed early promise, the PV markets of Bulgaria and Romania have disappointed in recent months, with questions around future energy policy and grid expansion left unanswered. Will their slumbering potential be roused in the coming years, or are both nations sleepwalking towards the PV wilderness?
May 26, 2014
Storage technology in the spotlight
Intersolar Europe: In the first week of June, the whos who of the solar industry will come together once again at Intersolar Europe in Munich. pv magazine spoke with the shows organizer Markus Elsässer, CEO of Solar Promotion, about this years expected trends and highlights.
May 26, 2014
Monitoring and data logging services multiply
Solar monitoring and data logging: There has been a virtual explosion of solar PV monitoring and data logging companies offering services in the global market over the past few years, and consolidation is the watchword. In the U.S. market alone, the number of companies has risen from a few dozen to several hundred, begging the question of what standard services are, and at what price.
May 26, 2014
Focus on self-consumption
Switzerland: Owners of solar PV systems in Switzerland are allowed to consume their electricity themselves for the first time. This is guaranteed by an amendment of the countrys national energy law. The reform should be good for the PV market, not least because the state will provide one third of the investment for systems up to ten kilowatts as of this year.
May 26, 2014
Buy local
Green electricity: Through its Solar25 tariff, Grünstromwerk in Hamburg wants to make photovoltaic power independent of the changing winds of German politics. And to do that, their concept lets consumers directly buy solar energy from local producers without any government subsidies. Plus, any area where enough customers sign up will get more photovoltaic systems.
May 26, 2014
PVs presidential push
US: President Barack Obama has announced plans to inject $2 billion of government funds into the PV sector as he pushes for more solar capacity across federal buildings, greater use of commercial rooftop space and the creation of more jobs in the solar and clean energy sectors.
May 26, 2014
The future of PV in Germany
Germany: The planned amendment of the German Renewable Energy Act stipulates a reduction of feed-in tariffs and the introduction of a flexible market premium based on mandatory direct selling. Tobias Kurth, senior manager at the consulting firm Energy Brainpool, analyzes the consequences for solar photovoltaics in the country.
May 26, 2014
A roller-coaster ride
Suntech: Over the past three years, the Chinese PV manufacturer Suntech Power Holding went through a roller-coaster ride in its business development, from being the market leading module supplier in 2010 and 2011 to having to file for insolvency in March 2013. What will become of the former market leader after the break-up? An analysis by Götz Fischbeck, CEO of Smart Solar Consulting.
May 26, 2014
Searching for a sustainable solar model
Europe: The European solar PV market is adjusting to a new reality of domestic strife, economic trouble and a systematic shake-up of support schemes designed to help the industry stride confidently forward. So how is the continent handling its place in the new world order? pv magazine investigates.
May 26, 2014
