Bending your ear – 08-2015
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Growing market, big crowds
Intersolar North America: The 8th annual Intersolar North America brought together the U.S. and global PV industry right across the supply chain in San Francisco for three days in July this year. With the strong U.S. market and manufacturing in the country also picking up, the show looks set to remain a major hub for decision makers, leaders and solar practitioners for some time to come.
Jul 28, 2015
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The dangers of skimping on quality
CEO interview: pv magazine has launched its ‘Black Sheep campaign’, which aims to investigate reports of sub-standard quality of components being installed today, along with those that have already failed. René Moerman is the CEO of Xilia and he says that if corners are cut on quality – from production to tracking and transportation – then the risks are high.
Jul 28, 2015
The calm before the surge
Nigeria energy framework: Having usurped South Africa to become Africas largest economy in 2014, Nigeria has made great economic strides in recent years. Its energy network, however, remains underdeveloped, but a series of pro-solar policies and incentives could see PV plug those gaps, writes Ulrike Brückner of Rödl & Partner.
Jul 28, 2015
It represents a real breakthrough
Interview: REC was awarded most innovative product at the Intersolar Awards for its TwinPeak module. Luc Graré, RECs SVP in Sales and Marketing, discusses how the company created its groundbreaking module and outlines from which markets demand is expected.
Jul 28, 2015
Growing market, big crowds
Intersolar North America: The 8th annual Intersolar North America brought together the U.S. and global PV industry right across the supply chain in San Francisco for three days in July this year. With the strong U.S. market and manufacturing in the country also picking up, the show looks set to remain a major hub for decision makers, leaders and solar practitioners for some time to come.
Jul 28, 2015
PV powers resource sector
Storage for mines: Long apparent, the attraction of bringing solar power to bear on remote mining operations waned in recent years as the price of diesel plunged. But solars potential is being mined by the emergence of affordable and reliable storage technologies, writes Thomas Hillig of specialist consultants THEnergy.
Jul 28, 2015
Weve had to adapt to the new circumstances
Ukraine: Shining as a beacon in the east, the Ukrainian PV market had seen strong solar growth, both helping to meet the countrys energy challenges and capitalize on favorable irradiation. But political turmoil beginning in late 2013, Crimea separating from the country and ongoing armed conflict in the east has brought everything to a shuddering halt. Activ Solar developed 550 MW in mainland Ukraine and Kaveh Ertefai is the companys Managing Director and CEO.
Jul 28, 2015
Horizon sun
Japan market overview: A recent proposal for Japans 2030 energy mix by the countrys Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry presents a positive, if rather modest, outlook for solar PV that industry bodies feel is perhaps a little too conservative, writes Izumi Kaizuka from RTS Corporation.
Jul 28, 2015
Horizon sun
Japan market overview: A recent proposal for Japans 2030 energy mix by the countrys Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry presents a positive, if rather modest, outlook for solar PV that industry bodies feel is perhaps a little too conservative, writes Izumi Kaizuka from RTS Corporation.
Jul 28, 2015
Regional shifts in PV manufacturing
Solar manufacturing landscape: Regional shifts in manufacturing are common to all industries and, in general, the trend is to the least expensive country to manufacture the goods in question. This oversimplification does not offer much insight into why regional shifts occur in PV cell and module manufacturing.
Jul 28, 2015
Stringer roundtable
Debate: The process of arranging individual cells into a string to be encapsulated in a module is a key step in the PV production process. It is also one in which bottlenecks can occur if machines are not operated or do not perform as expected. pv magazine sat down with two established providers and one newcomer to the space in its first solar production equipment supplier roundtables to discuss this and other issues. Joining the discussion from the U.S. was Xcell Automations Adrian Gretler, who sat down with teamtechniks Sven Kramer and new entrant, M10 Industries Gregor Reddemann, both from Germany, to discuss markets, technology and segment outlook.
Jul 28, 2015
The storage story is becoming more powerful
Interview: In June, DNV GL launched a new service for developers looking to add storage to solar projects or in standalone installations. This new service arrives at a time when the number of storage products on the market is beginning to take off. pv magazine spoke to DNV GLs Raymond Hudson, the director of solar for DNV GL, about this development.
Jul 28, 2015
Our key priority is module efficiency
PV manufacturing: Korean manufacturer LG picked up one of the Photovoltaics awards for its NeON 2 black and white modules at Intersolar Europe this year. But the company isnt looking for a quick ramp up. Michael Harre, Vice President of LGs EU solar business group, explains how LG will grow steadily and move into new spaces, such as the smart home.
Jul 28, 2015
Revival within the equipment industry
Interview: During the period of oversupply within the PV sector it was often said that rumors of the death of PV were greatly exaggerated. However, are reports of an equipment supply recovery similarly overstated? Christian Buchner, Head of Business Unit Photovoltaics at Schmid, does not believe that is the case, as a wave of new technology uptake and manufacturing capacity expansions begin to fill order books once more.
Jul 28, 2015
Regional shifts in PV manufacturing
Solar manufacturing landscape: Regional shifts in manufacturing are common to all industries and, in general, the trend is to the least expensive country to manufacture the goods in question. This oversimplification does not offer much insight into why regional shifts occur in PV cell and module manufacturing.
Jul 28, 2015
Were aiming for the top two in 2015
Interview: With Chinas increased global PV target for 2015 keeping every leading domestic solar company on its toes, JinkoSolar has instigated a number of strategies designed to ensure it stays ahead of the chasing pack, says Chief Strategy Officer and head of emerging markets, Arturo Herrero.
Jul 28, 2015
