Solar Superheroes – 09-2015
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Care in the community
Community solar gardens: U.S. community solar policy planning has been too rigid for too long. Andrew P. Moratzka and Sara A. Bergan from Stoel Rives outline why policy should focus on allowing shared solar projects to scale to a particular community in order to facilitate broad access.
Aug 26, 2015
Nothings simple but the march continues
The (northern hemisphere) summer months provide a rare opportunity for us in the industry to unwind and get away from the world of 24/7 solar. But if you’re anything like me, getting out to new parts of the world provides the opportunity to casually scour rooftops to get an idea of how solar is progressing […]
Aug 26, 2015
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A reboot of the market
ITC: The Solar Investment Tax credit has been an important policy instrument under which solar has been developed. But is it crucial to the future growth of the U.S. solar market? Tom Starrs, SunPowers vice president for market strategy and policy, believes that the large scale market will decline post ITC step down, after an artificial acceleration to finish projects, but that solars proven value will drive continued, steady growth.
Aug 26, 2015
The slow grind of FBR polysilicon
FBR Poly: Fluidized bed reactor (FBR) technology has been hailed as a means to produce polysilicon for solar at lower costs and with a small fraction of the electricity used by the dominant Siemens process. However, long delays at two new projects and technical challenges are slowing the progress of this promising technology. Will FBR eventually deliver?
Aug 26, 2015
Trends in BOS
Highlights from Intersolar North America 2015: The recent Intersolar North America show presented an ideal opportunity to take the temperature of the solar worlds balance of system (BOS) players. The sector is playing a larger role in overall cost reduction of PV, and the innovation on show at the exhibition offered an encouraging glimpse into a lower cost, more reliable solar future.
Aug 26, 2015
Higher voltage, lower cost
1,500 V components: Talk of 1,500 VDC becoming the benchmark for the solar industry is gathering pace, with many U.S. EPCs now mulling 1,500 V adoption. The transition to higher voltage makes sense in theory, but certain regulatory practicalities are serving to block wider adoption.
Aug 26, 2015
If I dont see it, its not there
Microcracks: If I dont see it, its not there. This rather puerile statement is very likely to apply to microcracks in the PV industrys beginning stages. Now the solar sector has significantly matured and has the tools to spot and solve this important problem.
Aug 26, 2015
Power to the people
African policy: The falling costs of solar energy technology, Sub-Saharan Africas vast solar resource, and the continents thirst for electricity have created expectations that the region might soon take the lead in solar PV growth. But are these expectations sensible or exaggerated?
Aug 26, 2015
Where the grid meets PV
Solar and utilities: With intelligent power electronics being coupled with PV and potential storage, a new energy paradigm is emerging. But what will the future look like for utilities, grids and consumers, both large and small? pv magazine sat down to lunch with some of the Enphase leadership team to discuss these issues and found out that a brave new energy world is emerging, but what shape it will take is yet to be clear.
Aug 26, 2015
Inverters at the ready
Inverters at 1,500 volts: The slow emergence of 1,500 volt applications across the solar industry is expected to engender further PV cost reductions. But what role can inverters play in this new landscape, and what are the challenges facing the leading suppliers as they embark on developing these higher voltage products?
Aug 26, 2015
Will the ITC be extended?
US investment tax credit: The pending drop-down of the solar investment tax credit (ITC) from 30% to 10% will have enormous short-term consequences for the U.S. solar industry. And although industry organizations are pulling hard for an extension, not everyone in the industry is on board.
Aug 26, 2015
Merchants of doubt cutting through the propaganda around climate change
Climate change: Adam Smiths invisible hand has been handcuffed, taking away consumers rights to choose their source of power. Headwall Powers Brad Meikle talks about the long ongoing climate change debate, and why it does not make sense.
Aug 26, 2015
All that shimmers is BIPV
Interview: The market for building-integrated PV (BIPV) has been anything but stellar. But there is some twinkle to the products Manz is turning out from its innovation line in Germanys southwest. Bernd Sprecher and Christoph Schmidt spoke to pv magazine about its modules that can now be supplied in various colors, including gold.
Aug 26, 2015
Automation: the enabler
Automation and robotics: The automation equipment flooding the market at the moment assures manufacturers speed and cost savings. Whether turnkey or single units, automation has found its place. When it comes to innovation, how quickly can it be automated and integrated into a line?
Aug 26, 2015
Check the post
U.K. market: Further changes to the U.K.s solar subsidy landscape threaten to derail an industry that had become one of the worlds most dynamic in recent years. pv magazine examines why these support proposals were enacted, and explores whether the industry can survive and what it will look like post-subsidy.
Aug 26, 2015
Testing in the field matures
Flashing and Electroluminescence (EL) testing: When a solar park is underperforming it is often the case that modules need to be tested for park remediation and for repairs to be carried out. But mobile flashing and EL testing is becoming more common as a preventative and quality assurance step.
Aug 26, 2015
Pillars remain strong while thin film fades
Thin film ranking: Remaining the minnow to crystalline silicons giant, thin film producers have been steadily losing market share. However, with two major producers continuing to execute on technology and project road maps, it should not be discounted.
Aug 26, 2015
