Array of light for Japan – 02-2016
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Highway to hybrid
Hybrid inverters: In solar, the term hybrid can be loosely applied to any part of the system that combines two types of functionality into one. In the inverter space, a growing trend for hybrid inverters is emerging but what, exactly, are they, and how does the claim that they augment typical PV architecture stack up? pv magazine discovers that, in fact, not all hybrid inverters are created equal.
Feb 11, 2016
A tight spot: Consequences of the multi-wafer shortage
Wafers shortage: Multicrystalline silicon wafers are currently in short supply across the solar landscape after years of overcapacity. Such market dynamics are prompting huge capacity expansion plans among leading wafer suppliers driving new rounds of investment production techniques that could boost efficiencies.
Feb 11, 2016
Floating PV buoyed by global demand
Floating PV: Floating PV plants have moved beyond space-saving solutions for wineries and densely populated areas like Japan, to a paired power technology addition for hydro dam reservoirs. Brazil, India and other countries are pursuing reservoir installations, and the list grows longer.
Feb 11, 2016
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Solar in the Great White North
Canada outlook: Momentum across Canadas solar landscape has long been contained within the state of Ontario. But as growth there wanes, both Alberta and Saskatchewan are looking to pick up the PV baton and run with it, and a federal support mechanism may soon be introduced to give these provinces and others a helping hand.
Feb 11, 2016
Cheers to the sun IBC SOLAR: German expertise for the Indian PV market
Indias solar ambition: In leading calls for a solar alliance at the COP21 summit in Paris, India demonstrated its growing appetite for the industry. But can ambition be matched with solid growth and development, and what are the challenges that still need to be overcome? IBC Solar: German engineering expertise and knowledge of local business culture combined to produce the best results and effective knowledge transfer.
Feb 11, 2016
Top dollar decisions
Solar investment: Total corporate funding in the solar sector comes in at $25.3 billion in 2015, with a record $5.5 billion raised by residential and commercial solar funds. VC funding tops $1 billion, and a record number of large-scale projects have been acquired, writes Mercom Capital Group CEO and co-founder Raj Prabhu.
Feb 11, 2016
Insight: Chinas Top Runner PV program
China policy: In seeking to address various shortcomings in Chinas strong but flawed solar PV industry, the government has borrowed a scheme from its Japanese neighbors that has historically proven successful in raising the bar in terms of technical and performance standards. Can this program be translated seamlessly to the solar sector of China?
Feb 11, 2016
A great deal of Eastern promise
Welcome! Sharp-eyed readers will have noticed that the soon-to-be sunburnt chap pictured above is not your usual editor in chief, Jonathan Gifford. Jonathan is off on paternity leave for the birth of his first child, so I am stepping into the breach for one issue while he feels his way slowly into the wonderful world […]
Feb 11, 2016
Best foot forward
WFES 2016: A mere month after the world rejoiced at the progress made in Paris, the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi was the ideal opportunity to take stock of the global clean energy landscape and ask: Where do we go from here? Although many other questions remain, MENAs role in this journey is becoming far clearer.
Feb 11, 2016
A platform for reform
Japan has made it again: For the second year running, Japan was one of the worlds leading PV nations, adding some 10 GW of new solar PV capacity in 2015. This year will prove crucial due to the anticipated liberalization of Japans retail electricity market and other policy changes that the energy ministry is planning specifically for the PV sector. So what will 2016 and beyond look like for Japans solar landscape?
Feb 11, 2016
The butterfly effect
Smart buildings: The COP21 UN summit on climate change not only nurtured unity and political will to tackle a shared problem, but it also allowed those companies that are already way ahead of the curve to showcase their achievements and inspire the next generation. One such company is power electronics firm Delta, which saw COP21 as the ideal opportunity to share its green ideals with a global audience.
Feb 11, 2016
The 41 cent project module
Price discussion: EPCs sometimes have to purchase modules at prices much higher than are feasible for their purpose, whether due to the minimum import price in the EU, import duties on Chinese modules in the U.S., or simply due to market conditions. Calculations for project modules show that sustainably produced, unsubsidized PV panels can be manufactured for significantly less than 0.50 per watt.
Feb 11, 2016
