Track and Yield – 07-2017
Already a subscriber?
Login
Excerpt from the magazine
Tracking PV’s success?
E-mobility in China: China’s track record in the PV industry is impressive: In a short period of time it has built up the world’s dominant production base for key solar PV components, including PV modules and inverters. Not only that, but many of these manufacturers are at the leading edge technologically, resulting in products that are not only very cost competitive, but also technologically advanced.
Jul 07, 2017
Playing it safe
Lithium-ion batteries and fire safety: Lithium-ion batteries are taking the market by storm. But as demonstrated in incidents with tablets and other devices, they also carry the risk of uncontrolled thermal events. How much of a danger is this, and what can be done to mitigate these risks?
Jul 07, 2017
Climate for innovation
European cleantech startups: While the cleantech and renewable energy industries enjoy an undeniably global presence in 2017, Europe remains an important center for innovation, and the first testing ground for many new technologies. pv magazine takes a look at the role of startups in the energy transition, and the current climate for young companies on the continent.
Jul 07, 2017
Subscribe now for instant access to this issue and every published issue since 2016.
Subscribe
Module maker ranking
c-Si manufacturing: pv magazine partners with the team of solar analysts at IHS Markit to provide figures for the top 10 crystalline silicon module manufacturers, based on 2016 production figures, and examine the state of supply and demand for these top tier players.
Jul 07, 2017
Back to the front side
Lasers and selective emitters: It was hyped, then more-or-less disappeared from view. The application of processes within crystalline silicon PV cell production to achieve a selective emitter architecture has seen hype and interest evaporate in the face of an evolving technology and market landscape. But the front side process may come surging back in the very near future, as lasers deliver a solar technology blast from the past.
Jul 07, 2017
Blue is the new black
Utilities and solar: The old structures of centralized power generation are slowly being eroded by a combination of more affordable solar PV and cleantech innovation. Many of Europe’s big utilities were initially resistant to this changing of the old guard, but a growing number are now realigning their business structures to place PV at the forefront.
Jul 07, 2017
Local government in the driver’s seat
U.S. PV growth: The Solar Foundation’s Andrea Luecke examines the growth of solar in the United States, and the elements that need to be in place for it to be sure to continue. With the national outlook cloudy, local communities will play a key role in shaping future solar industry growth.
Jul 07, 2017
Turmoil in residential solar
U.S. residential: After years of steady, relentless growth, the U.S. residential solar market is struggling with challenges on both the policy and customer acquisition fronts. And as the market diversifies away from California and the Northeast, the future is far from clear.
Jul 07, 2017
New ways forward, as things stay the same
It was hard to miss. At the entrance to Hall A1 at the 26th Intersolar Europe last month in Munich, an empty space greeted visitors. It was where the SolarWorld AG booth was to be. The German company’s booth had been a mainstay at Europe’s largest solar event for something like 20 years, and its […]
Jul 07, 2017
