In conversation – 08-2018
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Excerpt from the magazine
Leadership drives innovation
Leadership can take many forms. And it’s entirely necessary in fast moving industries like PV. Whether it’s in driving solar to new groups of consumers or enhancing their end experience, bringing holistic solutions to industrial or utility players, or forging collaborations between researchers and those that will apply the latest technology in scale applications, leadership […]
Aug 09, 2018
Are electric vehicles changing BP’s business model?
Old energy giants are eyeing up big investments and acquisitions in the world of EV charging infrastructure. Delta-ee’s Alex Lewis Jones looks into the way these companies are positioning themselves in the growing landscape of EV adoption.
Aug 09, 2018
Past the point of no return
The Netherlands, second-last in the EU when it comes to the production of renewable energy, presented its first draft of the Dutch Climate Agreement. This agreement is drafted to set out targets and policies across sectors such that the country adheres to the previously proposed Climate Act. When both are signed, writes Rolf Heynen, the Netherlands will be only the seventh country worldwide with such an act – and on paper one of the most ambitious. What will this mean for solar energy?
Aug 09, 2018
Cells of the future
For solar to survive in a world without feed-in tariffs, further innovation focused on cost reduction is necessary. In this white paper, scientists from Swiss equipment supplier Meyer Burger argue that high efficiency cell concepts, and in particular heterojunction, will be among the best technologies solar can bet on to achieve this.
Aug 09, 2018
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More strings to the bow
New developments in inverter architecture suggest that string inverters have charged forwards again to take on the challenge and kick central inverters off the throne in the utility-scale market. Hardware design innovations allowing to cut down BoS capex and improve efficiency of the plants might push string inverters further to take more space in the utility-scale market place.
Aug 09, 2018
More than two sides to new technology
Working with bifacial: Bifacial modules are gaining ground in the PV market, thanks to their potential for high efficiency and performance without major changes to the module production line. These efficient PV modules need to be used with the right inverter in order to maximize value. Based on empirical data collected by Huawei, this article describes the best inverter features needed for integration into a project with bifacial modules.
Aug 08, 2018
The caterpillar effect
The solar industry is still debating the extent to which this problem, whereby temperature-related expansions and contractions cause an installed system to move gradually across a rooftop, actually occurs in flat-roof PV systems, and what a practical remedy might look like.
Aug 08, 2018
“It is very accurate”
The number of SMEs in the solar sector that can claim three decades of experience is relatively small. Valentin Software, the provider of the PVSol platform, is one such company. And in its 30th year, Steffen Lindemann, Managing Director of Valentin says that the role of software in combining PV into an integrated energy system is continuing to grow.
Aug 08, 2018
“Now, the Japanese government regards renewables as a major energy source”
Japan is expected to install 6-7 GW in 2018, an impressive feat in the face of a decreasing FIT, cancellation of approved projects, and a sluggish start to its tender program. Here Izumi Kaizuka of leading Tokyo-based market research agency RTS Corporation gives an update on the latest developments in Japan’s PV market.
Aug 08, 2018
Building a successful ecosystem
India’s government must create a complete ecosystem to ensure the effective on-ground execution of its ambitious solar program, says Chakradhar Byreddy, Director Renewable Energy, UL, Asia Pacific. This includes investing in laboratory infrastructure and skills for technical due diligence, energy yield assessment, and forecasting.
Aug 08, 2018
“It’s not surprising, we are starting to feel the momentum”
Meyer Burger looks set to return to profit in the first half of 2018, for the first time in several years. pv magazine caught up with Hans Brändle, CEO of the Swiss equipment manufacturer, to discuss the latest developments on the equipment supply landscape in 2018.
Aug 08, 2018
“It’s all about controlling the hydrogen”
When pioneering and award-winning solar researcher Stuart Wenham passed away suddenly shortly before Christmas last year, some in the PV industry may have wondered what would become of his research into the role of hydrogen in crystalline silicon cells. His daughter, Alison Ciesla is answering that question alongside Wenham’s former team at UNSW, advancing its work into the crucial role of hydrogen in the degradation of silicon cells.
Aug 08, 2018
Stranded investments, the Energiewende, and blockchain
Jules Kortenhorst, CEO of USA-based Rocky Mountain Institute speaks with pv magazine about the impact of stranded investments, the institute’s partnership with a blockchain startup, and how the Energy Web Foundation can remain neutral.
Aug 08, 2018
New company, new investor, new product
After a management buyout in 2016, Isovoltaic is bringing a new-look backsheet onto the market – through its carve-out Solinex. It claims the new backsheet delivers superior performance including low water vapor transmission, high acetic acid permeability, high hydrolytic stability, and high reflectivity. CEO Thomas Rossegger provides insight into the process and the innovative approach to encapsulation.
Aug 08, 2018
“We have a clear goal”
With its TrinaPro solution launched back in March of this year, and the first project now underway – a 250 MW plant in Shaanxi Province, being developed under China’s Top Runner Program – Trina Solar is expanding beyond module supply. pv magazine spoke with Rongfang Yin, Trina Solar’s Vice President of Global Sales and Marketing, about the solution and the company’s plans for further development.
Aug 08, 2018
How can a home furnishing company succeed in solar?
Having entered the solar space four years ago with residential rooftop kits, Ikea added storage to its product mix in 2017. pv magazine caught up with Signe Antvorskov Krag, Global Development Leader IKEA Home Solar Business to discuss business models, its role in the industry, and how it intends to execute the next stage of its plan: energy communities.
Aug 08, 2018
What does it have to do with the price of PV in China?
Following China’s announcement to drastically reduce solar PV installations from over 50 GW in 2017 to reach no more than 30 GW in 2018, profound effects reach all markets. pv magazine assembles expert opinion to provide an anaylsis.
Aug 08, 2018
Notes from the Solar Underground
Concern about tariffs, trade wars, and the future of PV deployment following the changes in China’s policies hung over the annual Intersolar North America conference, held in San Francisco each July. Attendance was flat over the previous year, as was the number of exhibitors. Stretching the exhibit over three floors also gave the impression of lighter attendance from previous years.
Aug 08, 2018
Inverter suppliers must innovate to survive
While PV inverter shipments are forecast to reach over 96 GW (AC) in 2018, market volatility is an ever-present feature of the global market, writes Cormac Gilligan, Research Manager for Solar and Energy Storage at IHS Markit. Installation declines in major markets like China and Japan, tariffs being proposed on Chinese products in the U.S, goods and services tax (GST) in India for all inverters being imported, and an ever-increasing global competitive landscape as Chinese suppliers are forced to rapidly internationalize are common market challenges.
Aug 08, 2018
India’s trade war
India is currently the second-largest market in the world for PV module demand, and with China’s domestic demand frozen since the 31/5 notification, China’s total module demand in 2018 will likely only achieve 32-34 GW. This will allow India, which may surpass 10 GW in annual demand, to reach 13% of global PV demand this year. As a result, the future trend of India’s trade war has become an influential factor in the global PV industry.
Aug 08, 2018
Greetings from the madhouse …
So ended a recent e-mail from a good friend in the PV industry, a pioneer with over 30 years of experience. It was regarding an exchange about current market developments and the sharp price declines over the past few weeks and months – not a bad analogy! But the influence on global brand development has […]
Aug 08, 2018
