UK: Renewables eliminate need for nuclear power
According to a new report, the “explosive” growth of photovoltaics in the U.K., and the related falling costs, mean the market for nuclear is disappearing. Combined with “stiff competition” from other renewables, the case for investing in nuclear is shaky at best.
CPV system prices to decline 16% annually to 2016
Concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) cost reductions and “major” technological advancements will see global installations rising to almost 1.2 GW by 2012, states IMS Research.
New Jersey and Pennsylvania should bank on solar new report
A report commissioned by trade associations representing more than 100 solar companies in New Jersey and Pennsylvania has, perhaps not surprisingly, extolled the benefits of photovoltaics over conventional electricity generation.
PV sweeps German environmental prizes
Andreas Bett from Fraunhofer ISE and Hansjörg Lerchenmüller from Soitec Solar have been awarded the German Environmental Award 2012. SMA Solar Technology’s Günther Cramer is another recipient of this year’s prize.
Fraunhofer plans to chart solar cell achievements
The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) has made plans to release a so-called Fraunhofer ISE PV Charts where manufacturers can enter their cells, coupled with designs and performance.
Is the answer to clean, cheap and reliable solar energy floating in the sea?
A team of researchers at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and research body SINTEF are exploring how algae can be used to create next-generation solar cells. Mathias Aare Maehlum, a Masters student in energy and environmental engineering at NTNU explains.
Meyer Burger announces 303 Watt PV module
Using just 60 solar cells, Meyer Burger Technology Ltd has created a 303 W photovoltaic module in production conditions. “Significant” cost reductions are expected to follow.
Roth & Rau unveils nickel busbars for solar cells
Germanys Roth & Rau has developed a new concept for the metallization of solar cell busbars using nickel instead of silver, thus introducing savings of between 50 and 70%.
Air Liquide unveils new solar R&D lab
Air Liquide has inaugurated its new R&D lab in France. Via a solar cell pilot manufacturing line, the company aims to speed-up the introduction of next generation passivation and light trapping technologies.
US SunShot program unveils $10 million rooftop PV competition
In its bid to significantly lower the costs of solar technology and make it competitive with other forms of energy by the end of the decade, the U.S. Department of Energys SunShot program has unveiled a competition inviting participants to demonstrate faster, cheaper and easier ways of installing rooftop photovoltaic systems.
