Rigorous supervision delivers reliable output
O&M study: Frances kiloWattsol provides engineering services to PV power plant developers and has carried out performance analysis of 395 operational plants in the EU. Of these it has carried out detailed analysis of 77. kiloWattsols Stéphane Vidal shares some of the key outcomes from the analysis.
Two trends behind the shift beyond China
PV manufacturing: The shift of some PV cell and module production from China to Southeast Asia has been a feature of the global solar manufacturing landscape for some time. JA Solar has established a cell manufacturing line in Malaysia that it believes will deliver both the advantage of geographical diversification and an attractive cost structure. Christoph Flink, Head of Strategy at JA Solar spoke to pv magazine .
Trends in two directions
Module prices: Solar pioneers are being insourced by energy companies. Solar firms have begun reporting significantly better numbers.
Thermal Cycling insights
PV Module Reliability Scorecard: While nothing can rival data from the field, accelerated testing can reveal telling module quality and performance. DNV GLs Laboratory Services Group, founded by Jenya Meydbray, has carried out testing on some 30 different manufacturers as a part of its Product Qualification Program. The results contain some intriguing insights, Thermal Cycling results are presented here.
The uncertain future of silicon heterojunction solar
PV cells: Heterojunction PV cells can deliver impressive efficiency results, but they are neither easy nor cheap to produce.
The key questions for SNEC 2016
SNEC 2016: The biggest solar show in the biggest solar market rolls into Shanghai between May 24-26, bringing with it the promise of yet further clarity of just how Chinas solar sector will grow this year a year filled with economic trepidation on the one hand, but positive clean energy activity on the other. pv magazine looks ahead to what should be a fascination expo, whichever way the chips fall.
The great inverter disruption
MLPE vs. String, Part I: Following the news that power optimizer specialist SolarEdge may become the market leader for residential inverters globally this year, pv magazine revisits the MLPE space to examine just what is driving the sectors phenomenal adoption rates, and how traditional inverter suppliers can respond.
The best of the best: innovative high efficiency PV module designs
High efficiency PV: The premium end of the PV module market has remained vibrant even during the period of rapid price declines. It is a segment in which innovation can be showcased and is a keenly contested space when it comes to demonstrating manufacturing prowess and technical leadership. pv magazine showcases some of the modules leading the field in the high efficiency ranks.
Stocks on the mend
Guggenheim Solar Index: After a rough start to 2016, solar stocks are now showing encouraging signs of stability, particularly in the important U.S. market.
Solar in bloom
Distributed PV: There are solar farms, gardens and now a PV flower. On first impression the smartflower might look like an expensive way to realize a PV array. Its not once the additional electricity delivered via its unique design and capabilities is factored in, counters Alexander Swatek, the Managing Partner of smartflower energy technology. pv magazine met with the smartflower team in Vienna.
