Same but different
PV Expo Japan: Change is coming to the Japanese solar sector, but the proposed policy tweaks and liberalization reforms will likely deliver a soft landing from an expected PV peak in 2016, and although there is uncertainty, a quiet confidence courses through the industrys veins.
Industry 4.0 will result in intelligent production
Robotics and automation: With the financial outlook for investments in PV production looking increasingly strong, pv magazine speaks with Kuka Industries Paul Merz to see what the current investment cycle means for the deployment of robotic solutions.
New trackers on the block
Trackers: A handful of new PV tracker companies have emerged into this global bull market for utility-scale trackers, offering new designs, new benefits and in some cases, new pricing. The barriers to entry into the leading U.S. tracker market are substantial, but these companies are prepared to find a niche and grow.
Major change in Polish incentives
Poland: When the long-prepared Renewable Energy Sources bill was passed by Polands lower house, the Sejm, and then signed into law by the Polish president in spring 2015, it seemed that the dispute over incentives for renewable energy in Poland was finally over. Poland was due to switch from the quota regime to the auction system on January 1, 2016. Yet shortly before the end of 2015 the government postponed the introduction of the auction system for another six months. This is likely the first step towards a complete overhaul of the incentive system before auctions are introduced. Rödl & Partners Piotr Mrowiec reports.
Indian market to double in 2016
India: With more than 4 GW of new installations forecast for 2016, Indias solar market appears to be maturing well. Raj Prabhu, the CEO of Mercom Capital Group explores the factors behind the rapid solar expansion, and the dangers of very low project bids.
India: potential finally realized?
India analysis: The stars appear to be aligning for 2016 to be the year India arrives on solars main stage. But will the growth rate be sustained? SPV Market Researchs Paula Mints investigates the opportunities and pitfalls.
Ecobuild London: UK searches for a solar future
Ecobuild 2016: With their love of the property market and a considerable groundswell of support for environmental outcomes, the U.K. is an ideal location in which to bring the built environment and clean technology together. However, with the savage cuts to government support for solar ringing in the ears of attendees, discussions about the outlook for the countrys energy sector in general were common.
Coming home to roost
Turkey: The Turkish PV sector is expected to reach up to 1 GW of cumulative solar PV installations by the end of 2016, which is not exactly the most astonishing news given the countrys acute need for power and its great solar resource. Nevertheless, it is an encouraging step. So, what are the factors that are going to drive or delay Turkeys PV take off?
Beyond Europe
Solar industry leaders met in Brussels last month for Solar Power Europes 11th annual workshop. CEO James Watson delivered the keynote and the EUs unexpectedly strong solar performance in 2015 was the theme. Looking further forward, and even only to 2016, the outlook is far less rosy. With the U.K. market (pp. 58 – 59) […]
2015 Poly and wafer rankings
PV manufacturing: Polysilicon manufacturers and wafer producers are facing wildly different fortunes. With polysilicon prices remaining low, the competitive landscape is in flux. But quality still counts. Wafer demand remains strong as wafer, cell and module capacities have not expanded in step. Christian Roselund reports.
