Managing the big data of an EU giant
300 MW Cestas: Last month, pv magazine took a deep dive into the foundations of Europes largest PV plant, currently under construction in Cestas, France. With the plant using around one million modules, the monitoring component of the array is of crucial importance. Developer Neoen decided on relative newcomer QOS Energy on the project, and pv magazine went in search of why.
Its not all gold
SNEC 2015: Sprawling across around 15 vast exhibition halls, the SNEC trade show continues to attract the global solar industry to Shanghai. What appears to be a new cycle of manufacturing investment resulted in technology providers arriving in big numbers while Chinas booming downstream market is bringing in international investors.
It begins in Africa
Tanzania: These are stirring times for Tanzanias energy landscape. On the cusp of economic growth, solar PV is poised to play a leading role in the countrys transition from Kenyas little sister to proud and independent African beacon of hope, writes Angelika Farhan-Reimpell from GIZ.
High efficiency is mostly talk
Jinkosolar: Long regarded as one of the leaders when it comes to production costs, JinkoSolar has continued to expand its production capacity, right across the crystalline silicon production chain. IHS ranks it as the fifth-largest module manufacturer, and the company is also investing heavily in the booming Chinese downstream market. pv magazine spoke to company chairman Xiande Li at the SNEC trade show in Shanghai to discuss the companys performance and future objectives.
From farm to flash
Bypass diodes: The Zurich University of Applied Sciences has developed a new mobile LED flasher that can test module nominal power in the field, rather than in the lab. This flasher can also detect faulty bypass diodes quickly and easily. pv magazine was invited along to see the system in action at a German array.
Finding your way in the dark
Quality in aging arrays: Finding the right quality is an issue that comes up repeatedly for anyone who builds PV plants, regardless of size. In preparation for the round table discussion on the topic, Quality in Rooftop PV at Intersolar Europe in Munich, pv magazine has compiled the responses of more than 200 experts on their approaches to quality and experiences with customers and investors.
EU must roll with it
Those were the days, my friend. There was a time in the European PV industry when it seemed that the good times would roll on forever. Component prices were high, as were subsidies, and it seemed that everywhere you turned someone was making money. The parties were lavish and, so too, were the budgets. But […]
Beyond tier one
PV manufacturing: With big brands, high levels of exposure and slick press outfits, tier one module manufacturers invariable hog the solar limelight. But beyond the well-known names, tier two and three manufacturers play a crucial role. But what position do they find themselves in as the market emerges from its module glut? Clean Energy Associates Andy Klump finds a shifting landscape.
Bell goes for round two
Trade dispute: For the first time ever a large trade group, the European Photovoltaic Industry Association, has taken a stand on phasing out minimum prices for Chinese PV imports. However, it is still uncertain whether this will come to pass. EU Prosun has already submitted more complaints to the European Commission and has announced that it will call for an expiry review this fall.
Asias inverter expansion
Inverters: Having spent years building expertise and sales channels in domestic markets, many of the leading inverter suppliers from China and Japan have begun to branch out overseas. With their home markets largely secure from foreign infiltration, do these would-be inverter giants have what it takes to capture global revenues in the same way as their fellow cell and module counterparts?
