PV at sixty degrees
PV in the Middle East: The countries of the Arabian peninsula are carrying out more and more research on the use of solar energy. The industry is getting into position and competing for the first reference projects. However, some patience is still needed. And time for a nice cup of tea and a chat.
Precision coating
Selective emitter process: The thin, uniform application of dopants is critical to the successful formation of selective emitters on photovoltaic cells. Considerable effort is ongoing to improve the efficiency of photovoltaic cells. Recently, much attention has been given to the formation of selective emitters to significantly improve the efficiency of the solar cell. In a two-part series, Ultrasonic Systems President Stuart Erickson and Chinalight Solars Senior Engineer, Yang Song, Deputy Director of Research and Development, Ye Duan, and Deputy General Manager Youzhong Li elaborate.
Post-Fukushima
Japan: Post-Fukushima Japan is a vastly different place to the one which committed to a nuclear energy future. Recent government announcements regarding a drive towards solar research and development and a feed-in tariff scheme with strong political support all indicate Japans energy future will result in a commitment to renewable sources with solar and PV at its core.
Much more than just ramping up production
China: Chinese cell and module manufacturers are ramping up production capacity even as major markets in Europe show signs of slowing down. Chinas production of photovoltaic (PV) cells doubled from four gigawatts (GW) at the end of 2009 to eight GW at the end of 2010. This year will bring a further significant ramp-up in Chinese PV manufacturing capacity and production.
Marriage of convenience
Solar and retail: Big U.S. retailers such as Lowes and Costco are increasing their solar electric equipment sales and services by teaming up with solar service providers who can do sales, financing and installation.
A challenge and an opportunity
Concentrating photovoltaics: In recent months, the market for terrestrial CPV has gained some momentum. As dual axis tracking is a must-have for CPV to maximize investment in materials and optimize conversion efficiency, it presents both an opportunity and a challenge for tracker manufacturers.
Large market for small systems
PV in developing countries: Simon Rolland, Secretary General of the Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE), on business models for small-scale off-grid photovoltaics.
Heard it through the grapevine
Intersolar blogs: Trawling the Intersolar Europe 2011 trade show, both the pv magazine and photovoltaik bloggers worked hard to provide you with the most holistic coverage possible. Read on to discover what they had to say and who won the coveted iPad.
Generating dollars where theres no sun
Solar inverter upgrade: A Canadian Engineering Professor has come up with a way to use idle solar inverter capacity in the evening to help relieve congestion on the grid and expand capacity for wind and other renewable sources. If it works as envisioned, it could open up new revenue opportunities for both solar and wind developers and help utilities defer costs.
From dawn to dusk
Yield comparison: In diffuse light, thin film modules produce more electricity than crystalline thick-film variants and thus return higher annual yields overall. That is the promise made by many manufacturers. Yet current studies by TÜV Rheinland show that this isnt the case, at least not across the board.
