Magazine Archive 09-2011

EPIA: PV price reductions over the last 20 years have been impressive and PV generation costs have the potential to decline by around 50 percent by 2020. A new EPIA analysis pointing to PV’s increasing competitiveness shows that solar PV is not only desirable, but realistic and competitive. EPIA President Igmar Wilhelm elaborates.

Module quality: The lamination is one of the most critical processes in current module manufacture, as module lifetime depends on it. Markus Steinkötter from Sunnyside upP, explains why buyers must trust the producers and importers.

Automation in ingot processing: Efficient wafer production starts with the production of silicon bricks. Optimized production with highly stable quality cannot be realized without process automation and robotics, explains Peter Weier of Arnold Group.

Polymer modules: Polymers can not only be used for encapsulating solar modules. Such materials can also be used to substitute classic aluminum frames or module front glasses. Manufactures expect flexible application possibilities and a lower module weight from this.

Germany: A PV and renewable wholesaler has taken its mission and put it into practice, by making its new offices into an environmental example for many other companies to follow.

Initial degradation:When monocrystalline cells are exposed to light for the first time, their efficiency decreases by up to five percent within the first few hours of operation. In some cases, customers unknowingly pay for higher efficiencies, but get less. A European standard stipulates that this should actually not happen.

Branding: A powerful brand can be a decisive differentiating factor, driving customers to the brand and creating a powerful loyalty, which once established can last a lifetime.

Rotterdam Central Station: As part of a major refurbishment of Rotterdam Central train station, Dutch-based solar specialist Scheuten Solar has been selected to produce and install a Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) system.

EU PVSEC: The 26th EU PVSEC will kick off the trade fair season in Hamburg after the summer break at the beginning of September. Around 40,000 visitors and over 950 exhibitors are expected. At the show plant builders will be showing off many of their latest developments for more efficient production and at the convention the particular focus this year is on improved crystalline cell technologies.

Belgium: Now it’s official. As of July 1, the government in Flanders made severe cuts in the subsidies for photovoltaic installations with outputs of more than one megawatt. Nevertheless, market participants continue to regard the small but impressive PV market in Belgium as attractive.