Enormous cost pressure
Interview: Coveme is one of the leading manufacturers of backsheets for modules. pv magazine talked to its President, Pier Luigi Miciano about strategies, innovations and market trends.
Evolution marches on
Higher efficiencies: For a long time, new crystalline cell technologies were mainly a topic for scientists in research laboratories. Recently, however, equipment manufacturers have started to focus on these technologies and module manufacturers are implementing them. Soon the next generation of cells and modules will be available for sale.
A dangerous connection
Plug connectors: In the last few years, an increasing number of counterfeit plug connectors has appeared on the market. These counterfeits are not easy to recognize, but it pays off to be alert. The use of knock-offs can void the warranty and even cause a fire.
Generous payment terms
Lead times: In response to anticipated strong demand, European distributors are negotiating significant new orders with manufacturers.
Global ambitions
Taiwan: Export industries in the island economy have progressed since the 1960s from petrochemicals to semiconductors, then to electronics and now energy and PV. At least that is how the logical progression was set out in the 2008 SEMI Taiwan PV Industry Overview. But in a competitive PV market where rapidly falling prices have jolted the industry, Taiwanese players face a challenge in providing a genuine point of difference to their rivals over the Taiwan Strait and beyond.
GPS against theft
Theft protection: A newly formed company is promoting the use of GPS-GSM technologies to fight theft. Nevertheless, not everyone finds this practical, some wanting to keep things traditional.
India beckons
Fifth Renewable Energy Expo: Indias 5th Renewable Energy Expo took place from August 10 to 12 in New Delhi, at Paragti Maidan. Having grown in size and scope from last year, the event is quickly gaining ground.
Keeping the cowboys out of the solar rush
UK: The UK solar PV industrys growth, sparked by the FIT scheme to incentivize investment in PV energy generation, demands tougher measures to ensure responsible, competent installation.
Needle in a haystack
Open sites: Last year, subsidy for solar installations on agricultural sites in Germany ended, and many project leaders had to put on ice plans which had already been developed. Others, however, secured suitable conversion sites for themselves ahead of time. However, building is often a cumbersome process.
New lamination concepts
Lamination: The lamination process is often the bottleneck in a PV module production line. Hence, it is time to think about new processes. Ronald F.M. Lange, founder of consulting firm 9-om, describes new concepts for the encapsulation of standard photovoltaic modules.
