Magazine Archive 09-2012

Solar and storage: Solar power manufacturers and storage solutions producers are joining forces. Pike Research’s research analyst in the Smart Energy practice, Brittany Gibson, explains how this helps and the direction of these collaborations.

Module prices: Large price decreases should lead to higher demand in the fourth quarter.

India: The trade war slowly makes its way into India. Indian manufacturers have lodged a complaint against the Chinese on charges of dumping modules at unacceptable prices as well. Madhavan Nampoothiri of RESolve Energy Consultants elaborates.

Spain: The Spanish government is once again asking operators of solar power plants to pitch in in an effort to cover the public debts of the electricity sector. Opposition has come not only from Spain, but also from Brussels and the USA.

Bulgaria: At midyear the government in Sofia lowered the feed-in tariffs for PV generated electricity. Attorney Cornelia Draganova, partner at Coeler Legal, gives an overview of the legal principles underlying solar energy production in Bulgaria.

Ardour Solar Index: Selling pressure resumes as the industry remains in flux. Trade war and mixed 2Q12 results drive down the index.

Interview: With its high solar radiation and growing demand for energy, North Africa is set to become a big future solar market. pv magazine spoke with expert Badr Ikken, Director and cofounder of Moroccan-based National Institute IRESEN about the current situation in the region, and its potential.

Energy management: Many companies have been looking at the topic of energy management for a number of years, firstly to lower operating costs and secondly for ecological reasons. Franz Breitwieser, System Technology, Fronius International, explains how.

EEG amendment in Germany: It took a long time, but after the compromise agreed upon by the mediation committee, the German Parliament and Federal Council adopted a slightly improved draft law just before the summer break. pv magazine recaps the new regulations that retroactively entered into force as of April 1.