Solar power stored in plastic
Redox-flow technology: With a new variant of the redox-flow battery, a German company from Jena wants to cut todays power storage prices in half over the next three years. What will make this possible are so-called redox polymers, which are not only economical but also offer environmental benefits.
Second half USA solar slump
U.S. markets: The second half of 2016 is not looking as good as it once did in the U.S. utility-scale market, with the extension of the U.S. federal ITC removing the pressure for off-takers to sign power contracts.
Peaks and troughs
Chinese market: June 30 marked a big day for Chinas PV industry, as the first of several planned reductions to solar FITs came into effect. A rush to get projects finished before this deadline resulted in a massive 20 GW of PV installations finished in the first six months of 2016 but whats next for PV in China? Vincent Shaw reports from Shanghai.
Cell interconnection techniques will have to change at some point
Interview: pv magazine caught up with Guy Beaucarne, whose team at Dow Corning has developed an electrically conductive adhesive especially for use in the PV Industry. The adhesive could lead to the creation of thinner cells, and significantly reduce the manufacturing cost of solar modules.
Lithium competitor poised for growth
New battery chemistries: A new battery technology, the so-called saltwater battery made by Aquion energy, is poised to take the market for stationary storage systems by storm. Sales are already impressive, and demand continues to rise. Nevertheless, pushing lithium-ion batteries out of the market with this technology will be no easy task.
Laser ablation of PERC solar cells
PERC ablation: Laser technology has become the dominant way to create openings on the back side of PERC PV cells, with no rival technologies at the moment relevant on the market. But new entrants are putting pressure on established laser makers in the worlds largest markets.
Large-scale awakening
Australia: A 480 MW batch of government-supported projects is set to transform Australias PV power plant landscape forever. Prices have come down quickly, and big solars competitiveness with wind is approaching at pace. Merchant PV power plants may not be far away, while the rooftop segment stabilizes.
International issues
Global Industry: Martin A. Green, of the Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics at the University of New South Wales, takes us through the complexities of ownership and nationality at some of the PV industrys key players.
Grow time in Vegas
Solar Power International Exhibition: Held in Las Vegas from September 13 15, this years SPI kicked off with a call for the U.S. solar market to finally take a seat at the adults table triggering intense debate about the future health of the industry.
Chinas reaction to US anti-dumping tariffs
Cost vs efficiency: After a major rush for installations across China ended in June, manufacturing overcapacity has caused module prices to plummet. Now, with the government raising efficiency requirements, developers must make leading technologies more affordable, writes Corrine Lin of EnergyTrend.
