Magazine Archive 11-2016

Financial activity: Total corporate funding in the solar sector has picked up in the third quarter of 2016. $3 billion has been brought into the sector from a variety of sources. Raj Prabhu, CEO at Mercom Capital, provides a detailed analysis.

Q1-Q3 supply update: With prices falling fast, SPV Market Research’s Paula Mints advises caution as production capacities outstrip end-market demand. The exceedingly tight margins for manufacturers could prove “disastrous.”

Module and cell prices: Rapid price declines have been the major trend in the latter stages of 2016. Undoubtedly the dynamic will have profound impacts across the market. pv magazine investigates the causes, the effects and the new normal of low-cost PV.

PV Taiwan 2016: A massive new PV installation target, but an export-focused industry reeling under the weight of oversupply. The key Taiwanese solar industry show presented a mix of hope and harsh reality. pv magazine was on the spot.

Batteries for Japan: Japan’s residential solar sector has been gradually expanding for years, but the market may be on the cusp of rapid growth. The government’s plan to eliminate net primary energy consumption in all newly constructed homes by 2030 – as well as a subsidy of JPY 50,000 ($485) /kWh for homeowners who install lithium-ion batteries – could drive demand for rooftop solar panels and energy-storage solutions to previously unseen levels by the end of this decade.

UK solar: Despite a few rays of sunlight every now and then, dark clouds have gathered over Britain’s PV sector, and look set to remain for the near future at least. pv magazine explores the immediate prospects for the U.K. market in 2017 and onwards.

Uncertain times: Solar stocks continue to underperform, with inverter makers feeling the pressure from China. The broader market is slowed by U.S. election fears.

Middle East: “Solar prices keep falling,” they keep calling, and true to form the markets keep answering. Interestingly, it is the Middle East markets that are making headlines with the lowest priced bids for solar energy projects. The question is, are these projects viable?

Interview: In the new environment of crushed prices, quality and durability are as important as ever as a means for PV module makers to differentiate their product. In light of these factors, Rogier Reinders, Head of Marketing for Europe at Dow Corning, has provided pv magazine with some insight into the advantages of silicone as a key material in glass-glass PV modules.

Smarter maintenance: From capex to opex, the focus for downstream developers is shifting. The ability to collect detailed data to enable proactive maintenance is proving a powerful tool for fleet owners and O&M providers. pv magazine investigates some of the key technology enabling the shift and allowing faults to be corrected, before they become a problem.