In the fast lane
Industry ranking: Project planners and constructors of large photovoltaic power plants are developing very rapidly. Some companies that were unknown yesterday are at the forefront today. Others have had to bow out of the front places from one year to the next.
Increasing photovoltaic efficiency
Selective emitters: Increasing cell efficiency remains an active and important aspect in the solar industry. Laser doping for selective emitters of crystalline solar cells holds the potential to break some boundaries, as Peter Oesterlin and Andreas Büchel of Jenoptik discuss.
Incremental innovations and cost parity
Singapore International Energy Week: Many questions were asked pertaining to the future of photovoltaics in Singapore, the region and Asia as a whole. Costs, efficiencies, protectionist solar markets, customized Asian modules and policies were mulled over. REC opened its integrated facility. And taboo words were uttered. pv magazine revisits the highlights of the week.
Inventory is piling up
Inventory update: Inventories saw a sharp increase this autumn. The declining political support behind photovoltaics seems to be a concern among participants of the Renewable Analytics EU PV Dealer & Installer Survey.
No reflection please
Anti-reflective coatings: An anti-reflective coating (ARC) can be important in increasing a modules output power. pv magazine looks at some of the coatings and technology on the market, as well as the coming together of glass and solar manufacturers.
Our place in the sun
Desertec: By end of the year 2010, the Desertec Industrial Initiative (Dii) had planned to develop a concept for its vision of supplying Europe with solar electricity from the deserts of North Africa and the Near East. Yet little concrete information has been provided up to now. Perhaps France will be able to provide the German project with a jump start.
Spot market for PV panels // Drop in demand
Module prices: German demand declined more sharply than anticipated and suppliers have responded with price reductions. Prices will presumably continue to drop since stocks are to be cleared by the end of the year.
Thin film expansion
CIGS thin film: How thin films that use copper, indium, gallium and selenium can find fast market acceptance has been a big question for CIGS technology developers. The answer, perhaps not surprisingly, depends on the size of their bank accounts and factories.
Through the Suntech looking glass
Suntech: What PV trends does the worlds largest producer of crystalline silicon solar panels anticipate? During a two-day fact finding mission to China, pv magazine gained an insiders glimpse through Suntechs looking glass via its CEO and CTO. Thin film and technological advancements, consolidation and silicon manufacturing were discussed.
Tracking the market
Solar trackers: Just like their products, which follow the suns trajectory day in and day out, solar tracker manufacturers are adapting to the ever-changing conditions of the PV market. The two main trends are simplifying installation, and the introduction of products better suited to the climate and regulatory regimes to better exploit emerging market opportunities around the world.
