Magazine Archive 2011

Polysilicon: The conversion of the gas trichlorosilane to high-purity polycrystalline silicon is a complex process. With sophisticated automation technology, not only can the process be reliably operated, but the quality of the end product can also be improved. Ute Forstner, Peter Holzapfel and Rainer Mahler from Siemens AG elaborate.

Solar Industry Summit UK: The first Solar Industry Summit UK took place last month. While UK PV has made great strides, the industry has been left in limbo after the government announced its fast track FIT review. With many companies left financially exposed as a result, this topic cast a shadow over the event.

Ghana: Despite an inexhaustible amount of sunlight, photovoltaic technology in Ghana, as in many other African countries, has thus far stood in the shadows. However, gradual changes appear to be underway. Now, even on-grid PV is supposed to be advanced with a new energy law and feed-in tariffs.

Glass for BIPV: Glass is the substrate of choice for the PV industry. But some glass suppliers are exploring opportunities to supply PV-integrated glazing, where printing solar cells is compatible with the production of colored and other forms of decorative architectural glass.

Residential solar leasing: The U.S. residential solar market is benefiting from solar leases and power purchase agreements. According to predictions, these types of financing programs will help to push the industry forward. Here, pv magazine looks at the most important market players and analyzes their solar offerings. Financing hurdles are also discussed.

Radio Frequency Identification: RFID is an excellent real-time tracing tool that improves the management of the supply chain by enhancing its productivity, accountability and inventory management, not only on the shop floor, but also in large-scale on- and off-grid power plants. Highly reliable, industrial RFID provides 100 percent process traceability, as IAITO Infotech’s Anand Shenoy explains.

China’s “Golden Sun” program: For many years, the Chinese photovoltaics industry was completely dependent on exports. Now China is developing its domestic PV market. Foreign players are welcome to take part in the process.

Intersolar preview: From June 8 to 10 of this year, Munich, Germany, welcomes the international photovoltaic world again for Intersolar Europe. Expecting a turnout of 75,000 visitors, organizers Solar Promotion, are confident that the unstable political situation in Europe is not going to dampen the spirits.

Lead times: The trend towards lower purchasing lead times is ebbing, but has not yet reversed. Distributors expect inventories to peak in Q2 2011.

Process and quality management systems: Factory-wide automation of process and quality control is an emerging trend in PV fabs around the world. Driving the trend is the need to improve yield, produce higher efficiency cells more consistently, and cut manufacturing costs.