Magazine Archive 2011

Yield forecasts: Recently experts have been able to precisely predict just how much solar electricity transmission system operators will be able to reckon with the next day. This represents an important step toward better integration of photovoltaic plants into the electricity grid.

Optical inspection systems for cell production (inline): These systems work without contact, are quick and can provide vital information to solar producers. Despite the prowess these systems have, there are still certain issues in need of rectification. How does one assess these systems?

4th General Assembly of VDMA Photovoltaic Equipment: Leading German photovoltaic suppliers discussed the latest trends in the photovoltaic supplier industry. Besides cost aspects for equipment makers and their customers, market development, technology trends and the actual R&D policies were topics of the convention. Florian Wessendorf from VDMA talks about the highlights of the assembly.

Interview: With increasing importance being placed on optical inspection in the bid to raise quality, the systems that are already in the market are offering more. pv magazine spoke with KLA-Tencor ICOS Division’s Senior Marketing Director, Pieter Vandewalle, on what the inspection and metrology tools supplier has on its plate and in the works.

Building integrated PV: Great architecture is usually found on buildings in which money is no object. This also applies for showcase building integrated photovoltaics. But there are also many examples of how ordinary houses can be well designed with BIPV. Among these are two energy-plus buildings.

Ardour Solar Index: M&A activity partially offsets weak 1H11 outlooks. The 1Q11 margin pressure is likely to continue in 2Q11.

PVGU: Pythagoras Solar recently installed, as part of a solar window pilot project, two of the world’s first transparent photovoltaic glass units (PVGUs) on the U.S.’s tallest building. The aim is to evaluate whether photovoltaic glass unit technology can become an established part of the BIPV industry. Following initial feedback, Pythagoras is confident it can be.

Solar glass: Modules should be cost-effective and durable. How difficult it is to achieve this becomes very obvious when taking a look at the requirements that module manufacturers place on their glass manufacturers. Glass manufacturers, on the other hand, also have requests of the module manufacturers.