First inventory decrease this year
Lead times: Demand during May and June increased decidedly, and manufacturing lines ordered in 2010 are being taken out of the boxes.
Foreign investment welcome
Mozambique: On May 17, the Mozambican Parliament approved the National Programme for New and Renewable Energy for 2011-2025, following the launch of the draft policy in 2009. The government is encouraging investors to explore renewable energy sources in the country in order to assure the electrification of rural communities and reduce the costs of the expansion of the national electricity grid.
From dawn to dusk
Yield comparison: In diffuse light, thin film modules produce more electricity than crystalline thick-film variants and thus return higher annual yields overall. That is the promise made by many manufacturers. Yet current studies by TÜV Rheinland show that this isnt the case, at least not across the board.
Generating dollars where theres no sun
Solar inverter upgrade: A Canadian Engineering Professor has come up with a way to use idle solar inverter capacity in the evening to help relieve congestion on the grid and expand capacity for wind and other renewable sources. If it works as envisioned, it could open up new revenue opportunities for both solar and wind developers and help utilities defer costs.
Heard it through the grapevine
Intersolar blogs: Trawling the Intersolar Europe 2011 trade show, both the pv magazine and photovoltaik bloggers worked hard to provide you with the most holistic coverage possible. Read on to discover what they had to say and who won the coveted iPad.
Large market for small systems
PV in developing countries: Simon Rolland, Secretary General of the Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE), on business models for small-scale off-grid photovoltaics.
Looking ahead
Intersolar Europe: Grid parity for solar electricity and the renewable energy mix are in sight. This was the message put across by the Intersolar Europe 2011 trade exhibition, which this year celebrated its 20th anniversary.
Marriage of convenience
Solar and retail: Big U.S. retailers such as Lowes and Costco are increasing their solar electric equipment sales and services by teaming up with solar service providers who can do sales, financing and installation.
Much more than just ramping up production
China: Chinese cell and module manufacturers are ramping up production capacity even as major markets in Europe show signs of slowing down. Chinas production of photovoltaic (PV) cells doubled from four gigawatts (GW) at the end of 2009 to eight GW at the end of 2010. This year will bring a further significant ramp-up in Chinese PV manufacturing capacity and production.
Post-Fukushima
Japan: Post-Fukushima Japan is a vastly different place to the one which committed to a nuclear energy future. Recent government announcements regarding a drive towards solar research and development and a feed-in tariff scheme with strong political support all indicate Japans energy future will result in a commitment to renewable sources with solar and PV at its core.
