Magazine Archive 2011

Greece: With plenty of sunshine, generous and uncapped feed-in tariffs (FITs) and many islands relying on expensive diesel for electricity, Greece would seem to provide fertile grounds for photovoltaic (PV) growth. Based on these conditions, Lux research recently named it as one of the top-three most attractive countries for residential PV. However, regulatory bottlenecks and an almost-complete financial meltdown have cast a shadow over Greece’s PV progress.

Performance drop: Modules are not usually tested to determine whether potential-induced degradation (PID) could jeopardize their performance. As experts continue the discussion what conditions actually cause the effect to occur, some module manufacturers are beginning to act. Those who want to be on the safe side can buy modules designed to be resistant to the effect.

Solar Power International 2011: Executive Director of Solar Energy Trade Shows LLC, Brian Tully talked to pv magazine about the eighth annual SPI tradeshow and conference, which, in addition to a new location, includes an advisory council, outdoor exhibition space and Earvin “Magic” Johnson.

Optimal logistics opportunities: With global business an increasing reality for PV, the role of logistics is transforming from service provider to true partner. Holger Meyer from Hellman Worldwide Logistics makes the case for integrated partnerships to move plant, products and business in the right direction, at the right time.

Forum Solarpraxis: As the PV market matures, new aspects of the industry are emerging and coming into focus. One of these is the end-of-life issue regarding PV modules, in particular collection and recycling. Increasingly becoming a hot topic, it is one of the themes that will be discussed by a panel of industry experts at this year’s Forum Solarpraxis, on November 17 and 18, in Berlin.

Ardour Solar Index: Margin structures remain under pressure. Bankruptcies further sour solar market sentiment.

EU PVSEC: The 26th EU PVSEC opened its doors to the PV world in Hamburg this year. Better organized than last year in Valencia, the exhibition attracted similar numbers of visitors and exhibitors and drew some mixed reactions.

Interview: Hitherto focused on Europe, which accounted for 66 percent of its revenue in 2010, Suntech Power is diversifying its strategy, betting big on the U.S., Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa. In an exclusive interview, Shi Zhengrong, founder and CEO, talks to pv magazine about the company’s latest plans.

Ontario:An upcoming election, grid constraints and trade disputes conspire to undermine the success of North America’s most promising FIT program.

Solar incentives in the U.S.: Solar manufacturers and project developers often point out – and complain – about the hodgepodge of regulations across the United States that make this market more complex and challenging to tackle. Yet state policies have been the key driving force behind the solar energy boom in recent years.