Magazine Archive 2011

PV training: If off-grid PV systems do not come with skilled installers, there is a high risk that they fail or underperform. One of the lecturers at the Renewables Academy (RENAC) in Berlin reports on his experiences in the off-grid solar power business.

Off-grid Bangladesh: Off-grid Base Terminal Stations are turning towards solar energy to power the telecommunication possibilities in the country. Carbon footprint reduction and sustainability are core ideologies behind the deletion of diesel and entry of solar. Pilot project success stories drive further plans.

Interview: GP Solar’s Managing Director Eric Rüland explains innovations and the complex process of weeding out the good from the bad.

ETFE innovation: Ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene films allow PV module manufacturers to deliver a lightweight, high-performance product. Nikhil Bhiwankar, Research Associate at Saint-Gobain Solar, explains the benefits of ETFE.

Off-grid PV in Africa: Phaesun from Memmingen, Germany, a systems integrator specialised in off-grid photovoltaics, has successfully completed many projects in developed and developing countries. A report on Phaesun’s experiences in rural and periurban areas of Eritrea and Tanzania, East Africa.

Module prices: As was to be expected, there was a sharp decline in prices in each of the regions of origin. Spot market prices hit a record low in January.

CEO interview: Solis Partners MD Jamie Hahn talks to pv magazine about solar renewable energy certificates – their success in the New Jersey marketplace and the areas which still need development. He also discusses incentive schemes, and the company’s competitive strategy.

Industry ranking: Whether among raw silicon or wafer manufacturers – the competition is dynamic and some companies are expanding especially fast. Market researchers and analysts provide information about these manufacturers and their strategies.

Power for remote areas: Phocos AG, a manufacturer of solar-powered charge controllers, components and energy-saving appliances, has always focused on off-grid applications, often in areas with difficult conditions in climate and infrastructure. A report on some of the recent projects.

Monitoring systems: They warn against loss of performance, but sometimes they also trigger false alarms, causing unnecessary service call-outs. How such errors can be minimized was Armin Schmiegel’s topic at the 1st Inverter and PV System Technology Forum 2011 in Berlin (January 24-25, 2011). In pv magazine, the expert from voltwerk electronics, together with his colleague Andreas Linhart, explains the details.