The silent revolution continues
The story of solar electricity: The eighteenth part of our series of chapters from John Perlins book From Space to Earth looks back at how photovoltaics became widely accepted around the world.
Welcome China
Dear readers, In 2010, the People’s Republic of China overtook Japan as the second largest economy in the world. China is also setting the pace more and more when it comes to photovoltaic technology. In its newest five-year plan the central government in Peking defined renewable energy as one of seven strategic industries. Newly installed […]
What to do about PV waste?
Opinion: Some companies offer voluntary recycling services. At governmental level, the issue has only been addressed by the European Union. Jennifer Woolwich sums up the considerations and suggestions in the industry.
Win-win in Wuhan
Chinese industry incentives: Evergreen Solar is moving its PV manufacturing plant from Devens, USA, to Wuhan, China. Its sad for Massachusetts, but the move is understandable: China is offering generous support for high-tech ventures, especially in the clean tech space.
Maintainability is increasingly important
Interview: How did the SNEC PV go from Centrotherms point of view? What are the challenges of the Chinese market? In an interview, Centrotherm CTO Peter Fath provides the answers.
Nobody believed it
Interview: SunPower, the fourth largest maker of crystalline PV modules, holds the world record for cell and module efficiency. Richard Swanson, founder, President and Chief Technical Officer of SunPower, explains how the company got there and what he is planning next.
Acceptable lead times
Lead times: The worldwide photovoltaics market is building up more and more oversupply. The omnipresent capacity expansions are starting to hit the market. Oversupply is expected to peak in the next quarter.
Aging overvalued
Degradation: Most yield assessments include possible module degradation in their calculations, yet theres little evidence to show whether modules really lose power as the years go by. Experts at the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems have now come to the conclusion that many modules are better than previously thought.
Extending lifetimes
Enecsys interview: At this years Ecobuild, Enecsys launched a new dual micro-inverter. Reportedly the worlds highest power density micro-inverter, the company says it promises reduced costs, simpler installation and a longer life expectancy. CEO Henrik Raunkjær and VP of UK Sales, Sulaiman M. Ahmad talk about its market potential.
Extending lifetimes (copy 1)
Enecsys interview: At this years Ecobuild, Enecsys launched a new dual micro-inverter. Reportedly the worlds highest power density micro-inverter, the company says it promises reduced costs, simpler installation and a longer life expectancy. CEO Henrik Raunkjær and VP of UK Sales, Sulaiman M. Ahmad talk about its market potential.
