Magazine Archive 2012

Intersolar North America: Last year, the Intersolar North America trade show and conference attracted 834 exhibitors and 19,168 visitors, along with 220 speakers and 1,617 seminar attendees, or more than 20,000 people. This summer, the conference organizers predict that these numbers will rise to 22,000.

Sino-US trade case: The duties are hefty, the implications appear profound, but just how have Chinese manufacturers reacted to the initial rulings in the Sino-US PV trade dispute? pv magazine looks at the Chinese side of the story.

Computer modeling: Solar cell industries widely use computer modeling programs to design PV cells with different materials, structures and correlate them with actual performance parameters. Modeling provides the cheapest evaluation of process performance parameters and integrates the fabrication process to develop higher efficiency solar cells at the industrial level. Microsol’s researchers explain the process.

Large-scale landfill PV installation: The idea is meaningful: using large landfill sites as a basis for solar power parks. Such projects are present, both on recently closed landfills and older landfills. A look at the special conditions that prevail in this landscape and the solutions on offer.

Feed-in tariffs: Germany has temporarily halted its planned cuts to PV subsidies in the face of huge state-level opposition. July 1 saw a lot of changes to feed-in tariffs around the world, with Flanders in Belgium, Italy and France all cutting their support for PV.

Global market: Samil Power has the potential to become a household name in the PV field if the company continues the path that it has taken thus far. pv magazine catches up with Samil Power’s main man, Peter Cui to decipher their recipe for global success.

PV CIStems: The companies themselves have chosen to highlight the synergies between the two businesses as the key behind the PV CIStems JV that has been formed between leading EPC Belectric and CIGS manufacturer Solar Frontier. But to what extent will the downstream development provide safe harbor for some of Solar Frontier’s recently ramped production? pv magazine takes an initial look.

Industry ranking: Crystalline module manufacturers did not fare very well last year. The overcapacities were too large, and the prices that could be obtained were too low as a result. Most producers are hardly developing their capacities. Nevertheless, several of them are still planning on aggressive growth.

Organic PV: Japan has the research capability, industrial base and a few other requisites that could pave the way for taking DSSC technology from niche to mainstream.