Little demand for thin film
Modules prices: The prices for crystalline modules continued to decline by two to three percent. The greatest decline in prices could be seen for a-Si/µ-Si thin film.
Make room for CZTS
Interview: Lux Research released a report Searching for game changers in photovoltaic materials innovation: next-generation technologies that drive down $/W. Using a disruptive technology grid, lead analyst Fatima Toor examined the technologies with the most potential and copper zinc tin sulfide (CZTS) came out as one of the winners.
Not everyone loves world records
Dear readers, On sunny May 26, Germany set a new world record. At midday, approximately 1.1 million PV installations supplied 22 gigawatts of solar electricity; roughly 40 percent of total power generated in Germany. This corresponds to the output of 15 nuclear power units. No country thus far has ever supplied this amount of solar […]
Paths to progress
Grid integration in Germany: With record amounts of solar power generated in Germany this year, it is clear that the countrys regulatory framework is successfully fostering renewable energy. However success has had an impact on the economics of the electricity market. Now both fossil fuel incumbents and new solar players are trying to influence lawmakers to ensure their economic future.
Shaking up the supply chain
Solar glass: A large percentage of the worlds solar glass is produced by a handful of companies. But is there a need for new suppliers with a product or technology that is different?
Slow start
Brazil: The largest country in South America and sixth largest economy of the world by gross domestic product has introduced net metering for solar power and is beginning to open the electricity grid to photovoltaics.
Sun and ice
Off-grid solar: The Alliance for Rural Electrification reports on a rural micro-grid project that powers a 60 home village on Santo Antão, the largest of the islands of Cape Verde, an archipelago off the coast of Western Africa. The most important application of the solar PV micro-grid, which includes an individual energy allowance scheme, is the production of ice to preserve fish.
Taking it all back
Interview: PV module recycling has become a hot topic, following their reclassification under the WEEE Directive as electronic waste. Nicholas Defrenne, Managing Director of non-profit PV module recycling organization CERES tells pv magazine why he believes CERES business model out-trumps that of PV Cycles. He also discusses the potential money to be made and the challenges the business faces.
The oil of the future
Raw materials: Lithiums use as a raw material in batteries has given it a starring role in the energy age of tomorrow. However, the expected boom in electric mobility could create bottlenecks in the supply chain for PV powered systems.
Tier-1 prices stabilizing
Chinese factory gate prices: Chinese module prices dropped by 2.7 percent in the European Union but increased slightly in all other regions.
