Still a growth market
Intersolar North America: Numbers were down but there was strong interest in installations and system providers at Intersolar North America held last month in San Francisco. While industry consolidation and challenging project finance remained a major theme, there were still positive signs with relatively steady market growth.
Tech investment
Chinese cooperation: To produce high efficiency PV modules, relationships between producers, who are predominantly Chinese, and technology providers are becoming ever more important.
Upgrade for the US grid
Transmission lines for solar: While hundreds of megawatts of new solar power projects have been approved by U.S. states and municipalities in recent times, the question of where associated transmission lines will be sited still hangs over some of these developments like the Sword of Damocles, a problem that could crash down with a terminating effect on a project.
Value of fluoropolymer-based backsheets
Backsheets: For most photovoltaic modules available on the market today, there are two primary protective layers the glass on the sun-facing side of the module, and a fluoropolymer-based backsheet. Between the two, the backsheet has a demanding role as Honeywells Jim Bratcher explains.
Value of fluoropolymer-based backsheets
Backsheets: For most photovoltaic modules available on the market today, there are two primary protective layers the glass on the sun-facing side of the module, and a fluoropolymer-based backsheet. Between the two, the backsheet has a demanding role as Honeywells Jim Bratcher explains.
Window of opportunity
CEO Interview: 2012 has been a busy year for Manz AG. Already this year the company has opened new manufacturing facilities in China, released a new wet chemical tool and transferred 118 CIGS experts from Würth Solar into its own operations. However as yet, it has not sold even one of its CIGS turnkey fabs and has seen a strong decline of revenue from its PV business in 2012. pv magazine spoke to CEO Dieter Manz to find out the companys strategy in these challenging times.
A giant leap towards the future
CIGS thin film: With a total budget of more than 10 million, the European Unions Scalenano project aims to increase Europes competitiveness in photovoltaic technology through the development of low cost and highly efficient manufacturing processes for CIGS thin film solar cells.
300 GW a year: Power in numbers
The 300GW/a initiative: While the production side of the current PV industry sags under the weight of surplus supply, talk of long-term optimism and big goals for future capacity may seem to be nothing but hot air. However in an energy market where things are changing rapidly, pv magazine is tackling the idea of whether 300 GW per year (GW/a) of installed PV generation can be added globally in the year 2025 and beyond.
300 GW/a: PV as a global energy pillar
Interview: While 300 GW per year (GW/a) may give hope to a PV industry facing many challenges, Christian Breyer believes that achieving the number is vital in realizing a worldwide energy transition. With colleagues at the Reiner Lemoine Institut, Breyer is creating a multifaceted model for a 100% renewable future and pv magazine found out what it would mean for PV.
Aluminum as an option
Solar cables: As a result of constantly rising copper prices installers are making increasing use of aluminum cables. Aluminum cables can represent a sensible and economical alternative. However, other rules apply when it comes to assembling and installing aluminum cable. Thus, for example, other clamps are required.
