No price firming in sight
Chinese factory gate prices: Module prices dropped significantly in August.
Project boom
Japan: Since the new feed-in tariff program took effect on July 1, 2012, an increasing number of large-scale solar power plants have been constructed all over Japan. An analysis by Izumi Kaizuka of RTS Corporation, a consulting firm based in Tokyo.
PV manufacturing landscape in the trade war era
Solar trade cases: The PV industry continues to be dominated by headlines related to antidumping cases being filed in different countries and regions. Ray Lian, an analyst with NPD Solarbuzz, discusses various options for how this will impact manufacturers.
Solar imports without know-how transfer
PV in Africa: Materials of doubtful quality are flooding the African markets. The lack of solar installation skills combined with maintenance negligence lead to diverse problems.
Still struggling with investment costs
PV incentives in Africa: High investment costs remain a major barrier to scaling up solar PV technology in Africa. But the challenge has not dampened efforts by some countries in the region to seek ways of generating additional electricity from this sustainable source. According to EPIA, the LCOE for solar PV has reached the retail price of electricity in several African countries.
Still struggling with investment costs
PV incentives in Africa: High investment costs remain a major barrier to scaling up solar PV technology in Africa. But the challenge has not dampened efforts by some countries in the region to seek ways of generating additional electricity from this sustainable source. According to EPIA, the LCOE for solar PV has reached the retail price of electricity in several African countries.
Stronger than expected
Mercom Capital global forecast: Solar demand continues to defy odds so far in 2012, which may result in another year of growth contrary to pessimistic views early in the year, says Mercom Capital Groups Raj Prabhu.
Success in smart grid
Smart grid: The smart grid is projected to support a multi-trillion dollar global industry during the next two decades and this will open up a new frontier for entrepreneurs and investors in areas such as renewable energy technologies. Chairman of the IEEE Public Visibility Board Committee, Charlton Adams, Jr., elaborates.
The poly struggle
Polysilicon in India: Continuous cost reduction enables affordable solar at grid parity. Secure and ready supply of high purity polysilicon products at the lowest possible cost has become the priority of the Indian solar industry. pv magazine travels to India to examine the state of production and consumption of solar grade polysilicon and asks major players their plans.
Trade war headwinds
Ardour Solar Index: Index heavyweights drive solid performance despite industry headwinds, but trade wars and more margin pressure continue to weigh on expectations.
