Magazine Archive 2012

Trackers: Array sizes are rising in the U.S. solar market, even if larger individual trackers may hit the lowest levelized cost of energy. At the same time, solar trackers and other solar applications are beginning to open up to advertising and corporate branding.

India: The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy announced that Phase 2 of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission shall be enhanced by a Renewable Purchase Obligation mechanism. Will RPOs drive the growth of solar in India?

Poland: Poland is expected to introduce a new Renewable Energy Sources (RES) Act at the start of next year, aimed at boosting PV development. However, before it has even been handed to parliament, it looks like delays are to be expected. Despite this, and competition from wind and grid bottlenecks, the PV market outlook is positive and predictions are 2013 will be a boom year.

27th EU PVSEC: It’s often a lawyer’s advice to a client, “expect nothing, and you can only be pleasantly surprised.” And in some ways, the EU PVSEC trade show in Frankfurt delivered more or less along these lines; low expectations resulted in some surprisingly positive results for a number of participants. However, after seeing a fall in exhibitor numbers by almost one third, others were left questioning the need for a second big European show.

Global market update: Corporate shakeouts continue in 2012 but provide hope for industry rationalization. NPD Solarbuzz’s analysis of the PV market trends towards the end of 2012.

Australia: Blessed with abundant solar resources and a strong Australian dollar, there has been a major shift towards PV. In short, never has been solar been so affordable Down Under. But as PV becomes a major player in the country’s energy landscape, the political backlash against PV has begun.

PV Taiwan: Taiwan’s international photovoltaics expo showcased not only Taiwan’s solar industry but the potential synergies between the world’s top two solar manufacturers, China and Taiwan. But is Taiwan’s solar industry ready to get together with its biggest rival? pv magazine spoke with industry leaders at PV Taiwan.

Chinese factory gate prices: The utilization rates of Chinese suppliers are still very low. PV installations in China are rising, but module prices are expected to stay low.

Cell testing: Solar cells are vulnerable to defects, such as microcracks, at every step of the manufacturing process. Some module manufacturers have therefore started carefully screening the goods coming from their suppliers. Manufacturers are taking a close look at what comes in the door and keeping cell suppliers on their toes.