FIT cuts and weak results
Ardour Solar Index: Volume growth continues, but margins remain thin. Outlook for 2012 remains weak.
From land to water
Floating PV systems: Photovoltaic systems have been successfully deployed on land and in space for many years, so it was only a matter of time before water-based PV systems emerged on larger scales. Over the past five years, a myriad of floating systems have evolved in varying degrees for use in ponds, reservoirs, canals, rivers and oceans.
Fuelling optimism
Poland: Polands photovoltaics market is still at an early stage of development, but local industry representatives say that increasing sales are fuelling optimism for the future.
Fukushima calling
Dear readers, Lessons learned from Fukushima? If one takes a look at the current plans of the German government to cut subsidies for the photovoltaics industry, then it is doubtful. Berlin decided to abandon civilian use of nuclear power this past June and Chancellor Angela Merkel repeatedly makes overblown statements about the transition towards renewables. […]
Global feed-in tariff overview
Feed-in tariffs: The beginning of 2012 saw many European countries deal crushing blows to the PV industry, through slashing FITs. pv magazine charts the changes.
Grapes in the desert
Chile: Earlier this year, innovative Chilean fruit producer Exportadora Subsole completed work on the first stage of a large-scale solar PV project, which it hopes will boost production and help to safeguard jobs in a remote rural region.
Ground-fault protection
Electrical standards for PV systems: In part one of this series we looked at the background and scope of the U.S. National Electrical Code (NEC). We continued with a survey of 2011 NEC coverage of solar PV systems. Article 690 starts with 23 basic definitions, followed by general installation requirements for all non-utility solar PV systems. In part two, we continue with Section 690.5, Ground-Fault Protection.
Is grid parity just around the corner?
Levelized cost of energy: Shalom Goffri, Associate Director at Navigant Consulting, believes that PV prices are still too high to achieve grid parity without incentives. However, he says that with new, sustainable markets, it could be as little as five years before grid parity without incentives is reached.
Mexicos market advances segment by segment
Mexico: PV manufacturers are acknowledging the advantages of Mexico as a manufacturing location. However will a domestic PV market follow suit? pv magazine heads south of the border to find out.
