Let the molecules do the work
Artificial photosynthesis: A team from the Energy Frontier Research Center (EFRC, University of North Carolina) and the Research Triangle Solar Fuels Institute (RTSFI) in North Carolina, United States, is investigating a revolutionary way to generate fuel from sunlight using dye-sensitized photoelectrosynthesis cells (DSPEC). A report by the researchers.
Like raw eggs
Module transport: Modules have to be transported not only safely, but also economically. A lot of transport damage is not easily discernible and only becomes noticeable where there is waning performance. pv magazine focuses on the factors that can reduce module quality when it comes to their transport and how they can best be prevented without an unnecessary increase in costs.
Like raw eggs
Module transport: Modules have to be transported not only safely, but also economically. A lot of transport damage is not easily discernible and only becomes noticeable where there is waning performance. pv magazine focuses on the factors that can reduce module quality when it comes to their transport and how they can best be prevented without an unnecessary increase in costs.
Main driver for the technological development
Interview: The president of the German Federal Environment Agency (UBA), Jochen Flasbarth, on the role of storage, power to gas (PTG), power to liquid (PTL) and PV in a renewable energy scenario.
Nickel-and-diming the system
Power electronics: How and to what extent will electronics improvements lead to reductions in solar system costs? Lux Research analyst Matt Feinstein investigates the current trends.
Price bounce
Chinese factory gate prices: Chinese module suppliers expect module prices to bounce back up after hitting the bottom, hoping they offset rising polysilicon prices.
Reliable technology for remote locations
Off-grid solar PV: In recent months, a number of companies have embarked upon off-grid solar PV projects in remote rural locations in Mozambique, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Tibet and the Philippines, among others. This article reports on how two companies, Sunlabob and Yingli, overcame the technological, organizational and logistical challenges faced in completing their off-grid installations.
Rising from the ashes
Thin film: While companies burn cash and fail, new ones rise from the ashes. Chinese dam builder Hanergy is picking up distressed thin film assets and could be emerging as a force not to be ignored.
Risk management in the PV supply chain
Manufacturer audits: Recently pv magazine joined the service provider SolarBuyer, LLC as it audited two PV module manufacturers in China. Both factories are located in the Yangtze River delta near Shanghai and the experience showcased the risks buyers face when purchasing modules without a thorough check of the product and the manufacturing processes.
Rock bottom prices
Industry ranking: Falling silicon prices have once again given wafer manufacturers a bit of breathing room. Covering production costs is still a challenge, even for the market leaders. Analysts believe that wafer prices have bottomed out.
