Magazine Archive 2014

Solar monitoring and data logging: There has been a virtual explosion of solar PV monitoring and data logging companies offering services in the global market over the past few years, and consolidation is the watchword. In the U.S. market alone, the number of companies has risen from a few dozen to several hundred, begging the question of what standard services are, and at what price.

Heating with light: Now PV is also forcing its way on to the heating market, causing a stir in the solar thermal energy sector. But a fundamental debate such as this cannot resolve which solution will be the best for customers. These are the most common arguments.

US: President Barack Obama has announced plans to inject $2 billion of government funds into the PV sector as he pushes for more solar capacity across federal buildings, greater use of commercial rooftop space and the creation of more jobs in the solar and clean energy sectors.

Europe: The European solar PV market is adjusting to a new reality of domestic strife, economic trouble and a systematic shake-up of support schemes designed to help the industry stride confidently forward. So how is the continent handling its place in the new world order? pv magazine investigates.

Dear readers, Those who continue to spread the myth of cheap, safe nuclear power despite Chernobyl and Fukushima will now find it even more difficult to deal in fairytales. In Germany in mid-May, the country’s major energy suppliers announced plans to transfer the ongoing operation, demolition and storage of nuclear waste from its remaining nine […]

Intersolar Europe: In the first week of June, the who’s who of the solar industry will come together once again at Intersolar Europe in Munich. pv magazine spoke with the show’s organizer Markus Elsässer, CEO of Solar Promotion, about this year’s expected trends and highlights.

Bulgaria and Romania: Having developed early promise, the PV markets of Bulgaria and Romania have disappointed in recent months, with questions around future energy policy and grid expansion left unanswered. Will their slumbering potential be roused in the coming years, or are both nations sleepwalking towards the PV wilderness?

Germany: The planned amendment of the German Renewable Energy Act stipulates a reduction of feed-in tariffs and the introduction of a flexible market premium based on mandatory direct selling. Tobias Kurth, senior manager at the consulting firm Energy Brainpool, analyzes the consequences for solar photovoltaics in the country.

Battery storage systems: When it comes to the service life of batteries, there are many illusions. It could be a mistake to risk, or even to plan, that batteries will have to be replaced after ten years. Armin U. Schmiegel from Bosch Power Tec explains why.