Magazine Archive 2014

SolarCity: No longer an envelope-pushing solar leasing company, SolarCity’s recent acquisition of cell manufacturer Silevo could propel the company into the upper-echelons of the PV industry and transform the U.S. solar landscape in the process, finds pv magazine.

centrotherm: Buffeted by the global PV storm that tore through the industry a couple of years back, centrotherm had to maneuver dexterously in order to stay afloat. The company’s successful strategy for survival has been an effective double pivot of optimization and diversification, as pv magazine discovered.

India: PM Narendra Modi has called for a “saffron” energy revolution but, with AD duties in the offing, a domestic manufacturing industry on its knees and a $530 million subsidy backlog to clear, will the price be too high for solar?

c-Si industry ranking: There has been a shuffling amongst the top 10 crystalline silicon module manufacturers since our ranking last year, however the trend remains the same. Asia is now cemented as the leading module manufacturing base, and with the Japanese and Chinese markets the two drivers for growth for the top 10 players, that should come as no surprise.

Grid parity: Utility-scale solar power generation is already becoming a player in wholesale markets, says David Pérez of eclareon.

Intersolar Europe 2014 review: No longer marketed as bigger and better, the Intersolar Europe exhibition of 2014 instead focused on its ability to draw an international crowd, push innovation and shape new market trends – an accurate summation of an upbeat yet muted show, reports pv magazine.

Storage systems: Intersolar Europe demonstrated that storage systems for single-family homes are still getting a lot of attention in Germany. In turn this is encouraging developments which will also benefit other countries.

Financing solar: This year’s Renewable Energy Finance Forum Wall Street took place in midtown Manhattan from June 25th to 26th and brought together investors and other market participants in renewable energy and solar markets to discuss the latest trends in developing these resources. Solar PV featured prominently at the conference, including a half-day pre-conference workshop on June 24th devoted to emerging markets.

The history of solar energy: John Perlin’s latest book, “Let it Shine: The 6,000-Year Story of Solar Energy,” is a new expanded edition of his 1980 classic, “A Golden Thread: 2500 Years of Solar Architecture and Technology.” pv magazine spoke to Perlin about fascinating new discoveries, what people today can learn from the solar engineers of ancient times, and the prospects of solar for future generations.