Magazine Archive 2014

New cell types: As efficiency improvement potential for silicon cells continues its decline, a new material combination has appeared on the horizon. The hype surrounding the new development seems to be justified.

Innovate and prosper: It’s almost a mantra in parts of the PV industry. It’s also at the heart of what will continue solar’s march into and beyond competitiveness with our rivals in the thermal power sector and keep PV on the impressive learning curve that has served us so well. But then again, it’s easier […]

Solar cells: Laser marking and structuring for dielectric layers, laser drilling, laser firing and laser doping are needed for most modern and future solar cell concepts. Only an optimal process design enables cost effective process improvements. Jens Theobald, research engineer at the International Solar Energy Research Center Konstanz (ISC), Richard Hendel, Sales Manager for Photovoltaic Applications at Rofin-Baasel Lasertech, and Stephan Grosser, Team Leader, c-Si Defect Diagnostics, Fraunhofer Center for Silicon Photovoltaics CSP, report on an approach using laser-ablation processes for current PERC solar cells and applications for emerging cell concepts, i.e. bifacial n-type solar cells.

Central America and the Caribbean: How can renewables meet the energy needs of a region dependant on fossil fuel? Carlos Albero and Daniel Barandalla of the global consultancy DNV GL examine the various ways PV is lighting the way forward in Central America and the Caribbean.

Flashing: Partial shading, low light and diffuse light affect the I-V curve of solar PV cells and modules. Using LED flashers in the lab and on production lines may provide the answers.

Supply chain management: Logistics is becoming more complex as the industry is expanding globally. A study by IPVEA and Solar PV Consulting found that the solar industry is losing huge amounts due to a lack of supply chain optimization.

Craneless maintenance: The new XEAnova tool from PV production supplier Von Ardenne has led the company’s latest pivot towards c-Si tool supply, delivering a vacuum coating technique that improves coating times and – most pertinent of all – removes the need for crane-based maintenance.

Stringing and tabbing: Not always the best loved child of PV processes, cell assembly and interconnection, known as stringing, is crucial in terms of manufacturing quality and production efficiency. pv magazine investigates some of the latest innovations in the space.