Thailands PV tiger
Southeast Asia: The archipelago geography of a number of the most populous countries in the southeast Asia region plays into one of PVs major competitive advantages. Strong economic growth has also created a need for more electricity supply. However, only Thailand is seeing the PV boom many have expected, with policy conditions emerging as the key point of difference between it and its neighbors.
Product quality is crucial
Interview: What are the most important aspects of risk assessment? How are economic and political changes impacting bankability checks? pv magazine spoke with Matthias Jäger, Head of Risk Advisory & Services, Allianz Climate Solutions GmbH in Berlin.
Bright new dawn for UK solar
UK: As new figures reveal that half a million FIT-driven solar schemes are now installed in the UK, encouraging news is emerging that suggests Britons appetite for solar in 2014 from rooftop installed through to government incentivized promises to be stronger than ever.
Cell-by-cell inspection of MW power plants
Thermography: Many power losses and failure risks in megawatt power plants continue to be undetected, despite modern monitoring systems and professional operations management. Thomas Reich and Bernhard Weinreich of Solarschmiede GmbH explain how adjusted thermography is able to prevent these losses and residual risks at reasonable costs.
Champions League
Dear readers, Can Japan hold on to second place in the global photovoltaics Champions League this year? There is plenty that suggests so: Analysts expect, much like 2013, a PV expansion of around 7 GW for 2014. Nevertheless, it will be fascinating to monitor how things pan out for PV in the Land of the […]
Corporations venture back to solar
Corporate Funding: Raj Prabhu, CEO and cofounder of Mercom Capital Group, reveals how corporate money flooded back to the solar sector in 2013, marking a 25% increase in funding that generated a total of $10 billion.
French connections
France: Of the four key Western European PV markets continuing to deliver significant demand, France remains vital. However, with grid parity still some years away in the nuclear dominated country, developing PV projects in France still relies heavily on government support programs, and these can be both complicated and challenging.
From the boom to beyond
Japan: A booming PV market can create opportunities for manufacturers, particularly if they are local. But it can also cause complacency when it comes to aggressive cost reductions. Solar Frontier is clearly benefiting from the boom in Japan, surprising some by rivaling more established domestic producers to become the countrys third-largest supplier in 2013, according to IHS figures. Long-term success will require the company to retain its focus on cost and road map execution and correctly judge the timing of its move into emerging markets.
Global FIT overview
Feed-in tariffs: A number of countries FIT schemes have slightly degressed heading into 2014. Also, Indonesia has opened bidding to take part in its new FITs.
Global goals, local knowledge
Interview: NEON ENERGY president Konstantinos Georgiadis explains to pv magazine how the companys holistic approach to the PV industry has enabled it to explore international expansion and deliver an integrated, 360-degree service to its clients.
