Photovoltaics: beyond cost reduction
Cost reduction: Photovoltaics may become a terawatt-scale renewable energy technology within a decade. To get to that level and be able to grow further, low cost alone is not sufficient. It is necessary to address other growth factors in time, argues Wim Sinke.
Poised for strong demand growth
Global PV demand analysis: The PV industry, after disappointing end market demand growth in 2012 and a prolonged period of shakeout lasting over eight quarters, saw significant global demand growth in 2013 and is now in a position to continue on this path over the next five years, explains Michael Barker, Senior Analyst at NPD Solarbuzz.
Positivity reigns down on the Cape
South Africa: March saw hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of visitors descend on Johannesburg for the Power & Electricity World Africa exhibition. With solar PV a hot topic for discussion, pv magazine cruised to the Cape to taste the atmosphere.
Raising funds for projects in emerging markets
Interview: Tom Heintzman, Managing Director of JCM Capitals Infrastructure Group, discusses the companys private investment funds, finding the right projects and how to best mitigate risk.
Research to slash BOS costs
BOS hardware: Fostered in large part by the U.S. Department of Energys SunShot program, several new projects are expected to begin commercialization by years end with promises of up to 75% combined balance of system cost reduction.
Silicon switch
Wafer and ingot production equipment: The supply-demand gap in the PV industry is closing, pushing up prices of polysilicon and wafers, with wafer manufacturers turning to high efficiency technologies and techniques to reduce production costs.
Smart moves
Inverters: Balance of systems costs are in the solar industrys cross hairs as the pressure to reduce costs extends downstream. Matt Feinstein, Senior Analyst at Lux Research and lead author of Luxs report The Squeeze: Trends in Solar Balance of Systems, breaks down the recent activities in the inverter space.
The greatest thing since sliced bread?
Wafer production: Kerfless wafers promise low cost by simplifying production and eliminating wastage, but how ready is the technology for todays PV industry?
The importance of energy security
Mercom Capital global forecast: The demand outlook for the solar industry remains strong for 2014, bolstered by the recent announcement from China of an aggressive 14 GW installation goal, says Raj Prabhu, CEO and cofounder of Mercom Capital Group. Mercoms revised global solar installation forecast is approximately 46 GW.
Waiting for the spark
Middle East: In a region where the worlds tallest building towers over terrain of primordial, pristine desert, progress can be both swift and snail-paced. Solar PV has the potential to knit together an area that still pulls in many different directions, but from where, asks pv magazine, will that first spark come?
