The next wave of PV innovation
There are many drivers of innovation, and necessity ranks high on the list. In the PV industry, it appears as if the first great wave of module manufacturing capacity expansions necessitated a range of innovations to achieve production at vast scale. But at the same time it brought great pressures, as oversupply gripped the market […]
Uncertainty reigns
Module prices: A planned increase in the minimum import price undermines confidence in the European market. The first Chinese manufacturers are turning their backs on the voluntary price undertaking agreement between China and the EU.
Uncertainty reigns
Module prices: A planned increase in the minimum import price undermines confidence in the European market. The first Chinese manufacturers are turning their backs on the voluntary price undertaking agreement between China and the EU.
Under pressure
Mounting systems: The estimated $6 billion PV mounting system market may be growing at double digit rates per year, but prices are falling at 4% per annum, presenting a quandary for manufacturers seeking to survive in a glutted market. The value of global PV mounting systems is declining and Chinas share of the global market is rising.
Under pressure
Mounting systems: The estimated $6 billion PV mounting system market may be growing at double digit rates per year, but prices are falling at 4% per annum, presenting a quandary for manufacturers seeking to survive in a glutted market. The value of global PV mounting systems is declining and Chinas share of the global market is rising.
Upstream action
US solar equipment: After years metaphorically treading water in a sea of overcapacity, some U.S. PV production equipment suppliers have now begun swimming upstream, but can they find the right stroke in order to reach the financial sanctity of dry land?
Upstream action
US solar equipment: After years metaphorically treading water in a sea of overcapacity, some U.S. PV production equipment suppliers have now begun swimming upstream, but can they find the right stroke in order to reach the financial sanctity of dry land?
Better late than never
Turkey: Capacity building is the order of the day in the Turkish PV market, but now of the megawatt variety. A market of great promise, it has been extremely slow to emerge. However, there is a new maturity coming to the surface. It wont be an overnight boom, but at least theres no bust.
Big PVs prospects Down Under
Australia: The largest utility-scale projects in the countrys history are currently being built out, but in terms of a financed pipeline, the cupboard is bare. Will a shift in policy open the doors to the literally gigawatts of projects that are under development? pv magazine investigates.
China adopting intelligent PV plants
China: With the rapid build out of utility-scale solar in China, concerns about quality have circulated through the industry. It appears the second phase of growth may be heading in a different direction with intelligent controls being adopted to reduce O&M costs. pv magazine visits one such array and finds that it could form the vanguard of a new large-scale trend.
