Innovation in solar O&M
Operations and maintenance: As the solar industry matures, spending and focus on PV power plant O&M is increasing. Oscar Fitch-Roy and Ragna Schmidt-Haupt of DNV GL (formerly GL Garrad Hassan) identify several elements of a modernized and holistic approach to technical solar asset management and operations.
It begins in Africa
Tanzania: These are stirring times for Tanzanias energy landscape. On the cusp of economic growth, solar PV is poised to play a leading role in the countrys transition from Kenyas little sister to proud and independent African beacon of hope, writes Angelika Farhan-Reimpell from GIZ.
Its not all gold
SNEC 2015: Sprawling across around 15 vast exhibition halls, the SNEC trade show continues to attract the global solar industry to Shanghai. What appears to be a new cycle of manufacturing investment resulted in technology providers arriving in big numbers while Chinas booming downstream market is bringing in international investors.
Managing the big data of an EU giant
300 MW Cestas: Last month, pv magazine took a deep dive into the foundations of Europes largest PV plant, currently under construction in Cestas, France. With the plant using around one million modules, the monitoring component of the array is of crucial importance. Developer Neoen decided on relative newcomer QOS Energy on the project, and pv magazine went in search of why.
Minimum import price effect takes hold
Module prices: Asian modules continue their price rise throughout April, but advocates of the minimum import price are winding up to deliver the next blow.
Mining smart management and storage
Offgrid PV+storage: Despite falling oil prices, mine operators are increasingly turning to PV and intelligent power management and storage solutions to deliver reliable and clean electricity. In a cultural shift, the cost savings and advantages are being recognized by the traditionally conservative resource sector. Three standout regions for this type of application are emerging in South Africa, Australia and Chile.
On fertile ground
Palestine: With a nascent industry dependent on donor programs, no money for domestic incentive schemes, a lack of development land and seemingly intractable political problems, the prospects for solar in Palestine seem grim. But hope springs eternal, as one developer told pv magazines Max Hall in the West Bank.
Priced to cell
Cell and module pricing: Quality has always been in the crosshairs for PV cell and module makers, but price pressures bring tough conditions. Paula Mints of SPV Research examines the industrys constant balancing act between prices and revenues.
Small steps to solar progress
Poland: The countrys revised Renewable Energy Sources Act has taken a slow, considered approach to future clean energy generation, but will soon launch an auction system that could prove attractive to solar PV developers, writes Piotr Mrowiec of law firm Rödl and Partner.
Solars mission possible
India update: Solar PV installations in India are forecast to double across the year to more than 2 GW as the industry moves confidently ahead with the next round of the the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission, writes Raj Prabhu, CEO and co-founder of Mercom Capital Group.
