Magazine Archive 2016

Takeaways from SPI: At SPI last month, the 4th Annual ROTH Solar and Storage Symposium met with the solar supply chain. Here are five takeaways from that event.

Taiwan Industry: With prices for solar PV cells and modules plumbing new depths in the face of slowing demand and oversupply in global markets, Taiwan’s solar industry is in dire need of relief. Could Taiwan’s own domestic installations market provide a lifeline? In an industry facing chronic overcapacity issues and strong price pressure, 2016 is proving to be a particularly arduous year for Taiwan’s solar manufacturers. Sales are down and losses are mounting.

Solar financing: The market for green bonds has exploded in 2016, with some estimates anticipating a total value of $100 billion before the end of the year. So far, solar businesses have been wary of these broadly scoped financial instruments. If the market continues to grow, however, their attraction may prove too strong for the industry to resist. Interview: Sean Kidney has a passion: saving the planet. As the CEO and cofounder of the Climate Bonds Initiative – an investor-focused, not-for-profit organization – he is probably as well-versed as anyone on the very earth he wants to save when it comes to the subject of green bonds. pv magazine talked to Kidney about where solar fits into the world of bonds that are colored green.

Chinese Market: China reports to have installed an enormous 20 GW so far in 2016, as a reduction to feed-in tariffs begins to take effect. A short-term drop in demand may rock the boat a little, but solar PV looks set to play an important role in the country’s energy future.

Cost vs efficiency: After a major rush for installations across China ended in June, manufacturing overcapacity has caused module prices to plummet. Now, with the government raising efficiency requirements, developers must make leading technologies more affordable, writes Corrine Lin of EnergyTrend.

Solar Power International Exhibition: Held in Las Vegas from September 13 – 15, this year’s SPI kicked off with a call for the U.S. solar market to finally take a seat at the adults’ table – triggering intense debate about the future health of the industry.

Global Industry: Martin A. Green, of the Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics at the University of New South Wales, takes us through the complexities of ownership and nationality at some of the PV industry’s key players.

Australia: A 480 MW batch of government-supported projects is set to transform Australia’s PV power plant landscape forever. Prices have come down quickly, and big solar’s competitiveness with wind is approaching at pace. Merchant PV power plants may not be far away, while the rooftop segment stabilizes.