Magazine Archive 2016

Hanwha Q CELLS South Korea production facility: Adding gigawatt-scale cell capacity in a time of global market oversupply could be considered inopportune, but is investment in high-tech, high-efficiency PERC cell technology ever something to shy away from? pv magazine went along to Hanwha Q CELLS’ new cell production facility in Jincheon, South Korea, to ask such a question.

U.S. manufacturing: In the most recent election, Populist candidates issued thinly veiled calls to return to an America that makes tangible goods. But can solar be part of a manufacturing renaissance in the United States? And what would be needed to make solar in America?

European markets: Mature PV markets are steady, reliable, and straightforward to forecast. Until they’re not, that is. Within what could be called greater Europe are some little examined markets on which it’s worth casting a light. And while it’s not all good news, there are some unexpected bright spots both rebounding, and emerging afresh.

Module price index: Prices down and installation numbers up – will we turn the corner?

Financial activity: Total corporate funding in the solar sector has picked up in the third quarter of 2016. $3 billion has been brought into the sector from a variety of sources. Raj Prabhu, CEO at Mercom Capital, provides a detailed analysis.

“Our aim is to have leading market share in two to three years.” It’s a bold statement, but not entirely surprising. Inverter supplier Huawei unveiled the ambition at the 2016 All Energy trade show in Melbourne, where the company launched in the Australian market. “We have a Huawei representative office with 5,000 staff and we […]

Smarter maintenance: From capex to opex, the focus for downstream developers is shifting. The ability to collect detailed data to enable proactive maintenance is proving a powerful tool for fleet owners and O&M providers. pv magazine investigates some of the key technology enabling the shift and allowing faults to be corrected, before they become a problem.

Interview: In the new environment of crushed prices, quality and durability are as important as ever as a means for PV module makers to differentiate their product. In light of these factors, Rogier Reinders, Head of Marketing for Europe at Dow Corning, has provided pv magazine with some insight into the advantages of silicone as a key material in glass-glass PV modules.

Middle East: “Solar prices keep falling,” they keep calling, and true to form the markets keep answering. Interestingly, it is the Middle East markets that are making headlines with the lowest priced bids for solar energy projects. The question is, are these projects viable?

Uncertain times: Solar stocks continue to underperform, with inverter makers feeling the pressure from China. The broader market is slowed by U.S. election fears.