pv magazine test
December 2020 results
pv magazine test: January 2021 results
We are pleased to present the next batch of energy yield statistics from the outdoor test field in Xi’an, China. In this issue, we look at the January results, along with additional analysis from George Touloupas, the director of technology and quality at CEA.
ESG criteria: Should developers take notice?
Something is brewing in the financial world. “Sustainable finance” and the growth of ESG funds have been taking the market by storm in recent years. Since most major PV projects end up needing investors from the capital market, it is only a matter of time before they will have to adapt. The beginning of March 2021 saw a milestone reached in this process.
Manufacturing meets big data
As PV manufacturing lines continue to get larger, keeping track of the measurement data that’s vital for quality and process control becomes an ever more herculean task. Flashing equipment supplier h.a.l.m. has developed a software solution that keeps all of this data in one place and provides operators with a real-time view of production line performance and quality. pv magazine caught up with Managing Director Michael Meixner to discuss the latest on big data in PV manufacturing.
Custom standardization: unlocking BIPV
The creativity of architects and the need to standardize BIPV products to bring costs down may appear mutually exclusive. In reality, they are the concurrent needs of both the construction and solar sectors and must be considered for the promise of “PV everywhere” to become a reality in our built environment. Work is underway to bridge this gap and the initial results are building in innovation.
Taking the heat
It happens every day: A bird flies over a rooftop solar panel array and deposits an unwelcome offering on a cell. Bird droppings are an annoyance that need to be cleaned off, but can also result in a hot spot on the affected cell, impacting the entire panel’s output and potentially affecting its long-term performance.
Achieving game changing growth
Corporate purchases of green electricity are at an all-time high. Pressure from companies, new entrants, and favorable legislative changes have combined to push the market further. Consequently, the business model landscape is evolving. As part of the UP Initiative quarterly theme on sustainable electricity supply, pv magazine has compiled a brief overview of the main models available (see table) and provided a more in-depth look into two of the most prominent: energy certificates and power purchase agreements.
PV for biodiversity
PV’s contribution to a cleaner future can go well beyond generating emissions-free energy, but maximizing the opportunity is not always straightforward. Ragna Schmidt-Haupt, partner at Everoze and a board member at Skyray, argues that investors and lenders have to start making decisions today to fulfill the required disclosure regulations and make sure their fleet has a positive impact on biodiversity. The key challenge is to weigh the techno-economic-ecological risks, opportunities, costs and revenues.
To replace or repair
Backsheet chalking, especially of polyamide backsheet films, doesn’t take long to lead to cracks and then safety shutdowns. Sometimes, though, the period may be much longer or shorter than expected. Assessing the risk and whether on-site repairs offer a long-term solution is currently a topic of strong debate within the PV industry, as Cornelia Lichner from the pv magazine Deutschland team reports.
What to expect from China’s green power trading
On Sept. 7, the country that consumes more power than any other nation introduced green energy trading. Two regions in China, Beijing and Guangzhou, were selected for the initial introduction of what will become the national green power trading market. Although it is still a pilot program, the market is expected to have far-reaching impacts on China’s energy transition away from coal. What do you need to know about it? Vincent Shaw in Shangahi sets out the details.
