Lying in wait
SE Asia: The region has been identified as one of the emerging solar markets of the future. With the IMF reporting economic growth at a rate of 6.5 percent per annum, electricity demand is also growing. However, cumulative installed PV capacity and support schemes are comparatively negligible. Despite this, many companies are lying in wait, preparing their plans, ready to pounce as soon as the markets are ripe.
Window of opportunity
CEO Interview: 2012 has been a busy year for Manz AG. Already this year the company has opened new manufacturing facilities in China, released a new wet chemical tool and transferred 118 CIGS experts from Würth Solar into its own operations. However as yet, it has not sold even one of its CIGS turnkey fabs and has seen a strong decline of revenue from its PV business in 2012. pv magazine spoke to CEO Dieter Manz to find out the companys strategy in these challenging times.
Value of fluoropolymer-based backsheets
Backsheets: For most photovoltaic modules available on the market today, there are two primary protective layers the glass on the sun-facing side of the module, and a fluoropolymer-based backsheet. Between the two, the backsheet has a demanding role as Honeywells Jim Bratcher explains.
Value of fluoropolymer-based backsheets
Backsheets: For most photovoltaic modules available on the market today, there are two primary protective layers the glass on the sun-facing side of the module, and a fluoropolymer-based backsheet. Between the two, the backsheet has a demanding role as Honeywells Jim Bratcher explains.
Upgrade for the US grid
Transmission lines for solar: While hundreds of megawatts of new solar power projects have been approved by U.S. states and municipalities in recent times, the question of where associated transmission lines will be sited still hangs over some of these developments like the Sword of Damocles, a problem that could crash down with a terminating effect on a project.
Tech investment
Chinese cooperation: To produce high efficiency PV modules, relationships between producers, who are predominantly Chinese, and technology providers are becoming ever more important.
Still a growth market
Intersolar North America: Numbers were down but there was strong interest in installations and system providers at Intersolar North America held last month in San Francisco. While industry consolidation and challenging project finance remained a major theme, there were still positive signs with relatively steady market growth.
Steering through the standards jungle
Mounting systems: Solar power plants have to be able to withstand considerable wind and snow loads. They must be able to absorb these loads and dissipate them into the roof or the ground via the mounting system. This raises the question of what standards and basic conditions are relevant for mounting systems. Lydia Hannemann and Sandy Schnitzer of Mounting Systems analyze the most important prerequisites.
Solar superhero
Interview: Having been a world leader in crystalline silicon (c-Si) solar cell efficiency since 1983, The University of New South Wales Martin Green is a true Solar superhero. Despite the fortunes of some of the Chinese c-Si waning in the light of rapidly falling prices, Green remains confident that PV will continue to develop and become a major energy source of the future. pv magazine met with the softly-spoken scientist to get his take on the current market and challenges currently facing the industry.
Solar kibbutzim
Israel: At this years CleanTech summit and exhibition, organized by Mashov Group in Tel Aviv, Israels PV industry looked forward to when PV electricity production will become competitive without subsidy.
