In Depth

  • Global average module prices began a steep decline in 2008.

    Solar permitting project sees red and awards gold stars

    By Felicity Carus - 11 June 2013, 11:22

    The permitting process for solar projects in the US is notoriously complicated. Felicity Carus looks at ways it can be improved for the good of the industry.

  • Claims resulting from PV theft have risen year on year in proportion to overall installed solar capacity in the US.

    Friday Focus: Can solar thwart the thieves?

    By Fergus March - 07 June 2013, 10:41

    The theft of modules from large PV plants, particularly in remote areas, is on the rise. Fergus March reports on some of the increasingly creative methods being used by companies to beat the criminals.

  • There is only one way to forecast CapEx, and that is bottom-up from the production line level, with segmentation by process flow variant and

    Would the leading PV equipment supplier please stand up?

    By Finlay Colville - 04 June 2013, 11:43

    It is hard to imagine any marketing scenario in which citing leading ranking metrics would be off the radar. But just think for one minute: when was the last time a PV equipment supplier announced leading ranking status with any fanfare? Or proclaimed a purchase order that would catapult revenues beyond fiscal year guided levels?

  • Mosaic's latest project has investors from all over the US.

    Solar crowdfunding pushes way beyond the social network

    By Felicity Carus - 04 June 2013, 10:41

    Crowdfunding is becoming an increasingly popular tool in the US for raising capital for solar installations. Felicity Carus asks what all the hype is about.

  • The PV installation on the roof of the Bentley Motors factory.

    UK solar PV demand reached 520MW in Q1 2013

    By Finlay Colville - 04 June 2013, 10:10

    The rush to build large-scale ground-mount projects to qualify for the 2ROCs incentive rate has pushed cumulative UK demand to 2.5GW. NPD Solarbuzz’s Finlay Colville looks at a record quarter for the UK.

  • Sources close to the commission have suggested that De Gucht has used the solar industry as some sort of political pawn. Image: FriendsofEur

    Friday Focus: Europe and China square up over solar duties

    By Nilima Choudhury - 31 May 2013, 14:50 | 1

    Europe’s trade standoff with China has generated countless contradictory rumours. Nilima Choudhury and Peter Bennett look beyond the headlines to ascertain what the EC’s final decision next week will mean for solar.

  • Annual installed grid-connected PV capacity (MW) by sector (2002-2012).

    PURPA blends net metering potential with community solar

    By Felicity Carus - 28 May 2013, 09:44

    Electricity legislation introduced in the US in the 1970s has untapped potential for encouraging renewables, says Felicity Carus.

  • The Levis Stadium - San Francisco 49ers - 400kW.

    Friday Focus: (Solar-powered) Friday Night Lights

    By Peter Bennett - 24 May 2013, 09:19

    A growing number of sporting stadia in the US are now sourcing their power from solar installations. Peter Bennett looks at some of the most high profile examples

  • Mexico has all the right conditions in place for a solar boom. Image: Isofoton.

    Mexico offers tantalising prospect of a dawning major market

    By Felicity Carus - 21 May 2013, 13:49 | 2

    Mexico has all the right conditions for a solar boom. Felicity Carus investigates what it will take to turn promise into reality.

  • Kromatix technology can be applied to glass to create a variety of colours. Image: SwissINSO.

    SwissINSO adds colour to building-integrated solar

    By Julia Chan - 17 May 2013, 13:17

    In a 24 hour whirlwind trip to Switzerland, I visited the headquarters of technology start-up firm SwissINSO, where I was able to see first hand the development of a new technology that is set to bring more colour to the PV market, specifically the BIPV and solar thermal sector.

Newsletter

Preview Latest
Subscribe
We won't share your details - promise!

Publications

  • Photovoltaics International 20th Edition

    Has the latest round of consolidation in the supply chain enabled a more sustainable growth curve for the solar industry or is this a blip fuelled by subsidies? In this context Photovoltaics International has never been more relevant for your business. Whether you are a glass half empty or full person, the fact remains that orders are up across the board, new markets are coming on stream and analysts’ predictions are increasing again. Optimism is starting to creep into even the most conservative of organisations.

  • Manufacturing The Solar Future: The 2013 Production Annual

    In the ever-changing global solar markets, cost reduction and measures to increase cell efficiencies are the key tools available to PV manufacturers to create new opportunities and drive your business to the next level. Manufacturing the Solar Future 2013 is the third in the Photovoltaics International PV Production Annual series, delivering the next instalment of in-depth technical manufacturing information on PV production processes designed to help you gain the competitive edge.

Partners

Acknowledgements

Solar Media