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This sixteenth edition of Photovoltaics International marks four years of production of the quarterly journal. As always, our focus is on efficiency and quality improvement and cost reduction in manufacturing. As 2012 rolls along, companies are falling by the wayside due to supply and demand issues, ASP declines and drastic governmental subsidy cuts. A clear picture of 2012 is offered through papers from the likes of TÜV Rheinland, Fraunhofer ISE, SEMI PV Group and EPIA, amongst others.
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This digital interactive Lite sees Tom Cheyney follow Agua Caliente’s progress on becoming one of first truly utility-scale PV power farms, where 40–50MW (AC) will be commissioned by the end of the year. We also feature one of the world’s largest silicon thin-film PV power plants, Avenal; a report on warnings of the collapse of module prices from Solarbuzz and PI-Berlin presents tips on PV module testing. A print version of this edition will be distributed at Solar Power International 2011 in Dallas, Texas.
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Manufacturing the Solar Future 2012, the second in the Photovoltaics International PV Production Annual series, delivers the next installment of in-depth technical manufacturing information on PV production processes.
Comments
Dear Board Members of First Solar,
I’m impressed by everything that First Solar has achieved so far.
All that I hear and read is that you are building projects and selling them; there are numerous reports alleging that this is an impressive company with limitless potential, and that is why I invested in your company.
It is an absolute mystery to me why, if all these glowing and positive reports are true, your results do not live up to your estimated earnings and anticipated stock prices.
Our planet is thirsting for clean, alternative sources of energy, and First Solar is ideally positioned to lead the way. The company has made great strides but seems to be slipping back of late, and I wonder if you have a special department of surveillance and research which tracks what the competition is up to and what new ideas are being developed. Has anyone looked into the distinct possibility that solar energy would be an ideal component of expeditions to other planets? (That aggressive you must be!)
On behalf of your thousands of shareholders, and also yourselves, please either do what is necessary to get back on track by employing inventive scientists, aggressive marketers and a strong business management, or else step down and allow other more competent people to take charge.
Sincerely
Joseph Aoun
With $4 billion of tax payers’ money thrown at this new technology, we need to ask the company officials, DOE specialists and Obama’ advisors:
1. Would this unproven technology even survive 30 years under the blistering desert sun in AZ and CA where it is installed by the millions in large scale power fields now days?
2. Would the toxic, carcinogenic cadmium heavy metal compounds sandwiched in these modules stay in there for the duration?
What if the answer to any of these questions is NO? Then what? Who will be held responsible then and how?