The estimated PV system installation capacity in 2016 was ~70GW worldwide [1], as shown in Fig. 1. In fact, the production volume in 2015 was around 200 times that in 2000, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 40%. It has recently been noted that as the PV industry matures, the mindset is changing from $/W to $/kWh. While $/W is still a major driving force, the significance of other factors that influence the cost of energy must also be considered. In this regard, PV development is entering the era of $/kWh-oriented optimization.
Modules | PV module technology is more advanced and more varied than at any other time. Having pulled together a throng of senior PV technology experts for our PV CellTech conference, PV Tech’s head of market research, Finlay Colville, discusses with John Parnell the need to match these advances with a dedicated event this November.
Intersolar preview | The need for ongoing innovation is one of the few givens in the unpredictable solar business. Ben Willis speaks to two of the lead organisers of Intersolar Europe about the likely big topics on the show floor this year and what those tell us about industry’s continuing evolution.
O&M | As the world’s global installed solar capacity ages, technology costs drop and sophistication grows, the benefits of a health check and potential plant upgrades also increase. As part of our
repowering review, Mariano Melero, principal consultant, RINA Consulting discusses the benefits of looking after aging assets.
As with solar, Germany has been one of the leading early adopters of storage. Andy Colthorpe speaks to analyst Valts Grintals about the key drivers emerging for storage in this pioneer country.
Battery storage | Operations and maintenance is becoming an important subset of the fast-maturing solar industry but is not yet as clearly defined in the less developed storage business. Andy
Colthorpe reports on how efforts to get the most out of battery systems are focused on optimising assets to provide maximum value across a range of markets.
System monitoring | The international standard guiding the monitoring of PV systems has been revised to include greater emphasis on accuracy. Will Beuttell of EKO Instruments explains some
of the key aspects of the revised standard and how it will help satisfy the maturing PV industry’s appetite for better quality data on plant performance.
Reporting | The growing range of stakeholders in the solar business, from the owners of small rooftop systems to pension funds, require timely and adequate information on asset performance,
but to varying levels of detail. Edmée Kelsey looks at how the industry is rising to the increasingly onerous reporting challenge
France | With Europe in search of another PV poster child, an Emmanuel Macron-led France looks all but set to truly embrace the solar revolution. But will it learn from the mistakes of other boom
markets that have preceded it?
Market update | Mexico as yet has only a small installed base of solar PV. But with widely lauded
market reforms beginning to take effect, and a succession of highly competitive tenders under its
belt, this is a market whose time is about to come. Danielle Ola reports
