In an emerging US solar market with an influx of foreign direct investment (FDI) and rapidly evolving technology, PV manufacturers who are looking to establish or expand a base of US operations may benefit from choosing a firm specialising in the design-build project delivery method. With faster speed to market and greater flexibility, design-build offers numerous advantages for solar companies seeking an immediate edge over the competition. Design-build’s shorter project timelines help manufacturers meet aggressive production targets, while its streamlined structure offers the adaptability to support manufacturers’ ongoing initiatives to improve products and processes.
As a fast-growing segment of the industry, floating solar is also a novel technology that comes with a variety of new operational risks. Bobby McFadden, kWh Analytics, Chris Bartle of Ciel & Terre and James Markos of Willis Towers Watson explore some of these and their implications from an insurance perspective.
The dollar-per-watt metric has traditionally formed the basis of PV module purchasing. But as Anza CEO Mike Hall argues, this simplistic formula can lead to costly mistakes and stand in the way of getting the best value from procurement decisions.
The COVID-19 pandemic and a subsequent string of global political and economic crises have forced companies to reassess how they operate in the face of constantly shifting policy and supply chain dynamics. This article explores how the PV industry can make informed decisions on choosing the best locations to base manufacturing operations in a world characterised by unpredictability.
