PV Tech Power Papers

Ben Willis look at the latest developments in some of the most promising emerging PV markets worldwide. This issue features Ukraine, Zambia and Ethiopia

Bifacial technology promises significant reductions in the levelised cost of electricity for PV systems, and almost all major PV suppliers are already producing or planning bifacial modules. Hartmut Nussbaumer, Markus Klenk, Andreas Halm & Andreas Schneider give an overview of the currently available bifacial modules and cell technologies and adapted mounting solutions

Community solar is the fastest growing segment in the US. Ben Willis looks at some of the legal and financing drivers helping propel the sector forward, and the ongoing challenges it faces in fulfilling its potential

With floating solar on lakes and reservoirs well on the way to becoming a mainstream concept, attention is now turning to the possibilities offered by offshore systems. Børge Bjørneklett describes some of the pioneering R&D work being undertaken in the race to take solar to the open seas

UK solar has defied a retraction of subsidies by finding ever more innovate routes to market. Liam Stoker analyses some of the most interesting business models to take hold as the UK emerges as a post-subsidy solar destination

Storage has an important role to play in the UK’s future energy system, but the challenge for investors and developers is to select the right business models and combination of technologies. Maria Connolly and Stuart Urquhart at UK law firm TLT look at how some of the new regulatory and policy developments are helping enhance the bankability of storage

First developed by NASA, flow batteries are a potential answer to storing solar – and wind – for eight to 10 hours, far beyond what is commonly achieved today with lithium-ion. In the second of a two-part special report, Andy Colthorpe dives deeper into questions of bankability, market segmentation and manufacturing strategies

In April of this year, the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, drew scorn when he announced that every village across India had access to electricity. The reality that ‘electrification’ in government terminology meant that a mere 10% of households in any one village had power, was not made clear in the initial announcements.

Going into 2019 the availability of higher performance, lower cost PV modules will significantly complicate the question of module choice for utility-scale solar projects. Finlay Colville, head of solar intelligence, Solar Media, explores what this will mean for EPCs and developers

Temperature coefficient has a well-known bearing on the performance of PV modules. Based on analysis of field data gathered from operational modules in India, Satish Pandey, Rajesh Dhuriya, Gaurav Mishra and Rakshita Mhatre reveal how in actual operating conditions the temperature coefficient of modules is deviating from values provided in manufacturer datasheets, potentially impacting on project financial modelling.