Technical Papers

Modern single metallization lines using flatbed screen printing (FSP) can realize a maximum output of approximately 2,000 wafers/h. For several reasons, achieving a significant further increase in throughput of the FSP process is technically challenging.

To guarantee the long-term competitiveness of the PV industry, the cost of PV power generation ($/kWh) must be continuously reduced. Such reduction can be achieved in two ways: 1) by improving PV module performance (efficiency, annual energy yield, reliability); 2) by reducing manufacturing costs ($/Wp).

Storage integration | Our team profile 10 of the leading global system integrators working in energy storage today. This is a handful of the names that are designing systems, solving problems, executing projects and shaping the industry around us. By: Andy Colthorpe and John Parnell with Tom Kenning, Danielle Ola, David Pratt and Liam Stoker

Trade dispute | Battle lines have been drawn as another trade dispute convulses the US solar industry. John Parnell reports on an increasingly bitter war of words as the case hearings get underway.

Technology | Falling prices have seen single-axis trackers become standard issue in utility PV plants in many parts of the world. As the tracker market becomes more crowded, manufacturers are developing increasingly sophisticated technologies to stay ahead of the game and support wider PV power plant innovation. Ben Willis reports

Policy | State governments and agencies have a key role to play in fostering the growth of energy storage. Todd Olinsky-Paul of the Clean Energy States Alliance looks at the key policies, programmes and incentives being used by America’s pioneering storage states

The technical feasibility of floating solar PV and its long-term durability have often been questioned, but this year’s commissioning of a giant project on a lake in eastern China has launched the technology into the global spotlight.

Markets | The UK government has placed energy storage at the forefront of its industrial strategy. David Pratt and Lauren Cook report on how this is creating the right conditions for what many believe will be a boom market in years to come

Module failure | Defective modules causing power losses in PV systems need to be easily detected with a rapid and cost-effective inspection method. Researchers from Institute for Solar Energy. Research in Hamelin (ISFH) explain how UV fluorescence of module encapsulation polymers is used for the fast detection of module failures under daylight conditions without disconnection, allowing the inspection of up to 200 modules in an hour during daytime.

Grid storage | The advent of grid-scale energy storage means a whole raft of new technical, safety and risk-mitigation requirements for the industry to understand. Martijn Huibers, PhD and Paul Raats, MSc of DNV GL report on guidance designed to help stakeholders get to grips with this fast-emerging sector