Multi-Contact (MC) is one of the pioneers of the PV industry, having developed the first professional photovoltaic connector on an industrial scale. For over 16 years the MC3 and MC4 have been the most successful connectors, showing best performance and reliability. The company’s success is based on long-term experience and expertise – we take a… Read more »
America’s solar cities revolution has been championed by President Obama himself – a genuine and influential advocate of renewables. Don’t believe us? Take a look at his recent DESPATCH on the subject… Changing the way we use energy is just one of the ways Americans have been working so hard to move this country forward…. Read more »
Process optimisation via infrared noncontact temperature measurement and temperature data logging and profiling. Raytek and DATAPAQ, two leading manufacturers of temperature measurement devices, are showcasing their products at glasstec in D¸sseldorf (21-24 October 2014), Hall 14, Stand A39. We take a look at what the two companies have to offer. Raytek offers a complete line… Read more »
As Solar Market Strategic Manager for Sensata Technologies, John Kluza has witnessed business evolution not just within his company, but in the wider solar arena. Here, he talks to PES about how Sensata is geared to meet that evolution and to capitalise on it. PES: Welcome to PES. Would you like to introduce your company… Read more »
The International Energy Agency (IEA) has been criticised for underestimating the potential of solar photovoltaics in its analyses. In this (personal) report, the author, himself a solar industry executive, compares IEA projections with a number of other sources and up to date industry data. He claims that the IEA consistently operates with much too pessimistic… Read more »
Words: Don Buck: Senior Manager, Service Business Development, SMA Many factors contribute to the success of a PV plant: professional design, top-quality components and precise installation, to name just a few. However, accounting for and choosing the right operations and maintenance (O&M) plan is vital to achieving maximum power production and long-term profitability. Because a… Read more »
smartblue AG maintains the long-term attractiveness of solar installations as investments by ensuring revenue security. Despite a period of consolidation, the momentum of the photovoltaic sector shows no sign of slowing down. Increasing cost pressures and strong international competition have led to rises in efficiency at every stage of the value chain. Technical and business… Read more »
Every year, we dissect the Renewables Global Status Report to discover the status of the PV industry, and this year is no different. Just published, the report is compiled by an international network of more than 500 contributors, researchers, and authors. It provides an unparalleled viewpoint of the market – and this time, there is… Read more »
The globalising solar industry is at a transformative point, benefiting from big technological gains and beset by big geopolitical fights. As the industry develops over the next decade and beyond, who will win, who will lose and how will those shifts play out? PES investigates… To illuminate the potential contours of tomorrow’s global solar industry,… Read more »
SiOxNy layers serve different functions in coated layer stacks including: diffusion barrier, scratch protection, and refractive index tuning. We report on the increase of coating process stability and layer quality of SiOxNy deposited on large areas using reactive MF dual magnetron sputtering with 1.6m long cathodes oriented in a vertical geometry. The process has been… Read more »
A trusted name in the solar industry for decades – Spitzenberger & Spies GmbH & Co. KG. – remains ahead of the rest when it comes to the capabilities of modern bi-directional inverters. In this article, we explore the use of battery energy storage systems in local PV installations and testing the performance of connected… Read more »
A goliath of the solar energy sector, Trina Solar has appeared in PES several times over the years. We’re very happy to welcome the company back to our pages, and particularly happy to catch up with Jing Tian, Director of Global Marketing. Jian talks us through the company’s most pressing priorities and presents an illuminating… Read more »
Words: Dean Middleton, Senior Sales Director – Renewable Energy, Trojan Battery Co., LLC Batteries are crucial to the success of PV systems, and yet capitalising on their true efficiency and longevity is often an afterthought. Dean Middleton offers his expert view… The single most important factor to consider when purchasing a deep-cycle battery for renewable… Read more »
Just 20 cities, representing just 0.1 per cent of the land area of the United States, account for 7 per cent of solar PV capacity in the country. These top 20 cities contain more solar power today than was installed in the entire U.S. just six years ago. PES investigates. Solar power is on the… Read more »
With nearly four decades’ experience at the cutting edge of the manufacturing sector, Victron Energy is an organisation with an impressive reputation for innovation and quality. We asked the company’s Managing Director, Matthijs Vader to give us an essential overview. PES: Welcome to PES. Would you like to tell us a little about the company… Read more »
VON ARDENNE develops and manufactures advanced vacuum coating equipment for the deposition of ultra-thin functional layers on materials such as glass, metal strip, wafers and polymer films. In this article, we take an exclusive look at the company and its latest product, XEA|nova. The German family-owned company VON ARDENNE’s key technologies are magnetron sputtering and… Read more »
A new company for the PV industry that is already catching the eye of customers and pre-eminent research institutions, WAVELABS is set to shake-up the sector with a unique interface and a fresh approach to business. We put the questions to the company’s Torsten Brammer, Thankmar Wagner and Jˆrn Suthues. PES: WAVELABS is a relatively… Read more »
The old saying, ‘preparation prevents poor performance’ rings particularly true when it comes to A2SEA. The company has installed more than 1,000 turbines and 400 foundations and is currently smashing targets for bringing projects in on time and on budget and, naturally, in the safest manner possible. We spoke to Jens Frederik Hansen to find… Read more »
The scientific arguments (and counter-arguments) surrounding Wind Turbine Syndrome have been raging for years. PES is obviously and firmly pro-wind, but in the interests of balance, isn’t it time we started handling our PR a little better? After all, clean energy isn’t necessarily flawless energy… Sarah Shea didn’t find out about the wind farm until… Read more »
Offering much more than simply floating hotels, C-bed is setting new trends in safety, comfort and efficiency. We talked to Flemming Hjorth about the company’s foresight and effort in this niche industry and discover how it is able to offer tailor-made solutions to clients based on the most extensive knowledge and experience available. PES: How… Read more »
Giles Palmer, CEO for social media analytics company Brandwatch, offers his advice on what you really need to know about the digital world and how to bluff your way through the rest. You’ve got a healthy number of connections on LinkedIn, you are promoting your company on Twitter and you no longer think Snapchat is… Read more »
In one of his final despatches, the outgoing British Minister of State for Energy turns the political spotlight on offshore energy and Scotland. The country is currently one of the world’s biggest suppliers of offshore wind power, but will that change if it adopts independence in an imminent referendum? Words: The Rt. Hon Michael Fallon… Read more »
A strong presence of leading executives and key markets makes WindEnergy Hamburg a global meeting point for the industry. We take a closer look at the global on- & offshore expo, which will be held at the Hamburg Fair site from 23 to 26 September. WindEnergy Hamburg, the foremost international fair for the wind industry,… Read more »
If you thought that the wind industry in China had all but stalled (in favour of solar), think again. The nation’s market is in rude health and looking to boom in the near future. We present and up-to-date snapshot. Since 2011, the Chinese wind market has been in a consolidation phase, following nearly a decade… Read more »
While Germany and Scotland grab most of the headlines for wind energy production, it is Denmark that sets the standard in policy terms. Copenhagen is preparing a push for stronger EU-wide 2030 climate and energy goals despite tough opposition from states such as the UK and Poland… The Danish climate and energy minister, Martin Lidegaard,… Read more »
When wind farms change owners, detailed expertise is in high demand; the projects may involve specific risks that – although not immediately apparent – may result in higher costs, lower energy production than predicted, or liability issues that affect Returns On Investment and cash flow. It is therefore vital to identify potential risks in advance… Read more »
A trusted shipping company with an enviable safety record and a far-reaching reputation for reliability, ESVAGT is a shining star in the offshore wind sector. We analysed the company in depth and found an operation that’s committed to safety and quality in equal measure… ESVAGT is a ship-owning company founded in Esbjerg, Denmark, in 1981… Read more »
Every year in PES, we take a closer look at the work of the European Wind Energy Association, and in particular its Annual Report. Hot off the press, it provides an accurate snapshot of the association and signposts challenges and opportunities. We’re delighted to present a few of the highlights, including an interview with the… Read more »
Words: Morgan Troedsson, Product Manager, FORCE Technology A familiar commentator in the pages of PES, Morgan Troedsson of FORCE Technology is one of the world’s foremost experts when it comes to blade inspection (and a lot more besides)… Every manufacturer of rotor blades for contemporary wind turbines is concerned with efficient and safe Quality Assurance… Read more »
Offshore marine engineering specialist GeoSea has been involved in the offshore wind industry since the early days and has played a role in some 40 wind farms to date. Bart de Poorter, General Manager of GeoSea, outlines how the company has evolved to serve the offshore wind sector and where he sees its role in… Read more »
Project management is paramount when operating in wind transportation today. In fact, it’s the only way to ensure the high quality that all wind companies demand, says CEO Hans Ove Dahl from GIVE GOODWIND – the Denmark based transporter that is busy expanding its business in neighbouring markets. PES: Welcome to PES Magazine. Would you… Read more »
A world-renowned specialist for the transport of heavy-lift, project and break-bulk cargoes across all oceans of the world, Hansa Heavy Lift is a perfect fit for the wind industry. The company’s young fleet of special heavy-lift vessels and highly qualified crews ensure an exceptionally smooth service. We spoke to Managing Director Joerg Roehl. PES: Welcome… Read more »
As the global specialist in pipeline mats and crawler crane mats, Ko-Mats GmbH has embraced the opportunities presented to it by the wind industry. It provides end-to-end solutions for many of the challenges that turbine logistics companies face, through a large stock of mats for sale or hire. We spoke to the company’s August Oude… Read more »
With 10MW turbines on the horizon, stable policy conditions, improved investment conditions and a dependable infrastructure, wind is about to enter its fastest ever growth period. We examine the mitigating factors and explore what is set to be a golden period for wind. Let’s kick this feature off with a look at the figures. The… Read more »
A relatively-recent entrant to the wind market, Mensys is a recruiter of note that is set to double its turnover in the next 12 months. We spoke to Lars Poslednik, Country General Manager, Germany. PES: Welcome to PES. Would you like to take the opportunity to bring us up to speed with the history of… Read more »
When we last spoke to Henning Weisz, the CEO of Global Tarps (Group MPASIA), it was following a 12 month growth period that had also seen the company maintain its reputation for quality and service. We caught up with Henning once again to find out how the business has been performing recently. PES: Welcome back,… Read more »