Category: Solar

Gas contamination control in photovoltaic applications

Chemical purity is important to the manufacture of photovoltaic cells for many critical process steps, and acknowledging this, the Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International Corporation (SEMI) PV Group has established standards for gases specifically for the photovoltaic industry. PES investigates. The standards outlined by SEMI include PV6-1110 for bulk argon, PV7-1110 for bulk hydrogen and… Read more »

Inspecting roof mounted solar panels with thermal imaging

We’re delighted to welcome FLIR to the magazine for the first time. The global leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of thermal imaging infrared cameras, the company’s products play pivotal roles in a wide range of industrial, commercial and government applications in more than 60 countries. Today, we turn the spotlight on its activities… Read more »

Monitoring and controlling photovoltaic systems for economy and reliability

We’re delighted to be joined by Gantner Instruments’ Annette Christine Kehrer, who writes about her company’s creative systems and how they can be applied to real-world PV scenarios. In large solar power plants, monitoring equipment is becoming constantly more complex and important: system operators want to find faults in modules, strings or groups quickly and… Read more »

Chinese Import Tariffs Debate: Open Market Will Benefit Industry As A Whole Says Eaton

Commenting on the debate which is currently raging¹ concerning the European Commission’s placing of import tariffs on solar panels Richard Molloy, Renewable Energy spokesperson for Eaton UK said, “Opinion is divided with vehement views on either side of the debate. We, along with much of the industry, believe that this imposition of duty will be… Read more »

Centrosolar Introduces Its Third Solar Power Storage System The Cenpac Storage Dc

With DC side connection, the system is easy to connect and achieves a maximum level of efficiency Hamburg, Germany, 11 Junel 2013 Building upon the wave of new storage products introduced in March, Centrosolar will now be launching a third system for solar power storage. CENPAC Storage DC, based on tried and tested lead gel… Read more »

Solar and autarky: a European symbiosis

Autarky: the quality of being self-sufficient. We’re proud to present a thought-provoking dispatch on the subject and how it’s rooted in the solar market from one of the industry’s most respected commentators… Since the 60s, people have been putting panels on their roofs with complete disregard for Feed-in Tariffs. These green pioneers were interested in… Read more »

Keeping a close eye on quality

A byword for quality in the extrusion sector, Breyer GmbH is one of Germany’s most established and forward-thinking businesses. Today, the company is recognised throughout the world as one of the leading manufacturers of systems for the processing of thermoplastics and has specialised in economically working extrusion lines. With over 320 employees, Breyer produces an… Read more »

Breaking into Europe: a user guide

When a company operating within the solar sector expands from its heartland into new territories, there’s a steep learning curve and the faint threat of failure. On the other hand, there’s an overwhelming sense of opportunity. Olivier Jacques talks us through his organisation’s expansion into Europe, and the lessons he’s learned. In less than five… Read more »

Connecting solar business

Last year, 66,000 visitors from 160 countries and 1,909 exhibitors from 49 countries descended on to Intersolar Europe 2012 and firmly established the event as the biggest and best on the industry’s calendar. Can this year’s show deliver even more of an impact? PES investigates… From June 19-21, the international solar industry will once again… Read more »

Polish PV looks promising

Renewable energy sources have finally got the attention of the Polish government. With the package of energy regulations, including Renewable Energy Law, Energy Act and Gas Act, the country may form one of the most important new markets for solar just in the heart of Europe. PES investigates. Energy regulations packageUntil recently, the Polish government… Read more »

Tech focus: how small bearings can make a huge difference

A sector of the solar market that is expected to grow from two to four gigawatts per year, CSP is currently enjoying an enviable boom. But it’s worth noting that the technology relies on a seemingly innocuous small part to work effectively, as Janaki Weiden, Global Market Manager, Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics, explains. The facts speak… Read more »

Looking to the future with confidence

A worldwide brand with a formidable reputation, Diehl Controls has over 2,600 employees in the German headquarters of Wangen and Nuremberg and subsidiaries further afield (including China and the US). Outstanding engineering competence and a worldwide production volume of more than 80,000 electronic systems a day go towards building a company that is a manufacturing… Read more »

DuPont and Yingli Green Energy Sign Expanded Strategic Agreement

Key Collaboration to Spur Further Adoption of Solar to Meet Growing Energy Demands BAODING, China, June 5, 2013 – DuPont and Yingli Energy (China) Company Limited (Yingli China), a wholly owned subsidiary of Yingli Green Energy Holding Company Limited (Yingli Green Energy), have signed a new one year, $100 million strategic agreement that includes the… Read more »

Innotech Solar appoints Jerry Stokes as new CEO: Prepares for next growth phase.

Narvik/Norway, 4th June 2013 – Innotech Solar AS the Norwegian specialist solar cell and PV module manufacturer with operations in Germany, Sweden and Hong Kong is pleased to announce that Jerry Stokes has joined the company as CEO effective 3rd June 2013. Jerry was formerly President of Suntech in Europe and will replace David Hogg… Read more »

Grid parity: Conergy hits 1 MW mark with non-subsidised solar projects in Spain

Finalist at Intersolar AWARD 2013: Conergy’s grid parity project “Lasal del Varador” Hamburg / Madrid, 4 June 2013 – Conergy has hit the 1 megawatt mark in Spain with grid parity projects that are competitive without having to rely on any state subsidies whatsoever. In the autumn of 2012, Conergy broke new solar ground by… Read more »

aleo solar presents self-consumption solutions at Intersolar

aleo solar AG will be putting the spotlight on self-consumption of solar power at the Intersolar in Munich from June,19 to 21. Under the heading “energy experience”, the module producer and system supplier will be presenting solutions to make efficient use of solar power in the entire household. aleo solar will be showing its products… Read more »

PPROINSO to provide e-learning to Qualified Installers

PROINSO and ALECOP have signed a cooperation agreement to start e-learning activities in the PROINSO SOLAR TRAINING SCHOOL programme. This innovative action in the photovoltaic retail industry is targeted at the 2,360 Qualified Installers in PROINSO’s International Network, present in 70 countries in all five continents, who will have the chance to get online training…. Read more »

Court terminates centrotherm photovoltaics AG’s insolvency proceedings

Group fully reorganized and fit for the future Blaubeuren/Ulm, June 3, 2013 – The Ulm District Court has approved the insolvency plan of centrotherm photovoltaics AG in the version dated January 29, 2013, and has terminated the insolvency proceedings with effect as of the end of May 31. These proceedings have been running since October… Read more »

Meyer Burger showcases industry leading PV-upgrade technologies and integrated photovoltaic solutions at annual SNEC PV Power Expo in Shanghai

At the 7th SNEC International Photovoltaic Power Generation Conference & Exhibition from 14 – 16 May 2013, Meyer Burger Technology Ltd (SIX Swiss Exchange: MBTN) highlighted its clear understanding of PV manufacturers’ requirements in the current solar market by showcasing both its cost reducing upgrade technologies for existing manufacturers as well as its industry leading… Read more »

ReneSola to highlight regional manufacturing strategy and commitment to EU markets at Intersolar 2013

ReneSola, the Chinese solar giant, has announced plans to expand its production facilities in regional markets around the world to serve its growing international client base. This initiative will significantly reduce the company’s transport costs while improving the availability of its locally produced products at a regional level. The company will highlight this strategy at… Read more »

The Intersolar Award 2013 Finalists

Munich, May 27, 2013 – For the sixth year running, the world’s largest exhibition for the solar industry, Intersolar Europe, is using the Intersolar AWARD to pay tribute to the industry’s innovative strength. The prize is awarded in the categories of Photovoltaics, Solar Thermal Technologies and Solar Projects in Europe. Exhibitors at Intersolar Europe as… Read more »

TULiPPS Solar Develops First Functional Prototypes of World’s Lightest Building-Integrated Photovoltaic Solar Modules

Together with its partners, TULiPPS Solar B.V. has developed its first fully functional prototypes of what is currently projected to be the world’s lightest building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) solar modules for pitched roofs and cladding applications. These modules have an area weight of 8.5 kg/m2 (1.7 lb/ft2), so a unit that is 180 by 85 cm… Read more »

Inverter solutions for a wide range of applications: SolarMax 6MT2 and MT3-SV

The new three-phase SolarMax 6MT2 inverter optimizes the yields of small PV power plants, while the MT3-SV significantly reduces the system cost for decentralized large-scale power plants. Biel, May 28, 2013 – The successful range of SolarMax MT inverters the Swiss manufacturer Sputnik Engineering is extended with the three-phase 6MT2 inverter (6kW) offering the flexibility… Read more »

SINGULUS Discusses Innovative Solutions for the New PERC Solar Cells as well as Custom Concepts for the Manufacturing of CIGS Solar Modules at the Chinese Solar Trade Fair SNEC

Against the background of a still weak market and political discussions SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES (SINGULUS) reports interesting projects talks at the solar trade Fair SNEC in Shanghai. In particular, solutions for the manufacturing of more efficient crystalline solar cells, the so-called PERC cells, were in the spotlight. For the upgrade of existing cell production lines only… Read more »

Meyer Burgers Dedicated Measurement Technology For High Efficiency Solar Modules Successfully Approved By Pi Berlin

The DragonBack® measurement method for high efficiency solar modules, developed by Pasan SA, the competence centre for measurement technologies within the Meyer Burger Technology Group, sets new standards in PV measurement and has now been successfully approved by the Photovoltaik Institut Berlin AG. With the DragonBack® technology Meyer Burger is setting a further standard. Easily… Read more »

Bentek Solar Ships More than 100MW of Its New 1000VDC Utility-Scale Breaker Universal Safety System (BUSS)

Bentek Solar, a leading designer and manufacturer of PV products connecting PV panels to inverters worldwide for the commercial and utility-scale marketplaces, announces that it has shipped more than 100MW of the new Breaker Universal Safety Systems (BUSS) since its recent March 2013 introduction. “The new Bentek BUSS is designed to work with almost any… Read more »

Dek Solar Launches Breakthrough Technology For The Pv Industry

DEK Solar was delighted to launch the breakthrough Fine Line StencilTM at this year’s Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNEC) Photovoltaic Power Expo in China, which took place from the 14th – 16th of May. Having worked extensively with PV manufacturers to understand their print process needs, DEK Solar developed this brand new enabling technology… Read more »

SolarMax launches into the U.S. solar market

The Swiss inverter manufacturer opens first U.S. office in Atlanta Biel, May 21, 2013 – The Swiss inverter manufacturer Sputnik Engineering, with more than 20 years of experience in the solar industry, launched with its SolarMax brand into the United States market and celebrated its Atlanta, Georgia area office opening. The operational expansion will allow… Read more »

Spain: 1.2 MW solar power plants for water company, sports facilities and schools

Conergy and Gamma Solutions realise 9 solar plants on public buildings Hamburg / Madrid, 20 May 2013 – There’s a sunny outlook for 9 public facilities in Spain, including some schools, sports facilities, a water company and government buildings. In the future, more than 5,000 solar modules installed on the roofs of these buildings, which… Read more »

Expanding the range of technology products as a result of the strategic acquisition of GP Solar and GP Inspect

ISRA VISION is expanding its range of production automation and quality inspection technology products by taking over GP Solar and GP Inspect, and in doing so it is branching out into the photovoltaic industry. Customers can benefit from the many years of experience in production and process support as well as from the company’s expertise… Read more »

Siemens study: Europe can save EUR 45 billion in its pursuit of renewables

Building and expanding renewable energy installations in the wrong locations is costing EUR 45 billion in unnecessary investment. Potential savings on a magnitude of 4-5 times the annual investment in solar and wind power plant construction in Germany are possible Siemens has analyzed the electrical power producing systems across Europe and identified considerable potential for… Read more »

Ais Automation Continues Its Strategic Cooperation With Aixtron Se A Leading Supplier Of Deposition Systems

AIS Automation Dresden GmbH, a member of the Meyer Burger Group (SIX Swiss Exchange: MBTN), continues its strategic cooperation with AIXTRON SE. With its flexible and advanced software solutions for factory automation and equipment control, AIS excellently complements the innovative and cost-efficient deposition systems of AIXTRON SE for the semiconductor industry. The long-lasting cooperation and… Read more »

Intersolar India 2013: The Latest Technologies For A Dynamic Market

Mumbai/Pforzheim/Freiburg, May 16, 2013 : The Indian solar market is on its way to becoming one of the most important markets worldwide. While the country’s total installed capacity stood at only 17.8 megawatts (MW) at the start of 2010, it surpassed the gigawatt (GW) mark last year and is expected to continue increasing rapidly over… Read more »

aleo solar AG reports drop in revenue in the first quarter of 2013

aleo solar AG (ISIN: DE000A0JM634) today announced that it generated revenue of EUR 31.1 million in the first three months of 2013. This means that aleo solar’s revenue decreased by 58.3% compared to the first quarter of 2012 (EUR 74.6 million). Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) came in at EUR -16.3 million (EUR -8.2… Read more »

1,752 Contributions from 76 Countries Submitted for Presentation at the EUPVSEC 2013 in Paris, France

With 1,752 research, industry and market contributions (abstracts) from 76 countries applying for presentation at the Conference, the response to the Call for Papers for the 28th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition (EU PVSEC) is compelling. The EU PVSEC 2013 will take place from 30 September to 04 October 2013 at Parc des… Read more »

Meyer Burgers Mb Perc Solar Cell Technology Industrially Successful Worldwide

The PERC (Passivated Emitter Rear Cell) solar cell technology, developed by Roth & Rau AG, the competence centre for coating technologies within the Meyer Burger Technology Group, has been successfully implemented under the product name “MB-PERC” by customers in order to increase the standard solar cell process in existing manufacturing environments as well as an… Read more »