The solar industry is constantly evolving and new ideas and innovations are a welcome source of change and regneration. We asked five pioneers in the field – from five diverging sectors – to give us their views on where the industry is headed and how they are helping to encourage the evolution of an industry…. Read more »
The cleaning of sensitive surfaces is a challenge. And according to Serbot AG, many operators of solar panel installations give away their profits because they are unaware of the effect that dirt has on their installations. PES investigates the Swiss company’s innovative, robotic solutions. Certainly, the surfaces on PV installations often still look good, but… Read more »
While manufacturer Spitzenberger & Spies have discussed the DC aspect of the solar inverter in previous PES articles, they return to PES today to discuss the impact of an inverter’s DC and AC aspects… In common solar installations the main focus of the owner is set to the maximum efficiency of the solar energy conversion…. Read more »
The PV industry has watched with interest as, in the last 12 months, Trina Solar finally became the number one crystalline module manufacturer globally, shipping over 3.6 GW to disparate markets. We asked Jing Tian, Trina Solar’s Head of Global Marketing, about the company’s sustained success and its plans for an even brighter future. PES:… Read more »
Would you exhibit Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa outside? In an environment with no fences or security? Looking after a piece of art in such an environment is not an easy task, and the same applies for any object of value in a PV power plant. viamon’s Bas Zapf talks us through the process… A… Read more »
As one of the world’s most important producers of standard testing chambers and systems for environmental simulation, stability testing and emissions testing worldwide, Weiss Umwelttechnik GmbH is a vital cog in the global PV machine. We quizzed Andrea Bodenhagen about the company’s pioneering work and commitment to continued innovation. PES: Welcome back to PES. For… Read more »
Heraeus Photovoltaics combines a rich corporate history in thick films with innovative technology to manufacture industry-leading front and back-side pastes for solar cell manufacturers around the world. The Heraeus silver pastes are specially formulated to provide higher efficiencies and wider processing windows, resulting in better yields and higher output for solar cell manufacturers. We’re delighted… Read more »
Quite possibly the most advanced and forward-thinking energy storage system producers in Europe, AutarcTech GmbH’s LiHome batteries feature an impressive Battery Management System (BMS) with active balancing and remote monitoring. We caught up with the company’s Patrick Cousins. PES: Welcome to PES. Can you explain a little about the company and outline how you serve… Read more »
BREYER’s extrusion system, CellProtect, allows the production of low shrinkage EVA encapsulation film at high production speed. Joachim Bormann talks us through the state of the market and the company’s innovative response. According to the latest quarterly update from Mercom Capital Group, llc (as well as other sources), the solar industry is forecasted to continue… Read more »
While we’re all committed to furthering solar’s growth,it’s worth remembering that many UK-based businesses can also capitalise on the technology through financing options. Ryan Davis looks at the best financing schemes available for businesses considering purchasing microgen technologies, arguing that they can prove to be an excellent investment opportunity. Issues surrounding the environment and energy… Read more »
Change management is a rapidly-growing discipline that enables individuals, teams, and organisations to transition to a desired future state. David Ferrabee talks us through the benefits of transformation at an organisational level. The rapidly shifting renewable energy sector brings with it disruption as well as huge potential opportunities. Those organisations which are agile and able… Read more »
With both Intersolar Europe and Intersolar North America on the agenda for thousands of PV executives this year, we’re delighted to present a preview of both of the essential shows. Where will you be heading this summer – Munich or San Francisco? MunichThe solar industry will take centre stage at Messe München from June 10-12,… Read more »
As PES was going to print, a cabinet meeting chaired by the Chief Minister of India’s Madhya Pradesh, Mr Shivraj Singh, approved the proposal for commissioning the world’s largest solar power plant in the Rewa District. We take a look at the shining star of the solar world. As per projects announced until now, once… Read more »
An increasingly vital tool in today’s disaster zones, solar PV can bring safe, clean, portable power to those in greatest need. We take a look at the technology’s applications in this critical arena. Very few modern day phenomena have the ability to bring a nation to a standstill in the way that a natural disaster… Read more »
We’re delighted to welcome back François Bertero, Global Solar Market Manager for Dow Corning to the magazine – in what has been a momentous 12 months for the silicone specialists. The globally-recognised manufacturer has driven a new agenda that has taken in an increased focus on innovation and an ambitious expansion programme… PES: We see… Read more »
A well-established provider of market-leading performance monitoring and control of solar power systems, Draker Energy is a shining light in the PV industry. The company’s pioneering work became a key contributor to the rapid growth of the solar industry, allowing for validation and enforcement of incentive payment schemes around the world. To date, Draker’s monitoring… Read more »
Technology’s integration allows companies to streamline processes, says Simon Hobday, Energy Partner, Osborne Clarke. But, it’s also changing the model of how consumers use energy, and how companies provide it. Since the turn of this century, increasing concern about climate change has driven a dramatic growth in renewable generation across Europe. Power plants have become… Read more »
After years of use, technically complex inverters may fail or suffer from defects. Fronius is offering PV system owners a simple modernisation solution… The inverter is defective and the warranty has expired. The required service is not available. The PV system does not produce the expected yield. There is a high feed-in tariff and a… Read more »
Simon Phipps, CEO of Dragon Infrastructure Solutions, draws on his expertise and experience at the helm of the UK’s leading independent connections provider for large scale solar connections, to explore what we can expect from the solar market for the rest of 2015 and beyond. There is no question that the era of substantial large… Read more »
When we caught up with Peter Heise of GFC (GFC AntriebsSysteme GmbH) in the last issue, the talk was mostly about the company’s wider commercial opportunities and solutions. Today, our conversation turns to the technical excellence that the company is known for… PES: Welcome back to PES. For the benefit of new readers, would you… Read more »
London, June 2015. Aquila Capital, one of Europe’s leading independent alternative asset managers, today announces that it has purchased a photovoltaic park in the UK for an undisclosed sum. The plant is located in Banwell, near Bristol and has an installed capacity of 7.2 MWp. It was constructed by its seller and developer New Energy… Read more »
Economic high-volume, on-site electroluminescence measurements now available for the first time Berlin, Munich/Germany, 3nd June 2015 – The Photovoltaik-Institut Berlin (PI Berlin) has developed a new, automated process that allows solar modules to be examined without being dismantled, thereby reducing analysis time. Up to 1,000 modules can be tested each night using electroluminescence measurements (EL)…. Read more »
Meyer Burger wins next important PV order: selected by Lerri Solar Technology to supply MB PERC upgrade cell solution and innovative PV measurement technology. The order volume is around CHF 16.5 Million. Lerri Solar Technology Co. Ltd., a leading manufacturer of high-efficiency mono crystalline cells and modules, is expanding along the PV value chain into… Read more »
JA Solar, a Chinese tier-one manufacturer of solar cells, placed an order with the SCHMID Group for the construction of several texturing and edge isolation systems and the related automation equipment, to expand its already existing photovoltaic production in Southeast Asia by about 400MW. According to the customer the decisive factor for the conclusion of… Read more »
We are excited to announce that Jinko Smart Module optimized by Maxim Technology is finalist at Intersolar Award 2015. The winner will be announced on 10th of June in the afternoon. Jinko Solar is among the first module OEMs to introduce the new technology from Maxim and will do so at Intersolar Munich. Please join… Read more »
Suntech has announced today that it will supply approximately 63 megawatts (MW) of solar panels to 8 separate Gunkul Engineering projects being constructed across Thailand. The projects are expected to be grid connected and operational by the end of 2015. “Suntech has shipped more than 260MW of panels to various projects throughout Thailand. Working side-by-side,… Read more »
Did you read about the huge victory for the Brazilian Photovoltaic Sector and indeed for all Brazilians? The National Council for Financial Policy issued an agreement that has once more changed the industry’s future. The agreement will greatly improve the financial viability of photovoltaic systems outside the state of Minas Gerais. Now, in addition to… Read more »
Stand-alone solar powered lighting solutions are made possible even in the Nordic region through a new, ground-breaking Danish project. An ideal collaboration between scientists from 4 different fields and private companies has succeeded in creating a system and a methodology that makes the impossible possible: Outdoor solar lighting which is not just a decoration. At… Read more »
One Solution for Fiber, Copper or Combination Cabling Versatile, Compact, Safe and Accurate Venlo, The Netherlands – May 26, 2015 – Belden Inc., a global leader in signal transmission solutions for mission-critical applications, delivered a solution for photovoltaic power plants that meets the highest requirements for SMA Solar Technology. SMA Solar Technology is the leading… Read more »
Munich, May 26, 2015 – From renewable energy to e-mobility, battery and energy stor-age technologies play an important role in many areas of development. The ees Europe international exhibition for batteries, energy storage systems and innovative production is dedicating a comprehensive accompanying program to these topics from June 10-12. The special exhibit on innovative mobility,… Read more »
Trend for smart and more cost-effective components identified from this year’s submissions Munich, May 21, 2015 – The finalists for the Intersolar AWARD have been chosen with just under a month to go before the start of Intersolar Europe. The prize, which is being presented for the eighth time running, honors innovative solutions in the… Read more »
Meyer Burger has been chosen by an existing Asian customer to deliver the industrially proven MAiA 2.1 equipment with the mass production scalable MB PERC technology for the upgrade and expansion of its production of high quality solar cells. The contract value is over CHF 38 million with delivery and commissioning of the systems starting… Read more »
Hefei, China, May 15, 2015 – Sungrow Power Supply Co., Ltd. (“Sungrow” or the “Company”), one of the world’s largest manufacturers of high-performance solar power inverters, today announced sales figures for the first quarter of 2015. The figures show continued improvement in its sales outside of the domestic Chinese market into international markets such as… Read more »
Munich, Freiburg/Germany, 18 May 2015 – German Energy storage systems manufacturer ASD Automatic Storage Device is set to exhibit its updated hybrid battery, which has recently gone into production, at Intersolar 2015. It is distinguished by its extremely long lifespan, which has been made possible by specially developed software with an integrated feature that compensates… Read more »
teamtechnik presents the new STRINGER TT1800 at the Intersolar Europe 2015 trade fair in Munich. The global market leader for stringer systems will present the latest high-performance stringer with its unique single track technology. teamtechnik has once again cut the cycle time and increased the stringer throughput to 50 MWp per year. At a cycle… Read more »
SunEdison is on the hunt for Britain’s most solar savvy street by offering 10 years’ worth of solar generated electricity to participating neighbours in the selected street· #BritainsBrightestStreet participating homeowners can save approximately 45% on their electricity bills and on top of this, SunEdison will also contribute a PV system to the community LONDON, UK,… Read more »