The EU’s SEANERGY 2020 project has an overall aim to provide policy, regulatory and planning conditions recommendations that can reduce barriers to the growth of offshore power generation from marine renewable sources. Here we present an extracted comparison of the Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) regimes in 17 EU Member States in relation to offshore renewable… Read more »
A worldwide increase in energy demands and supportive renewable energy policies have been key factors in the growth of renewables over the last decade. Between 1998 and 2007, wind power’s installed capacity has grown by 30.4 per cent each year, and international organisations are expecting similar figures until the year 2030. The expected expansion of… Read more »
Recently, published figures show that the wind energy industry is bouncing back from a disappointing 2010. The first half of this year shows a 72 per cent increase in generating capacity compared to the same time last year. However the grim, if not predictable spectre of the Production Tax Credit renewal is looming, and could… Read more »
The Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century (REN21) convenes international multi-stakeholder leadership to enable a rapid global transition to renewable energy. It promotes appropriate policies that increase the wise use of such energies in developing and industrialized economies, and its Chairman, Mohamed El-Ashry, has worked tirelessly to promote its successes and strengthen the… Read more »
After a relatively slow year in 2010, figures for the first half of this year show wind energy returning to growth. Strong political support from both parties, as well as increasing awareness within communities of the economic benefits of wind power developments, will hopefully make 2011 a strong year for wind energy. However, the impending… Read more »
US wind energy continued to rebound in the second quarter of 2011, with 2,151 megawatts (MW) of electrical generating capacity installed in the first half of 2011 versus 1,250 MW during the same time in 2010, up 72 percent. However, analysts at the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) cautioned that without stable policy such as… Read more »
It seems incredible, but the DOE’s Wind Program has now worked with industry and other partners for more than 30 years to advance both large and small wind energy technologies. PES takes a look at how the sector can grow yet further, to secure a larger market in the face of increased renewables competition. For… Read more »
The Department of Energy’s annual market report is hotly anticipated, filled as it is with all the sector’s essential data from the last 12 months. We’re pleased to be able to offer a critical overview of all the salient points from this recently-published whitepaper. The US wind power industry experienced a trying year in 2010,… Read more »
Offshore wind energy can help the nation reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, diversify its energy supply, provide cost-competitive electricity to key coastal regions, and stimulate revitalization of key sectors of the economy. However, if the nation is to realize these benefits, key challenges to the development and deployment of offshore wind technology must be overcome,… Read more »
The wind energy sector in Ontario will generate a significant amount of both electricity and economic activity over the course of 2011 through 2018. Specifically, during this timeframe, the sector is expected to: install over 5.6 GW of wind energy capacity, bringing Ontario’s total wind energy capacity to 7.1 GW by 2018; create 80,328 job… Read more »
With an economy struggling out of recession, and uncertainty over energy policy, securing investment in renewables has never been more important to the future of the industry. PES takes a look at current state of energy investment, and how wind is leading the race to secure funding for new projects. Renewable energies are expanding both… Read more »
With significant investment in wind energy, local communities and economies can enjoy a great deal of fringe benefits that stem from renewables – a secure, clean energy future is just the start. PES takes a look at the wider impacts of wind energy in Texas… Texas is a global leader in installed wind energy. If… Read more »
As alternatives to conventional vehicles, Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) running off electricity stored in batteries could decrease oil consumption and reduce carbon emissions. And by using electricity derived from clean energy sources, even greater environmental benefits are obtainable. We take a look at the potential benefits arising from the widespread adoption of PHEVs in… Read more »
One of the largest fully-integrated solar module producers in the world, Sovello ensures that all the elements of the production process correspond to the highest quality standards and constantly aim for improved sustainability and energy efficiency. Indeed, it is Sovello’s aim to become the world’s ‘most sustainable solar company’. PES takes a look behind the… Read more »
PES takes a look at how the continent’s biggest and brightest PV power plants stack up against the largest in the world, and offers a glimpse of the mega-plants of the future. At the beginning of the year, Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou announced the creation of a photovoltaic park in Kozani, a city in… Read more »
Frankfurt-based innovators tec5 AG are at the forefront of technology for spectroscopy. Here, PES talks to Manager Business Unit Systems Steffen Piecha about developing the products that will keep the PV industry at its best. PES: Welcome to PES magazine. Would you like to begin by explaining a little about the company, and how it… Read more »
In the PV sector, it pays to keep on top of all the latest technological developments, which is why PES has always published a wide range of whitepapers and research materials. We’re committed to continuing this with the introduction of a new, regular feature: Tech Dissemination. This issue discusses the improvements made possible by modelling…. Read more »
Stéphane Dufrenne is no stranger to innovation. With 13 years of experience in the semiconductor industry – nine of those while based in Asia – Stéphane has dedicated his career to developing cutting-edge technologies and world-class global manufacturing operations. As the CTO of Upsolar, Stéphane brings to the solar PV industry a fresh perspective based… Read more »
Could Europe’s solar dream be derailed by something as elemental as… the weather? Some believe, following some of the harshest winter weather on record, that the Earth is entering a sustained period of low temperatures. If true, what effect will the gathering clouds have for PV? PES investigates… In 2010, northern Europe suffered its coldest… Read more »
Five years ago, PES reported on plans to build a space solar array that had the potential to beam back massive amounts of power to earth. Back then, the ‘beam’ was a considerable technical sticking point, but it seems that the technology has moved on considerably, says Pete Martin… Japan intends to follow in the… Read more »
PES is proud to welcome Carl Zeiss MicroImaging GmbH back to its pages. We catch up with Product Manager Chris Hellwig who discusses how the company are supporting high quality in manufacturing – from the lab to the production line. When measuring surface properties like spectral reflectance and transmission at fast moving and dynamic mass… Read more »
Though a relatively small operation in the industry, Enecsys are bringing their game-changing micro inverter technology to the residential and commercial market. PES talks to Enecsys CEO Henrik Raunkjaer… PES: Can you begin by telling us a little about Enecsys and what role your products play in the solar/PV market? Henrik Raunkjaer: Enecsys was founded… Read more »
The European Photovoltaic Industry Association’s annual report on the global market outlook for photovoltaics is always a welcome addition to PES, and this year is no different. As always, we’ve extracted the most important points covering the evolution of the European market, for a fascinating and essential briefing. A doubling of the market in 2010… Read more »
Grenzebach is a modern global organisation with a highly-motivated team who know their trade and are constantly developing new ideas for specific markets. To a large extent, the company’s success is based on the expertise and commitment of its employees. Several generations of them have been employed by the Germany-based company and each of them… Read more »
A world leader in a number of different market sectors, Henkel is known for its commitment to R&D and its brave approach to diversification. Here, Kornelia Theissen, Focus Segment Manager Solar Western Europe, discusses how the company’s portfolio delivers solutions across the entire value chain for the solar industry. PES: Welcome to PES, can you… Read more »
One of the few global PV manufacturers to enjoy a 1.5 GW capacity in 2011 with a vertically integrated model that produces high quality crystalline ingots, wafers, cells, and mono- and multi-crystalline PV panels, JinkoSolar is one of the industry’s biggest players. Recently we caught up with industry veteran and company spokesman, Arturo Herrero. PES:… Read more »
Despite growing concerns over Feed-in Tariffs, and worries within the industry of a market slow-down over the next couple of years, PES finds it’s not all doom and gloom. In fact, business is booming… “All over Northern Germany we see such public participation projects come into blossom. PV power plants of this size contribute to… Read more »
Luvata’s Michael Nordgren talks to PES about keeping pace with technology, demand, politics and sunshine – on a global scale. The last few years have thrown many curves in the way of manufacturing and to no one is this more apparent than those involved with solar photovoltaic. With Feed-in Tariffs coming and going and PV… Read more »
One of the sector’s most innovative companies and a true system integrator in PV manufacturing, Meyer Burger is one of the solar sector’s shining lights. PES is proud to present a snapshot of this pioneering corporation. Meyer Burger stands for leading-edge photovoltaic technologies. The Swiss company is the only equipment manufacturer in the world who… Read more »
With over 15 years’ experience in the field, Multi-Contact is a leading provider of dependable connector systems for photovoltaic installations. The company’s pre-assembled connectors, cables, and junction boxes allow for quick and easy connection on-site, while the cable couplers are fully touch-protected and designed for high voltage and high current-carrying capacity. It’s safe to say… Read more »
Chris O’Brien, Head of Market Development at Oerlikon Solar, talks to us about the company’s new ThinFab, which reduces the manufacturing cost of thin-film silicon modules to a record breaking € 0.50/Wp, with 10 per cent stabilised efficiency. It all adds-up to a very competitive package… PES: Thank you for taking the time to speak… Read more »
Where do defects show up in solar modules? Which cells contribute to producing energy? Are there parts of the cell that function in a restricted way, or not at all? Manufacturers and developers have faced such questions since the birth of this innovative technology. For the first time, they have the technical means to answer… Read more »
With the addition of two major brands last year and a growing focus on thin-film applications, Pfeiffer Vacuum is on the road to becoming the world leader in vacuum. Market Manager Coating, Dr. Alexander Gerhard, talks to PES. PES: Thank you for taking the time to speak to us once again. How has business been… Read more »
It may come as a surprise to learn that during the 1970s and 80s, Romania was one of the world’s leading providers of photovoltaic technology, having installed approximately 860,000 square metres of photovoltaic cells. Though the quality of the cells was considered relatively low, at the time Romania boasted the third largest surface area of… Read more »
While it’s no secret that Feed-in Tariffs across the continent are being slashed, it may come as a surprise to some to learn that one of the primary reasons for these reductions is the rise in fraudulent claims. PES considers the situation in Europe’s key PV battlegrounds… At the beginning of the year, it emerged… Read more »
Prior to the Fukushima Daiichi disaster, many of Europe’s Member States were moving towards a new nuclear age – at the expense of PV and other renewable energies. But now? Well, we’re in a state of flux, and Lee Summers, Director of EOS Energy – the UK’s fastest-growing solar installer, believes that it’s time to… Read more »