Photovoltaics (PV) Features for February 2012

Photovoltaics (PV) Features Archive

Eric Peeters: the vp of Dow Corning's solar business talks to Renewable Energy Focus Eric Peeters: the vp of Dow Corning's solar business talks to Renewable Energy Focus

Until now, solar energy's two challenges have been cost and acceptance. Dow Corning is working to change that.

Certifying solar: making the grade in the UK market Certifying solar: making the grade in the UK market

What is the process a solar manufacturer needs to go through to gain MCS approval in the UK?

Partnering for success: a profile of Westinghouse Solar Partnering for success: a profile of Westinghouse Solar

Away from media and political hysteria, U.S. companies like Westinghouse Solar continue to focus on the fundamentals – in its case making solar panels easier and cheaper to install.

Martin Green: the solar expert talks to REFocus Martin Green: the solar expert talks to REFocus

Solar visionary and past Right Livelihood Award winner Martin Green believes that 60% lower manufacturing costs are feasible within the PV industry...

Comment: Solar PV and the incentive bubble Comment: Solar PV and the incentive bubble

For the solar industry to grow up, or, mature, it needs to be less reliant on incentives, mature its business models and develop a structure where all participants enjoy positive margins, believes Paula Mints.

India gets a solar plant in 100 days India gets a solar plant in 100 days

A 5 MW solar PV project has recently been commissioned in 100 days - in the Rawra village near Jodhpur, in India’s northern desert state of Rajasthan.

PV technology developments 2011 and beyond PV technology developments 2011 and beyond

Part three: Materials is another area where solar manufacturers are looking to improve performance and reduce costs.

PV technology developments 2011 and beyond PV technology developments 2011 and beyond

Part two: The industry needs to continue to innovate and address costs, so what are the equipment manufacturers doing to address this need?

Five reasons to be pessimistic for solar PV Five reasons to be pessimistic for solar PV

Not yet in full swing, the year 2012 has already hit the solar photovoltaic (PV) industry with several unpleasant reports. The discussion about a tough cap on Germany, the most important sales market, or a temporary suspension of renewable energy incentives in Spain are only two of the news items now posing challenges to the international solar PV branch.

PV technology developments 2011 and beyond PV technology developments 2011 and beyond

Part one: despite a tough market last year, innovation in PV was alive and well. We look back at some of the developments that were making (and in some cases continue to make) the headlines...

Could the renewables industry suffer from a lack of scarce metals? Could the renewables industry suffer from a lack of scarce metals?

It is not just in laptop computers, mobile telephones and LED screens that scarce metals are to be found but also in solar cells, batteries for mobile technologies and many other similar applications. And the rising demand for these metals increases the risk of a bottleneck in supplies...