Market Report: Crystalline PV
Crystalline PV Module Manufacturers Focusing On Survival Strategies
Last year’s dramatic collapse of module prices may have occurred primarily due to two factors: the rapid decline of polysilicon prices and module oversupply. As manufacturers continue to be forced out of the market, margins for the survivors may begin to improve.
Process: Thin-Film Module Manufacturing
Permeability Targets For Thin Film
Perimeter sealing can often best be utilized within rigid devices. Lamination packaging approaches are often used for flexible devices, because roll-to-roll processing is desired for lowering production costs and in-line roll lamination of film adhesives is readily achieved, in principle.
Product: Energy Storage & Charge Controllers
Energy-Storage Market Quietly Expanding, Charge Controllers Evolving
Currently, the PV industry relies almost entirely on deep-cycle lead-acid batteries, a mature technology. Nickel-iron batteries have an advantage in that deep discharging does not shorten their lifespan, but they have a low cell voltage and a wide charge and discharge voltage profile.
Industry At Large: Workforce Development
Strategies For Expanding Solar Project Workforces Under Tight Budget Realities
Project development requires people that have core competencies that complement all aspects of the solar business, including engineering, administration and accounting. But developers may not need bona fide solar experts in-house on a day-to-day basis.
Industry At Large: Corporate Finance
Following Investment Boom, Chinese Banks Begin Pullback From Solar
The ample flow of money from large government-funded banks has played a major role in allowing Chinese cell and module manufacturers to proliferate, scale up and often flourish. Now, focus is shifting to whether the cash spigot will finally run dry this year.