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.