BUSINESS IN BRIEF

MARKET UPDATE

China: GW Market or Just GW Producer?

Although over 220 MW of PV modules were installed in China in 2009, several barriers still exist that are restricting the market from reaching its full potential.

VIEWPOINT

A Steeper Learning Curve for PV

Government solar price incentives and technology developments can accelerate the speed at which grid parity is reached, but so will effective industry collaboration.

- By Dan Martin

USA: Growth in Colder Climates

The future is bright for PV companies, especially in colder climates.

- By Mark Hagerty

COVER STORY

What’s Driving Solar PV Pricing?

The average price per watt for a solar photovoltaic module has declined from an inflation-adjusted US$500 a watt in 1980 to less than US$2 per watt in 2010. What’s driving the price for solar energy?

- By Michael S. Davies

GLOBAL LEADERS IN PV

SunPower, Solar at All Scales

SunPower has been responsible for major solar industry milestones since its inception in 1985. Thomas H. Werner, CEO of SunPower Corp., talks about the company’s growth factor, competitive edges and plan for the future.

- By Amanda Kim

FINANCIAL & INVESTMENT

India’s Solar Loan Program: Solar Shop Is Just Around the Corner

India’s recent consumer loan program helps enlarge the market and shows the way forward to opening up business opportunities for solar photovoltaic products.

- By H.V.Kumar

PROJECT FOCUS

Fitting into the Landscape

The Swabian company Vento adapts their freestanding plants to the landscape wooden hayrick instead of concrete station.

- By Iris Krampitz

CELL & MODULE

Solarisation Resistant Glasses for Secondary Optics in Concentrator Photovoltaic Systems

SCHOTT has developed a glass that has low solarisation effects, which allows it to be used for concentrator photovoltaics where high sun intensities occur. The glass is optimized to show better performance with respect to solarisation in comparison to competitor glasses.

- By Steffen Reichel, Ralf Jedamzik, Volker Wittmer

Gerardo Capilupo

Gerardo Capilupo, Executive Manager of D.G.Energy, sees Italy is currently one of the most attractive countries for investors in renewables, especially photovoltaic and wind energy.

- By Jeanny Lim

Solarion AG, From Lab to Market

As Solarion AG is planning to expand from its existing pilot plant into industrial mass production for CIGS-based modules in 2011, the first commercial product will be available next year and the company looks forward to having more cooperation partners.

- By Amanda Kim

Towards Cell Purity

Solarfun Power Holdings introduces a new line of PV cells and modules with reduced Light Induced Degradation (LID). Srinivasamohan Narayanan, VP of Technology and Paul Combs, VP of Investor Relations at Solarfun talk about their new technology.

- By Sarah Jeong

GLOBAL MARKET REPORT

U.S.A.: Growth Seen for PV

PV demand in the U.S.A. is expected to rise. It is expected that the U.S. PV market will surpass markets in Europe to become the world’s top PV market in the near future.

- By John Williams

Daniel Desmond

Daniel J. Desmond, Partner in Peregrine Technology Partners, believes we now have enough new stakeholders that, in future, there will be support for renewable energy that is not dependent on the policies of current office holders, especially in the U.S.A.

- By Jeanny Lim

Peter Batchelor

Peter Batchelor, the Minister for Energy and Resources in the Australian state of

Victoria, introduces renewable energy policies of Victoria and Australia and shares his

thoughts on the renewable energy industry.

- By Jeanny Lim

PV Patent: Exploit Your Innovation

This article focuses on patents and patent applications that can be associated with

“organic and hybrid” technology in an overall manner to determine those responsible for

initiating innovations to identify the most active research centers, potential partnerships

and to provide a complementary outlook to market studies.

- By FIST IP Overview Team

Solar Year in Review

During 2009, solar energy market has seen many challenges, however, despite its

difficulties, the industry has gained momentum and is poised for growth in 2010.

- By Jack Calderon, Chaim Lubin

PRODUCTION & INSPECTION

Processing Glass

Innovative techniques for a smooth production process for solar modules are developed.

- By Markus Lipp, Thomas Ommerle

COMPONENT & MATERIAL

Materials Minimization: Overcoming the Challenge

Wise material selection and use is key to overcoming cost and scalability challenges.

- By Rob Lamkin

DESIGN & INSTALLATION

Rethinking Solar Power System Design

A cascade of new solar technologies is reaching the market, bringing the promise of improved efficiency and better ROI. But to get the most out of these new technologies, we must rethink the design and management of solar power systems.

- By Michael Lamb

Plug & Play Solar Power: Has the Solar Revolution Started?

A solar energy system is a bulky appliance and putting them on a rooftop isn’t easy. But the Andalay AC solar panels can dramatically streamline and simplify the installation process.

- By Jeanny Lim

CASE STUDIES

Canada: Paving the Way for PV

A new 30 kW rooftop PV system is helping to pave the way for solar technologies in Canada, with forward thinking bolstering the acceptance of renewable energy.

- By Brent Harris