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The <strong>Global</strong> Journal for <strong>Solar</strong> and Alternative Energy Manufacturing Professionals<br />
www.globalsolartechnology.com<br />
SOLAR<br />
&<br />
ALTERNATIVE ENERGIES<br />
Volume 6 Number 3 May/June 2013<br />
Overcoming<br />
<strong>the</strong> structural<br />
challenges of a<br />
solar pyramid<br />
PLUS: Why backsheet standards<br />
are anything but standard •<br />
Demonstration of first ever<br />
metal-induced single crystal<br />
heteroepitaxial thin film<br />
silicon solar cell • AND MORE
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Contents<br />
<strong>Global</strong> <strong>Solar</strong> & Alternative<br />
Energies is distributed by<br />
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not necessarily those of <strong>the</strong><br />
editors or publisher.<br />
& SOLAR<br />
ALTERNATIVE ENERGIES<br />
Contents<br />
EDITORIAL<br />
2 An industry at war!<br />
Trevor Galbraith<br />
FEATURES<br />
6 Demonstration of first ever metal-induced single<br />
crystal epitaxial thin film silicon solar cell<br />
Dr. RD Vispute, Blue Wave Semiconductors (BWS),<br />
and Ashok Chaudhari, <strong>Solar</strong>-Tectic LLC<br />
10 Why backsheet standards are anything but<br />
standard<br />
Michelle Ostiguy, Director, Photovoltaic & Barrier,<br />
Flexcon<br />
6<br />
10<br />
Volume 6, No. 3<br />
May/June 2013<br />
© Trafalgar Publications Ltd.<br />
Designed and Published<br />
by Trafalgar Publications,<br />
Bournemouth, United<br />
Kingdom<br />
<strong>Download</strong> this<br />
issue to your<br />
mobile phone:<br />
SPECIAL FEATURES<br />
22 Case study— Overcoming <strong>the</strong> structural<br />
challenges of a solar pyramid<br />
24 Case study— Spice Village Resort, India, gets off<br />
<strong>the</strong> grid<br />
26 Events<br />
COLUMNS<br />
9 America’s real problem with solar energy<br />
Terrill Dines<br />
12 Trading places: Emerging markets move to <strong>the</strong><br />
forefront<br />
Jon Custer-Topai<br />
OTHER REGULAR FEATURES<br />
4 Industry news<br />
20 New products for integrators<br />
31 Analyst Buzz<br />
36 International diary<br />
22<br />
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www.globalsolartechnology.com<br />
<strong>Global</strong> <strong>Solar</strong> & Alternative Energies – May/June 2013 – 1
Editorial Title<br />
Editorial Offices<br />
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<strong>Global</strong> <strong>Solar</strong> & Alternative Energies<br />
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Advertising<br />
See page 36.<br />
Everywhere you look <strong>the</strong>re are tales of woe<br />
in <strong>the</strong> PV industry and a monolithic battle<br />
raging between European and Chinese<br />
cell and module manufacturers. From <strong>the</strong><br />
Chinese majors (Yingli, Canadian <strong>Solar</strong><br />
and TRINA) we are hearing stories of a<br />
truce between <strong>the</strong>m and <strong>the</strong> European<br />
Union, but EU officials say this statement<br />
is misleading and wrong and <strong>the</strong>y intend to<br />
push ahead with tariff reforms that could<br />
be as high as 67.9%. The decision is set to<br />
be confirmed on June 5th with implementation<br />
coming into effect in October.<br />
China is already planning retaliation<br />
with tit-for-tat tariffs being considered on<br />
raw silicon from companies such as Wacker<br />
Chemie AG and European wine imports.<br />
What’s <strong>the</strong> alternative?<br />
Like many companies in <strong>the</strong> PV industry,<br />
<strong>Global</strong> <strong>Solar</strong> <strong>Technology</strong> has been struggling<br />
to maintain <strong>the</strong> high level of industry<br />
participation at events around <strong>the</strong> world.<br />
Our revenues are derived directly from<br />
advertising in our magazines, websites,<br />
newsletters and sponsorship of our video<br />
programming. This has been adversely<br />
affected by <strong>the</strong> recent state of <strong>the</strong> PV<br />
market.<br />
Consequently, we have taken <strong>the</strong><br />
decision to expand on our already wellrespected<br />
solar platform and include<br />
coverage on Alternative Energies. The title<br />
of <strong>the</strong> magazine will change to “<strong>Global</strong> <strong>Solar</strong><br />
& Alternative Energies” and will encompass<br />
An industry at war!<br />
(plus a name change and an expansion of<br />
focus for <strong>the</strong> magazine)<br />
a wide range of o<strong>the</strong>r clean energy alternatives,<br />
such as wind, bio-fuels, fuel cells and<br />
energy storage.<br />
We hope this expanded reading experience<br />
will be welcome and will improve our<br />
ability to report on <strong>the</strong> wider energy technology<br />
issues. Of course, innovative, technology<br />
and application stories on any of<br />
<strong>the</strong>se related topics are more than welcome.<br />
Please send <strong>the</strong>m to me at <strong>the</strong> address<br />
below.<br />
—Trevor Galbraith<br />
Editor-in-Chief<br />
<strong>Global</strong> <strong>Solar</strong> & Alternative Energies<br />
editor@globalsolartechnology.com<br />
www.globalsolartechnology.com
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China | Taiwan | Americas | Europe | Singapore | Japan
Title Industry news<br />
Industry news<br />
Gehrlicher <strong>Solar</strong> America<br />
Corporation expands US<br />
footprint<br />
Gehrlicher <strong>Solar</strong> America Corp. has opened<br />
its newest office in Boston, Massachusetts.<br />
With over 40 megawatts (MWp) of<br />
projects completed or in process in <strong>the</strong><br />
Massachusetts and Connecticut markets,<br />
GSAC is broadening its regional footprint<br />
both in office presence and staffing to meet<br />
growing demand. The new facility is located<br />
at 15 Broad Street, in <strong>the</strong> heart of Boston’s<br />
financial district in close proximity to its<br />
dedicated customer base.<br />
www.gehrlicher.us<br />
Bio<strong>Solar</strong> receives first<br />
commercial order<br />
Bio<strong>Solar</strong>, Inc. today announced that it has<br />
received its first commercial BioBacksheet<br />
order. The first shipment of BioBacksheet<br />
will be used for <strong>the</strong> manufacture of<br />
specialty PV panels for electric utility<br />
vehicles with anticipated fur<strong>the</strong>r shipments<br />
to be used by military and o<strong>the</strong>r mobile<br />
applications. The customer’s PV panels<br />
feature lightweight, high-power-to-weight<br />
ratio, highly durable, customizable shapes,<br />
sizes and colors. www.biosolar.com<br />
Tokyo Electron completes<br />
acquisition of Oerlikon <strong>Solar</strong><br />
Tokyo Electron Limited (TEL) has<br />
completed all procedures relating to<br />
<strong>the</strong> acquisition of Oerlikon <strong>Solar</strong> first<br />
announced on March 3, 2012. As a result,<br />
Oerlikon <strong>Solar</strong> is now a wholly-owned<br />
subsidiary of TEL and its name has been<br />
changed to TEL <strong>Solar</strong> AG (Headquarters:<br />
Switzerland; President: Kiyoshi Sato<br />
(Concurrent Post: Corporate Director<br />
of TEL)). TEL is also currently studying<br />
<strong>the</strong> acquisition’s impact on <strong>the</strong> company’s<br />
consolidated performance, and will make a<br />
timely disclosure if any effects on business<br />
forecasts are likely.<br />
<strong>Solar</strong> Frontier to restart<br />
Miyazaki No.2 plant<br />
<strong>Solar</strong> Frontier will restart <strong>the</strong> manufacturing<br />
of solar modules at its Miyazaki<br />
No.2 Plant in Kiyotakecho, Miyazaki, Japan<br />
on July 1, 2013. Production at <strong>the</strong> 60 MW<br />
nameplate capacity plant had been temporarily<br />
suspended since <strong>the</strong> end of 2012.<br />
Pending <strong>the</strong> final decision of product<br />
models to be manufactured, <strong>Solar</strong> Frontier<br />
is planning to make minor equipment<br />
modifications to enable <strong>the</strong> manufacture of<br />
new products that will be sold in Japan.<br />
www.solar-frontier.com<br />
Masdar, Total and Abengoa<br />
launch Shams 1, largest CSP<br />
plant in operation<br />
Masdar today launched Shams 1, <strong>the</strong><br />
largest concentrated solar power plant<br />
(CSP) in operation in <strong>the</strong> world. Masdar,<br />
Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy company,<br />
partnered with French energy company<br />
Total and Spain’s energy infrastructure<br />
company Abengoa. The 100-megawatt<br />
solar-<strong>the</strong>rmal project will power thousands<br />
of homes in <strong>the</strong> United Arab Emirates and<br />
displace approximately 175,000 tons of<br />
CO2 per year. The US $600 million project<br />
took three years to build. www.masdar.ae<br />
<strong>Solar</strong> Press and KROENERT<br />
announce partnership for low<br />
cost, flexible organic solar<br />
cell manufacture<br />
<strong>Solar</strong> cell technology developer <strong>Solar</strong><br />
Press and coating and printing experts<br />
KROENERT have announced <strong>the</strong> signing<br />
of a long term partnership agreement to<br />
develop and sell turn-key manufacturing<br />
solutions for Organic Photovoltaic (OPV)<br />
modules. This move will enable low cost<br />
production of light weight, flexible solar<br />
cells. Under <strong>the</strong> partnership agreement,<br />
<strong>Solar</strong> Press, a world leader in <strong>the</strong> development<br />
of OPV process technology, will<br />
develop and optimise its production<br />
process and ink formulations to enable<br />
<strong>the</strong> manufacture of commercial OPV<br />
modules using KROENERT’s production<br />
coating and printing equipment.<br />
www.solar-press.com<br />
TÜV Rheinland develops solar<br />
simulator for CPV<br />
TÜV Rheinland has started up a solar<br />
simulator for characterizing concentrator<br />
photovoltaic modules at its <strong>Solar</strong> Testing<br />
Center in Cologne. The test stand was<br />
developed toge<strong>the</strong>r with experts at TÜV<br />
Rheinland PTL in <strong>the</strong> course of nearly two<br />
years of research work. Thanks to <strong>the</strong> new<br />
simulator, it is now possible to perform<br />
comparison measurements much more<br />
accurately on CPV modules. This is because<br />
it is possible to generate and maintain<br />
<strong>the</strong> standard temperature conditions of<br />
25˚C much more accurately under laboratory<br />
conditions than in natural sunlight.<br />
www.tuv.com<br />
First <strong>Solar</strong> to acquire<br />
TetraSun<br />
First <strong>Solar</strong>, Inc. is acquiring TetraSun. First<br />
<strong>Solar</strong> signed a definitive agreement to<br />
acquire TetraSun from JX Nippon Oil &<br />
Energy Corporation and o<strong>the</strong>r investors,<br />
including TetraSun management. Terms of<br />
<strong>the</strong> transaction, which is expected to close<br />
in <strong>the</strong> second quarter of 2013, were not<br />
disclosed. First <strong>Solar</strong> and JX Nippon Oil &<br />
Energy also have entered into discussions<br />
4 – <strong>Global</strong> <strong>Solar</strong> & Alternative Energies – May/June 2013 www.globalsolartechnology.com
Industry news<br />
on an agreement to distribute <strong>the</strong><br />
technology in Japan. www.firstsolar.com<br />
Martifer <strong>Solar</strong> completes two<br />
PV projects in Spain in a total<br />
of 4.26 MWp<br />
Martifer <strong>Solar</strong> has just concluded two<br />
photovoltaic projects in Spain, in a total<br />
of 4.26 MWp. The company was responsible<br />
for <strong>the</strong> engineering, procurement and<br />
construction of <strong>the</strong> projects, a photovoltaic<br />
park of 3.8 MWp in Lorca, Murcia, and a<br />
rooftop installation of 460 kWp in Toledo.<br />
The Lorca plant occupies an area of 4.5<br />
hectares and it consists of about 15,800<br />
modules. The 460-kWp installation was<br />
built in <strong>the</strong> rooftop of <strong>the</strong> Prilux Group<br />
facilities, in an area of 7,500 m 2 . www.<br />
martifersolar.com<br />
<strong>Solar</strong> America looks toward<br />
Mexico and Central America<br />
as next hot spot<br />
<strong>Solar</strong> America Corp. has identified Mexico<br />
and Central America as regions capable for<br />
tremendous growth in <strong>the</strong> solar market.<br />
<strong>Solar</strong> America is positioned to participate<br />
in this growth through <strong>the</strong> use of<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir comprehensive solutions. Less than<br />
one percent of Mexico’s land area would<br />
need to be developed to power <strong>the</strong> nation,<br />
according to <strong>the</strong> Secretaria de Energia de<br />
Mexico, Mexico’s energy ministry. <strong>Solar</strong><br />
America recently signed a Memorandum<br />
of Understanding with Valdez Cueva<br />
Constructores Asosiados to provide solar<br />
energy solutions for <strong>the</strong> Los Conejos<br />
housing project in Tonlola, Guadalajara.<br />
www.solaramericacorp.com<br />
Renewable Energy sector<br />
begins action alliance<br />
On March 8, around 100 representatives of<br />
<strong>the</strong> renewable energy sector, from Germany,<br />
Switzerland, Belgium and <strong>the</strong> Ne<strong>the</strong>rlands,<br />
joined forces to form an action alliance.<br />
Made up of operators, research institutes,<br />
universities, journalists, communication<br />
agencies, companies and associations, this<br />
group aims to develop a joint communication<br />
strategy. The first workshop took place<br />
during <strong>the</strong> photovoltaic symposium in Bad<br />
Staffelstein. Fur<strong>the</strong>r meetings and political<br />
round table discussions are planned.<br />
Grupo Clavijo supplies<br />
trackers for a 25MW solar PV<br />
installation in California<br />
The Spanish company Grupo Clavijo has<br />
completed <strong>the</strong> delivery of horizontal axis<br />
trackers for a 25 MW solar photovoltaic<br />
installation in California. These trackers<br />
have been selected by <strong>the</strong> park’s promoters<br />
for <strong>the</strong>ir easy adaptation to <strong>the</strong> land, durability<br />
and versatility to suit <strong>the</strong> specific<br />
needs of <strong>the</strong> project. Once connected, <strong>the</strong><br />
energy produced is equivalent to <strong>the</strong> electricity<br />
consumed by more than 22,000<br />
inhabitants, avoiding <strong>the</strong> release of over<br />
87,000 tons of CO2 emissions into <strong>the</strong><br />
atmosphere. www.grupoclavijo.net<br />
Dublin school breaks ground<br />
on landmark 1.1 MW MAGE<br />
SOLAR PV-System<br />
MAGE SOLAR will provide a 1.1 MW solar<br />
PV system to Dublin City High School.<br />
The 4898 module system will be spread<br />
out over several locations on campus and<br />
include roof top arrays, ground mounts, as<br />
well as several dual axis trackers. It will be<br />
<strong>the</strong> largest system in <strong>the</strong> Middle Georgia<br />
area and <strong>the</strong> very first one in <strong>the</strong> state<br />
that utilizes a third party lease model for<br />
schools. www.magesolar.com<br />
Anticipation of anti-dumping<br />
duties triggers growing<br />
demand for European<br />
modules from wholesalers<br />
and project planners<br />
Wholesalers and project planners are<br />
increasingly demanding European<br />
modules to avoid paying backdated antidumping<br />
duties for modules made in<br />
China. This development has already<br />
started to create a significant rise in<br />
demand for European-made modules<br />
from German-Scandinavian manufacturer<br />
Innotech <strong>Solar</strong> (ITS). On 6th June,<br />
<strong>the</strong> European Commission will decide<br />
whe<strong>the</strong>r provisional anti-dumping and<br />
countervailing duties should be imposed<br />
on solar modules imported from China.<br />
www.innotechsolar.com<br />
RenuEn Corp acquires<br />
Alquimi <strong>Solar</strong><br />
RenuEn Corporatio has acquired Alquimi<br />
<strong>Solar</strong>, a Saddle Brook, New Jersey-based<br />
solar and renewable energy development<br />
company. Alquimi brings a knowledgeable<br />
business, legal and financial team<br />
with extensive experience in developing<br />
and financing renewable energy projects.<br />
The financial terms of <strong>the</strong> acquisition of<br />
Alquimi <strong>Solar</strong> will be disclosed in <strong>the</strong> 2013<br />
First Quarter Financials. As part of <strong>the</strong><br />
acquisition, John Martin will be appointed<br />
to <strong>the</strong> Board of Directors and actively<br />
involved with <strong>the</strong> RenuEn executive team.<br />
www.alquimisolar.com<br />
Trina <strong>Solar</strong> named as one<br />
of <strong>the</strong> World’s Top 10 Most<br />
Innovative Companies<br />
Trina <strong>Solar</strong> Limited has been recognized<br />
by Fast Company magazine in <strong>the</strong>ir 2013<br />
list of The World’s Top 10 Most Innovative<br />
Companies in China. Published as an<br />
annual guide to <strong>the</strong> state of innovation, <strong>the</strong><br />
list features businesses whose innovations<br />
are having <strong>the</strong> greatest impacts across <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
industries and society as a whole.<br />
www.trinasolar.com, fastcompany.com<br />
<strong>Solar</strong> America continues<br />
Mexico expansion with new<br />
strategic alliance<br />
<strong>Solar</strong> America Corp. has entered into a<br />
strategic alliance with <strong>Solar</strong>Mex Equipos<br />
<strong>Solar</strong>es de Mexico (“<strong>Solar</strong>Mex”).The strategic<br />
alliance with <strong>Solar</strong>Mex positions<br />
<strong>Solar</strong> America to profit from <strong>the</strong> anticipated<br />
growth in Mexico’s renewable energy<br />
programs. With resources 60 percent<br />
greater than those of solar leader, Germany,<br />
Nor<strong>the</strong>rn Mexico is considered to have<br />
<strong>the</strong> world’s third greatest solar potential,<br />
according to <strong>the</strong> Secretaria de Energia de<br />
Mexico. www.solaramericacorp.com<br />
PHOTON Test: SunPower<br />
modules top <strong>the</strong> list<br />
The top three spots in <strong>the</strong> latest solar module<br />
yield test by PHOTON International—The<br />
<strong>Solar</strong> Power Magazine have been claimed<br />
by products from US company SunPower<br />
Corp. The frontrunner in <strong>the</strong> test is <strong>the</strong><br />
SunPower SPR-327NE-WHT-D. This<br />
model produced 1,144.1 kilowatt-hours<br />
of electricity for every kilowatt of power<br />
(kWh/kW). The two o<strong>the</strong>r SunPower<br />
modules tested—<strong>the</strong> SPR-320NE-<br />
WHT-D and SPR-245NE-WHT-D)<br />
-scored 94.9 and 94.8 percent, respectively.<br />
www.photon.info<br />
Hanwha Q CELLS receives<br />
“Made in EU” certificate<br />
Hanwha Q CELLS has now received <strong>the</strong><br />
French “Made in EU” certificate for <strong>the</strong><br />
manufacturing of both solar cells and solar<br />
modules from purely European components.<br />
The certificate will enable French<br />
customers of Q CELLS PV products to get<br />
a bonus on <strong>the</strong> French Feed-in-Tariff of up<br />
to 10 percent with immediate effect. The<br />
certification audit at <strong>the</strong> company head<br />
Continued on page 34<br />
www.globalsolartechnology.com<br />
<strong>Global</strong> <strong>Solar</strong> & Alternative Energies – May/June 2013 – 5
Demonstration of first ever metal-induced single crystal epitaxial thin film silicon solar cell<br />
Demonstration of first ever metalinduced<br />
single crystal epitaxial thin<br />
film silicon solar cell<br />
Dr. RD Vispute, Blue Wave Semiconductors (BWS), and Ashok Chaudhari, <strong>Solar</strong>-Tectic LLC<br />
We report <strong>the</strong> preliminary demonstration of <strong>the</strong> first<br />
ever metal-induced single crystal epitaxial thin film<br />
silicon solar cell. 1 As a key component to <strong>Solar</strong>-<br />
Tectic LLC’s 1c-Si Eutectic solar technology, <strong>the</strong> demonstrated<br />
solar cell is a promising step towards <strong>the</strong><br />
ultimate goal of achieving a breakthrough solar cell<br />
consisting of a single crystal thin film of silicon on<br />
an inexpensive substrate, such as glass or metal foil.<br />
Such a solar cell would allow for a reduction in costs<br />
by a factor of approximately three (not including BOS<br />
balance of system costs) while maintaining efficiency<br />
of conversion. 2<br />
A major cost component of<br />
photovoltaic cells is <strong>the</strong> cost<br />
of <strong>the</strong> substrate on which <strong>the</strong><br />
semiconductor film capable<br />
of converting sunlight to<br />
electricity is placed. The<br />
most widely used substrate<br />
is single crystal silicon (or<br />
monocrystalline Si). These<br />
substrates developed in <strong>the</strong><br />
microelectronics industry have<br />
been modified for application<br />
in photovoltaic technology. If a<br />
silicon film could be deposited<br />
on an inexpensive substrate,<br />
such as glass or metal foil, and<br />
with comparable quality as that<br />
found in silicon single crystals<br />
used in <strong>the</strong> microelectronics<br />
industry, <strong>the</strong> cost of<br />
photovoltaic technology would<br />
drop significantly. 2<br />
Here we report <strong>the</strong> success<br />
of a crucial step towards this<br />
goal: <strong>the</strong> demonstration of a<br />
single crystal thin film of silicon<br />
on sapphire substrate (Al203)<br />
at low temperature, e.g. below<br />
<strong>the</strong> softening point of glass<br />
(600˚C). Heteroepitaxial—<br />
single crystal—films of silicon<br />
have been successfully grown<br />
only on Al203 (sapphire)<br />
before. And until now <strong>the</strong>se<br />
films have been grown at<br />
temperatures that are relatively<br />
Figure 1. Raman spectrum of silicon on sapphire Al, Si deposited at 600˚C.<br />
6 – <strong>Global</strong> <strong>Solar</strong> & Alternative Energies – May/June 2013 www.globalsolartechnology.com
Demonstration of first ever metal-induced single crystal epitaxial thin film silicon solar cell<br />
Figure 2. The samples. Left: Sample 1 (Al 600˚C/Si 600˚C). Middle: Sample 2 (Al 600˚C/Si 600˚C). Right: Sample 3 (Al 600˚C/Si 650˚C).<br />
high for applications having to do with<br />
growth of silicon on glass or cheap metal<br />
foils. 2<br />
Following one of several “recipes”<br />
disclosed in a patent application by <strong>the</strong><br />
late Dr. Praveen Chaudhari, renowned<br />
materials scientist and winner of <strong>the</strong><br />
1995 United States Medal of <strong>Technology</strong><br />
and Innovation, <strong>Solar</strong>-Tectic LLC<br />
commissioned <strong>the</strong> fabrication of a metalinduced<br />
heteroepitaxial layer. 2 That is, a<br />
thin film deposited from an Al-Si eutectic<br />
melt onto a sapphire (Al203) substrate.<br />
Figure 3. XRD of samples 1 and 2 (sample 3 was not used).<br />
This work was<br />
done under <strong>the</strong><br />
supervision of<br />
Dr. RD Vispute<br />
at Blue Wave<br />
Semiconductors<br />
(BWS) in<br />
Maryland. Three<br />
such samples were<br />
made by electronbeam<br />
deposition<br />
(e-beam) and Solid Phase Epitaxy at BWS,<br />
two at 600˚C and one at 650˚C. (See Figure<br />
Until now <strong>the</strong>se films have been<br />
grown at temperatures that are<br />
relatively high for applications<br />
having to do with growth of silicon<br />
on glass or cheap metal foils.<br />
1, showing Raman of 1 sample of Al-Si on<br />
sapphire).<br />
All 3 samples were imaged at <strong>the</strong><br />
National Renewable Energy Laboratory<br />
(NREL), Colorado, USA, with a simple<br />
microscope. (See Figure 2.)<br />
The XRD of both samples 1 and 3 were<br />
similar and suggest (111)-oriented silicon.<br />
(See Figure 3).<br />
To truly confirm epitaxy, a pole figure<br />
would need to be acquired—but given<br />
<strong>the</strong> similarity to previously published<br />
P. Chaudhari et al work 3 , this step was<br />
postponed. In <strong>the</strong> figure <strong>the</strong>re is a large<br />
peak from <strong>the</strong> sapphire substrate and,<br />
probably a few artifacts (narrow lines at<br />
~21˚, line at 65˚). There is also a peak at<br />
~38˚ that could be <strong>the</strong> aluminum part of<br />
<strong>the</strong> Al substrate holder.<br />
The optical images of samples 1 and 2<br />
look very smooth. Sample 3 had regular<br />
features that appear metallic under <strong>the</strong><br />
microscope—it is likely that some of <strong>the</strong><br />
Al remains in a metallic state. Sample 3 also<br />
had a smaller Si 111 peak—however, this is<br />
not a rigorous crystallographic analysis.<br />
Samples 1 and 2 were diced into<br />
smaller pieces to fabricate 3 solar cells<br />
from <strong>the</strong>m. The solar cells were made<br />
following standard NREL procedure but,<br />
importantly, without hydrogen passivation<br />
and pyramidal light trapping both of<br />
which can improve QE. 4<br />
The best results of <strong>the</strong>se cells are: 2.86%<br />
efficiency, open circuit voltage (Voc) 449<br />
mV, short circuit current (Jsc) 10.47 mA,<br />
and Fill Factor (FF) 63.93%. (See graphs in<br />
Figure 4 on <strong>the</strong> following page.)<br />
www.globalsolartechnology.com<br />
<strong>Global</strong> <strong>Solar</strong> & Alternative Energies – May/June 2013 – 7
Demonstration of first ever metal-induced single crystal epitaxial thin film silicon solar cell<br />
Figure 4. The results of <strong>the</strong> solar cells.<br />
We believe that with fur<strong>the</strong>r research<br />
and development <strong>the</strong>re is room for<br />
improving <strong>the</strong> efficiency, and <strong>the</strong> overall<br />
performance of <strong>the</strong> solar cell.<br />
The authors acknowledge Dr. Charles W.<br />
Teplin, Vincenzo Lasalvia and Bill Nemeth<br />
who used NREL’s thin Si “seed and epitaxy”<br />
processes to fabricate solar cells from <strong>the</strong><br />
heteroepitaxial Si on sapphire samples.<br />
References<br />
1. There have been and are a number of<br />
European projects doing similar work.<br />
From January 2002 to June 2005, <strong>the</strong><br />
Hahn-Meitner Institute in Germany<br />
was <strong>the</strong> coordinator of <strong>the</strong> European<br />
Commission project METEOR: Metal-<br />
Induced Crystallisation and Epitaxial<br />
Deposition for Thin, Efficient and<br />
Low-Cost Crystalline Si <strong>Solar</strong> Cells.<br />
While efficient solar cells were processed<br />
using layers obtained from this project,<br />
<strong>the</strong> devices were polycrystalline, not<br />
single crystalline. They were also<br />
processed using ECRCVD and CVD,<br />
not electron-beam deposition as we<br />
have done. After METEOR, ATHLET<br />
was <strong>the</strong> continuation, followed today<br />
by PolySiMode and TopShot. It is <strong>the</strong><br />
authors’ understanding that up until<br />
now none of <strong>the</strong>se projects has made<br />
single crystal Si from a eutectic film<br />
using e-beam. Apologies are extended<br />
if this not <strong>the</strong> case. O<strong>the</strong>rs have used<br />
We believe that with fur<strong>the</strong>r research and<br />
development <strong>the</strong>re is room for improving <strong>the</strong><br />
efficiency, and <strong>the</strong> overall performance of <strong>the</strong><br />
solar cell.<br />
metal induced crystallization for seed<br />
and heteroepitaxial solar cells, but<br />
to our knowledge <strong>the</strong>re is no such<br />
demonstration of solar cells comprised<br />
of single crystal silicon.<br />
2. P. Chaudhari, “Methods of Growing<br />
Heteroepitaxial Single Crystal or<br />
Large Grained Semiconductor Films<br />
and Devices Thereon”, p.1, USPTO US<br />
2010/0237272, 9/23/10.<br />
3. P. Chaudhari et al, “Heteroepitaxial<br />
silicon film growth at 600C from an<br />
Al-Si eutectic melt”, Thin Solid Films,<br />
2010, pp. 5368-5371.<br />
4. Teplin et al, “Pyramidal light trapping<br />
and hydrogen passivation for high<br />
efficiency heteroepitaxial (100)<br />
crystal silicon solar cells”, Energy<br />
Environmental Science, 2012, p.8193.<br />
Dr. RD Vispute is <strong>the</strong> founder of Blue<br />
Wave Semiconductors, Inc. and serves as<br />
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief<br />
<strong>Technology</strong> Officer (CTO) of Blue Wave<br />
Semiconductors. He has been Principal<br />
Investigator for several National Science<br />
Foundation grants and DOD contracts on<br />
thin film electronic and photonic materials<br />
and devices. He received his PhD in Physics,<br />
and MS and BS degrees from <strong>the</strong> University<br />
of Pune, India.<br />
Ashok Chaudhari is <strong>the</strong> founding manager<br />
of <strong>Solar</strong>-Tectic LLC. He holds an MDIV,<br />
MA, and BA. He can be reached at<br />
solartectic@gmail.com.<br />
8 – <strong>Global</strong> <strong>Solar</strong> & Alternative Energies – May/June 2013 www.globalsolartechnology.com
America’s real problem with solar energy<br />
America’s real<br />
problem with<br />
solar energy<br />
A guest column by Terrill Dines<br />
Each day, our industry sits down and<br />
whittles <strong>the</strong> unsightly knots off <strong>the</strong><br />
tree we call solar energy. We, as a<br />
group, spend more time than we should<br />
pointing to one of a growing number of<br />
reasons why solar energy isn’t taking hold<br />
in America: that perhaps our government<br />
incentives were cut too quickly, that our<br />
state’s SREC program is broken, that <strong>the</strong><br />
net metering requirements aren’t strong<br />
enough. Not that those things wouldn’t<br />
fur<strong>the</strong>r bolster our industry, but go out and<br />
ask your friends and family about solar<br />
energy. The problem with solar energy<br />
in America isn’t a result of <strong>the</strong> deficiencies<br />
of <strong>the</strong> incentives (although improved<br />
incentives would set this industry on fire),<br />
it’s with <strong>the</strong> astounding lack of knowledge<br />
about a technology that can transform <strong>the</strong><br />
lives of everyone in our nation and around<br />
<strong>the</strong> world.<br />
Let me be provocative for a moment.<br />
Do you know how much of a return on<br />
your investment you would receive if you<br />
installed solar on your home or business<br />
right now? Do you know enough to even<br />
estimate <strong>the</strong> amount of money you’d save<br />
over 25-30 years? Would you guess that<br />
solar energy is actually a financial investment<br />
with recent returns more solid than<br />
stocks and bonds? Do you know that solar<br />
energy works in colder climates and on<br />
cloudy days? Did you know that nearly<br />
any solar installation company will gladly<br />
provide you <strong>the</strong>se numbers for free?<br />
Probably not. Not many Americans can<br />
begin to answer <strong>the</strong>se questions. And who<br />
can blame <strong>the</strong>m?<br />
We, as an industry, are still young.<br />
We’re not <strong>the</strong> Behemoth of major corporations<br />
with seemingly unlimited budgets<br />
to pay for lobbying and well-placed television<br />
commercials. We reach out to a media<br />
who has no idea what solar energy really<br />
is. We burn with such passion to help our<br />
country, and yet many nights feel like we<br />
are strangers in our own homes. You can’t<br />
explain <strong>the</strong> entirety of <strong>the</strong> benefits of solar<br />
energy in 140 characters. It’s both a great<br />
and terrible feeling to know what you can<br />
give people if only <strong>the</strong>y knew what you<br />
could give. It’s unrequited love in <strong>the</strong> form<br />
of a solar panel, and we have thousands<br />
upon thousands of <strong>the</strong>m waiting to find a<br />
good home.<br />
We’re not at war with <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r energy<br />
companies, ei<strong>the</strong>r. People will still need<br />
oil for a very long time (probably longer<br />
than our actual supply will last). No energy<br />
employee from fossil fuel plants will end up<br />
on Skid Row because of solar any time soon.<br />
What about utility companies? Utilities are<br />
actually required by <strong>the</strong> state governments<br />
to purchase renewable energy, and most of<br />
<strong>the</strong>m have employees that are <strong>the</strong>mselves<br />
dedicated to <strong>the</strong> renewable energy sector.<br />
They are not our enemies, ei<strong>the</strong>r. Banks?<br />
Banks are in <strong>the</strong> business of lending—<strong>the</strong>y<br />
would love for solar modules to be included<br />
in home appraisals. The real estate market?<br />
<strong>Solar</strong> panels on a home sells that home<br />
much easier and (say it with me) “not our<br />
enemy.” We simply have no natural predators,<br />
and for that, we’re thankful.<br />
What we do face is a nation who just<br />
doesn’t understand us. We’re right here, and<br />
<strong>the</strong>re’s not been a better time to go solar<br />
than today. The panels pay for <strong>the</strong>mselves<br />
typically about halfway through <strong>the</strong>ir life<br />
cycle, and <strong>the</strong> rest is yours to keep. There<br />
is a 30% federal tax credit for anyone who<br />
installs solar on a home or business. Many<br />
states have similar tax incentives to add to<br />
that. You can get paid to send your excess<br />
energy back to <strong>the</strong> grid. You can also sell<br />
solar credits to utility companies. And if<br />
you own a business, <strong>the</strong>re’s a good chance<br />
you can depreciate <strong>the</strong> entire installation<br />
in one year. Did you know you’ll see, on<br />
average, a more steady return from “going<br />
solar” than you would on stocks and bonds<br />
(at least historically speaking)? It’s okay;<br />
most people don’t know that.<br />
So here we sit as an industry with such<br />
a powerful solution for our country—both<br />
as a whole and to <strong>the</strong> people individually.<br />
We are, as a nation, being quickly passed<br />
up by o<strong>the</strong>r countries. Research countries<br />
like Germany and what <strong>the</strong>y are doing with<br />
solar energy—it’s amazing. But we here in<br />
<strong>the</strong> US can’t afford to tell everyone what<br />
<strong>the</strong>y need to know. We, instead, have to rely<br />
on people finding us. We try, don’t get me<br />
wrong, but we just don’t have <strong>the</strong> financial<br />
size and subsequent influence to achieve<br />
<strong>the</strong> success solar energy deserves. The solar<br />
industry is young, lacking <strong>the</strong> means to get<br />
<strong>the</strong> word out in <strong>the</strong> way that giants of o<strong>the</strong>r<br />
industries are able to do.<br />
Yet each installation site still drips with<br />
<strong>the</strong> exhilaration and sweat of The Cavern<br />
Club in 1961, right after a little-known band<br />
named The Beatles just finished playing to<br />
a room of about 100 people. <strong>Solar</strong> energy<br />
is <strong>the</strong> early rock and roll of our generation.<br />
We’re <strong>the</strong> rock and roll stars of our time,<br />
hell-bent on changing <strong>the</strong> World. This time,<br />
though, it really works. We, as an industry,<br />
can see what is ahead. We’ll be here waiting.<br />
And when you say “Oh man, I wish I knew<br />
about this sooner,” we won’t judge. We’ll<br />
love and support you just <strong>the</strong> same. It was<br />
Marty McFly in Back to <strong>the</strong> Future who<br />
said: “I guess you guys aren’t ready for that<br />
yet. But your kids are gonna love it.” See you<br />
soon, America.<br />
Terrill Dines is <strong>the</strong> CEO of Honeycomb <strong>Solar</strong>,<br />
a renewable energy company. Honeycomb<br />
<strong>Solar</strong>’s goal is to bolster US energy enterprise<br />
through installation, innovation, and<br />
education. To learn more, please visit http://<br />
www.honeycombsolar.com or write <strong>the</strong>m at<br />
info@honeycombsolar.com.<br />
www.globalsolartechnology.com<br />
<strong>Global</strong> <strong>Solar</strong> & Alternative Energies – May/June 2013 – 9
Why backsheet standards are anything but standard<br />
Why backsheet standards are<br />
anything but standard<br />
The need to clarify testing procedures and ensure<br />
product performance<br />
Michelle Ostiguy, Director, Photovoltaic & Barrier, Flexcon, Spencer, Massachusetts, USA<br />
When it comes to <strong>the</strong> production<br />
of backsheet materials, both suppliers<br />
and customers face <strong>the</strong> challenge<br />
of dealing with a myriad of<br />
competing standards and testing<br />
procedures. Many of <strong>the</strong>se standards<br />
vary from one region to<br />
ano<strong>the</strong>r.<br />
The establishment of a consistent<br />
set of testing standards<br />
is crucial to achieving dependable,<br />
day-to-day product quality<br />
and superior performance. This<br />
has implications for <strong>the</strong> industry<br />
at large: as <strong>the</strong> burden of varying<br />
standards impedes <strong>the</strong> flow of<br />
product advancement and innovation.<br />
The good news is that industry-leading<br />
fabricators and test<br />
facilities are already engaged<br />
in a collective effort to devise a<br />
standardized and streamlined<br />
approach to backsheet testing. In<br />
<strong>the</strong> meantime, backsheet customers<br />
need to look to <strong>the</strong>ir suppliers<br />
for <strong>the</strong> analysis and insight necessary<br />
to ensure meaningful, valueadded<br />
test results.<br />
Holding standards to <strong>the</strong> test<br />
It’s a matter of relevance. For any OEM<br />
or PV module manufacturer, <strong>the</strong> ultimate<br />
purpose of testing is <strong>the</strong> reliable and costconscious<br />
certification of finished modules.<br />
Considering today’s complex standards<br />
environment, <strong>the</strong> backsheet supplier is<br />
important for assisting with and supporting<br />
<strong>the</strong> customer’s certification efforts—both<br />
in-house and through outside certification<br />
agencies.<br />
Considering your end-product<br />
standard. The operational categories of<br />
polymeric materials in modules include 1)<br />
direct support of live parts, 2) outer surface,<br />
3) enclosure, and 4) internal barrier. These<br />
four categories are, in no particular order,<br />
intended for backsheet, frontsheet, encapsulants,<br />
and junction boxes. IEC test<br />
requirements for backsheet are based on<br />
direct support and outer surface operational<br />
categories, while UL test requirements<br />
are based on direct support, outer<br />
surface, and enclosure operational categories.<br />
IEC and UL are working toge<strong>the</strong>r<br />
toward common performance/safety stan-<br />
10 – <strong>Global</strong> <strong>Solar</strong> & Alternative Energies – May/June 2013 www.globalsolartechnology.com
Why backsheet standards are anything but standard<br />
dards. While <strong>the</strong>re is some overlap in <strong>the</strong><br />
tests, each has requirements <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r does<br />
not. These include varying requirements<br />
for test data sources, along with different<br />
methods for reporting test results.<br />
Reconciling <strong>the</strong> lab with <strong>the</strong> field. Many<br />
current standards have been borrowed<br />
from o<strong>the</strong>r fields, and aren’t necessarily<br />
applicable to photovoltaic testing. As a<br />
result, <strong>the</strong>se standards are not reliable<br />
indicators of field performance. In fact, <strong>the</strong><br />
properties of PV module components are<br />
often engineered to meet performance and<br />
safety standards, as opposed to addressing<br />
in-<strong>the</strong>-field durability and survival.<br />
What are <strong>the</strong> tests?<br />
With <strong>the</strong> above challenges in mind, here is<br />
a sampling of material properties that are<br />
most crucial to producing durable backsheet<br />
with superior performance characteristics.<br />
Comparative Tracking Index (CTI).<br />
Rates resistance of an insulating material<br />
to electrical breakdown, which would form<br />
a conductive path on <strong>the</strong> surface.<br />
Damp Heat (DHT). Required for module<br />
certification, but not for backsheet.<br />
However, poor performance of backsheet<br />
under damp heat conditions—i.e. delamination,<br />
degradation—can affect module<br />
performance.<br />
Flame Spread Index/Radiant Panel.<br />
Measures <strong>the</strong> surface flammability of a<br />
backsheet material when exposed to both<br />
heat and flame.<br />
Glow Wire Testing (GWFI/GWIT).<br />
Examines <strong>the</strong> temperatures at which materials<br />
ignite by simulating <strong>the</strong> effect of heat<br />
that arises in malfunctioning electrical<br />
equipment.<br />
High Current Arc Ignition (HAI).<br />
Determines <strong>the</strong> likelihood of a power<br />
surge by simulating loose connections and<br />
broken leads.<br />
Horizontal Burn (HB). Determines <strong>the</strong><br />
rate, fast or slow, at which a particular<br />
material will burn.<br />
Hot Wire Ignition (HWI). Evaluates <strong>the</strong><br />
ignition properties of a polymeric material<br />
when adjacent to or supporting an overheated<br />
wire, whe<strong>the</strong>r insulated or uninsulated.<br />
Partial Discharge (PD). Verifies <strong>the</strong> backsheet<br />
is engineered with insulation properties<br />
to suit <strong>the</strong> voltage requirements of <strong>the</strong><br />
module.<br />
Relative Thermal Index (RTI). Ensures<br />
<strong>the</strong> backsheet’s properties will not be unacceptably<br />
compromised at <strong>the</strong> maximum<br />
operating temperature of <strong>the</strong> module.<br />
UV Resistance. Ensures appropriate resistance<br />
to UV degradation, if and when <strong>the</strong><br />
end-use application requires <strong>the</strong> backsheet<br />
to be in direct exposure to sunlight.<br />
Vertical Burn (VB). Determines <strong>the</strong> rate at<br />
which material will extinguish itself, once<br />
<strong>the</strong> ignition source is removed.<br />
FLEXcon is an innovator in adhesive<br />
coating, laminating and finishing of durable<br />
materials used in graphics applications, electronics<br />
and new products. Through a culture<br />
of curiosity, flexibility and a drive for excellence,<br />
FLEXcon is <strong>the</strong> trusted partner to a<br />
wide range of companies from printers and<br />
fabricators to engineers and designers developing<br />
products for existing and emerging<br />
markets. For more information, visit<br />
www.FLEXcon.com or call 1-508-885-8200.<br />
www.globalsolartechnology.com<br />
<strong>Global</strong> <strong>Solar</strong> & Alternative Energies – May/June 2013 – 11
Trading places: Emerging markets move to <strong>the</strong> forefront<br />
Trading places:<br />
Emerging<br />
markets move to<br />
<strong>the</strong> forefront<br />
Jon Custer-Topai<br />
The North American (Chart 1) economies<br />
seem to be moving towards recovery with<br />
signs of improvement in housing, unemployment,<br />
industrial production and access<br />
to credit. Purchasing manager’s indices, a<br />
3-6 month leading indicator for consumption,<br />
are showing mixed signals of expansion<br />
and contraction in <strong>the</strong> global economy.<br />
Japan’s (Chart 2) Prime Minister, Shinzō<br />
Abe has taken aggressive steps to pull<br />
Japan (Chart 3) out of its extended stagnation<br />
period with government stimulus,<br />
currency injections and structural (infrastructure)<br />
reforms. South Korea (Chart<br />
4) continues to benefit from increasing<br />
demand for its exports and China (Chart<br />
5) has maintained its dominance as <strong>the</strong><br />
world’s factory although it has shifted to a<br />
lower gear. Things are not as rosy in Europe<br />
(Chart 6) where unemployment continues<br />
to be worrisome and nor<strong>the</strong>rn Africa and<br />
<strong>the</strong> Middle East continue to damper <strong>the</strong><br />
mood with heightened political unrest.<br />
The solar industry is changing in<br />
tandem with <strong>the</strong> global economic market<br />
with installation opportunity shifting from<br />
Installation<br />
opportunity are<br />
shifting from regions<br />
that are/have<br />
reduced subsidies<br />
to areas with<br />
government stimulus<br />
for alternative<br />
energy infrastructure<br />
projects.<br />
regions that are/have reduced subsidies to<br />
areas with government stimulus for alternative<br />
energy infrastructure projects. Japan<br />
and China are using solar to stimulate<br />
growth and reduce exposure to hazardous<br />
waste. Europe is tapering down its FiT<br />
programs as government funding is reallocated<br />
to propping up its economies.<br />
And N.Africa has developed an interest in<br />
renewables as <strong>the</strong>y see <strong>the</strong> world moving<br />
in that direction. Africa has become <strong>the</strong><br />
new land of opportunity for infrastructure<br />
projects, including electricity.<br />
China solar panel exports have diminished<br />
due to <strong>the</strong> recent implementation of<br />
tariffs in <strong>the</strong> U.S. and Europe and <strong>the</strong> possibility<br />
of additional tariffs in o<strong>the</strong>r regions<br />
such as Australia. As a result, Taiwan’s solar<br />
shops (Chart 7) are showing some signs<br />
of stabilization following a steep collapse<br />
in revenues caused mainly by price degradation<br />
and high inventory build-ups.<br />
In addition, China’s National Bureau of<br />
Statistics said that <strong>the</strong> country’s average<br />
wages increased 11.9% y/y to 46,769 Yuan<br />
($7,543) after climbing 14.4% in 2011,<br />
which has companies searching for less<br />
expensive manufacturing regions, such as<br />
Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand.<br />
20130502<br />
70<br />
65<br />
60<br />
U.S "Purchasing Managers" Indices<br />
ISM vs. Markit Economics<br />
Diffusion Index, >50 = Growth<br />
20130502<br />
60<br />
55<br />
Japan "Purchasing Managers" Index<br />
Diffusion Index, >50 = Growth<br />
PMI<br />
PMI<br />
55<br />
50<br />
45<br />
40<br />
35<br />
30<br />
ISM<br />
Markit<br />
Jan<br />
Jul<br />
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1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 20122013<br />
PMI<br />
50<br />
45<br />
40<br />
35<br />
30<br />
Jan<br />
May<br />
Sep<br />
Jan<br />
May<br />
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2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013<br />
Markit Economics & ISM<br />
Nomura/JMMA<br />
12 – <strong>Global</strong> <strong>Solar</strong> & Alternative Energies – May/June 2013 www.globalsolartechnology.com
Trading places: Emerging markets move to <strong>the</strong> forefront<br />
20130501<br />
140<br />
130<br />
120<br />
110<br />
100<br />
90<br />
80<br />
70<br />
Japanese Yen vs. U.S. Dollar<br />
1 5 9 1 5 9 1 5 9 1 5 9 1 5 9 1 5 9 1 5 9 1 5 9 1 5 9 1 5 9 1 5 9 1 5 9 1 5 9 1 5 9 1<br />
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013<br />
20130502<br />
PMI<br />
S Korea "Purchasing Managers" Index<br />
Diffusion Index, >50 = Growth<br />
65<br />
60<br />
55<br />
50<br />
45<br />
40<br />
35<br />
Jan<br />
Apr<br />
Jul<br />
Oct<br />
Jan<br />
Apr<br />
Jul<br />
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Jan<br />
Apr<br />
Jul<br />
Oct<br />
Jan<br />
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Apr<br />
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Apr<br />
Jul<br />
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Jul<br />
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Jul<br />
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Jan<br />
Apr<br />
Jul<br />
Oct<br />
Jan<br />
Apr<br />
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013<br />
http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/TWEXBMTH<br />
Markit Economics<br />
Chart 3. Chart 4.<br />
20130502<br />
PMI<br />
60<br />
55<br />
50<br />
45<br />
40<br />
China "Purchasing Managers" Index<br />
Diffusion Index, >50 = Growth<br />
Jan<br />
Apr<br />
Jul<br />
Oct<br />
Jan<br />
Apr<br />
Jul<br />
Oct<br />
Jan<br />
Apr<br />
Jul<br />
Oct<br />
Jan<br />
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Jul<br />
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Apr<br />
Jul<br />
Oct<br />
Jan<br />
Apr<br />
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013<br />
20130502<br />
PMI<br />
Eurozone "Purchasing Managers" Index<br />
Diffusion Index, >50 = Growth<br />
65<br />
60<br />
55<br />
50<br />
45<br />
40<br />
35<br />
30<br />
Jan<br />
Jun<br />
Nov<br />
Apr<br />
Sep<br />
Feb<br />
Jul<br />
Dec<br />
May<br />
Oct<br />
Mar<br />
Aug<br />
Jan<br />
Jun<br />
Nov<br />
Apr<br />
Sep<br />
Feb<br />
Jul<br />
Dec<br />
May<br />
Oct<br />
Mar<br />
Aug<br />
Jan<br />
Jun<br />
Nov<br />
Apr<br />
Sep<br />
Feb<br />
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Nov<br />
Apr<br />
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 20122013<br />
Markit Economics<br />
Markit Economics<br />
Chart 5. Chart 6.<br />
Mixed messages: demand<br />
records versus diminishing<br />
margins<br />
The solar market has sent mixed messages<br />
over <strong>the</strong> past couple of years with repeated<br />
records in installation and production<br />
which was contrasted with pricing degradation<br />
which originated from OEMs<br />
failing to differentiate <strong>the</strong>mselves in an<br />
ultra competitive, global market place.<br />
A housing market recovery may provide<br />
opportunities for BIPV products despite<br />
<strong>the</strong> growing division between distributed<br />
solar power and <strong>the</strong> utility companies.<br />
2013 is on track to break more installation<br />
records as mega-utility installations<br />
dominate total installations. Presently,<br />
<strong>the</strong>re are over 2.5 GW being installed in <strong>the</strong><br />
top ten global installations. Non-residential<br />
installations continue to attract schools,<br />
military bases, manufacturing plants,<br />
distribution facilities and retail outlets,<br />
which are benefiting from shortened ROI<br />
benefits. The third leg on <strong>the</strong> installation<br />
stool looks to be recovering as regions<br />
implement mandates for adding solar to<br />
all new residential construction and home<br />
builders use alternative energy to differentiate<br />
from competitors.<br />
Signs of recovery and<br />
sustainability<br />
Polysilicon demand is also showing some<br />
signs of life in regions that are benefitting<br />
from tariff reduced imports, facility<br />
closures and <strong>the</strong> retreat from vertically<br />
integrated manufacturing models.<br />
More manufacturing is being shifted to<br />
EMS companies such as Celestica (Chart<br />
8), Jabil (Chart 9) Flextronics (Chart 10)<br />
and Hon Hai/Foxconn (Chart 11) as OEMs<br />
look for ways to boost depleted margins.<br />
Flextronics was <strong>the</strong> 7th largest module<br />
manufacturer in 2012 and it achieved 60%<br />
y/y growth (<strong>the</strong> largest growth of all manufacturers)<br />
in solar module production with<br />
900MW produced. In addition, Hon Hai<br />
plans to raise its annual solar panel production<br />
capacity from about 30 MW in 2012<br />
to 400 MW and its subsidiary, Fox Energy<br />
manufactured 350 MW of solar panels for<br />
MEMC in Juarez, Mexico.<br />
IHS believes that global photovoltaic<br />
module production is expected to grow<br />
18% y/y to over 37 GW in 2013 (Chart<br />
12) but prices are expected to fall fur<strong>the</strong>r<br />
resulting in fur<strong>the</strong>r margin contraction.<br />
<strong>Solar</strong> photovoltaic module revenues are<br />
expected to decline 20% in 2013 to $20.5<br />
billion and <strong>the</strong>n grow to $32 billion by<br />
2017 according to NPD <strong>Solar</strong>Buzz who<br />
does not see a (pricing) recovery until<br />
2015. As a result many companies have left<br />
<strong>the</strong> industry and venture capital investments<br />
decreased from $91.6 billion in 2011<br />
to $79.7 billion in 2012 according to Clean<br />
Edge.<br />
Give it time<br />
2013 is heading towards <strong>the</strong> 34-38 GW<br />
range (Chart 13) depending on economic<br />
drivers with Germany, China, Japan and <strong>the</strong><br />
U.S. vying for crown for largest installation<br />
www.globalsolartechnology.com<br />
<strong>Global</strong> <strong>Solar</strong> & Alternative Energies – May/June 2013 – 13
Trading places: Emerging markets move to <strong>the</strong> forefront<br />
region for <strong>the</strong> year. Even though <strong>the</strong>re are<br />
signs of recovery, U.S. industrial production<br />
(Chart 14) and unemployment (Chart<br />
15) trendlines are showing that it will take<br />
4-6 years before <strong>the</strong> U.S. economy reaches<br />
pre-great recession growth rates and<br />
Europe may take even longer. Emerging<br />
markets such as Africa, South America and<br />
parts of Asia will supplement <strong>the</strong> shortfalls<br />
in <strong>the</strong> established economies (Chart 16).<br />
<strong>Solar</strong> demand growth will continue to be<br />
driven by political and economic policies<br />
and manufacturing capacity is becoming<br />
more balanced as <strong>the</strong> industry transforms<br />
to a lean, mean fighting machine.<br />
Cells modules panels<br />
Aalto University, Finland and Fraunhofer<br />
ISE, Germany researchers achieved 18.7%<br />
efficiency for black silicon solar cells.<br />
Alta Devices achieved 30.8% efficiency<br />
record with “dual junction” solar cell technology.<br />
ART <strong>Solar</strong> opened 250,000 module/year<br />
photovoltaic solar panel manufacturing<br />
plant in Durban, South Africa.<br />
ASOLA Automotive <strong>Solar</strong> Deutschland<br />
filed for insolvency.<br />
Bharat Heavy Electricals invested Rs 800<br />
crore in an integrated manufacturing plant<br />
for solar ingots, wafers, cells & panels using<br />
crystalline technology.<br />
Chemitox started new test & evaluation<br />
service for solar cell modules under salty<br />
water sprinkling conditions.<br />
COPE and Purdue University scientists<br />
developed recyclable solar cells from trees<br />
with 2.7% efficiency.<br />
French Gerleman installed 174,000 SF<br />
solar testing and learning center in St.<br />
Louis, MO.<br />
Gintech unveiled 19.5% efficient polycrystalline<br />
silicon solar cell.<br />
Innotech <strong>Solar</strong><br />
• increased its solar photovoltaic manufacturing<br />
in Halle/Saale, Germany and<br />
Glava, Sweden to 100 MW.<br />
• photovoltaic modules demonstrated<br />
temperature coefficient of minus 0.39%<br />
per Kelvin in a photon test.<br />
JA <strong>Solar</strong> began mass production of metal<br />
wrap-through monocrystalline and multicrystalline<br />
cells with an average conversion<br />
efficiency of 19.6% and 18.1%.<br />
Jusung Engineering set up a solar cell and<br />
module manufacturing facility in Kerala,<br />
India.<br />
Kyocera shifted San Diego, California<br />
manufacturing operations to Tijuana,<br />
Mexico.<br />
Lanco plans to open 300 MW photovoltaic<br />
solar cell manufacturing plant in<br />
special economic zone in Rajnandgaon of<br />
Chhattisgarh in 2014.<br />
LDK<br />
• defaulted on $7.2 million payment due<br />
to cash shortage.<br />
• <strong>Solar</strong> Board of Director, Liangbao Zhu<br />
resigned.<br />
• sold additional 25,000,000 newly issued<br />
ordinary shares to Fulai Investments.<br />
MEMC appointed Randy Zwirn to its<br />
Board of Directors.<br />
Natcore advanced its black silicon solar<br />
cells to 14.7% efficiency.<br />
Neo <strong>Solar</strong> merged with Del<strong>Solar</strong>.<br />
Photowatt plans to open 11,000m2 in<br />
photovoltaic module assembly plant in<br />
Vaulx-Milieu, France in October 2013.<br />
Sharp<br />
• increased its triple-junction solar cell<br />
efficiency to 37.9%.<br />
• downsized its solar cell businesses in<br />
Europe and moved focus to growth<br />
markets such as Sou<strong>the</strong>ast Asia.<br />
Solairedirect will produce 120 MW of<br />
ReneSola’s photovoltaic modules in South<br />
Africa.<br />
<strong>Solar</strong> Frontier resumed production at<br />
its 60-MW solar panel plant in Miyazaki<br />
prefecture, Japan.<br />
<strong>Solar</strong> Junction and IQE partnered to<br />
develop satellite solar cells.<br />
<strong>Solar</strong>3D began fabrication of its next<br />
prototype of its next generation silicon<br />
solar cell.<br />
<strong>Solar</strong>World received French “Made in<br />
Europe” certification.<br />
<strong>Solar</strong>zentrum North America started<br />
hybrid photovoltaic and <strong>the</strong>rmal solar<br />
panel production in Osgood, Indiana.<br />
SoloPower sold its equipment at its<br />
California HQ and laid off 61 employees.<br />
Spectrolab achieved world record 37.8%<br />
solar conversion efficiency using new class<br />
of high-efficiency multi-junction solar cell.<br />
Suniva added module assembly capacity<br />
in Norcross, Georgia after Q2 was sold out.<br />
SunPower<br />
• achieved three highest rankings in<br />
Photon International’s 2012 module<br />
yield test, with performance ratios of<br />
95.2%, 94.9% and 94.8%.<br />
• introduced X-Series family of solar<br />
panels with world-record efficiencies<br />
of 21.5%.<br />
Suntech Power Holdings<br />
• appointed Philip Fan and Weiping<br />
Zhou to Board of Directors.<br />
• canceled $1.3 billion in polysilicon<br />
orders with OCI.<br />
• closed its Goodyear, Arizona solar<br />
panel plant.<br />
• named Weiping Zhou, President.<br />
defaulted on $541 million bond.<br />
• appointed Susan Wang, Chairwoman<br />
of <strong>the</strong> Board of Directors.<br />
• was declared bankrupt by Wuxi court.<br />
20130501<br />
Taiwan <strong>Solar</strong>/Photovoltaic Panel Companies<br />
Composite of 17 Manufacturers<br />
20130426<br />
Celestica<br />
Revenue, Net Income & Inventory<br />
25<br />
20<br />
15<br />
10<br />
5<br />
0<br />
NT$ (Billions)<br />
2012/2011 Revenue<br />
down 18%<br />
Unconsolidated company sales<br />
Jan<br />
Apr<br />
Jul<br />
Oct<br />
Jan<br />
Apr<br />
Jul<br />
Oct<br />
Jan<br />
Apr<br />
Jul<br />
Oct<br />
Jan<br />
Apr<br />
Jul<br />
Oct<br />
Jan<br />
Apr<br />
Jul<br />
Oct<br />
Jan<br />
Apr<br />
Jul<br />
Oct<br />
Jan<br />
Apr<br />
Jul<br />
Oct<br />
Jan<br />
Apr<br />
Jul<br />
Oct<br />
Jan<br />
Apr<br />
Jul<br />
Oct<br />
Jan<br />
Apr<br />
Jul<br />
Oct<br />
Jan<br />
Apr<br />
Jul<br />
Oct<br />
Jan<br />
Apr<br />
Jul<br />
Oct<br />
Jan<br />
Apr<br />
Jul<br />
Oct<br />
Jan<br />
Apr<br />
00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13<br />
Calendar Year<br />
Big Sun Energy <strong>Technology</strong>, Daxon, Del<strong>Solar</strong>, e_TON <strong>Solar</strong> Tec, Eversol, Gintech, Green Energy <strong>Technology</strong> (GET),<br />
Ligitek, Motech, Neo <strong>Solar</strong> Power, Phoenixtec Power Co (PPC), Precision Silicon, Sino-American Silicon Products,<br />
Sonartech, Sysgration, Tyntek, Wafer Works<br />
Millions<br />
$ Billions<br />
4.0<br />
3.5<br />
Revenue<br />
- 19%<br />
3.0<br />
Income<br />
2.5<br />
Inventory<br />
2.0<br />
1.5<br />
1.0<br />
0.5<br />
0.0<br />
1.375-1.475<br />
-0.5<br />
4/23/13<br />
-1.0<br />
-1.5<br />
Q4 Q2 Q4 Q2 Q4 Q2 Q4 Q2 Q4 Q2 Q4 Q2 Q4 Q2 Q4 Q2 Q4 Q2 Q4 Q2 Q4 Q2 Q4 Q2 Q4 Q2 Q4 Q2<br />
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013<br />
CY<br />
CLS<br />
Chart 7. Chart 8.<br />
14 – <strong>Global</strong> <strong>Solar</strong> & Alternative Energies – May/June 2013 www.globalsolartechnology.com
Trading places: Emerging markets move to <strong>the</strong> forefront<br />
Sunways<br />
• appointed Hoong Khoeng Cheong,<br />
Chairman of <strong>the</strong> Management Board<br />
and Steve Huiyuan Zha, Member of <strong>the</strong><br />
Management Board and VP of Finance.<br />
• began insolvency proceedings.<br />
• banks cancelled its US$ 8.6 million<br />
credit line.<br />
• laid off 50 employees in Arnstadt,<br />
Germany.<br />
Trina <strong>Solar</strong><br />
• began mass production of PDG5<br />
frameless double-glass PV module in<br />
Changzhou, China.<br />
• Head of EU Public Affairs, Jodie<br />
Roussell was elected to EPIA Board.<br />
• T-<strong>Solar</strong> laid off 170 employees in<br />
Galicia, Spain.<br />
Yingli Green Energy<br />
• dismantled its vertical integration.<br />
• entered 3-Year polysilicon and solar<br />
wafer supply contract with GCL-Poly<br />
Energy.<br />
• received two loans totaling US$165<br />
million from China Development<br />
Bank.<br />
• was <strong>the</strong> largest global supplier of solar<br />
modules in 2012 based on annual<br />
merchant shipments.<br />
Electric vehicles &<br />
infrastructure<br />
Electric vehicle market share of <strong>the</strong> global<br />
automotive market is expected to increase<br />
from 1.5% in 2010 to 9% in 2015 and<br />
16% or 21 million of <strong>the</strong> 130 million new<br />
vehicles sold in 2020.—TAITRA<br />
FIT & policy<br />
Danish Government introduced incentives<br />
that allow farmers to sell all produced<br />
electricity to <strong>the</strong> grid at a guaranteed price<br />
of 1,30 kroners (0,17 eurocents) per kWh<br />
during ten years.<br />
Germany<br />
• began paying 660 Euros/ kilowatt of<br />
storage capacity.<br />
• reduced PV FiTs by 1.8% in May 2013.<br />
Greece reduced its FIT by 44.7%.<br />
India’s Andhra Pradesh government fixed<br />
benchmark price for purchase of solar<br />
power was set at Rs 6.49 per unit.<br />
Ireland extended an incentive program for<br />
clean energy projects by two years to give<br />
developers more time to complete <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
developments.<br />
Japan’s solar FiT was lowered by about<br />
10% to 38 yen per kWh for 10 years for<br />
systems under 10 kW capacity (rooftop<br />
solar) and 36 yen per kW for 20 years for<br />
larger systems (excluding tax), or 37.8 yen<br />
including <strong>the</strong> 5% value added tax.<br />
Malaysia increased its solar PV digression<br />
rate from 8-20% for installations larger<br />
than 24kW.<br />
Malta launched €21 million ERDF fund<br />
that pays 22c feed-in tariff for each unit<br />
generated from PV panels and fed into <strong>the</strong><br />
national grid.<br />
Sebastopol became second Californian<br />
city requiring solar on new homes.<br />
U.S. named Ernest Moniz, head of <strong>the</strong><br />
Energy Department and Gina McCarthy<br />
to lead Environmental Protection Agency.<br />
UK published new FIT rates: 4 kW will<br />
20130504<br />
10.0<br />
8.0<br />
6.0<br />
4.0<br />
2.0<br />
0.0<br />
-2.0<br />
-4.0<br />
-6.0<br />
$ Billions<br />
Revenue<br />
Income<br />
Inventory<br />
Flextronics<br />
Revenue, Net Income & Inventory<br />
- 17%<br />
5.3-5.6<br />
4/30/13<br />
-8.0<br />
Q4 Q2 Q4 Q2 Q4 Q2 Q4 Q2 Q4 Q2 Q4 Q2 Q4 Q2 Q4 Q2 Q4 Q2 Q4 Q2 Q4 Q2 Q4 Q2 Q4 Q2 Q4 Q2<br />
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013<br />
20121110<br />
1200<br />
1000<br />
800<br />
600<br />
400<br />
200<br />
Foxconn Electronics (Hon Hai), Taiwan<br />
Revenue, Net Income & Inventory<br />
NT$ (Billions)<br />
Revenue<br />
Income<br />
Inventory<br />
+ 8%<br />
0<br />
Q1 Q3 Q1 Q3 Q1 Q3 Q1 Q3 Q1 Q3 Q1 Q3 Q1 Q3 Q1 Q3 Q1 Q3 Q1 Q3 Q1 Q3 Q1 Q3 Q1 Q3 Q1 Q3<br />
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012<br />
FY ends March 31<br />
CY<br />
FLEX<br />
CY<br />
2317<br />
Chart 9. Chart 10.<br />
20110922<br />
70<br />
60<br />
50<br />
40<br />
Installations (GW)<br />
Conservative<br />
Likely<br />
Optimistic<br />
Worldwide PV Installations<br />
Millions<br />
20130426<br />
5.0<br />
4.0<br />
3.0<br />
2.0<br />
$ Billions<br />
Jabil Circuit Inc<br />
Revenue, Net Income & Inventory<br />
"During <strong>the</strong> quarter we made great progress on <strong>the</strong> Nypro acquisition<br />
and believe <strong>the</strong> market opportunities of our combined capabilities are<br />
considerable. We look forward to a successful completion of this deal<br />
in our fourth fiscal quarter." 3/21/13<br />
Revenue<br />
Income<br />
Inventory<br />
+ 4%<br />
30<br />
20<br />
26.9GW<br />
32.6GW<br />
27.8GW<br />
1.0<br />
0.0<br />
-1.0<br />
4.3-4.5<br />
3/21/13<br />
10<br />
-2.0<br />
Q1 Q3 Q1 Q3 Q1 Q3 Q1 Q3 Q1 Q3 Q1 Q3 Q1 Q3 Q1 Q3 Q1 Q3 Q1 Q3 Q1 Q3 Q1 Q3 Q1 Q3 Q1<br />
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013<br />
0<br />
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016<br />
CY<br />
JBL<br />
IMS Research 4/12<br />
Chart 11. Chart 12.<br />
www.globalsolartechnology.com<br />
<strong>Global</strong> <strong>Solar</strong> & Alternative Energies – May/June 2013 – 15
Trading places: Emerging markets move to <strong>the</strong> forefront<br />
receive up to £0.1490/KWh; greater than<br />
4 KW and up to 10 KW will receive up<br />
to £0.1350/KWh; and greater than 10<br />
KW and up to 50 KW will receive up to<br />
£0.1257/KWh.<br />
Integration<br />
3Power Energy Group selected Sharif<br />
Rahman as CEO.<br />
Aion filed for bankruptcy.<br />
Carmanah appointed Daniel Nocente to<br />
its Board of Directors.<br />
Coronal Management named Robert<br />
Benedict, Sr., VP of Business Development.<br />
DayStar Technologies appointed Lorne<br />
Rosebourgh, CEO and Interim Chairman<br />
of <strong>the</strong> Board.<br />
First <strong>Solar</strong><br />
• installed over 500 MW of PV projects<br />
in 2012.<br />
• was <strong>the</strong> top photovoltaic project<br />
installer globally.<br />
Hanergy acquired Engensa.<br />
Martifer <strong>Solar</strong> named Roland Kiser, CEO<br />
and Raffi Agopian, Chairman of <strong>the</strong> Board<br />
of Directors.<br />
Miraikikai introduced solar panel robot<br />
that doesn’t need water to clean.<br />
Mitsubishi, Innovation Network acquired<br />
<strong>Solar</strong> Holding S.R.L.<br />
RenuEn acquired Alquimi <strong>Solar</strong>.<br />
RevoluSun hired Rae Saito as Oahu Project<br />
Developer.<br />
<strong>Solar</strong>City<br />
• appointed Jimmy Chuang, VP of<br />
Structured Finance and Aaron Chew,<br />
VP of Investor Relations.<br />
• was added to Russell 2000 Index.<br />
<strong>Solar</strong>Craft hired Chet Stromberg as<br />
Director of Sales & Marketing.<br />
Vivint <strong>Solar</strong> appointed Alex Dunn, Interim<br />
CEO after Tanguy Serra stepped down.<br />
Würth <strong>Solar</strong> transferred significant part of<br />
its business to BayWa and quit PV business.<br />
Inverters & power supplies<br />
<strong>Global</strong> inverter sales grew 5% y/y to<br />
US$7.1 billion or 31GW in 2012.—IMS<br />
Research<br />
<strong>Global</strong> micro-inverter and DC optimizer<br />
technologies demand increased from 51<br />
MW in 2009 to over 785 MW in 2012.—<br />
GTM<br />
3W Power appointed Robert Huljak,<br />
President and GM.<br />
ABB<br />
• acquired Power-One.<br />
• opened solar inverter production line<br />
in Bangalore, India.<br />
Advanced Energy acquired REFUsol.<br />
Power-One surpassed one million solar<br />
photovoltaic inverters sold worldwide.<br />
Satcon <strong>Technology</strong> converted its bankruptcy<br />
reorganization into a Chapter 7<br />
liquidation.<br />
SMA <strong>Solar</strong> <strong>Technology</strong><br />
• paid €40 million for 72.5% stake in<br />
Jiangsu Zeversolar New Energy.<br />
• Chief Human Resources & Operations<br />
Officer, Jürgen Dolle resigned due to<br />
health reasons.<br />
<strong>Solar</strong>Bridge Technologies named Bill<br />
Mulligan, Executive Chairman and Greg<br />
Vance, VP of Engineering.<br />
Solectria Renewables appointed John<br />
Lavelle, Western Regional Account<br />
20110703<br />
PV Module Demand/Supply Summary<br />
Q1 2010 - Q1 2011<br />
20130428<br />
U.S. Industrial Production<br />
Index (2007=100)<br />
110<br />
IP<br />
45000 MW Supply - base scenario Supply - high scenario<br />
40000<br />
35000<br />
30000<br />
25000<br />
20000<br />
Historical/Near Term<br />
Future<br />
105<br />
100<br />
95<br />
90<br />
85<br />
80<br />
15000<br />
75<br />
10000<br />
70<br />
5000<br />
65<br />
0<br />
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013<br />
60<br />
1 7 1 7 1 7 1 7 1 7 1 7 1 7 1 7 1 7 1 7 1 7 1 7 1 7 1 7 1 7 1 7 1 7 1 7 1 7 1 7 1 7 1 7 1 7 1 7<br />
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 20122013<br />
Bloomberg New Energy Finance 6/11<br />
Demand-conservative<br />
Demand-optimistic<br />
www.federalreserve.gov/releases/g17/table1_2.htm<br />
Chart 13. Chart 14.<br />
20130501<br />
U.S. Civilian Unemployment Rate<br />
20130505<br />
Industrial Production – World<br />
% Change vs. One Year Earlier<br />
11<br />
10<br />
9<br />
8<br />
7<br />
%<br />
6<br />
5<br />
4<br />
3<br />
2<br />
Britain<br />
Czech Republic<br />
France<br />
Germany<br />
Italy<br />
Ne<strong>the</strong>rlands<br />
Russia<br />
Spain<br />
Euro Area<br />
Canada<br />
USA<br />
China<br />
India<br />
Malaysia<br />
Singapore<br />
S Korea<br />
1 7 1 7 1 7 1 7 1 7 1 7 1 7 1 7 1 7 1 7 1 7 1 7 1 7 1 7 1 7 1 7 1 7 1 7 1 7 1 7 1 7 1 7 1 7 1<br />
Taiwan<br />
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012013<br />
Thailand<br />
Japan<br />
www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.a.htm<br />
www.economist.com<br />
- 2.2 Feb<br />
- 5.7 Feb<br />
- 2.5 Feb<br />
- 1.7 Feb<br />
- 3.8 Feb<br />
- 1.7 Feb<br />
+2.4 Mar<br />
- 8.5 Feb<br />
- 3.1 Feb<br />
+ 2.3 Feb<br />
+ 3.5 Mar<br />
+ 8.9 Mar<br />
+ 0.6 Feb<br />
- 4.5 Feb<br />
- 4.1 Mar<br />
- 3.0 Mar<br />
- 3.3 Mar<br />
+ 0.5 Mar<br />
- 7.3 Mar<br />
Chart 15. Chart 16.<br />
16 – <strong>Global</strong> <strong>Solar</strong> & Alternative Energies – May/June 2013 www.globalsolartechnology.com
Trading places: Emerging markets move to <strong>the</strong> forefront<br />
Manager.<br />
Sustainable Energy received $500,000<br />
investment from Doughty Hanson to<br />
accelerate energy storage inverter production.<br />
Market & business conditions<br />
<strong>Global</strong> PV installations to grow 12% y/y<br />
to over 35GW in 2013 with Asia beating<br />
Europe in solar installations.—IHS<br />
Worldwide solar installations are<br />
expected to grow 14% y/y in 2013 to 34.1<br />
GW with China poised to become world’s<br />
largest installation market.—Bloomberg<br />
Australia<br />
• exceeded one million rooftop solar<br />
systems installed on homes and businesses<br />
on March 12, 2013.<br />
• solar power production is expected to<br />
reach 10 GW by 2017.—Sunwiz and<br />
<strong>Solar</strong> Business Services<br />
Austria added 230 MW in 2012, expanded<br />
cumulative photovoltaic capacity to 415<br />
MW.—Photovoltaic Austria Federal<br />
Association<br />
China solar production capacity is running<br />
at 60% capacity.—Head of <strong>the</strong> National<br />
Development and Reform Commission<br />
Emerging Asia Pacific and Central Asia<br />
solar photovoltaic demand to grow by<br />
28% y/y from 723 MW of PV demand<br />
in 2012 to over 3 GW by 2017.—NPD<br />
<strong>Solar</strong>Buzz<br />
EU imposed tariffs of up to 67.9% on<br />
Chinese solar panels.<br />
Europe’s new solar power installations<br />
fell from 22.4GW in 2011 to 17GW in<br />
2012.—European Photovoltaic Industry<br />
Association<br />
France has 1 GW minimum PV installation<br />
target for 2013.—French Ministry<br />
of Energy, Ecology and Sustainable<br />
Development<br />
Germany installed 775 MW of PV in<br />
1Q13.—Federal Network Agency<br />
Greece added 793 MW of PV in 1Q13.—<br />
LAGIE<br />
India<br />
• installed 980 MW in 2012.—Mercom<br />
Capital<br />
• plans to install 1.3-1.4 GW solar power<br />
in 2013.—Mercom Capital<br />
Italy installed 214 MW of new capacity<br />
was in March, 126 MW added in February,<br />
and 232 MW for January.—Gestore dei<br />
Servizi Energetici<br />
Japan<br />
• solar cell sales increased 147% yr/yr to<br />
1 GW in 4Q12.—Japan Photovoltaic<br />
Energy Association<br />
• plans to install 5 GW solar photovoltaic<br />
capacity in 2013.—IMS Research<br />
• total solar installations are expected<br />
to reach between 6.1 GW to 9.4 GW<br />
<strong>Global</strong> PV<br />
installations are<br />
expected to grow<br />
12% to over 35<br />
gigawatts in 2013,<br />
with Asia beating<br />
Europe in solar<br />
installations.<br />
in 2013.—Bloomberg New Energy<br />
Finance<br />
Malaysia is aiming for 190 MW of total<br />
installed capacity by 2013 year-end.<br />
Mexico’s solar installations are expected<br />
to double to 60 MW in 2013.—Asociacion<br />
Nacional de Energia <strong>Solar</strong><br />
Middle East and Africa photovoltaic<br />
demand to grow 625% y/y to 1 GW in<br />
2013.—NPD <strong>Solar</strong>Buzz<br />
Ne<strong>the</strong>rlands installed 145 MW of new<br />
solar panels in 2012.<br />
Peru’s photovoltaic power plant capacity<br />
exceeded 100 MW, making it <strong>the</strong> top solar<br />
producing country in South America.<br />
Philippine <strong>Solar</strong> Power Alliance is<br />
targeting 6.12 MW of grid-tied solar<br />
rooftop installations in <strong>the</strong> country by year<br />
end 2013.<br />
Portugal added 67.8 MW of photovoltaic<br />
power in 2012 boosting cumulative<br />
installed PV capacity to 225.5 MW.—<br />
DGGE<br />
Scotland is targeting 100% of energy<br />
consumption from renewables by 2020.<br />
South Korea set 2013 new solar installation<br />
target at 230MW.<br />
Germany, Italy, and <strong>the</strong> UK total new<br />
solar installations reached 2GW in<br />
1Q13.—Digitimes Research<br />
U.S.<br />
• added 44 MW of solar electric capacity<br />
from seven projects in California,<br />
Nevada, New Jersey, Hawaii, Arizona,<br />
and North Carolina in March 2013.—<br />
SEIA<br />
• installed 537 MW of large-scale solar<br />
projects in 1Q13.—U.S. Federal Energy<br />
Regulatory Commission<br />
• net-metered annual capacity surpassed<br />
2 GW in 2012.—SEPA<br />
• solar panel installations grew 76% y/y<br />
in 2012 to 3.3 GW (valued at $11.5<br />
billion) and is expected to grow 29%<br />
y/y to 4.3 GW along with 946 MW of<br />
concentrating solar <strong>the</strong>rmal power in<br />
2013.—SEIA<br />
• solar PV market grew 76% y/y to $11.5<br />
billion in 2012.—GTM Research and<br />
SEIA<br />
Top 10 U.S. States for Photovoltaic <strong>Solar</strong><br />
Installations in 2012:<br />
1. California, 1,033 Mw installed<br />
2. Arizona, 710 Mw<br />
3. New Jersey, 415 Mw<br />
4. Nevada, 198 Mw<br />
5. North Carolina, 132 Mw<br />
6. Massachusetts, 129 Mw<br />
7. Hawaii, 109 Mw<br />
8. Maryland, 74 Mw<br />
9. Texas, 64 Mw<br />
10. New York, 60 Mw<br />
—GTM Research and SEIA<br />
Hawaii residents and businesses added<br />
108.7 MW of solar energy generating<br />
capacity in 2012.<br />
Massachusetts<br />
• reached administration’s target of<br />
installing 250 MW of solar energy by<br />
2017.<br />
• governor revealed new goal of 1.6 GW<br />
by 2020.<br />
New Jersey installed solar energy<br />
surpassed 1 GW (on a total of 20,300 solar<br />
projects) on March 2013.—State Board of<br />
Public Utilities<br />
UK solar power-generating capacity went<br />
from practically zero to around 2.5GW in<br />
two years.<br />
Ukraine installed capacity of solar power<br />
plants reached 371.6 MW in 2012 on FiT<br />
introduction.<br />
Materials & components<br />
<strong>Global</strong> silver inks and pastes market to<br />
reach $7.8 billion in 2013.—NanoMarkets<br />
Indian photovoltaics chemicals and<br />
materials market is expected to grow from<br />
$1.05 billion in 2012 to $2.05 billion in<br />
2015.—Frost & Sullivan<br />
3M expanded its solar-panel film manufacturing<br />
plant in Columbia, Mo.<br />
Bio<strong>Solar</strong> received first commercial<br />
BioBacksheet order.<br />
Centrosolar Group sold 100% of<br />
Centrosolar Glas to Ducatt NV.<br />
CSA Group opened new wire and cable<br />
testing and certification laboratory in<br />
Guangzhou, and expanded photovoltaic<br />
product testing capabilities in Kunshan,<br />
China.<br />
Dow began operation on photovoltaic film<br />
production line in Schkopau, Germany.<br />
Dowa raised silver output by 40% to<br />
meet solar-cell demand after <strong>the</strong> 2011<br />
Fukushima disaster.<br />
Eastman Chemical introduced polyvinyl<br />
butyral solar interlayer, SaflexSG.<br />
JPS Industries<br />
• appointed Robert Capozzi, and four<br />
www.globalsolartechnology.com<br />
<strong>Global</strong> <strong>Solar</strong> & Alternative Energies – May/June 2013 – 17
Trading places: Emerging markets move to <strong>the</strong> forefront<br />
new members Jack Howard, Alan<br />
Howe, John Quicke and Mikel Williams<br />
to serve one-year terms as board of<br />
directors.<br />
• named former president, CEO and<br />
director of DDi, Mikel Williams to<br />
position of CEO and President.<br />
Nippon Electric Glass developed thinner<br />
glass material for <strong>the</strong> protective covers for<br />
dye-sensitized solar cells.<br />
Royal DSM<br />
• acquired <strong>Solar</strong>Excel BV.<br />
• opened KhepriCoat anti-reflective<br />
coating manufacturing plant in Geleen,<br />
Ne<strong>the</strong>rlands.<br />
Tanaka Precious Metals obtained ISO/<br />
IEC17025 accreditation for silver analysis<br />
technology in Japan.<br />
Process equipment<br />
Applied Materials named Bob Halliday, Sr<br />
VP and CFO.<br />
centro<strong>the</strong>rm sold its subsidiary, GP <strong>Solar</strong><br />
to ISRA VISION.<br />
DEK <strong>Solar</strong> opened Suzhou <strong>Technology</strong><br />
Center in China.<br />
GEFRAN appointed Mick White as<br />
Sou<strong>the</strong>ast Regional Sales Manager,<br />
Industrial Sensor and Automation<br />
Products.<br />
IPG Photonics acquired Mobius<br />
Photonics.<br />
Mondragon Assembly received 30 MW<br />
turnkey solar manufacturing line order<br />
from Alfa <strong>Solar</strong>.<br />
PARC redesigned printers to produce solar<br />
panels, batteries.<br />
Silicon ingot wafer<br />
<strong>Solar</strong> wafer production is forecast to grow<br />
19% in 2013, passing 30GW and recovering<br />
to 2011 levels.—<strong>Solar</strong>Buzz<br />
1366 Technologies added Yasheng Huang<br />
to its Board of Directors.<br />
Comtec <strong>Solar</strong> set up Sarawak solar wafer<br />
plant in Sama Jaya Free Industrial Zone.<br />
Danen started volume production of solar<br />
wafers with 17.6% energy efficiency.<br />
Daqo COO, Qiangmin Zhou resigned.<br />
Globe Specialty Metals’ CFO, Malcolm<br />
Appelbaum will leave company in August<br />
2013.<br />
Hemlock Semiconductor cut 50 jobs in<br />
Michigan and 300 employees in Clarksville,<br />
Tennessee.<br />
Hyundai Heavy exited polysilicon business<br />
and withdrew its shares from Korean<br />
Advanced Materials jv.<br />
JX Nippon Oil & Energy ended its solargrade<br />
poly-silicon business due to serious<br />
price competition.<br />
LDK slashed workforce and manufacturing<br />
capacity as it seeked investors to<br />
<strong>Solar</strong> wafer<br />
production is<br />
forecast to grow 19%<br />
in 2013, passing<br />
30 gigawatts and<br />
recovering to 2011<br />
levels.<br />
refinance $3 billion in debt.<br />
MEMC changed its name to SunEdison.<br />
Sanyo <strong>Solar</strong> laid off 52 workers in Salem,<br />
Oregon.<br />
Sino-American Silicon acquired Sino<br />
<strong>Solar</strong>.<br />
<strong>Solar</strong>giga’s 900MW monocrystalline wafer<br />
production fully booked in 2013.<br />
Spectrolab introduced 50% larger solar cell<br />
wafer that it claims will reduce customers’<br />
costs by 10-15%.<br />
Thin film<br />
Dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) market<br />
will slowly grow to over $130 million by<br />
2023—IDTechEx<br />
AIST developed novel light-trapping<br />
structure to enhance optical absorption<br />
inside thin-film silicon solar cells resulting<br />
in 10.5% conversion efficiency.<br />
Avancis closed 20 MW CIGS PV facility in<br />
Germany.<br />
DayStar Technologies was acquired by<br />
PacWest Equities.<br />
Dow Chemical acquired NuvoSun.<br />
Dyesol achieved solid-state DSC 11.3%<br />
efficiency at full sun.<br />
First <strong>Solar</strong><br />
• achieved 16.1% total area efficiency for<br />
CdTe Module. launched Series 3 black<br />
module.<br />
• acquired TetraSun.<br />
• was <strong>the</strong> #1 solar developer in <strong>the</strong> world<br />
(based on March 2013 data), <strong>the</strong> #1<br />
solar EPC contractor in <strong>the</strong> world<br />
(same data source), and <strong>the</strong> #2 solar<br />
module manufacturer in <strong>the</strong> world<br />
(based on 2012 figures).<br />
• laid off 150 North American workers.<br />
• Ex. VP of Sales, James Brown resigned.<br />
Hanergy Group<br />
• is investing RMB2.4 billion to construct<br />
300MW CIGS cell module thin-film<br />
solar cell plant in Zhuzhou, China.<br />
• established Hanergy <strong>Global</strong> <strong>Solar</strong><br />
Power and Applications Group,<br />
comprising four business units and six<br />
regional offices.<br />
Hanyang University and Stanford<br />
University jointly fabricated peel-andstick<br />
thin film solar cells.<br />
Magnolia <strong>Solar</strong>, SUNY NanoCollege<br />
and U.S. Photovoltaic Manufacturing<br />
Consortium demonstrated flexible CIGS<br />
solar cell with 13% efficiency.<br />
MiaSole added 200 employees at its Santa<br />
Clara, CA HQ.<br />
Midsummer began producing individual<br />
CIGS thin film cells on stainless steel<br />
substrate.<br />
Nanosolar terminated 170 employees at its<br />
San Jose, California HQ.<br />
<strong>Solar</strong> Frontier restarted thin-film solar<br />
module manufacturing at its Miyazaki No.<br />
2 Plant in Kiyotakecho, Miyazaki, Japan.<br />
<strong>Solar</strong> Press is developing printed solar<br />
cells for powering air quality sensors for<br />
building energy management systems.<br />
Solexant named Dr. Markus Beck, CTO.<br />
SoloPower<br />
• closed its Portland, Oregon plant.<br />
• laid off 61 employees in San Jose,<br />
California.<br />
T-<strong>Solar</strong> laid off 170 employees in Ourense,<br />
Spain.<br />
XsunX appointed John Tuttle to its<br />
Advisory Board.<br />
CVD Equipment moved into new HQ in<br />
Central Islip, New York.<br />
Trade organizations<br />
SEIA VP, John Smirnow was named<br />
Chairman of US Department of Commerce<br />
Advisory Committee.<br />
SEMI released 4th edition of <strong>the</strong><br />
International <strong>Technology</strong> Roadmap for PV.<br />
Jon Custer-Topai is vice president of Custer<br />
Consulting Group and responsible for <strong>the</strong><br />
corporation’s market research and news<br />
analysis activities. Jon is a member of <strong>the</strong><br />
IPC and active in <strong>the</strong> <strong>Technology</strong> Marketing<br />
Research Council. jon@custerconsulting.<br />
com<br />
18 – <strong>Global</strong> <strong>Solar</strong> & Alternative Energies – May/June 2013 www.globalsolartechnology.com
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campaigns maximum impact and take your marketing messages to a whole new level.<br />
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Title New products<br />
New products<br />
Hanwha <strong>Solar</strong>One launches<br />
new generation HSL Series<br />
Hanwha <strong>Solar</strong>One Co. Ltd. has globally<br />
launched its new generation modules—<strong>the</strong><br />
HSL Series. Compared to previous generation<br />
modules, <strong>the</strong>se offer a smaller and<br />
lighter design, higher power output and<br />
enhanced durability, with new features like<br />
anti-PID (potential induced degradation)<br />
technology, anti-salt mist corrosion and<br />
increased snow and wind loads.<br />
www.hanwha-solarone.com<br />
KACO new energy introduces<br />
<strong>the</strong> blueplanet 50.0, 40.0 and<br />
32.0 TL3 inverters in North<br />
America<br />
Designed as a global platform, <strong>the</strong> blueplanet<br />
50.0 TL3 product line is based on<br />
<strong>the</strong> 39.0 TL3 with 700 MW of installed<br />
capacity globally. The blueplanet 50.0 TL3<br />
is designed for UL 1741 listing with 1000<br />
VDC operation and 480 VAC grid tie<br />
operation. Three power ratings are available:<br />
32, 40 and 50kW with <strong>the</strong> choice of<br />
a single MPP or three MPP model option.<br />
Maximum energy yield, PV system design<br />
flexibility, safety, and low maintenance<br />
are <strong>the</strong> goals of <strong>the</strong> blueplanet 50.0 TL3<br />
product line. www.kaco-newenergy.com<br />
<strong>Solar</strong>World introduces glassglass<br />
solar panel featuring<br />
30-year linear guarantee<br />
<strong>Solar</strong>World today introduced its<br />
Sunmodule Protect glass-glass solar panel.<br />
No heavier than a standard glass-film panel,<br />
<strong>the</strong> innovative new product is protected<br />
by one of <strong>the</strong> industry’s highest-value<br />
performance guarantees. In Sunmodule<br />
Protect solar panels, <strong>Solar</strong>World substitutes<br />
a panel’s conventional backsheet with<br />
lightweight glass to better shield energyproducing<br />
solar cells from <strong>the</strong> elements.<br />
This advance enables <strong>Solar</strong>World to extend<br />
its linear performance guarantee to 30<br />
years, up from 25 years, offering only 0.35<br />
percentage points in lower performance<br />
protection over each of <strong>the</strong> 30 years.<br />
www.solarworld-usa.com<br />
Susterra® Propanediol used<br />
in Greenway® solar heat<br />
transfer fluids<br />
DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products announces<br />
<strong>the</strong> introduction of Greenway® solar heat<br />
transfer fluids manufactured by Climalife<br />
and made with Susterra® propanediol.<br />
Susterra® propanediol offers solar <strong>the</strong>rmal<br />
equipment owners a high performing,<br />
biobased glycol which can improve energy<br />
efficiency and reduce maintenance costs.<br />
Susterra® is certified 100 percent biobased<br />
by <strong>the</strong> U.S. Department of Agriculture,<br />
making it attractive for companies seeking<br />
to add renewable content to <strong>the</strong>ir products.<br />
www.duponttateandlyle.com<br />
integrators and<br />
installers<br />
Tokyo Electron Device<br />
expandes lineup of IGBT Gate<br />
Drivers with on-board optical<br />
fiber interface<br />
Tokyo Electron Device Limited has<br />
announced <strong>the</strong> launch of <strong>the</strong> newly<br />
developed IGBT (Insulated Gate Bipolar<br />
Transistor) gate driver TD-BD-IGFB05K<br />
with an on-board optical fiber interface<br />
that enables control of 1700V/1200A class<br />
IGBTs on a single board. As plants for solar<br />
power generation, wind power generation<br />
and industrial-use inverters grow in size,<br />
systems for controlling high-voltage and<br />
high-current loads are becoming more<br />
complex. However, <strong>the</strong> reliability of such<br />
systems that use cables to connect with<br />
control boards cannot always be assured<br />
because of “noise,” <strong>the</strong> effects of lightning,<br />
etc. www.teldevice.co.jp<br />
aleo solar with<br />
comprehensive portfolio for<br />
self consumption systems<br />
With residential electricity prices rising<br />
and solar power subsidies falling, self<br />
consumption is now an attractive supplement<br />
to grid feed-in. Recognizing this, aleo<br />
solar has made extensive additions to its<br />
product portfolio—from system components<br />
optimized for self consumption to a<br />
professional training course for installers.<br />
System owners can thus gain independence<br />
from rising electricity prices. The aleo <strong>Solar</strong><br />
Calculator can be used to work out <strong>the</strong><br />
impact of self consumption on <strong>the</strong> operating<br />
efficiency of a photovoltaic system.<br />
www.aleo-solar.de<br />
20 – <strong>Global</strong> <strong>Solar</strong> & Alternative Energies – May/June 2013 www.globalsolartechnology.com
New products<br />
AEG Power Solutions<br />
introduces new Protect<br />
PV.800 inverters with grid<br />
stabilizing features<br />
AEG Power Solutions has enhanced its<br />
product portfolio with an 880 kVA central<br />
solar inverter, <strong>the</strong> Protect PV.800. AEG PS<br />
has expanded its product spectrum for<br />
high-end output solar equipment and integrated<br />
grid stabilizing features, answering<br />
proactively to a major technical concern on<br />
<strong>the</strong> market. The PV.800 is a new member<br />
of <strong>the</strong> Protect PV solar inverter family that<br />
includes <strong>the</strong> PV.250, PV.500 and PV.630<br />
in various indoor and outdoor configurations.<br />
The Protect PV.800 is able to support<br />
up to 1300 kWp. www.aegps.com<br />
Vishay Intertechnology<br />
introduces metallized<br />
polypropylene film snubber<br />
capacitor for direct IGBT<br />
mounting<br />
Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. has introduced<br />
a new high-performance metallized<br />
polypropylene film snubber capacitor.<br />
Configurable for direct mounting<br />
on insulated gate bipolar transistor<br />
(IGBT) modules, <strong>the</strong> Vishay Roederstein<br />
MKP386M features a wide capacitance<br />
range from 0.047 to 10 microfarads, hightemperature<br />
operation to + 105 °C, and<br />
seven voltage ratings from 700 VDC to<br />
2500 VDC and 420 VAC to 800 VAC. www.<br />
vishay.com<br />
SilTRUST* E110 silicone PV<br />
encapsulant now listed in <strong>the</strong><br />
UL photovoltaic materials<br />
database<br />
Momentive Performance Materials Inc.<br />
informed that SilTRUST* E110 liquid<br />
silicone encapsulant is now listed in <strong>the</strong><br />
UL photovoltaic materials database (File<br />
# E360688). The SilTRUST E110 liquid<br />
silicone encapsulant can enable photovoltaic<br />
module makers to boost efficiency<br />
and durability of crystalline silicon PV<br />
modules. SilTRUST E110 typically exhibits<br />
superior stability under extreme humidity,<br />
temperature and UV-radiation conditions,<br />
resulting in significant end-user benefits<br />
over <strong>the</strong> useful lifetime of a photovoltaic<br />
array installation. Developed with<br />
building-integrated PV applications in<br />
mind, SilTRUST E110 can help fulfill longterm<br />
aes<strong>the</strong>tics requirements and demonstrate<br />
durable, high-efficiency levels. www.<br />
momentive.com<br />
www.globalsolartechnology.com<br />
<strong>Global</strong> <strong>Solar</strong> & Alternative Energies – May/June 2013 – 21
Overcoming <strong>the</strong> structural challenges of a solar pyramid<br />
Case study—<br />
Overcoming <strong>the</strong> structural<br />
challenges of a solar pyramid<br />
Tom King has come full circle. The<br />
managing director of Sustainable<br />
Renewable Technologies (SRT) began his<br />
career as a land surveyor in <strong>the</strong> coal mining<br />
industry in exactly <strong>the</strong> same location as<br />
where he is now implementing his current<br />
model project. SRT has fitted solar panels<br />
to <strong>the</strong> entire exterior of Survey Solutions<br />
Scotland’s striking pyramid-shaped office,<br />
which is located in <strong>the</strong> Scottish town<br />
of Loanhead, just south of Edinburgh.<br />
Completing <strong>the</strong> project took <strong>the</strong> planners<br />
down a long and winding road with many<br />
challenges being met along <strong>the</strong> way.<br />
It was King himself who presented <strong>the</strong><br />
idea for <strong>the</strong> project to Survey Solutions<br />
Scotland. Having already expressed<br />
an interest to o<strong>the</strong>r project planners<br />
in installing a solar system onto <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
building and having been rejected each<br />
time, it was easy to convince <strong>the</strong>m of <strong>the</strong><br />
idea. In addition to using <strong>the</strong> project to<br />
reduce <strong>the</strong>ir energy costs and to prove<br />
that <strong>the</strong>y are playing a part in combatting<br />
climate change, <strong>the</strong> company wished<br />
to improve <strong>the</strong> external appearance of<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir headquarters. Being land surveyors,<br />
Survey Solutions Scotland wanted <strong>the</strong> solar<br />
system to fit seamlessly with <strong>the</strong> building’s<br />
straight lines. This meant avoiding<br />
<strong>the</strong> traditional stepped-edge finish that<br />
appears when rectangular solar modules<br />
are used. In conjunction with <strong>the</strong> building’s<br />
unusual inclination, this provided ano<strong>the</strong>r<br />
reason for many companies declaring <strong>the</strong><br />
project “impossible.” Despite <strong>the</strong>se obstacles,<br />
however, Tom King took control of <strong>the</strong><br />
design layout and financing of <strong>the</strong> project<br />
in 2012.<br />
Mock solar panels create <strong>the</strong><br />
perfect triangle<br />
To ensure that each side of <strong>the</strong> pyramid<br />
consisted of a perfect triangle of solar<br />
panels, <strong>the</strong> SRT project planners sought<br />
advice from a graphic design company. The<br />
graphic designers came up with <strong>the</strong> idea of<br />
using mock solar panels on <strong>the</strong> edges of<br />
<strong>the</strong> triangles that look remarkably like <strong>the</strong><br />
installed modules <strong>the</strong>mselves. The mock<br />
panels were cut in such a way to ensure<br />
Tom King, managing director of Sustainable Renewable <strong>Technology</strong>, in front of <strong>the</strong> new<br />
pyramid-shaped office of Survey Solutions Scotland.<br />
<strong>the</strong>y were level with <strong>the</strong> PV modules and<br />
<strong>the</strong> pyramid’s edges. The installation, which<br />
has a capacity of 48.25 kWp, comprises<br />
193 Jetion JT250 SBb modules and four<br />
Danfoss TLX 12.5 inverters.<br />
“The scaffolding design was a work of<br />
art in itself,” explains Tom King. This was<br />
owing not only to <strong>the</strong> unique shape of <strong>the</strong><br />
building’s lateral surfaces but, more importantly,<br />
to its steep inclination of almost 45<br />
degrees, which meant that using conventional<br />
vertical scaffolding was ruled out<br />
from <strong>the</strong> word go. Steps had to be taken to<br />
ensure that <strong>the</strong> building was not damaged<br />
by <strong>the</strong> scaffolding or <strong>the</strong> additional weight<br />
of <strong>the</strong> solar modules and <strong>the</strong> materials<br />
used to fix <strong>the</strong>m in place. This was ultimately<br />
achieved by adding extra weight<br />
to <strong>the</strong> foot of <strong>the</strong> scaffolding to minimise<br />
<strong>the</strong> direct load imposed on <strong>the</strong> building.<br />
Additionally, <strong>the</strong> process used to install<br />
<strong>the</strong> modules was adapted appropriately,<br />
with solar panels being installed to <strong>the</strong><br />
top of <strong>the</strong> pyramid first. As <strong>the</strong> installation<br />
of each row of panels was completed,<br />
a section of <strong>the</strong> scaffolding was removed,<br />
allowing <strong>the</strong> installation team to work <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
way down <strong>the</strong> building. It was <strong>the</strong>refore<br />
essential that <strong>the</strong> solar modules were fixed<br />
securely in place before <strong>the</strong> scaffolding was<br />
lowered. The project used <strong>the</strong> MetaSole<br />
mounting system designed by German<br />
manufacturer Renusol. “It is <strong>the</strong> best<br />
system around,” stresses King. Only a few<br />
components are required for <strong>the</strong> modules<br />
to be directly fastened to <strong>the</strong> roof, namely<br />
a clamp base, two thin sheet metal screws<br />
with a special coating, one end clamp and<br />
one middle clamp, and <strong>the</strong> modules are<br />
fixed without <strong>the</strong> need for mounting rails.<br />
22 – <strong>Global</strong> <strong>Solar</strong> & Alternative Energies – May/June 2013 www.globalsolartechnology.com
Overcoming <strong>the</strong> structural challenges of a solar pyramid<br />
The screws, which boast a cone point that<br />
penetrates material, mean that <strong>the</strong>re is no<br />
need for pilot drilling, reducing <strong>the</strong> installation<br />
time fur<strong>the</strong>r. “The clamps are incredibly<br />
quick and easy to install, allowing us to<br />
save a lot of time as well as costs during <strong>the</strong><br />
installation process.”<br />
Exciting flagship project<br />
Implementing this project on <strong>the</strong> pyramidshaped<br />
building sparked Tom King’s<br />
interest for several reasons: “Fitting this<br />
striking building with solar modules<br />
was <strong>the</strong> perfect way of making Survey<br />
Solutions Scotland’s commitment to <strong>the</strong><br />
environment visible to <strong>the</strong> general public.<br />
Fur<strong>the</strong>rmore, it was of course also in my<br />
own interest to implement a bold flagship<br />
project in order to make my company<br />
better known.”<br />
The wea<strong>the</strong>r also posed a challenge to<br />
<strong>the</strong> installers. Scotland normally enjoys<br />
some of its most pleasant wea<strong>the</strong>r in July<br />
but in 2012, <strong>the</strong> rain was so heavy that on<br />
many days it was too dangerous for <strong>the</strong><br />
installers to go up onto <strong>the</strong> roof. As a result,<br />
<strong>the</strong> four weeks originally envisaged for <strong>the</strong><br />
installation work turned into seven but<br />
despite this delay, <strong>the</strong> project was still able<br />
to be completed in time.<br />
In addition to its increased energy efficiency<br />
and lower CO2 emissions, <strong>the</strong> client<br />
Survey Solutions Scotland is particularly<br />
satisfied with <strong>the</strong> aes<strong>the</strong>tic features of<br />
<strong>the</strong> design, which complement <strong>the</strong> building’s<br />
straight lines. The completed system<br />
generates more than 41,000 kWh of power<br />
annually, which is enough to cover 85<br />
percent of Survey Solutions Scotland’s<br />
annual power requirements. The innovative<br />
solar solution provides <strong>the</strong> company<br />
with an overall profit of 10,000 pounds per<br />
year, saving around 36 metric tons of CO2<br />
emissions annually. Tom King is delighted<br />
that having started his career with “black”<br />
energy in <strong>the</strong> very same location 35 years<br />
ago, he has now been able to play a part in<br />
driving forward “green” energy in Scotland.<br />
The MetaSole mounting system designed<br />
by Renusol allowed <strong>the</strong> solar modules to<br />
be fixed securely to <strong>the</strong> scaffolding without<br />
<strong>the</strong> need for mounting rails or pilot drilling.<br />
www.globalsolartechnology.com<br />
<strong>Global</strong> <strong>Solar</strong> & Alternative Energies – May/June 2013 – 23
Spice Village Resort, India, gets off <strong>the</strong> grid<br />
Case study—<br />
Spice Village Resort, India, gets<br />
off <strong>the</strong> grid<br />
Spice Village, founded in 1992, is a<br />
56-cottage solar-powered off-grid ecoresort<br />
on <strong>the</strong> border of <strong>the</strong> Periyar Tiger<br />
Reserve in <strong>the</strong> Kerala province of Sou<strong>the</strong>rn<br />
India. Described as “a tribute to ancient<br />
ways of life” where “hewn stone replaces<br />
shag carpets” and “birdsong takes <strong>the</strong> place<br />
of television,” <strong>the</strong> resort provides comfort<br />
for modern travelers while giving <strong>the</strong>m a<br />
chance to enjoy a simple “back-tonature”<br />
experience.<br />
Considering <strong>the</strong> recent trends and<br />
growing demand of <strong>the</strong> global traveler for<br />
eco-friendly destinations and properties,<br />
<strong>the</strong> hospitality industry is under pressure<br />
to “go green” to ensure <strong>the</strong> lowest possible<br />
environmental impact from tourism. For<br />
this reason, <strong>the</strong> management at Spice<br />
Village decided to use energy efficient<br />
measures and solar power to make Spice<br />
Village a low carbon emissions resort. In<br />
late 2011, Spice Village hired solar company,<br />
TeamSustain, to design and install an<br />
off-grid photovoltaic (PV) system for <strong>the</strong><br />
resort. TeamSustain is a leading green technology<br />
solutions provider based in Cochin,<br />
India. The company offers cost-effective<br />
logistics and infrastructure solutions for<br />
sustainable resource utilization to markets<br />
around <strong>the</strong> world. Until June 2012, <strong>the</strong><br />
resort was connected to <strong>the</strong> electrical grid<br />
100% of <strong>the</strong> time during grid availability,<br />
and it also relied on a diesel generator for<br />
backup power due to poor grid quality.<br />
The generator ran eight hours a day to<br />
supply power to <strong>the</strong> cottages and resort<br />
buildings. Not only was it noisy, but it was<br />
time consuming and costly to maintain,<br />
and expensive to run since fuel had to be<br />
purchased and transported from far away.<br />
The previous system consisted of two<br />
generators with capacities of 125kVA and<br />
200kVA which produced almost 62,000<br />
kWh a year.<br />
By analyzing a compilation of energy<br />
audit data and identifying how to reduce<br />
<strong>the</strong> electrical load without compromising<br />
<strong>the</strong> use of necessary facilities or comforts,<br />
TeamSustain was able to recommend<br />
an improvement in <strong>the</strong> resort’s energy<br />
efficiency, reducing <strong>the</strong> daily consumption<br />
from 750kWh to 200kWh. As a first<br />
step, incandescent and florescent lighting<br />
was replaced with LED lighting, desktop<br />
computers were replaced with laptop<br />
computers, and electrical appliances<br />
including ceiling fans, TVs and refrigerators<br />
were upgraded to more efficient<br />
models. In addition, <strong>the</strong> eco-resort plans to<br />
revamp <strong>the</strong> laundry and <strong>the</strong> kitchen areas<br />
to include more efficient appliances to help<br />
reduce <strong>the</strong> overall load to achieve <strong>the</strong> 200<br />
kWh daily goal. The existing diesel gensets<br />
will also be replaced by biodiesel gensets in<br />
<strong>the</strong> future to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.<br />
Once <strong>the</strong> initial energy efficiency<br />
upgrades were made, TeamSustain<br />
designed a 65kWp battery-based PV system<br />
for Spice Village. The system was designed<br />
to support <strong>the</strong> full load of <strong>the</strong> resort during<br />
<strong>the</strong> daytime after implementing <strong>the</strong> energy<br />
efficiency measures identified in <strong>the</strong> energy<br />
audit. After all upgrades are made, <strong>the</strong> new<br />
PV system will generate enough solar electricity<br />
to meet 100% of <strong>the</strong> resort’s power<br />
needs. The biodiesel genset will only be<br />
used during <strong>the</strong> rainy monsoon months<br />
for a few hours a day to compensate for <strong>the</strong><br />
short fall of PV energy production.<br />
The PV system consists of 650, 100Wp<br />
thin film PV modules wired in 108 strings<br />
of six modules per string for a total array<br />
size of 65kWp. They are mounted in a<br />
fixed array with a 16 degree tilt. Due to <strong>the</strong><br />
high vegetation of <strong>the</strong> area and adhering<br />
to a mandate that no trees could be cut,<br />
TeamSustain used a space frame structure<br />
to raise <strong>the</strong> solar array 33 feet above <strong>the</strong><br />
ground to avoid shading. A space frame<br />
structure is a truss-like, lightweight rigid<br />
structure designed using interlocking<br />
struts in a geometric pattern, and is ideal to<br />
span large areas with few interior support<br />
requirements. This elevated design also<br />
maximizes irradiance and utilizes <strong>the</strong><br />
area underneath for tennis and basketball<br />
courts.<br />
Thin-film PV modules were chosen<br />
due to <strong>the</strong> typical climatic conditions at<br />
Spice Village of overcast skies and high<br />
temperatures. The amorphous silicon<br />
(a-Si), thin-film PV modules are expected<br />
to provide a 15% higher yield than conventional<br />
crystalline PV modules in this<br />
environment. TeamSustain’s AC-coupled<br />
micro-grid PV system features a 65 kWp<br />
PV array, nine PV string inverters totaling<br />
67.5 kW of capacity for <strong>the</strong> PV energy<br />
contribution in AC energy, and, nine dualmode<br />
inverter-chargers in clusters of three<br />
for a total capacity of 45kW. The AC energy<br />
coming from <strong>the</strong> PV string inverters is<br />
used by <strong>the</strong> load and/or stored through<br />
<strong>the</strong> three clusters, in three deep-cycle<br />
flooded 2V battery banks, each consisting<br />
of being 2,722 Ah @ C10 @ 1.80VPC. For<br />
<strong>the</strong> 65 kWp PV array, a SMA PV string<br />
inverter, Sunny Mini Central 7000HV<br />
24 – <strong>Global</strong> <strong>Solar</strong> & Alternative Energies – May/June 2013 www.globalsolartechnology.com
Spice Village Resort, India, gets off <strong>the</strong> grid<br />
(SMC) of 7.5 kW nominal capacity, was<br />
selected because <strong>the</strong> SMC has a high<br />
800VDC input voltage capacity, allowing<br />
<strong>the</strong> PV array to be configured with more<br />
PV modules in series than if standard PV<br />
string inverters were selected. This resulted<br />
in reducing <strong>the</strong> DC cabling size of <strong>the</strong> PV<br />
array and simplifying <strong>the</strong> PV array installation.<br />
In addition, <strong>the</strong> SMA SMC inverters<br />
feature one of <strong>the</strong> best maximumpowerpoint-tracking<br />
(MPPT) efficiency with its<br />
OptiTrac Tracking, allowing optimum use<br />
of <strong>the</strong> PV energy produced. An installed<br />
Sunny Webox allows detailed monitoring<br />
of <strong>the</strong> PV energy contribution.<br />
Three SMA Clusters, each featuring<br />
three dual-mode SMA Sunny Island 5048<br />
inverter-chargers, convert <strong>the</strong> excess of AC<br />
energy not used by <strong>the</strong> load into DC energy<br />
to charge <strong>the</strong> battery banks. When required,<br />
<strong>the</strong> DC energy stored in <strong>the</strong> batteries will<br />
be converted into AC energy to power <strong>the</strong><br />
AC load. The SMA Sunny Island 5048 is<br />
a highly efficient, easy-to-configure dualmode<br />
inverter-charger of 5 kW at 48V. Its<br />
intelligent battery management system<br />
helps ensure maximum battery life.<br />
The energy produced by <strong>the</strong> thinfilm<br />
PV modules is stored in 72 Trojan<br />
deep-cycle flooded IND29-4V Industrial<br />
batteries. Trojan batteries were chosen by<br />
TeamSustain due to <strong>the</strong>ir reputation for<br />
high quality and reliability, <strong>the</strong> fact that<br />
<strong>the</strong>y were made in <strong>the</strong> USA and because<br />
<strong>the</strong> size of <strong>the</strong> Industrial batteries met<br />
<strong>the</strong> specifications of <strong>the</strong> project design.<br />
Flooded deep-cycle batteries were chosen<br />
for <strong>the</strong> project over valve-regulated leadacid<br />
(VRLA) batteries because of <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
affordability and durability. Since <strong>the</strong><br />
resort has a maintenance program in place,<br />
watering <strong>the</strong> batteries periodically with<br />
distilled water will not be an issue. Trojan’s<br />
Industrial batteries have wide plates which<br />
allow for more electrolyte to be stored at<br />
<strong>the</strong> top of <strong>the</strong> plates, allowing for longer<br />
intervals between watering.<br />
The battery bank size was designed by<br />
TeamSustain for a daily usage of maximum<br />
50 percent depth of discharge, with each<br />
battery providing a 1,361 Amp-hour<br />
capacity at C10 at 1.80VPC. There are<br />
three 2,722 Ah at 48V battery banks in<br />
<strong>the</strong> system, totaling 8,166 Ah capacity.<br />
Each 48V battery bank, connected to one<br />
SMA Cluster, is configured as two strings<br />
in parallel, each string consisting of eight<br />
Trojan IND29-4V batteries in series.<br />
Trojan’s deep-cycle flooded battery<br />
technology requires simple maintenance<br />
to ensure maximum battery life, which<br />
includes adding distilled water to <strong>the</strong> individual<br />
cells regularly.<br />
Trojan’s Industrial line of flooded<br />
deep-cycle batteries is designed for 1,500<br />
cycles at 80 % depth of discharge and is<br />
specifically engineered to withstand <strong>the</strong><br />
rigorous conditions of renewable energy<br />
applications including extreme temperatures,<br />
remote locations and <strong>the</strong> intermittent<br />
nature of solar power generation.<br />
These batteries are designed to be cycled<br />
regularly and are engineered to perform<br />
optimally under conditions where <strong>the</strong><br />
batteries operate in a partial state of<br />
charge; a common occurrence in renewable<br />
energy applications due to <strong>the</strong> varying<br />
levels of irradiance, temperature, and available<br />
sun hours.<br />
The anticipated payback time for <strong>the</strong><br />
PV system is five years. Spice Village has<br />
applied for a 30% subsidy from <strong>the</strong> Indian<br />
government on capital costs as part of <strong>the</strong><br />
Jawaharlal Nehru National <strong>Solar</strong> Mission<br />
(JNNSM) Rooftop Plant Program. This<br />
project is also eligible to earn carbon<br />
credits since <strong>the</strong>re is an expected carbon<br />
reduction of 256 tons of CO₂. Overall,<br />
Spice Village expects to save nearly $45,000<br />
per year by switching to solar energy.<br />
www.globalsolartechnology.com<br />
<strong>Global</strong> <strong>Solar</strong> & Alternative Energies – May/June 2013 – 25
Events<br />
Upcoming Event<br />
Prevailing trends, latest<br />
technologies and international<br />
markets at Intersolar Europe<br />
Intersolar Europe, <strong>the</strong> world’s largest exhibition<br />
for <strong>the</strong> solar industry, re-opens its<br />
doors at Messe München on June 19. Under<br />
<strong>the</strong> motto Connecting <strong>Solar</strong> Business,<br />
visitors can find out about recent trends<br />
and developments across <strong>the</strong> solar industry<br />
from manufacturers, suppliers, distributors,<br />
service providers and partners working in<br />
this sector. In 2013, around 1,500 exhibitors<br />
are showcasing <strong>the</strong>ir products and<br />
services in <strong>the</strong> fields of photovoltaics<br />
(PV), PV production technology, energy<br />
storage systems and solar <strong>the</strong>rmal technology.<br />
Exhibiting companies can benefit<br />
from 121,000 square meters of exhibition<br />
space in 12 halls and a large outdoor area.<br />
Over 60,000 industry professionals from<br />
160 countries are expected at <strong>the</strong> three-day<br />
Intersolar Europe event at Messe München<br />
to learn about <strong>the</strong> latest developments and<br />
trends across <strong>the</strong> solar industry.<br />
Pioneering products at <strong>the</strong><br />
Innovation Exchange<br />
Those wanting to discover <strong>the</strong> international<br />
solar industry’s latest trends and hottest<br />
technologies should be sure to visit <strong>the</strong><br />
Innovation Exchange at Intersolar Europe<br />
2013 in hall B2, booth B2.450, where<br />
exhibitors showcase <strong>the</strong>ir innovations<br />
during 15-minute presentations. What’s<br />
more, experts from each company are on<br />
hand afterwards to give fur<strong>the</strong>r information.<br />
In 2013, exhibitors present innovative<br />
technologies in <strong>the</strong> fields of PV and energy<br />
storage systems, substructures for commercial<br />
roofs as well as new inverter functions.<br />
The Intersolar AWARD ceremony<br />
is a particular highlight this year, taking<br />
place on June 19, 2013 from 4:30pm at <strong>the</strong><br />
Innovation Exchange, which is also where<br />
<strong>the</strong> AWARD nominees will be revealed<br />
on June 20. The AWARD is presented to<br />
Intersolar Europe<br />
June 17-21 2013<br />
Munich, Germany<br />
intersolar.de<br />
international companies that have demonstrated<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir innovative strength with<br />
outstanding services and products. An<br />
independent jury comprising experts from<br />
science, industry, research and <strong>the</strong> trade<br />
media select up to three winners in <strong>the</strong><br />
fields of Photovoltaics and <strong>Solar</strong> Thermal<br />
Technologies, as well as <strong>Solar</strong> Projects in<br />
Europe, which is making its first appearance<br />
this year. The renowned solar prize<br />
is awarded by Intersolar Europe in cooperation<br />
with <strong>the</strong> Berlin-based German<br />
26 – <strong>Global</strong> <strong>Solar</strong> & Alternative Energies – May/June 2013 www.globalsolartechnology.com
Events<br />
<strong>Solar</strong> Industry Association<br />
(BSW-<strong>Solar</strong>). <strong>Solar</strong>Edge<br />
Technologies Inc. from Hod<br />
Hasharon, Israel is sponsoring<br />
this year’s Innovation<br />
Exchange.<br />
Energy storage<br />
systems, on-site<br />
consumption and<br />
grid integration at<br />
Intersolar Europe 2013<br />
The Energy Storage Systems product group<br />
alone has received 170 exhibitors registrations.<br />
Most of <strong>the</strong> exhibitors can be found<br />
in hall B5, right next to <strong>the</strong> exhibition area<br />
for inverter manufacturers. PV ENERGY<br />
WORLD, an international stage for <strong>the</strong><br />
latest technologies and trends in photovoltaics<br />
and energy storage, is also located at<br />
<strong>the</strong> center of hall B5. The latest challenges<br />
facing <strong>the</strong> change to a new energy supply<br />
system form <strong>the</strong> main focus here. Expert<br />
presentations cover topics such as on-site<br />
consumption of solar power generated on<br />
<strong>the</strong> premises, grid integration and storage<br />
solutions for private households, industrial<br />
and commercial buildings, accompanied<br />
by discussions about municipal energy<br />
concepts and models of energy cooperatives.<br />
PV ENERGY WORLD is presented<br />
by Intersolar Europe in association with<br />
<strong>the</strong> Fraunhofer Institute for <strong>Solar</strong> Energy<br />
Systems ISE, Freiburg and <strong>the</strong> Association<br />
of European Automotive and Industrial<br />
Battery Manufacturers (EUROBAT) from<br />
Brussels, Belgium. Following its successful<br />
launch last year, <strong>the</strong> PV and E-Mobility<br />
special exhibit is once again displayed<br />
at Messe München’s outdoor area at<br />
Intersolar Europe 2013. This special exhibit<br />
focuses on <strong>the</strong> latest PV carport solutions,<br />
charging stations and electric vehicles.<br />
Rural electrification, special<br />
workshops & exhibition tours<br />
BSW-<strong>Solar</strong> is once again organizing <strong>the</strong><br />
Rural Electrification special exhibit at<br />
Intersolar Europe, where 13 companies<br />
showcase <strong>the</strong>ir products and<br />
services in <strong>the</strong> field of off-grid<br />
power supply in hall B5, booth<br />
B5.170. BSW-<strong>Solar</strong> experts<br />
and exhibiting companies<br />
are available at <strong>the</strong> booth<br />
to answer any questions on<br />
rural electrification. As part<br />
of a three-day presentation<br />
program, exhibiting companies<br />
offer <strong>the</strong>ir experience<br />
of supplying electricity to<br />
off-grid regions in Africa, Asia and Latin<br />
America. This year, visitors can also gain<br />
practical insights during three special<br />
workshops focused on Photovoltaics<br />
on Industrial and Commercial Roofs -<br />
Practical Aspects, Financing and Building<br />
Regulations, Tips and Tricks for Installing<br />
Electricity Storage Systems and <strong>Solar</strong><br />
Process Heat for Breweries. What’s more,<br />
various exhibition tours help visitors to get<br />
to grips with <strong>the</strong> exhibition topics of PV<br />
on Industry and Commercial Buildings,<br />
Energy Storage Systems and <strong>Solar</strong> Thermal<br />
Technologies—Process Heat.<br />
The Joint Forces for <strong>Solar</strong><br />
networking event<br />
The Joint Forces for <strong>Solar</strong> initiative unites<br />
key players along <strong>the</strong> entire value-added<br />
www.globalsolartechnology.com<br />
<strong>Global</strong> <strong>Solar</strong> & Alternative Energies – May/June 2013 – 27
Events<br />
chain, from international corporations<br />
to local installers. This year, PV manufacturers<br />
from installation companies will<br />
meet again to debate current and future<br />
industry trends at <strong>the</strong> fifth PV Briefing &<br />
Networking Forum Europe, supported by<br />
<strong>the</strong> Bonn-based market research company,<br />
EuPD Research. Markus A.W. Hoehner,<br />
CEO of EuPD Research, reports on <strong>the</strong><br />
latest developments, future opportunities<br />
and current trends across <strong>the</strong> European<br />
PV market in his talk at <strong>the</strong> Innovation<br />
Exchange (hall B2, booth B2.450) on<br />
June 20 from 4:00pm–6:00pm. The panel<br />
discussion Industry Leader’s Debate on <strong>the</strong><br />
Future of PV and Energy Storage Solutions<br />
will <strong>the</strong>n shed light on electricity storage<br />
and <strong>the</strong> future of <strong>the</strong> European PV market.<br />
Markets, trends and<br />
new technologies at <strong>the</strong><br />
Intersolar Europe Conference<br />
2013<br />
The Intersolar Europe Conference is once<br />
again taking place alongside Intersolar<br />
Europe from June 17 - 20, 2013. In total,<br />
2,000 attendees and around 400 speakers<br />
from all over <strong>the</strong> world are meeting at <strong>the</strong><br />
International Congress Centre Munich<br />
(ICM) for <strong>the</strong> Intersolar Conference<br />
and Side Events. Here, discussion covers<br />
current conditions and developments in<br />
international markets, as well <strong>the</strong> latest<br />
technologies and trends, shining <strong>the</strong><br />
spotlight across <strong>the</strong> industry spectrum<br />
from photovoltaics and PV production<br />
technologies to energy storage and solar<br />
<strong>the</strong>rmal technology. The highlights of this<br />
year’s conference include <strong>the</strong> latest electricity<br />
storage technologies, power grid<br />
stability, new markets in <strong>the</strong> Middle East<br />
and North Africa (MENA region), new<br />
business models for <strong>the</strong> PV industry, largescale<br />
PV power plants and new cell and<br />
concentrator designs for PV production.<br />
<strong>Solar</strong> <strong>the</strong>rmal technologies form <strong>the</strong> focus<br />
in topics including international market<br />
development, <strong>the</strong> latest trends and developments<br />
in heat storage, industrial process<br />
heat and large-scale solar <strong>the</strong>rmal plants.<br />
Upcoming Event<br />
Moving <strong>the</strong> UK solar market past<br />
<strong>the</strong> ‘boom and bust’ stage<br />
The UK solar PV market is making headlines<br />
again as its 500 MW of installed<br />
capacity accounted for 10% of <strong>the</strong> global<br />
installations in <strong>the</strong> first quarter of 2013.<br />
As a result, <strong>the</strong> UK market passed <strong>the</strong> 2<br />
GigaWatt mark of cumulative installed solar<br />
capacity. 2012 hasn’t been a bad year ei<strong>the</strong>r.<br />
Government statistics confirm 779 MW of<br />
installed PV capacity in 2012. According to<br />
<strong>Solar</strong>buzz, 11.3% of <strong>the</strong> UK’s electricity last<br />
year was generated from renewable energy<br />
sources.<br />
The UK market is experiencing a new<br />
‘bloom’ period; however, based on past<br />
trends, this could just as well be considered<br />
a new ‘boom’ period.<br />
Roughly, <strong>the</strong> development of <strong>the</strong> British<br />
market can be divided into four phases.<br />
First, <strong>the</strong>re was a period of slow growth<br />
before <strong>the</strong> first Feed-in Tariff (FiT). Then<br />
<strong>the</strong>re was <strong>the</strong> first boom in 2011, caused by<br />
<strong>the</strong> FiT. The third period followed <strong>the</strong> FiT<br />
cuts and was characterized by adjustment<br />
and a search for new financing models.<br />
In 2012, boosted by <strong>the</strong> Renewables<br />
Obligation Certificates (ROCs) scheme,<br />
<strong>the</strong> ground-mounted segment saw a rise in<br />
popularity, though most installations that<br />
year were still rooftop systems. The new<br />
ground-mounted ‘boom’ really came into<br />
its own in <strong>the</strong> first quarter of 2013, leading<br />
to <strong>the</strong> spectacular numbers that put <strong>the</strong> UK<br />
back on <strong>the</strong> map. But now that 31st March<br />
has come and gone and support under <strong>the</strong><br />
ROC scheme has been reduced, <strong>the</strong> market<br />
could well come to ano<strong>the</strong>r standstill.<br />
It seems that <strong>the</strong> UK market is still characterized<br />
by a ‘boom and bust’ trend. Many<br />
experts and market players are calling<br />
for updated FiT policies to stimulate new<br />
market growth. The real question should be:<br />
How can <strong>the</strong> UK market really move past<br />
<strong>the</strong> ‘boom and bust’ stage?<br />
To try to find an answer to this question,<br />
<strong>Solar</strong>plaza, in cooperation with <strong>the</strong> BPVA, is<br />
bringing toge<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong>ir best lineup of solar<br />
experts ever for <strong>the</strong> fourth edition of ‘The<br />
<strong>Solar</strong> Future: UK’ conference. This highlevel<br />
strategy conference will feature solar<br />
visionaries such as Jeremy Leggett (Founder<br />
& Chairman, <strong>Solar</strong>century) Anton Milner<br />
(Managing Director, ib Vogt & Founder,<br />
Q-Cells), Jigar Shah (Founder, SunEdison<br />
& former CEO, Carbon War Room),<br />
Thierry Lepercq (Chairman, Solairedirect),<br />
Nick Boyle (CEO, Lightsource Renewable<br />
Energy) and Reza Shaybani (Chairman,<br />
BPVA). These and many o<strong>the</strong>r international<br />
veterans will share <strong>the</strong>ir visions about a<br />
future solar UK market beyond any government<br />
support—<strong>the</strong> central message being<br />
that <strong>the</strong> future of solar PV goes beyond any<br />
The <strong>Solar</strong> Future UK<br />
July 16, 2013<br />
London, UK<br />
<strong>the</strong>solarfuture.co.uk<br />
government support.<br />
Some of <strong>the</strong> major <strong>the</strong>mes that will be<br />
covered include topics such as <strong>the</strong> global<br />
solar PV industry developments impacting<br />
<strong>the</strong> UK market, smart grids, grid integration,<br />
smart energy management and <strong>the</strong> realistic<br />
potential of energy storage. Fur<strong>the</strong>rmore,<br />
<strong>the</strong> expert speakers will identify <strong>the</strong> most<br />
attractive elements per market segment<br />
and highlight <strong>the</strong> best—and sometimes<br />
most creative—ways of financing projects<br />
without being reliant on government<br />
subsidies. Examples of subsidy-free yet<br />
successful markets such as <strong>the</strong> Ne<strong>the</strong>rlands<br />
will be highlighted and explained.<br />
28 – <strong>Global</strong> <strong>Solar</strong> & Alternative Energies – May/June 2013 www.globalsolartechnology.com
Events<br />
Upcoming Event<br />
Int’l conference on backsheets,<br />
encapsulants & o<strong>the</strong>r polymer<br />
materials in PV systems<br />
Reliable materials are vital for <strong>the</strong> 25-year<br />
target lifespan of PV modules, and this<br />
includes <strong>the</strong> polymer components that<br />
encapsulate <strong>the</strong> silicon, <strong>the</strong> backsheets<br />
that prevent ingress of moisture and give<br />
protection from <strong>the</strong> environment, adhesives,<br />
sealants and front sheets that all<br />
play a role in securing long-term integrity.<br />
Applied Market Information (AMI) is<br />
bringing <strong>the</strong> industry toge<strong>the</strong>r in <strong>the</strong> US<br />
to review <strong>the</strong> latest developments. Plastics<br />
in Photovoltaics 2013 will take place on<br />
September 10-11 at <strong>the</strong> Hilton City Avenue,<br />
Philadelphia, PA.<br />
Topics covered will include <strong>the</strong> solar<br />
power market in <strong>the</strong> U.S., solar polymer<br />
materials in harsh climates, fire performance<br />
of roof-mounted modules, laboratory<br />
UV exposure testing compared<br />
to real-life conditions, EVA alternatives,<br />
performance parameters of backsheet<br />
materials, and new solar technologies.<br />
Plastics in<br />
Photovoltaics 2013<br />
Sept. 10-11, 2013<br />
Philadelphia, PA, USA<br />
www.amiplastics-na.com<br />
AZISNA2013_<strong>Global</strong> <strong>Solar</strong> <strong>Technology</strong>_7x4inch_Layout 1 23.05.13 16:47 Seite 1<br />
North America’s Premier<br />
Exhibition and Conference<br />
for <strong>the</strong> <strong>Solar</strong> Industry<br />
Moscone Center, San Francisco<br />
Tap into <strong>the</strong> incredible potential of <strong>the</strong><br />
U.S. solar market<br />
Connect with 650 international<br />
exhibitors and learn about <strong>the</strong>ir latest<br />
technological innovations<br />
Gain insights to advance your business<br />
Take an in-depth look at <strong>the</strong> industry’s<br />
hottest topics at our free workshops<br />
Go solar at North America’s<br />
most-attended solar event!<br />
Co-located with<br />
Register now!<br />
www.globalsolartechnology.com<br />
<strong>Global</strong> <strong>Solar</strong> & Alternative Energies – May/June 2013 – 29
Events<br />
Event Report<br />
Visitor numbers surpass<br />
expectations at The Innovation<br />
Cloud—<strong>Solar</strong>expo<br />
A high level of attendance and a great sense<br />
of satisfaction, toge<strong>the</strong>r with renewed<br />
dynamism among operators, marked <strong>the</strong><br />
first edition of The Innovation Cloud—<br />
<strong>Solar</strong>expo, which ended May 10th after<br />
three days at Fiera Milano-Rho, Spain.<br />
31,300 visitors from 83 countries,<br />
acknowledged by exhibitors as being among<br />
<strong>the</strong> leading professionals in <strong>the</strong> field, came<br />
to <strong>the</strong> Trade Fair’s pavilions and took part<br />
in 60 conferences of national and international<br />
significance. All <strong>the</strong> operators praised<br />
<strong>the</strong> exhibition’s innovative approach in<br />
presenting <strong>the</strong> changes in <strong>the</strong> world of<br />
cutting-edge energy technologies.<br />
“In just three days, our exhibition<br />
brought operators to a shared conviction:<br />
notwithstanding <strong>the</strong> fact that <strong>the</strong> macroeconomic<br />
framework of <strong>the</strong> country is still<br />
very difficult and many uncertainties in <strong>the</strong><br />
regulations persist, <strong>the</strong> worst is over,” said<br />
Luca Zingale, founder and scientific director<br />
of The Innovation Cloud. “Our approach<br />
to staging <strong>the</strong> event is flexible and open to<br />
<strong>the</strong> changes affecting <strong>the</strong> market and <strong>the</strong><br />
industry. The operators have accepted our<br />
invitation to share <strong>the</strong> latest advances and<br />
we are grateful to <strong>the</strong>m for that.”<br />
The events of The Innovation Cloud-<br />
<strong>Solar</strong>expo provided <strong>the</strong> framework for an<br />
open, in-depth discussion about <strong>the</strong> future<br />
of <strong>the</strong> solar market, both in <strong>the</strong> context of<br />
grid-parity, such as <strong>the</strong> post-incentives<br />
Italian market, and in <strong>the</strong> global arena,<br />
through <strong>the</strong> <strong>Global</strong> <strong>Solar</strong> Summit.<br />
The conference “Photovoltaic Energy<br />
in Italy after ContoEnergia (<strong>the</strong> feed-in<br />
tariff scheme)” drew a large audience to<br />
a lively debate over <strong>the</strong> growing penetration<br />
of photovoltaic power in <strong>the</strong> national<br />
electricity system. In this area, a common<br />
position emerged between <strong>the</strong> Energy<br />
Authority and <strong>the</strong> Ministry of Economic<br />
Development, represented respectively by<br />
Andrea Galliani and Luciano Barra, over<br />
<strong>the</strong> proposal to extend <strong>the</strong> system’s charges<br />
to solar electricity, which has so far been<br />
exempt.<br />
The topicality of <strong>the</strong> hybridization<br />
of technologies for intelligent buildings,<br />
networks and cities was expressed from<br />
various points of view, embracing innovation<br />
in construction in favor of energy efficiency<br />
and climate control, <strong>the</strong> new LED<br />
technologies and distribution networks in<br />
view of smart grids. One of <strong>the</strong> conferences<br />
organized by RSE (Research on <strong>the</strong> Energy<br />
System) bore <strong>the</strong> title “E-Clima: climate<br />
control from renewable sources” and this<br />
was a much appreciated opportunity for<br />
an in-depth examination of <strong>the</strong> awareness<br />
of innovation, applications and <strong>the</strong> potential<br />
of heat pumps, combined with solar<br />
energy. Proper instruments of support and<br />
electricity tariffs designed specifically for<br />
this technology emerged as desirable conditions<br />
in order to effectively achieve <strong>the</strong><br />
widest uptake of climate control equipment<br />
powered by heat pumps.<br />
An attitude of greater openness towards<br />
energy efficiency and a sustainable lifestyle<br />
but limited awareness about <strong>the</strong><br />
technological solutions to be adopted in<br />
order to achieve <strong>the</strong>se goals was, was <strong>the</strong><br />
main conclusion of a survey over Italian<br />
families focused on “Energy saving and<br />
comfort in buildings” carried out by ISPO<br />
on behalf of ANIE Confindustria and<br />
presented as part of a conference held at<br />
<strong>the</strong> end of <strong>the</strong> third day. A proposal for an<br />
energy strategy up to 2030 was put before<br />
<strong>the</strong> public decision-makers and <strong>the</strong> public<br />
organizations active in <strong>the</strong> sector (<strong>the</strong><br />
Energy Authority, GSE, ENEA, CNR etc.)<br />
by <strong>the</strong> organization CoordinamentoFREE,<br />
which brings toge<strong>the</strong>r associations in<br />
<strong>the</strong> sector of renewable electricity and<br />
<strong>the</strong>rmal sources and energy efficiency. In<br />
<strong>the</strong> conference “Towards a Sustainable<br />
Energy Strategy. Scenarios up to 2030,”<br />
CoordinamentoFREE explained its position<br />
paper and presented an E-book in response<br />
to what has been widely acknowledged as<br />
“<strong>the</strong> systematic disinformation on photovoltaic.”<br />
Fur<strong>the</strong>rmore, <strong>the</strong> events made possible<br />
a targeted, effective approach to <strong>the</strong> challenge<br />
of internationalization, which was <strong>the</strong><br />
topic of many opportunities for updating<br />
and discussion with associations and<br />
research centers of international standing.<br />
Two cooperation agreements and <strong>the</strong><br />
launch of <strong>the</strong> first six green energy projects<br />
were announced as part of <strong>the</strong> conference<br />
“Delivering renewable solutions within<br />
<strong>the</strong> Mediterranean electricity market” by<br />
RES4MED, <strong>the</strong> association formed by Enel<br />
Green Power, Edison, CESI, GSE, PwC and<br />
Milan Polytechnic in order to share strategies<br />
and experiences for a proper transition<br />
to clean energy in <strong>the</strong> Mediterranean. The<br />
availability of new financial instruments<br />
targeted at <strong>the</strong> development needs of green<br />
companies was <strong>the</strong> focus of great interest,<br />
especially during Green Investor Day, which<br />
facilitated meetings and discussion between<br />
financial investors, banks and listed companies.<br />
www.innovationcloud-expo.com<br />
30 – <strong>Global</strong> <strong>Solar</strong> & Alternative Energies – May/June 2013 www.globalsolartechnology.com
Analyst Buzz<br />
Analyst Buzz Title<br />
<strong>Solar</strong> PV demand to reach 31<br />
GW in 2013, according to NPD<br />
<strong>Solar</strong>buzz<br />
<strong>Solar</strong> photovoltaic (PV) demand will<br />
increase two gigawatts (GW), from 29<br />
GW to 31 GW during 2013, up 7 percent<br />
Y/Y according to <strong>the</strong> new NPD <strong>Solar</strong>buzz<br />
Marketbuzz 2013. For <strong>the</strong> first time, China<br />
will outpace Germany to become <strong>the</strong><br />
leading PV consumer, while <strong>the</strong> top 10 PV<br />
territories will still account for 83 percent<br />
of global PV demand.<br />
“2013 will represent ano<strong>the</strong>r transition<br />
year, as <strong>the</strong> PV industry adjusts to softness<br />
across legacy European markets,” according<br />
to Michael Barker, senior analyst at NPD<br />
<strong>Solar</strong>buzz. “The Chinese end-market will<br />
largely compensate for <strong>the</strong> downturn in<br />
demand from Germany, which previously<br />
led PV demand.”<br />
<strong>Global</strong> Shift in PV Demand<br />
Due to fur<strong>the</strong>r reductions in European<br />
premium incentives, demand in this region<br />
will fall to approximately 12 GW, which is<br />
a 26 percent Y/Y decline. In contrast, new<br />
policies across leading PV countries in <strong>the</strong><br />
Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, led by China,<br />
Japan, and India, will stimulate regional<br />
growth of over 50 percent and account for<br />
more than 11 GW of PV demand in 2013.<br />
“In 2013, we expect to see improvement<br />
in <strong>the</strong> market fundamentals that<br />
enable PV demand to return to doubledigit<br />
growth,” Barker said. “Installedsystem<br />
prices will continue to fall, and PV<br />
will become increasingly cost competitive<br />
across regions with high electricity rates,<br />
shortages in domestic supply, and growing<br />
renewable obligations to fulfill.”<br />
According to <strong>the</strong> NPD <strong>Solar</strong>buzz report,<br />
new PV opportunities from <strong>the</strong> Middle<br />
East, Africa, Latin America, Sou<strong>the</strong>ast Asia,<br />
<strong>the</strong> Caribbean, and o<strong>the</strong>r emerging regions<br />
will have a stronger impact on global<br />
demand from 2014 onwards. Emerging<br />
regions are forecast to account for less<br />
than 8% of global demand during 2013;<br />
however, this market share is expected to<br />
double by 2017, driven primarily by South<br />
Africa, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Israel, and<br />
Mexico.<br />
Fragmentation of <strong>the</strong> Supply Chain<br />
Fur<strong>the</strong>r fragmentation of <strong>the</strong> supply<br />
chain for PV modules and balance-ofsystems<br />
components is expected across a<br />
range of addressable markets due to shifts<br />
in geographic access, new and ongoing<br />
import trade barriers, and changes in PV<br />
application segments.<br />
“<strong>Global</strong> trade wars and excessive local<br />
manufacturing capacity levels will create<br />
micro-environments for PV supply and<br />
demand, with each PV supplier serving<br />
only a subset of <strong>the</strong> 31 GW demand total,”<br />
Barker said.<br />
Ground-Mount Installations Dominate<br />
Ground-mount installations will dominate<br />
<strong>the</strong> market in 2013 with 45% of PV<br />
demand. These installations are being<br />
driven by policies that favor utility-based<br />
deployment. Strongly influenced by Japan,<br />
Germany, Australia, Italy, and <strong>the</strong> UK,<br />
overall market share for residential PV in<br />
2013 will remain above 20%. These five<br />
countries will account for three-quarters<br />
of all residential PV installations this year,<br />
which highlights a broad geographic pull<br />
and emphasizes <strong>the</strong> continued importance<br />
of distributed generation.<br />
Geographic Breakdown of <strong>Global</strong> PV Demand in 2013<br />
Source: NPD <strong>Solar</strong>buzz Marketbuzz 2013<br />
<strong>Solar</strong> energy causes<br />
revolution in Dutch electricity<br />
market<br />
The growth of solar energy has had a much<br />
greater impact on <strong>the</strong> Dutch energy infrastructure<br />
than was previously expected and<br />
taken into account. As solar panels look set<br />
to supply a much greater share of domestic<br />
electricity needs in <strong>the</strong> future, gas and coal<br />
plants are growing increasingly unprofitable,<br />
and energy utilities are having to<br />
find new solutions for energy storage and<br />
smart-grid development.<br />
According to experts, <strong>the</strong> growth in<br />
market share of solar energy could amount<br />
to much more than <strong>the</strong> 4000 MW that<br />
<strong>the</strong> companies and organizations united<br />
under <strong>the</strong> Dutch National <strong>Solar</strong> Energy<br />
Action Committee predicted for 2020.<br />
This projection was based on an annual<br />
growth of 25 per cent. Last year alone, <strong>the</strong><br />
growth of <strong>the</strong> number of solar installations<br />
in <strong>the</strong> Ne<strong>the</strong>rlands amounted to more<br />
than 200 per cent. If annual growth turns<br />
www.globalsolartechnology.com<br />
<strong>Global</strong> <strong>Solar</strong> & Alternative Energies – May/June 2013 – 31
Analyst Buzz<br />
out to be more like 50 percent than 25,<br />
<strong>the</strong> Ne<strong>the</strong>rlands will have reached a milestone<br />
of 1.5 million installed solar energy<br />
systems within five years, compared to <strong>the</strong><br />
100,000 that are already operational.<br />
“This is nothing short of a revolution.<br />
Since we’re right in <strong>the</strong> middle of it, <strong>the</strong><br />
speed of it all isn’t that noticeable. In ten<br />
years, we will look back at this point in time<br />
and fully realize <strong>the</strong> change that has taken<br />
place,” said Edwin Koot, CEO of <strong>Solar</strong>plaza.<br />
At <strong>the</strong> end of 2012, solar panels in <strong>the</strong><br />
Ne<strong>the</strong>rlands already offered a combined<br />
capacity of 280 megawatts. Last year,<br />
around 240 million kWh of solar energy<br />
was generated, corresponding to 0.22<br />
per cent of overall national electricity<br />
consumption. And this is in addition to <strong>the</strong><br />
growing amount of solar systems already<br />
constructed without subsidies, for which<br />
<strong>the</strong>re is no detailed data.<br />
With solar photovoltaic (PV) panels<br />
becoming increasingly cheaper and<br />
energy prices continuing to rise, solar<br />
energy generated on private roofs is now<br />
cheaper than energy tapped from <strong>the</strong> grid.<br />
Fur<strong>the</strong>rmore, investing in a solar system<br />
can generate interest rates three times as<br />
high as those of a regular savings account.<br />
This will only contribute to <strong>the</strong> apparent<br />
growth. It’s likely that in three years’ time<br />
<strong>the</strong>re will already be more than 440,000 PV<br />
systems in <strong>the</strong> country, covering 1 per cent<br />
of <strong>the</strong> national electricity consumption.<br />
In 2020, an annual production of 4,000<br />
megawatts of solar energy could cover 3<br />
percent of <strong>the</strong> national consumption. But if<br />
<strong>the</strong> growth of solar energy turns out to be<br />
closer to 40 percent – which is very likely –<br />
this contribution will be close to 6 percent.<br />
On sunny days, this could mean that coal<br />
and gas plants will have to be shut down.<br />
In Germany last year, a sunny month of<br />
May resulted in 50 percent <strong>the</strong> electricity<br />
demand being provided by solar panels,<br />
while <strong>the</strong> annual share amounted to 5<br />
percent.<br />
According to <strong>Solar</strong>plaza, <strong>the</strong><br />
Ne<strong>the</strong>rlands are underestimating <strong>the</strong><br />
consequences of this phenomenon. While<br />
coal and gas plants will become less and less<br />
profitable, <strong>the</strong>y will continue to be needed<br />
during periods without sun. In <strong>the</strong> summer,<br />
this could lead to <strong>the</strong>se plants having to<br />
dump <strong>the</strong>ir electricity on <strong>the</strong> international<br />
market, as <strong>the</strong>ir German counterparts<br />
have already experienced. Energy utilities<br />
will also lose out on a considerable part of<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir revenue, when <strong>the</strong>ir clients generate<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir own electricity through solar panels.<br />
“That’s why energy utilities need to find<br />
new business models and really face <strong>the</strong><br />
challenges head-on. They will need to focus<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir attention on energy storage systems,<br />
advanced energy management and smartgrid<br />
solutions,” according to Koot.<br />
The fifth consecutive edition of The<br />
<strong>Solar</strong> Future: NL ’13, which is to be held<br />
on 23rd May in <strong>the</strong> Evoluon in Eindhoven,<br />
will welcome experts such as Professor<br />
Wim Sinke, Professor Han Slootweg and<br />
<strong>the</strong> successful Australian/American entrepreneur<br />
Danny Kennedy, who will share<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir visions on <strong>the</strong> trends and developments<br />
in <strong>the</strong> field of solar energy.<br />
New Federal Report shows<br />
solar achieved history in<br />
March<br />
For <strong>the</strong> first time, solar energy accounted<br />
for all new utility electricity generation<br />
capacity added to <strong>the</strong> U.S. grid last<br />
month, according to <strong>the</strong> Federal Energy<br />
Regulatory Commission’s (FERC’s) March<br />
2013 “Energy Infrastructure Update.” More<br />
than 44 megawatts (MW) of solar electric<br />
capacity was brought online from seven<br />
projects in California, Nevada, New Jersey,<br />
Hawaii, Arizona, and North Carolina. All<br />
o<strong>the</strong>r energy sources combined added no<br />
new generation.<br />
<strong>Solar</strong> also had a strong showing in<br />
FERC’s quarterly generation numbers,<br />
accounting for about 30 percent of all utility-scale<br />
new capacity. The report focuses<br />
exclusively on larger facilities and does not<br />
include energy generated by net-metered<br />
installations. Net-metered systems account<br />
for more than half of all U.S. solar electric<br />
capacity.<br />
“This speaks to <strong>the</strong> extraordinary<br />
strides we have made in <strong>the</strong> past several<br />
years to bring down costs and ramp up<br />
deployment,” said Rhone Resch, president<br />
and CEO of <strong>the</strong> <strong>Solar</strong> Energy Industries<br />
Association. “Since 2008, <strong>the</strong> amount of<br />
solar powering U.S. homes, businesses and<br />
military bases has grown by more than 600<br />
percent—from 1,100 megawatts to more<br />
than 7,700 megawatts today. As FERC’s<br />
report suggests, and many analysts predict,<br />
solar will grow to be our nation’s largest<br />
new source of energy over <strong>the</strong> next four<br />
years.”<br />
FERC’s report supports o<strong>the</strong>r findings<br />
which show solar power to be one of <strong>the</strong><br />
fastest growing energy sources in <strong>the</strong> U.S.,<br />
powering homes, businesses and utility<br />
grids across <strong>the</strong> nation. The <strong>Solar</strong> Market<br />
Insight annual edition shows <strong>the</strong> U.S.<br />
installed 3,313 megawatts (MW) of solar<br />
photovoltaics (PV) in 2012, a record for <strong>the</strong><br />
industry.<br />
Some of this growth is attributed to<br />
<strong>the</strong> fact that <strong>the</strong> cost of a solar system has<br />
dropped by nearly 40 percent over <strong>the</strong> past<br />
two years, making solar more affordable<br />
than ever for utilities and consumers.<br />
“In 2012, <strong>the</strong> U.S. brought more new<br />
solar capacity online than in <strong>the</strong> three prior<br />
years combined,” Resch added. “These new<br />
numbers from FERC support our forecast<br />
that solar will continue a pattern of growth<br />
in 2013, adding 5.2 GW of solar electric<br />
capacity. This sustained growth is enabling<br />
<strong>the</strong> solar industry to create thousands of<br />
good jobs and to provide clean, affordable<br />
energy for more families, businesses, utilities,<br />
and <strong>the</strong> military than ever before.”<br />
Today, America’s solar industry<br />
employs 119,000 workers throughout <strong>the</strong><br />
country. That’s a 13.2 percent growth over<br />
2011’s jobs numbers, making solar one<br />
of <strong>the</strong> fastest-growing job sectors in <strong>the</strong><br />
nation.<br />
<strong>Solar</strong> Fuels: The USD3.5<br />
trillion opportunity<br />
To maintain current standards of living in<br />
developed economies and raise <strong>the</strong>m in<br />
developing ones, <strong>the</strong> world is going to need<br />
a lot more power than it is now producing.<br />
The impact of growth in world population<br />
occurring in a period of decreasing fractional<br />
use of fossil fuels for energy production,<br />
accompanied by a significant increase<br />
in affluence resulting from globalization of<br />
<strong>the</strong> world economy, will be a huge growth<br />
in <strong>the</strong> demand for energy over <strong>the</strong> 21st<br />
century.<br />
The increase of growth in world electrification<br />
over <strong>the</strong> period from 1980 through<br />
2000 and forecast though 2030 show an<br />
estimated 2-fold increase in electric energy<br />
intensity resulting from an estimated 4-fold<br />
increase in electric energy consumption by<br />
a world population that will increase 2-fold<br />
over <strong>the</strong> 50-year period.<br />
Given a worldwide intensive effort<br />
for energy conservation, <strong>the</strong> addition of<br />
3 billion people on Earth, coupled with<br />
additional large future applications of<br />
electric energy intensive technologies, and<br />
fur<strong>the</strong>r coupled with <strong>the</strong> reduction of fossil<br />
fuel combustion for generation of electricity<br />
and automotive transportation raise<br />
serious concern about <strong>the</strong> sustainability of<br />
worldwide energy supply.<br />
This is according to a recent report<br />
from Amadee+Company, <strong>Solar</strong> Fuels,<br />
Artificial Photosyn<strong>the</strong>sis, Hydrogen, Fuel<br />
Cells and <strong>the</strong> Future of Clean Energy:<br />
2013-2023 Analysis and Forecasts.<br />
The scale of <strong>the</strong> energy problem is<br />
huge. In 2001, <strong>the</strong> world used 13.2 TW (1<br />
terrawatt=10*12 watts) of energy. By 2050,<br />
it will need 28 TW. This increase need of<br />
15 TW is not feasible using existing energy<br />
sources like oil, gas coal and nuclear.<br />
32 – <strong>Global</strong> <strong>Solar</strong> & Alternative Energies – May/June 2013 www.globalsolartechnology.com
Analyst Buzz<br />
However, <strong>the</strong> potential of solar energy<br />
is enormous and, on a practical basis<br />
is >600 TW. Photosyn<strong>the</strong>sis alone can<br />
provide 90 TW of energy resources.<br />
The sun delivers more energy to <strong>the</strong><br />
earth in one hour than civilization currently<br />
uses from fossil fuels, nuclear power and<br />
all renewable energy sources combined in<br />
a year. This solar energy can be captured<br />
and stored directly in <strong>the</strong> chemical bonds<br />
of a material, or fuel, and <strong>the</strong>n used when<br />
needed. These chemical fuels, in which<br />
energy from <strong>the</strong> sun has deliberately been<br />
stored, are called solar fuels.<br />
For more than 50 years, scientists have<br />
pursued <strong>the</strong> possibility of producing solar<br />
fuels in <strong>the</strong> laboratory. There are three<br />
approaches:<br />
• Artificial photosyn<strong>the</strong>sis in which<br />
systems made by human beings<br />
mimic <strong>the</strong> natural process;<br />
• Natural photosyn<strong>the</strong>sis; and<br />
• Thermochemical approaches.<br />
Significant progress has been made<br />
in producing two very important types of<br />
fuels:<br />
• Hydrogen, which can be used as a<br />
transport fuel, and is an important<br />
feedstock for industry. Hydrogen<br />
can be produced by splitting water<br />
using sunlight.<br />
• Carbon-based fuels such as<br />
methane or carbon monoxide<br />
(used with hydrogen as syn<strong>the</strong>sis<br />
gas). These are key feedstocks for<br />
making a wide range of industrial<br />
products including fertilizers.<br />
The goal is to a transition to a hydrogenbased<br />
economy based on renewable energy<br />
sources, mainly solar. The main barriers<br />
to a transition to hydrogen are <strong>the</strong> lack of<br />
development of technologies for hydrogen<br />
production, storage, transport, and distribution,<br />
and high costs compared with <strong>the</strong><br />
current system.<br />
Ra<strong>the</strong>r than seeing hydrogen as <strong>the</strong><br />
exclusive fuel for <strong>the</strong> future, <strong>the</strong> specific<br />
roles to which it is uniquely suited in each<br />
major sector within an overall sustainable<br />
energy strategy need to be identified.<br />
With this approach, it is expected that<br />
hydrogen would still play a substantive and<br />
crucial role, but a role in concert ra<strong>the</strong>r<br />
than competition with that of electricity<br />
and technologies such as battery electric<br />
vehicles and a variety of shorter-term<br />
energy storage options for grid power.<br />
The potential resource constraints in<br />
a hydrogen economy based on renewable<br />
energy sources have been investigated. It is<br />
estimated that <strong>the</strong> primary energy requirements<br />
of a global economy in 2050 that<br />
were 2.5 times those in 2005 could be met<br />
entirely from potentially collectable solar<br />
radiation (80% of <strong>the</strong> total supply), wind<br />
power (15%) and o<strong>the</strong>r renewables (5%).<br />
The result would be no need for nuclear<br />
power or coal-fired power.<br />
Hundreds of organizations are<br />
currently doing scientific research on<br />
solar fuels and artificial photosyn<strong>the</strong>sis.<br />
A dozen European research partners,<br />
for example, form <strong>the</strong> <strong>Solar</strong>-H network,<br />
supported by <strong>the</strong> European Union. The<br />
US Dept. of Energy (DOE) Joint Center<br />
for Artificial Photosyn<strong>the</strong>sis (JCAP), led<br />
by <strong>the</strong> California Institute of <strong>Technology</strong><br />
(Caltech) and Lawrence Berkeley National<br />
Laboratory, has $122 million over 5 years<br />
to build a solar fuel system. Caltech and<br />
<strong>the</strong> Massachusetts Institute of <strong>Technology</strong><br />
have a large National Science Foundation<br />
(NSF) grant to improve photon capture<br />
and catalyst efficiency, while several<br />
Energy Frontier Research Centers funded<br />
by <strong>the</strong> US DOE are focused on <strong>Global</strong><br />
Artificial Photosyn<strong>the</strong>sis (GAP)-related<br />
endeavors. Japan has established an<br />
Artificial Photosyn<strong>the</strong>sis Group, based on<br />
<strong>the</strong> Catalysis Research Centre, Hokkaido<br />
University.<br />
Hydrogen currently is produced via<br />
steam methane reforming (SMR), which<br />
is <strong>the</strong> commercial process of choice, since<br />
it has <strong>the</strong> lowest production costs of<br />
around $1.00/kg H2. The ultimate goal is to<br />
produce hydrogen without SMR.<br />
The hydrogen market today is estimated<br />
at approximately USD35.9 billion.<br />
By 2023, it will be worth over USD55.2<br />
billion. Making cleaner petroleum fuels in<br />
refineries is currently <strong>the</strong> biggest application<br />
for hydrogen, followed by steel and<br />
chemicals.<br />
However, large-scale production of<br />
hydrogen via solar fuels would increase <strong>the</strong><br />
available market into <strong>the</strong> trillions of dollars<br />
and could result in a large-scale reduction<br />
in <strong>the</strong> use of petroleum fuels. <strong>Global</strong><br />
petroleum production in 2012 is estimated<br />
at approximately 4.5 billion tonnes, worth<br />
USD3.5 trillion.<br />
The world vehicle fleet in 2000 was<br />
700 million and may possibly reach 1500<br />
million by 2050. Replacement of fossil fuels<br />
by hydrogen would require production of<br />
about 260 billion kg/year.<br />
Four companies now control <strong>the</strong> global,<br />
outsourced hydrogen market. Air Liquide is<br />
estimated to be <strong>the</strong> leading supplier in 2012<br />
with a 37% market share. It was followed<br />
by Air Products (23%), Linde (19%) and<br />
Praxair (16%). Ano<strong>the</strong>r 190 companies<br />
have been identified as participants in <strong>the</strong><br />
hydrogen industry.<br />
220 GW of new distributed<br />
solar generation will be<br />
added by 2018, forecasts<br />
Navigant Research<br />
The global electric power industry is<br />
evolving from a financial and engineering<br />
model that relies on large centralized<br />
power plants owned by utilities to one<br />
that is more diverse, in terms of both <strong>the</strong><br />
sources of generation and <strong>the</strong> ownership<br />
of <strong>the</strong> generation assets. Distributed solar<br />
photovoltaic (PV) systems offer <strong>the</strong> benefit<br />
of producing electricity onsite, <strong>the</strong>reby<br />
reducing <strong>the</strong> need to build new transmission<br />
capacity and avoiding line losses.<br />
According to a new report from Navigant<br />
Research, 220 gigawatts of distributed solar<br />
PV capacity will be installed between 2013<br />
and 2018, representing $540 billion in<br />
revenue during this time.<br />
“Used in applications ranging from<br />
residential to small commercial to industrial<br />
settings, distributed solar generation<br />
offers significant benefits to consumers<br />
while adding resiliency to an electric grid<br />
evolving beyond <strong>the</strong> traditional centralized<br />
model,” said Dexter Gauntlett, research<br />
analyst with Navigant Research. “Though<br />
this market is still primarily driven by<br />
government incentives, distributed solar<br />
PV will continue its steady march toward<br />
grid parity in major markets over <strong>the</strong> next<br />
few years.”<br />
Even as distributed solar technologies<br />
have become more cost-effective, many<br />
governments are reining in popular feed-in<br />
tariffs in leading markets. The industry is<br />
fully aware that lucrative financial incentives<br />
will not be around forever. As a result,<br />
many companies are looking at 2017 (<strong>the</strong><br />
year after solar PV investment tax credits<br />
expire in <strong>the</strong> United States) as <strong>the</strong> year that<br />
solar PV will be able to stand on its own,<br />
without government support.<br />
The report, “Distributed <strong>Solar</strong> Energy<br />
Generation”, analyzes <strong>the</strong> global market<br />
for distributed solar PV systems less than<br />
1 megawatt in capacity and provides an<br />
assessment of <strong>the</strong> most important market<br />
drivers, technology trends, and challenges<br />
faced by <strong>the</strong> growing distributed solar PV<br />
industry. Forecasts for average installed<br />
prices and annual installations, segmented<br />
by region, extend through 2018. An<br />
Executive Summary of <strong>the</strong> report is available<br />
for free download on <strong>the</strong> Navigant<br />
Research website: navigantresearch.com.<br />
www.globalsolartechnology.com<br />
<strong>Global</strong> <strong>Solar</strong> & Alternative Energies – May/June 2013 – 33
Industry news<br />
Industry news<br />
Continued from page 5<br />
Gehrlicher <strong>Solar</strong> America<br />
Corporation expands US<br />
footprint<br />
Gehrlicher <strong>Solar</strong> America Corp. has<br />
opened its newest office in Boston,<br />
Massachusetts. With over 40 megawatts<br />
(MWp) of projects completed or in process<br />
in <strong>the</strong> Massachusetts and Connecticut<br />
markets, GSAC is broadening its regional<br />
footprint both in office presence and<br />
staffing to meet growing demand. The new<br />
facility is located at 15 Broad Street, in <strong>the</strong><br />
heart of Boston’s financial district in close<br />
proximity to its dedicated customer base.<br />
www.gehrlicher.us<br />
Tokyo Electron completes<br />
acquisition of Oerlikon <strong>Solar</strong><br />
Tokyo Electron Limited (TEL) has<br />
completed all procedures relating to<br />
<strong>the</strong> acquisition of Oerlikon <strong>Solar</strong> first<br />
announced on March 3, 2012. As a result,<br />
Oerlikon <strong>Solar</strong> is now a wholly-owned<br />
subsidiary of TEL and its name has been<br />
changed to TEL <strong>Solar</strong> AG (Headquarters:<br />
Switzerland; President: Kiyoshi Sato<br />
(Concurrent Post: Corporate Director<br />
of TEL)). TEL is also currently studying<br />
<strong>the</strong> acquisition’s impact on <strong>the</strong> company’s<br />
consolidated performance, and will make a<br />
timely disclosure if any effects on business<br />
forecasts are likely.<br />
Bio<strong>Solar</strong> receives first<br />
commercial order<br />
Bio<strong>Solar</strong>, Inc. today announced that it has<br />
received its first commercial BioBacksheet<br />
order. The first shipment of BioBacksheet<br />
will be used for <strong>the</strong> manufacture of<br />
specialty PV panels for electric utility<br />
vehicles with anticipated fur<strong>the</strong>r shipments<br />
to be used by military and o<strong>the</strong>r mobile<br />
applications. The customer’s PV panels<br />
feature lightweight, high-power-to-weight<br />
ratio, highly durable, customizable shapes,<br />
sizes and colors. www.biosolar.com<br />
<strong>Solar</strong> Frontier to restart<br />
Miyazaki No.2 Plant,<br />
considering new products<br />
<strong>Solar</strong> Frontier will restart <strong>the</strong> manufacturing<br />
of solar modules at its Miyazaki<br />
No.2 Plant in Kiyotakecho, Miyazaki, Japan<br />
on July 1, 2013. Production at <strong>the</strong> 60 MW<br />
nameplate capacity plant had been temporarily<br />
suspended since <strong>the</strong> end of 2012.<br />
Pending <strong>the</strong> final decision of product<br />
models to be manufactured, <strong>Solar</strong> Frontier<br />
is planning to make minor equipment<br />
modifications to enable <strong>the</strong> manufacture<br />
of new products that will be sold in Japan.<br />
www.solar-frontier.com<br />
Masdar, Total and Abengoa<br />
launch Shams 1, <strong>the</strong><br />
world’s largest CSP plant in<br />
operation<br />
Masdar today launched Shams 1, <strong>the</strong><br />
largest concentrated solar power plant<br />
(CSP) in operation in <strong>the</strong> world. Masdar,<br />
Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy company,<br />
partnered with French energy company<br />
Total and Spain’s energy infrastructure<br />
company Abengoa. The 100-megawatt<br />
solar-<strong>the</strong>rmal project will power thousands<br />
of homes in <strong>the</strong> United Arab Emirates and<br />
displace approximately 175,000 tons of<br />
CO2 per year. The US $600 million project<br />
took three years to build. www.masdar.ae<br />
<strong>Solar</strong> Press and KROENERT<br />
announce partnership for low<br />
cost, flexible organic solar<br />
cell manufacture<br />
<strong>Solar</strong> cell technology developer <strong>Solar</strong><br />
Press and coating and printing experts<br />
KROENERT have announced <strong>the</strong> signing<br />
of a long term partnership agreement to<br />
develop and sell turn-key manufacturing<br />
solutions for Organic Photovoltaic (OPV)<br />
modules. This move will enable low cost<br />
production of light weight, flexible solar<br />
cells. Under <strong>the</strong> partnership agreement,<br />
<strong>Solar</strong> Press, a world leader in <strong>the</strong> development<br />
of OPV process technology, will<br />
develop and optimise its production<br />
process and ink formulations to enable <strong>the</strong><br />
manufacture of commercial OPV modules<br />
using KROENERT’s production coating<br />
and printing equipment. www.solar-press.<br />
com, www.kroenertgroup.com<br />
TÜV Rheinland develops solar<br />
simulator for concentrator<br />
photovoltaic modules<br />
TÜV Rheinland has started up a solar<br />
simulator for characterizing concentrator<br />
photovoltaic modules at its <strong>Solar</strong> Testing<br />
Center in Cologne. The test stand was<br />
developed toge<strong>the</strong>r with experts at TÜV<br />
Rheinland PTL in <strong>the</strong> course of nearly<br />
two years of research work. Thanks to<br />
<strong>the</strong> new simulator, it is now possible to<br />
perform comparison measurements much<br />
more accurately on CPV modules. This<br />
is because it is possible to generate and<br />
maintain <strong>the</strong> standard temperature conditions<br />
of 25 degrees Celsius much more<br />
accurately under laboratory conditions<br />
than in natural sunlight. www.tuv.com<br />
First <strong>Solar</strong> to acquire<br />
TetraSun to expand<br />
addressable market<br />
opportunity<br />
First <strong>Solar</strong>, Inc. is acquiring TetraSun. First<br />
<strong>Solar</strong> signed a definitive agreement to<br />
acquire TetraSun from JX Nippon Oil &<br />
Energy Corporation and o<strong>the</strong>r investors,<br />
including TetraSun management. Terms of<br />
<strong>the</strong> transaction, which is expected to close<br />
in <strong>the</strong> second quarter of 2013, were not<br />
disclosed. First <strong>Solar</strong> and JX Nippon Oil &<br />
Energy also have entered into discussions<br />
on an agreement to distribute <strong>the</strong> technology<br />
in Japan. www.firstsolar.com<br />
Martifer <strong>Solar</strong> completes two<br />
PV projects in Spain in a total<br />
of 4.26 MWp<br />
Martifer <strong>Solar</strong> has just concluded two<br />
photovoltaic projects in Spain, in a total<br />
of 4.26 MWp. The company was responsible<br />
for <strong>the</strong> engineering, procurement and<br />
construction of <strong>the</strong> projects, a photovoltaic<br />
park of 3.8 MWp in Lorca, Murcia, and a<br />
rooftop installation of 460 kWp in Toledo.<br />
The Lorca plant occupies an area of 4.5<br />
hectares and it consists of about 15,800<br />
modules. The 460-kWp installation was<br />
built in <strong>the</strong> rooftop of <strong>the</strong> Prilux Group<br />
facilities, in an area of 7,500 m 2 . www.<br />
martifersolar.com<br />
Grupo Clavijo supplies<br />
trackers for a 25MW solar PV<br />
installation in California<br />
The Spanish company Grupo Clavijo has<br />
completed <strong>the</strong> delivery of horizontal axis<br />
trackers for a 25 MW solar photovoltaic<br />
installation in California. These trackers<br />
have been selected by <strong>the</strong> park’s promoters<br />
for <strong>the</strong>ir easy adaptation to <strong>the</strong> land, durability<br />
and versatility to suit <strong>the</strong> specific<br />
needs of <strong>the</strong> project. Once connected, <strong>the</strong><br />
energy produced is equivalent to <strong>the</strong> electricity<br />
consumed by more than 22,000<br />
inhabitants, avoiding <strong>the</strong> release of over<br />
87,000 tons of CO2 emissions into <strong>the</strong><br />
atmosphere. www.grupoclavijo.net<br />
Renewable Energy sector<br />
begins action alliance<br />
On March 8, around 100 representatives of<br />
<strong>the</strong> renewable energy sector, from Germany,<br />
Switzerland, Belgium and <strong>the</strong> Ne<strong>the</strong>rlands,<br />
joined forces to form an action alliance.<br />
34 – <strong>Global</strong> <strong>Solar</strong> & Alternative Energies – May/June 2013 www.globalsolartechnology.com
Made up of operators, research<br />
institutes, universities, journalists,<br />
communication agencies,<br />
companies and associations,<br />
this group aims to develop a<br />
joint communication strategy.<br />
The first workshop took place<br />
during <strong>the</strong> photovoltaic symposium<br />
in Bad Staffelstein. Fur<strong>the</strong>r<br />
meetings and political round<br />
table discussions are planned.<br />
Dublin school breaks<br />
ground on landmark<br />
1.1 MW MAGE SOLAR<br />
PV-System<br />
MAGE SOLAR will provide<br />
a 1.1 MW solar PV system to<br />
Dublin City High School. The<br />
4898 module system will be<br />
spread out over several locations<br />
on campus and include roof top<br />
arrays, ground mounts, as well<br />
as several dual axis trackers. It<br />
will be <strong>the</strong> largest system in <strong>the</strong><br />
Middle Georgia area and <strong>the</strong><br />
very first one in <strong>the</strong> state that<br />
utilizes a third party lease model<br />
for schools. www.magesolar.com<br />
Trina <strong>Solar</strong> named as<br />
one of <strong>the</strong> World’s Top<br />
10 Most Innovative<br />
Companies<br />
Trina <strong>Solar</strong> Limited has been<br />
recognized by Fast Company<br />
magazine in <strong>the</strong>ir 2013 list<br />
of The World’s Top 10 Most<br />
Innovative Companies in China.<br />
Published as an annual guide to<br />
<strong>the</strong> state of innovation, <strong>the</strong> list<br />
features businesses whose innovations<br />
are having <strong>the</strong> greatest<br />
impacts across <strong>the</strong>ir industries<br />
and society as a whole.<br />
www.trinasolar.com, fastcompany.com<br />
<strong>Solar</strong> America looks<br />
toward Mexico and<br />
Central America as<br />
next hot spot<br />
<strong>Solar</strong> America Corp. has identified<br />
Mexico and Central<br />
America as regions capable<br />
for tremendous growth in <strong>the</strong><br />
solar market. <strong>Solar</strong> America is<br />
positioned to participate in this<br />
growth through <strong>the</strong> use of <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
comprehensive solutions. Less<br />
than one percent of Mexico’s<br />
land area would need to be<br />
developed to power <strong>the</strong> nation,<br />
according to <strong>the</strong> Secretaria<br />
de Energia de Mexico,<br />
Mexico’s energy ministry.<br />
<strong>Solar</strong> America recently<br />
signed a Memorandum<br />
of Understanding with<br />
Valdez Cueva Constructores<br />
Asosiados to provide solar<br />
energy solutions for <strong>the</strong> Los<br />
Conejos housing project in<br />
Tonlola, Guadalajara.<br />
www.solaramericacorp.com<br />
RenuEn Corp<br />
acquires Alquimi<br />
<strong>Solar</strong><br />
RenuEn Corporatio has<br />
acquired Alquimi <strong>Solar</strong>, a<br />
Saddle Brook, New Jerseybased<br />
solar and renewable<br />
energy development company.<br />
Alquimi brings a knowledgeable<br />
business, legal and<br />
financial team with extensive<br />
experience in developing and<br />
financing renewable energy<br />
projects. The financial terms<br />
of <strong>the</strong> acquisition of Alquimi<br />
<strong>Solar</strong> will be disclosed in <strong>the</strong><br />
2013 First Quarter Financials.<br />
As part of <strong>the</strong> acquisition,<br />
John Martin will be appointed<br />
to <strong>the</strong> Board of Directors and<br />
actively involved with <strong>the</strong><br />
RenuEn executive team.<br />
www.alquimisolar.com<br />
PHOTON Test:<br />
SunPower modules<br />
top <strong>the</strong> list<br />
The top three spots in <strong>the</strong><br />
latest solar module yield test<br />
by PHOTON International—<br />
The <strong>Solar</strong> Power Magazine<br />
have been claimed by products<br />
from US company SunPower<br />
Corp. The frontrunner in<br />
<strong>the</strong> test is <strong>the</strong> SunPower<br />
SPR-327NE-WHT-D. This<br />
model produced 1,144.1<br />
kilowatt-hours of electricity<br />
for every kilowatt of power<br />
(kWh/kW). The two o<strong>the</strong>r<br />
SunPower modules tested –<br />
<strong>the</strong> SPR-320NE-WHT-D and<br />
SPR-245NE-WHT-D) -scored<br />
94.9 and 94.8 percent, respectively.<br />
www.photon.info<br />
Industry news<br />
AZISE2013_<strong>Global</strong> <strong>Solar</strong> <strong>Technology</strong>_87x248_Layout 1 23.04.13 15:14 Seite<br />
The World´s Largest<br />
Exhibition for <strong>the</strong> <strong>Solar</strong> Industry<br />
Messe München, Germany<br />
Intersolar Europe gives you an insider advantage<br />
on cutting-edge information about <strong>the</strong> dynamic<br />
markets of <strong>the</strong> solar industry<br />
Connect with 1,500 international exhibitors<br />
Learn everything about <strong>the</strong> latest innovations<br />
Keep up with future trends for continued<br />
business success<br />
Get inspired!<br />
Top information for your<br />
visit in Munich, Germany<br />
www.globalsolartechnology.com<br />
<strong>Global</strong> <strong>Solar</strong> & Alternative Energies – May/June 2013 – 35
International diary<br />
International<br />
diary<br />
29-31 May 2013<br />
South-East European <strong>Solar</strong> PV &<br />
Thermal Exhibition<br />
Sophia, Bulgaria<br />
www.eeandres.viaexpo.com<br />
19-21 June 2013<br />
Intersolar Europe<br />
Munich, Germany<br />
www.intersolar.de<br />
1-3 July 2013<br />
Materials and Renewable Energy<br />
A<strong>the</strong>ns, Greece<br />
www.energy-conference.co.uk<br />
8-11 July 2013<br />
Intersolar North America<br />
San Francisco, California, USA<br />
www.intersolar.us<br />
4-6 September 2013<br />
Expo <strong>Solar</strong>/PV Korea<br />
Goyang, Korea<br />
www.exposolar.org<br />
9-11 September 2013<br />
RETECH<br />
Washington D.C., USA<br />
www.retech2013.com<br />
9-11 September 2013<br />
International Conference (and exhibition)<br />
on Clean Energy<br />
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada<br />
www.iaemm.com/ICCE2013/<br />
18-20 September 2013<br />
Intersolar South America<br />
Sao Paulo, Brazil<br />
www.intersolar.net.br<br />
30 September - 4 October 2013<br />
28th EU PVSEC<br />
Paris, France<br />
www.photovoltaic-conference.com<br />
8-10 October 2013<br />
<strong>Solar</strong> Power UK<br />
Birmingham, United Kingdom<br />
www.solarpowerukevents.org<br />
28-30 October 2013<br />
PVAP Expo<br />
Singapore<br />
www.pvap.sg<br />
11-14 November 2013<br />
Intersolar India<br />
Mumbai, India<br />
www.intersolar.in<br />
12-14 November 2013<br />
Renewable Energy World North America<br />
Orlando, Florida, USA<br />
www.renewableenergyworld-events.com<br />
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36 – <strong>Global</strong> <strong>Solar</strong> & Alternative Energies – May/June 2013 www.globalsolartechnology.com
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