Back contact solar beats mono PERC at lifetime energy generation
A new analysis finds that back contact solar shows an average lifetime energy generation increase of 16.0% over mono PERC. The paper also says back contact had an average 9.7% shorter payback time and 10.7% lower LCOE across all modelled locations.
‘Nobody is making money right now’
As part of our Intersolar 2024 interview series, pv magazine spoke with Bill Mulligan, CEO of Singapore-based IBC solar module maker Maxeon. He states the IBC technology will remain competitive despite overcapacity and dropping modules prices and says Maxeon may enforce intellectual property rights with all existing and new back contact competitors that are allegedly utilizing its technologies.
Guide to solar development under PM-KUSUM Scheme
Achieving and maintaining a capacity utilization factor (CUF) of 19% over 25 years without deration is feasible through careful selection of high-efficiency, low-degradation solar panels, and implementing robust design, maintenance, and monitoring strategies. By following the guidelines provided in this article, developers can ensure compliance with PM-KUSUM scheme and achieve sustainable, long-term performance of their solar power plants.
IEA-PVPS releases fact sheet on environmental life cycle assessment of PV Systems
The updated IEA PVPS Task 12 Fact Sheet provides a comprehensive assessment of the environmental impacts associated with PV systems. It highlights the significant advancements made in PV technology, emphasizing improved efficiencies and reduced environmental footprints.
Meyer Burger set to begin production at US module factory
Meyer Burger will start production at its US module factory as it relocates its core operations from Germany to the United States. It is launching production of heterojunction solar modules and securing financing for a new cell plant.
India installed 14.7 GW solar in FY 2024
India installed about 11.7 GW of utility-scale solar capacity and another 3 GW of rooftop solar capacity in the twelve months ending March 31, 2024.
AGL partners with Elecsome on solar panel recycling plan
AGL Energy has teamed with solar panel recycler Elecsome to explore the development of a PV materials recovery facility at the site of the coal-fired Bayswater power plant in New South Wales, Australia.
NorSun plans $620 million US wafer fab in Oklahoma
The Norwegian PV manufacturer praises the south central US state for “its robust clean energy, manufacturing ecosystem and workforce development programs” as well as its “its competitive business offerings and site acceleration options.”
‘In the next year, some of these guys are going to be bankrupt’
At Intersolar in Munich, pv magazine spoke with Jenny Chase, solar analyst at BloombergNEF, about the incredibly low polysilicon prices, massive overcapacity, and increasing consolidation. According to Chase, this year there will be enough polysilicon capacity to produce 1.1 TW of solar modules, but global module demand is expected to reach around 585 GW. “That is a pretty huge delta,” she said, noting that the solar industry should also prepare for a series of “negative feedback mechanisms,” such as negative prices and excess of solar power.
‘Module prices surprisingly keep going down’
As part of our Intersolar 2024 interview series, pv magazine spoke with Yana Hryshko, head of Solar Supply Chain Research for Wood Mackenzie, about overcapacity, declining panel prices and expected PV demand for the next years. She revealed that Chinese module procurement schemes are currently seeing unprecedented, “ridiculously” low bids, but she also noted that the $0.08/W threshold may now be difficult to exceed. Hryshko also expects many manufacturers to backpedal on previously announced capacity expansion plans and renegotiate module supply contracts.
