.gif)
.gif)
Industry News
October 24, 2012
Maturing Solar Photovoltaic Market Still Offers Pockets of Opportunity
The European photovoltaic (PV) solar market is undergoing a transition as the era of generous subsidies comes to an end. System prices continue to plummet as Chinese manufacturers exert pricing pressure on their European counterparts, forcing inefficient companies to exit the market as evidenced by a number of top players being forced to close their factory gates at the end of 2011- beginning of 2012. In the concentrated solar power (CSP) market, technology developers continue to innovate and focus on reducing the cost of energy.
Recommended: Eos Energy Raises $15 Million Series B Funding from Strategic Investors
New analysis from Frost & Sullivan estimates that overall revenues in 2015 will shrink to €6.57 billion, with the European CSP market set to expand from €2,114 million to €5,227 million over 2010-2015.
"Overcapacity and plunging solar panel raw material and component prices are driving solar module costs and prices down, thus making the investment more attractive to buyers," noted recent research from Frost & Sullivan. "In order to counter the effect of diminishing incentives and stimulate demand, manufacturers along the value chain are expected to continue lowering solar module prices even further."
Related: ZigBee Alliance and TTC, Japan Sign MoU to Adopt ZigBee IP Spec as a TTC Standard
Maturing PV solar technology and declining energy costs are being accompanied by scaled-back subsidies. Despite the diminishing tariffs, the industry is attracting several investors that want to benefit by including solar technology in their portfolio.
At the same time, CSP technology is developing rapidly. Based on its potential to produce low-cost solar electricity on a larger scale, it has been able to attract investors.
Opinion: Maximising Synergies between Power Electronics and ICT for improving Energy Efficiency
However, significant cuts in government support for solar power in key markets and indications of further cuts have created considerable uncertainty in the market. As a result, investors are hesitant to proceed with their planned solar projects.
"To moderate the unsustainable growth of the PV solar market and citing a sharp drop in solar module prices, several European countries are scaling back the feed in tariffs, while placing limits on annual capacity additions," stated Frost & Sullivan research. "Continued government support will be vital if the nascent CSP technology sector is to develop further."
As profit margins become thinner, it is imperative for PV solar module manufacturers to produce more efficient modules. The overall market will receive a further fillip if energy from CSP, which can be stored or combined with gas, could become competitive in the next decade through technological innovation and economies of scale.
Share this story
Send via E-mail
Post to Twitter
On the Web:
White Papers
March 11, 2013
Power Modules for Charger Applications
Sponsored by Vincotech
February 27, 2013
The Adaptive Cell Converter Topology Enables Constant Efficiency Over Universal Input AC Line in Front-End, High-Density Power Factor Correction Applications
Sponsored by Vicor Corp.
February 27, 2013
From 48 V direct to Intel VR12.0: Saving "Big Data" $500,000 per datacenter, per year
Sponsored by Vicor Corp.
More White Papers
- SynQor Announces Denial of Defendants' Motions for Rehearing
- Teen Wins $50,000 for Development of Nanorod Supercapacitors
- Advanced Internal Structure of New MOSFET Family Lowers On-State Resistance
- Murata Introduces Digital 420W PMBus-Compliant 1/4 Brick
- Rivals Powermat and PowerKiss to Become One
- Eos Energy Raises $15 Million Series B Funding from Strategic Investors
- GridSTAR Net Zero Energy Demonstration Project underway at The Navy Yard
- Microgrid at Fort Bliss Commissioned as a Counter to Cyber Warfare Threat
- PG&E, Energy Commission Unveil 4MW NaS Battery Energy Storage in San Jose
- Allegro MicroSystems Introduces 2.5A Buck Regulator with Low IQ Standby Mode
- Renesas Adds IGBT Drivers with Micro-Isolator for Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Inverters
- European Project Reports Achievements in Drive to Shape the Future of Power Microelectronics
- Bosch Claims First Sub-$450 240V EV Charging Station
- 500W Full-Brick DC-DC Converter Optimized for Fuel Cell Applications
- DOE Selects Consortium to Develop Next-Generation Batteries for Automobiles
- Altera Acquires Enpirion for $140 Million, Forms Power Business Unit
- Teen Wins $50,000 for Development of Nanorod Supercapacitors
- 36V Digital Potentiometers Support Wide Signal Swings and High Power-Supply Voltages
- LG Chem Announces Plans for Start of Production of Automotive Li-Ion Batteries
- Digitally-Isolated Gate Drivers Provide Robust Drop-in Replacements for Opto-Drivers
- Green Building Power Forum 2010: Fujitsu Components America
- Darnell's Digital Power Forum 2009: CUI Incorporated
- Green Building Power Forum 2010: Anderson Power Products
- Green Building Power Forum 2010: EMerge Alliance
- Green Building Power Forum 2009: Independence Station
- Darnell's Digital Power Forum 2009: Coilcraft
- Darnell's Digital Power Forum 2009: Champs Technologies
- Darnell's Digital Power Forum 2009: EXAR Corporation
- Darnell's Digital Power Forum 2009: PMBus
- Darnell's Digital Power Forum 2009: Power Plaza
Design Features
October 22, 2012
Energy Efficiency with Class D Amplifier Modules
Class-D switching amplifiers are helping audio designers create personal multimedia devices and home audio/visual systems that demonstrate how compact and stylish equipment can also deliver high sound quality and high audio output power. The key to this breakthrough, providing freedom from the large and bulky boxes housing traditional audio products, lies in the class-D amplifier’s high energy efficiency, which is typically around 90%. This allows designers to reduce or eliminate heatsinks as well as using smaller-sized PCBs and smaller components such as transformers, connectors and power supplies.
Design Features
October 8, 2012
The Role of Hall Effect Sensors in Power Distribution Infrastructure
Power distribution units (PDUs) form an essential part of modern computing and data communications hardware. They provide multiple outputs for transferring electrical power with maximum efficiency, controlling the power capacity and safeguarding against the possible causes of supply interruption. With an ever increasing need from tech savvy consumers for higher data throughput and greater quantities of data storage capacity, as well as tough international legislation now governing CO&sub2; emissions, the demands being placed on these units are proving challenging for engineering teams to satisfy.
Product Focus
August 13, 2012
The Year in AC-DC Power Supply Technology
The past year witnessed significant new product releases, technological developments, and industry news related to the field of AC-DC Power Supply technology.