December 2013
November 2013
October 2013
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Product: Solar Thermal For Green Buildings

Solar Thermal System Greens Seattle Building

By Tim Connolly

Customers in cloudy locations can still enjoy the benefits of solar energy with a well-designed solar thermal system.

Product: Power Conversion

Multiport Converters Enable Grid Integration Of Hybrid Solar Power

By Javier Villegas Nunez

Grid-connected hybrid solar power systems offer electricity in remote, rural and critical commercial applications.

Industry At Large: Successful Project Finance

A Guide To Preparing A Successful Solar Energy Project Finance Package

By Chris Diaz

The finance team underwriting your renewable energy dream project is more than just a source of cash; they are your partners.

Process: Copper Metallization For Pv Cells

Research In Copper Metallization Aims To Reduce PV Manufacturing Costs

By Michael Puttré

Government grants and venture capital are getting behind a practical process for commercializing copper-based materials for solar cells.

Industry At Large: Electrical Safety For PV Installations

Is Safety Grounds For Handing PV Installations Over To Electricians?

By Michael Puttré

Solar energy installers and manufacturers make the case that installations are safe in their hands.

Industry At Large: Solar Panel Defect Liability

Sorting Out Legal Responsibility For Defective Solar Panels

By Roger C. Haerr

Many of the legal problems associated with defective solar panels can be mitigated by addressing the risk early on in project development.

New & Noteworthy

Could U.S. Solar Demand Bring PV Factories Back?

Policy Watch

California Bill Preserves Net Energy Metering

Products & Technology

Nextronex Shows Web Solar Performance Tracker

Projects & Contracts

U.S. Army Recruits 22 Solar Contractors Under $7 Billion Renewables Program

September 2013
August 2013
July 2013
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Product: System Monitoring

New Technologies Can Pinpoint System Behavior

By Kiley Southwood

Monitoring products must provide actionable information and avoid sending out excessive alerts.

Industry At Large: Utility-Scale Projects

Help For Getting A Handle On Large-Scale Solar O&M Relationships

By Heidi Larson & Sean McPherson

With continued development and experience, industry standardization of O&M practices will continue to mature.

Process: Production-Line Management

Managing Production Defects Requires Detailed Input From All Corners

By Michael Puttré

Experienced personnel on the assembly line with an eye on the manufacturing bill of materials can make all the difference.

Industry At Large: Global Markets

A Peek Inside India, Where Solar Could Change Everything

By Avinash Iyer

Right now, the nation is suffering from a massive energy supply-demand imbalance, and solar power is being eyed as a possible remedy.

Product: Solar Installations

Applauding The Innovative: Unique Solar Projects From Haiti To San Francisco

By Markus Elsaesser

The finalists for the Intersolar AWARD for Solar Projects in North America demonstrate significant advancements for design and installation.

New & Noteworthy

Global Solar Market Poised For Rebound

Policy Watch

New Secretary ‘Bullish’ On Solar

Products & Technology

SolarEdge Unveils Inverter Products

Projects & Contracts

Sempra, ConEdison Partnering On Solar Projects In NV, AZ

June 2013
May 2013
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Industry At Large: Residential-Scale Projects

Seven Pain Points In Residential Solar Installations

By Deep Chakraborty

An executive at a solar manufacturer and distributor goes undercover to install a solar array on his own home.

Industry At Large: Residential-Scale Projects

Pushing Solar Installations Into The Mainstream: Advice For PV Installers

By Joe Bono

As the U.S. solar market evolves, installers and their partners will need to find new ways to market their offerings.

Product: Solar Thermal Balance-Of-System Components

Can Low-Priced, All-In-One Solar Thermal Systems Deliver True Cost Savings?

By Jessica Lillian

Installers report back on whether inexpensive thermal appliances reduce labor and live up to performance expectations.

Process: Automation

Automation Market Pauses As Solar Manufacturers Await Global Recovery

By Jessica Lillian

PV manufacturers may eventually invest in automation equipment to accommodate new cell and module technologies.

New & Noteworthy

Inverter Servicers To Fill Satcon Void

Policy Watch

North Carolina’s RPS Under Attack

Products & Technology

Fronius Releases New Inverter

Projects & Contracts

Salt River Project’s 1 MW Installation Showcases SunPower’s New Technology

April 2013
March 2013
February 2013
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Industry At Large: Project Risk Management

Risk Protection For Midsize Solar Installations

By David Schroeder & Erin Cullen

Solar project insurance can help provide coverage in situations that product warranties do not typically cover.

Process: Diffusion

P-N Junction Formation: A Critical Manufacturing Step For Photovoltaic Cells

By Justin Williams

Although most solar manufacturers use p-doped silicon wafers, n-doped wafers may offer efficiency improvements.

Industry At Large: Residential-Scale Projects

The ‘Value Of Solar’ Rate: Designing An Improved Residential Solar Tariff

By Karl R. Rabago

Net metering is often considered the go-to incentive for residential PV systems, but it has certain limitations for both utilities and users.

Product: AC Modules

Do AC Solar Modules Deliver On Their Promises? Three Installers’ Views

By Jessica Lillian

Micro-inverter manufacturers claim increased safety and better performance, but these gains may not always justify the additional cost.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY

Can CSP Make A Comeback?

POLICY WATCH

Fiscal Cliff Deal Leaves Out Solar

PRODUCTS & TECHNOLOGY

SunLink Launches New Combiner Box

PROJECTS & CONTRACTS

Recurrent Energy, SMUD Begin Operation Of Fourth Large-Scale PV Project

January 2013