Photovoltaics

Viewpoints Archive


	2006
Dec/Jan -		2006: The Year in Review Look for These Developments in 2007
November -		Nanoelectronics-Based Solar-Cell Opportunities
October -		Concentrating Solar Power
September -		Opportunities for Solar Energy in Portable Applications
August -		Areas to Monitor: Photovoltaics
July -		Large Multi-MW Solar Parks on the Rise
June -		Photovoltaics Regional Demand and Applications in 2005 New Technology Area: Connected Homes
May -		a-Si, CdTe, and CIS/CIGS Thin-Film Photovoltaics: An Update
April -		The 2005 World PV Market and Industry Structure
March -		China: The Solar Dragon
February -		Solar-Cell–Efficiency Developments Recent Developments: PV Player Activity

	2005	Download all 2005 Viewpoints (PDF)
Dec/Jan -		2005: The Year in Review Look for These Developments in 2006
November -		Thermophotovoltaics: An Update
October -		Progress in Third-Generation Solar Cells Recent Developments: New Power Standard
September -		Recent Developments: California's Million-Solar-Roofs Bill Hits a Snag • Researchers Develop Technique to Use "Dirty" Silicon for Solar-Cell Production
August -		Manufacturers Expand PV-Production Capacity and Target Regions
July -		Wind Energy
June -		Market Development: The 2004 World PV Market and Industry Structure
May -		U.S. Photovoltaics Organizations Call for Aggressive Strategies
April -		The Silicon Feedstock Market Environment
March -		Nanotechnology Approaches to Solar Cells
February -		Advances in Flexible Organic Solar Cells Recent Developments: Germany's PV Incentives and the World's Largest PV System

	2004	Download all 2004 Viewpoints (PDF)
Dec/Jan -		2004: The Year in Review Look for These Developments in 2005
November -		Market Development: The 2003 World PV Market and Industry Structure
October -		Recent Developments: Russia Renews Hopes of Kyoto Protocol's Ratification • U.S. Army Supports Flexible Silicon Solar-Cell Development • Solar Energy Powers School Computers in India
September -		Recent Developments: Manufacturers Expand PV-Production Capacity • Researchers Develop Novel Solar Cell Based on Photosynthesis • Thai Government Supports Local Solar-Cell Production
August -		Recent Developments: Scientists Develop New Solar Coating Process • Advent Solar Advances Back-Contact Solar-Cell Design Players: ATS Builds Canada's First PV-Cell Manufacturing Plant
July -		Europe Strengthens Its Support for Solar-Energy Research Recent Developments: Putting Konarka's Flexible Solar Cell Prototype in Perspective
June -		Power from Space Recent Developments: Photovoltaic Glass from BP Solar
May -		European Photovoltaic Dominance in the Future? U.S. Nuclear Power: Standardization of the Construction of Nuclear Plants and Change of the Regulatory Process
April -		A Promising 2004-and-Beyond U.S. Market Outlook for PV Technologies Recent Develoments: Prototypes of Photovoltaic Cells from Konarka Technologies
March -		Recent PV Technology Advances
February -		Emerging Opportunities for Flexible, Thin-Film Organic PVs in Electronic Textiles

	2003	Download all 2003 Viewpoints (PDF)
Dec/Jan -		2003: The Year in Review Look for These Developments in 2004
November -		Implications of Change Announcement: Next Generation Technologies
October -		Recent Developments: AusIndustry Seeks to Develop a National PV Roadmap • U.S. Industry Association Sees Solar Energy as a Solution for National Grid Problems • Africa Sees the Development of New PV Projects
September -		Recent Developments: Power Outages Hit the United States and Canada Commercial Development Parameters: Boeing Demonstrates Fuel-Cell-Powered Airplane • U.K. Government Supports Investment in Wind Energy
August -		Thermal and Electrical Solar Systems Benefit Hydrogen Production Recent Developments: Germany and Spain Support Solar-Energy Developments
July -		Commercial Development Parameters: World's First Offshore Tidal-Power Prototype in Operation • Science and Technology for Sustainable Energy Development: The G8 Action Plan • Brazil in Collaboration with the DOE on Renewable Energies
June -		Recent Developments: A $16 Million World Bank Loan for Powering Nicaragua's Rural Areas • Solar Cells with 36.5% Conversion Rate • SunPower's New A-300 Solar Cells Applications: Communications: Powering Rural Telephones in Tibet with PVs Players: Inauguration of Solon's New Solar-Module Production Line • An Organic Solar-Cell Joint Venture from Dai-Ichi Kogyo Seiyaku and Mitsui
May -		Recent Developments: New Semiconductor Could Boost Solar-Cell Efficiency Market Development: The 2002 World PV Market and Industry
April -		Recent Developments: UNEP Launches New $7.6 Million Solar Funding Program in India • Sharp Assembles Solar Battery Panels in Europe • U.K. Government Approves 18 Photovoltaic Projects • Solar Grade Silicon Begins Production of Polycrystalline Silicon
March -		Recent Developments: Tata BP Solar's Recent Activities in India • 1.1-MW Solar PV Installation for U.S. Marine Base Players: Increased Cell-Production Capacity at Photowatt • Record PV Sales for AET • 40% Sales Growth for Solon AG • Acquisition of Quantum Solar Energy Linz by Konarka Technologies
February -		Recent Developments: PV Activities in the United Kingdom • Solar Electric System at the White House • Reintroduction of a U.S. Residential Solar Tax Bill Market Development: Shutdown of Belgian Nuclear Plants by 2025 Players: Positive Prospects for SolarWorld AG

	2002	Download Aug.–Dec. 2002 Viewpoints (PDF)
Dec/Jan -		2002: The Year in Review Look for These Developments in 2003
November -		Are Renewable Energy Sources Set for a Greater Role in the European Union? Commercial Development Parameters: Wind Can Replace Future U.K. Power Shortfall • Biomass Energy Market Share May Decline in the EU
October -		Recent Developments: Developments with the Kyoto Protocol • Recent Photovoltaic Applications
September -		Recent Developments: Union Pacific to Use Solar-Powered LED Lights • Increased PV Capacity at Sharp's Plants • Award of a Solar Design Contract to EMCORE Commercial Development Parameters: Award of $100 000 for the Construction of New Composite Wind-Tower Structures
August -		Recent Developments: Threat to California Solar Tax Credit from Fiscal Crisis • New Power Inverter with 93% Efficiency • npower and Solar Century in Partnership • New Solar Incentives from Bonneville Environmental Foundation
July -		Commercial Photovoltaic Developments Commercial Development Parameters: Green Fuel Technology for Shell • Compact Wind Generator from Fuji • A Multiyear Energy Program from the EC • Production of Geothermal Power
June -		Nanotechnology Assists in the Development of Plastic Solar Cells Recent Developments: U.S. Postal Service Installs a 127-kW PV System • GT Solar Delivers Turnkey Wafer Line to China The Technology in Brief: Thin-Film Silicon Solar-Cell Efficiency Improves Commercial Development Parameters: GE Has a New Wind-Energy Business Explorer Announcement
May -		Insights into the U.S. Wind Energy Industry and Market
April -		U.S. Initiative to Combat Global Warming Receives Lukewarm Reception
March -		Developments in Solar Energy Recent Developments: U.S. PNGV Program
February -		Recent Developments: 2001 PV Market Growth a 31% • Grid-Tied and Backup systems from Siemens Solar • PV Module cost below $2/W • Sharp's Solar-Panel—Production Plans • Hybrid Solar-Wind Devices for Powering Remote Streetlights • Competing Technology: Thermionics

	2001
Dec/Jan -		2001: The Year in Review Look for These Developments in 2002
November -		Recent Developments: Proposed FY2002 Japanese and U.S. PV Budgets • Solar Roofing Panels for Yosemite National Park • One Megawatt of Solar Capacity for Tucson Electric Power • Michigan's Consumers Energy in Green Power Pilot Program • Activities of Bekaert ECD Solar System
October -		Organic Semiconductor Materials May Yield Inexpensive Photovoltaics
September -		Renewable Energy Developments in Europe
August -		U.S. Fiscal Year 2002 Budget Proposal Recent Developments: Municipality Support • Solar Power Station
July -		New Developments in PV Commercialization
June -		California Passes New Legislation in Favor of PV Industry Recent Developments: United States Passes Energy Security Policy Act 2001 • Companies Announce World's Largest PV Projects • NREL Achieves World Record Efficiency on CdS/CdTe Solar Cells
May -		Recycling Photovoltaics: Is It Feasible?
April -		Organic Photovoltaics: A Low-Cost PV Technology
March -		Recent Developments: Incentives Continue to Aid PV Deployment • World Solar-Cell/Module Production Grows to 277.9 MW in 2000 Applications: Applications for Solar Energy Emerge
February -		Issues for Thin-Film Solar-Cell Commercialization

	2000
Dec/Jan -		2000: The Year in Review Look for These Developments in 2001
November -		Recent Developments: Design of a Solar-Powered Passenger Vessel • Japanese Interest in PV • Sandia Inverter to Connect PV to Grid • Fraunhofer's ISE • Sanyo's Double-Sided PV Modules
October -		Recent Developments in Solar-Cell Contact Technology
September -		Outlook on Solar Concentrators Recent Developments: Increased PV Production to Meet Demand • BP Amoco and GreenMountain • Japan's Launch of Green-Energy Fund
August -		U.S. Electric Utilities for a Change? Recent Developments: Canadian PV Industry • United Kingdom's Largest Solar Village
July -		Recent Developments: China Plans More Solar Energy • Kenya Has New Solar-Energy Projects • Germany Passes New Law for Renewable Energy • Australia Offers New Rebate Program for PV • Flour city Developms PVs without Wires • Toshiba Announces Breakthrough in Solar-Cells Technology • ECD Joins Bekaert to Form a New Alliance Applications: Solar Cells Power NASA's Plane • Siemens Solar Produces Solar Kits for Boat Owners
June -		The Solar-Energy Revolution: Barriers and Strategies Recent Developments: Phototherm Device from SunEarth • Long Island Solar-Roof Initiative • New Material for PV
May -		Implications of Toxicity of Thin-Film Solar Cell Material's Toxicity for the PV Industry Recent Developments: A Growth in PV Commercialization
April -		U.S. Poised for PV Industry Leadership Recent Developments: Applications
March -		Recent Developments: New Research Directions Players: Recent Company Activities
February -		New PV Applications • R&D Directions

	1999
Dec/Jan -		1999: The Year in Review Look for These Developments in 2000
November -		EU Countries Are Heading for Leadership in Nonhydro Renewable Electric Technologies Recent Developments: U.S. FY2000 PV Budget Falls • Switzerland Has World's Largest Solar Slate PV Roof • Sweden's Angstrom Center Achieves 14.7% Efficiency for CIGS Submodule • Photovoltaic Cell Achieves Record Conversion Efficiency
October -		Taking Photovoltaic Technology into the Twenty-First Century
September -		Recent Government Setbacks Contrast with Rising U.S. Public Support for Renewable Energy
August -		Explorer Technology Charts
*Before August 1999, the Explorer service was called TechMonitoring, and Viewpoints* were TechLinks.**
July -		UPVG TEAM-UP Program Cites Cost-Effectiveness of Community Approach Recent Developments: United Solar to Install PV Array On Detroit Technical High School Players: Spire Considers its Future Strategies
June -		Sandia's Mexico Renewable Energy Program Provides Valuable Lessons Recent Developments: U.S. Million Roofs Program Unveils Its 1999-2000 Action Plan • Greenpeace Challenges BP Amoco on its Commitment to Solar in Recent Acquisitions
May -		Recent Developments: British Photovoltaic Association Plans to Capture 15% of World PV Market • Siemens Solar Introduces Next-Generation CIS Thin-Film Modules • NREL Sets New World Efficiency Record for CIS Thin-Film Cell • BP Amoco Acquires Solarex, Creating World's Largest Solar Firm • Solar Cells, Inc., and True North Join to Form First Solar
April -		Y2K Phenomenon Has a Dramatic Impact on the U.S. Photovoltaics Market
March -		Enacting U.S. Federal Renewable Energy Proposals Promises Powerful Benefits Recent Developments: Solar Concentrator Arrays Power Deep Space 1 Satellite • Nebraska Public Power District Strongly Endorses Photovoltaics • Versatile PV Technologies Provide Full Power Supply on Caribbean Island
February -		Residential-PV Programs Seek Divergent Goals Recent Developments: DM1 Billion Plan Aims for 300 MW of German PV Installations over Six Years • SMUD's Rooftop PV Program Offers Cost-Effective PV Power Beginning Today • Shell Plans "Largest Commercial, Solar Rural Electrification Project Ever"

	1998
Dec/Jan -		1998: The Year in Review Look for These Developments in 1999
November -		Statements about the Cost of PV Power Can Be Confusing Recent Developments: BP Plans a 20-MW Factory for Australia and Another Showcase BIPV Installation in Europe • Intersolar Attracted $6 Million in New Investment for A-Si Expansion Areas to Monitor: Field Testing of Grid-Connected Systems Points Out Pitfalls for the PV Industry
October -		The PV Field Can Look Forward to Increasing Diversity and Efficiency Recent Developments: Organic PV Cell Is Creeping Out of Laboratories • Sanyo Prepares Commercial Production of Honeymoon A-Si/Poly-Si Hybrid Cell • UNSW's New Records Include 25% Efficiency for Mono-Si Under One Sun • NREL Is Developing a Virtual Laboratory • Honda Demonstrates 720-Watt PV Concentrator Unit
September -		Staebler-Wronski Effect in a-Si Thin Films: EPRI Research Shows It's Solvable Recent Developments: Solar-Powered Aircraft as Stratospheric Satellites
August -		PV Industry Sees New Module Technologies, but Needs Greater Diversity in Customers and Product Concepts Recent Developments: Japan Announces an Important Expansion of the 70 000 Roofs Program • AstroPower Begins Commercial Shipments of Silicon-Film Modules • Siemens's CIS Modules Are in Commercial Production • EPV Has Begun Shipping a-Si Modules to Fill 10-MW SMUD Contract Areas to Monitor: Competition May Bring Only Modest Declines in Residential Electricity Rates
July -		Commitment to Rooftop Grid-PV Programs Carries Some Risk Sanctions and Economic Problems Hinder PV Sales to Asian Developing Nations Recent Developments: Italian Initiative Aims for Installation of 10 000 Rooftop PV Systems • DOE Will Put the Million Solar Roofs Plan into Action
June -		A New PVUSA for a New PV Industry Recent Developments: Premium Power Is a New Focused Program in the U.S. Advanced Technology Program • Siemens Seeks a Large Reduction in the Energy Consumption of Ingot Production
May -		PV Manufacture and PV Buildings Are Growing Priorities in the DOE's Budget • BIPV News Includes a 100-kW PV Roof and BIPV Business Unit at Saint-Gobain • ANTEC Formally Announced Plans to Construct a 10-Megawatt CdTe Factory • USSC Joint Venture Will Produce PV Systems for Aerospace Applications
April -		CEC Report Notes Cost and Development Issues as Barriers to Grid-Connected PV Power Applications: Japan Is Using PV Power for Emergency Stations
March -		Grid-PV Subsidy Programs Drove Record Growth in PV Shipments in 1997 The PV Industry May Start to Feel the Greenhouse Effect Recent Developments: Japan's PV Budget Will Exceed $200 Million in Fiscal 1998 • BP Solar Began Operation of Its CdTe Plant and Announced an Upgrade of a Spanish Factory
February -		Utility Safety Concerns Are Unlikely to Slow Adoption of Rooftop PV Power Recent Developments: Large Factory Will Make Shell a Major PV Player • One-Megawatt Rooftop PV System Began Operation in Munich • Corning Shows Interest in the PV Field and AstroPower's Silicon-Film Technology • Deals Add Strength to Inverter Suppliers and Systems-Integration Company • Evaluation of PV Water Heater Is Under Way

	1997
Dec/Jan -		1997: The Year in Review Look for These Developments in 1998
November -		PVMaT Balance-of-System Effort Has Matched the Success of the Module Program New Ventures Aim to Build Sustainable PV Businesses in Developing Nations Recent Developments: ANTEC Has Funding to Establish Commercial CdTe Manufacture • Maycock Estimates PV Unit Growth of at Least 25% for 1997 • Former Head of NREL and ARCO Solar Took the CEO Position at ASE Americas
October -		Local Markets and Niche Applications Create Demand for Small Production Plants Viable PV Production in Europe Is Important to the PV Industry Recent Developments: Greece Approves Funding for the First 5-MW Stage of a 50-MW Powerplant • Plans Diverge in the CdTe Field
September -		Policies and Prices Will Determine Restructuring's Impact on PV Use Recent Developments: Atlantis Won a SMUD Contract to Provide 2.5 MW of PV Roof Tiles for New Homes
August -		Long Module Life Is Just a First Step toward Long-Term User Satisfaction Recent Developments: Developers Project Low Power-Generation Costs for a PV Concentrator and a Solar-Thermal Concentrator • Korea Maintains a Broad PV Program on a Small Budget • Siemens Offers 25-Year Warranty on Crystalline Modules
July -		Thin-Film Technologies Recent Developments: PV Acquisitions and Investments • Prospects for Emerging Solar-Electric Technologies
June -		Large Programs Shift Industry Efforts toward Grid-Connected Systems Recent Developments: Japan's PV Budget Will Fund a Major Increase in Subsidies for Residential Systems • SMUD Awarded a 10-MW PV Contract to Energy Photovoltaics • Likely Loss of Low-Cost Financing Threatens Two Multi-MW Powerplant Projects
May -		Final Survey Figures Put 1996 Shipment Growth Near 10% • Enron Increases Investment in Renewable Energy
April -		Growth of PV Shipments Was Only Average in 1996 • European Production Fell as Producers Ceased or Transferred Production • The Poly-Si Field Led the Industry's Growth • Kyocera Became the Third-Largest Producer with a 3-MW Increase in 1996 • Pilkington Selected Solarex to Supply the Cells for a 1-MW PV Roof • NREL's Director Will Step Down to Lead the New Energy Resource Alliance
March -		India Provides a Model for Success • Acquisitions and Alliances on the Market Side are Likely to Continue • Pilkington Is Constructing a 1-MW Showcase BIPV System • The List of Large Systems Continues to Grow
February -		New Investments Indicate Optimistic Expectations for the PV Market • MITI Proposed $106 Million for 10 000 Residential Systems in Fiscal 1997 • Canon's 10-MW A-Si Plant Is Shipping Roofing Modules • BP Solar Will Convert a 10-MW U.S. A-Si Factory to CdTe Production • Amoco/Enron Solar Won a Contract for a 10-MW PV Powerplant in Nevada • USSC Raised Stable A-Si Efficiency to 12.8% • Golden Technologies Became a Leading PV Distributor with the Purchase of a Majority Share in Photocomm

	1996
Dec/Jan -		1996: The Year in Review Look for These Developments in 1997
November -		Nanoparticles in Photovoltaics
October -		Falling Utility Rates Might Delay Adoption of Grid-Connected PV Power • DOE Study Found Breakeven Residential System Prices above $4/Watt in Some Large U.S. Markets • Installation of Large PV Systems Continues • Spacecraft System Will Set Remote-Power Record
September -		Solar Electric Light Fund Promotes Solar Electricity for Developing Countries
August -		Module Costs Approach $3.00 per Watt in 1996 Bids • Potential for Economic Development Helped Lead to a 10-MW PV Set-Aside in 50-MW RE Program • SMUD Overlooks Current Problems in Order to Focus on the Future • Intersolar Manufactures Low-Cost Modules in Europe • Evergreen Solar Reduced String Ribbon Cell Thickness from 300µm to 100µm • Central American Resort Selected a PV/Diesel System to Replace Grid Power • PowerMark Brings Independent Certification of PV Modules
July -		New Managers Plan to Continue PVUSA's Valuable Testing and Educational Efforts • User-Side Data Are Essential for Creation of a Commercial Market • Emerging Technologies Require Patience and Modest Expectations • Grid-Connected PV Systems Require Improvement for Commercial Use • U.S. Proponents of Government PV Funding Use PVMaT Success to Make Their Case • Amoco/Enron Announcements Include a 50-MW Power-Purchase Agreement and Balance-of-System Alliances • Factory Assembly Cuts Installation Costs for Grid-Connected Arrays
June -		Weakness in German PV Activity Could Be Unhealthy for the PV Field • Large Systerms Are Becoming Common as PV Prices Fall • UPVG Selected More than 1.8 MW of Projects for the Second Round of TEAM-UP Negotiations
May -		The Year 1995 Saw Average Market Growth • U.S. Producers Accounted for Most of the Shipment Growth • Mono-Si Cells Continued to Dominate the PV Market • SSI Increased Shipments by 4 MW to Claim a 21% Market Share
April -		Solar Enterprise Zone Proposals Include PV Projects as Large as 100 MW • Fate of Multi-MW Amoco/Enron Project for UPVG Remains Uncertain • New Investments Allow SEA and SCI to Plan Multi-MW Production Facilities • U.S. Military Agencies Are Fans of ASEA Modules • PV Power Would Help Charge the "Solar Baby" Electric Vehicle
March -		Renewable Energy Finds a New Home in Products, Services, and Strategies
February -		U.S. PV Industry Likely Will Retain Its Momentum in Spite of Cuts in Federal Spending
Dec/Jan -		1995: The Year in Review Look for These Developments in 1996