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EDITORSVIEW


Capital questions T


he year ahead is shaping up to be a critical one for the global solar industry. Or more specifically those companies trying to maintain or increase their global presence. The reason for this is multi-faceted but the primary drivers all concern money. Where it comes from, where it goes and how it is used.


A number of regions will introduce or consolidate local subsidies as a method of kick starting local demand but as the process matures, some countries realise that they also need to develop local manufacturing if they are to achieve long term sustainability. Some countries have aggressively created an environment for their manufacturing base, such as the USA’s buy America policy imposed on their defence contractors. Other areas continually tweak their Feed in Tariffs in an attempt to change the local playing field. It does appear that the one region that is on everyone’s thoughts is China. Whether positive or negative China is at the forefront of the global changes we should expect to see in 2011.


The speed of the Chinese roll out has caught many by surprise and you find a similar tale in many other industries. There were so many assumptions about the Chinese potential in terms of output and quality that no one seems to have expected China to move so fast or as impressively as they are performing. This is not to say there are no problems with fake modules appearing under respectible names or the fact the country is providing such levels of subsidies that many others are crying foul. Despite the problems there are many positive, well produced material and devices coming from China.


The expectation of poor quality products and performance have not eventuated as a general concern. There is no doubt China needs to smooth the rough edges and will have to reduce its protectionist behaviour in the long run but for now they remain the benchmark that other companies and countries must refer to when making plans in the changing global market place.


David Ridsdale Editor-in-Chief


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Editor-in-Chief David Ridsdale +44 (0)1923 690210 dr@angelbcl.co.uk Director of Solar & IC Publishing: Jackie Cannon +44 (0)1923 690205 jc@angelbcl.co.uk Account Managers: Shehzad Munshi +44 (0)1923 690215 sm@angelbcl.co.uk Tommy Beazley +44 (0)1923 690222 tb@angelbcl.co.uk Director of Logistics: Sharon Cowley +44 (0)1923 690200 sc@angelbcl.co.uk Design & Production Manager: Mitchell Gaynor +44 (0)1923 690214 mg@angelbcl.co.uk Subscriptions Manager: Debbie Higham +44 (0)1923 690220 dh@angelbcl.co.uk Published by: Angel Business Communications Ltd (London Office), Hannay House, 39 Clarendon Road, Watford, Herts WD17 1JA, UK T: +44 (0)1923 690200 F: +44 (0)1923 690201 USA Representatives: Tom Brun, Tom Brun Media, T: 724 539-2404, E: tbrun@brunmedia.com Janice Jenkins, Tom Brun Media. T: 724 929-3550, E: jjenkins@brunmedia.com Japan Representative: Katsuhiro Ishii, ACE MEDIA SERVICE INC., T: 81-3-5691-3335, E: amskatsu@dream.com China Representative: Parker XU, Unionbandy Limited, T: 86-755-83753881, E: xp@unionbandy.net Registered Office: Angel Business Communications Ltd (Coventry), Registration Number: 1972952 Directors: Bill Dunlop Uprichard – CEO, Stephen Whitehurst – COO, Jan Smoothy – CFO, Haroon Malik, Jackie Cannon, Scott Adams, Sharon Cowley, Sukhi Bhadal


Solar is published eight times a year on a controlled circulation basis. Non-qualifying individuals can subscribe at: €110.00 (UK & Europe), $140 pa (USA). Cover price £5.50. All information herein is believed to be correct at time of going to press. The publisher does not accept responsibility for any errors and omissions. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher. Every effort has been made to obtain copyright permission for the material contained in this publication. Angel Business Communications Ltd will be happy to acknowledge any copyright oversights in a subsequent issue of the publication. Angel Business Communications Ltd © Copyright 2011. All rights reserved. Contents may not be reproduced in whole or part without the written consent of the publishers. The paper used within this magazine is produced by chain of custody certified manufacturers, guaranteeing sustainable sourcing. Printed by: Pensord Press Ltd. ISSN 2040-8714. © 2011.


www.solar-pv-management.com Issue I 2011


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