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EDITORS I VIEW


Global challenges T


he solar and PV industries have reached a turning point in terms of industry maturation with large energy companies now buying their way in the sector and average selling prices have decreased at a greater rate than imagined a few years ago. The price changes have come due to volume purchasing through various state run subsidies around the world. The demands on pricing has ensured extremely tight margins for some compaines so we should expect further consolidation despite the unsurety of the market’s size over the next few years. One thing we can be sure of is global growth with the USA, China and India just three regions tipped for huge expansion. China’s recent FiT announcements alone are enough to suggest continued price cuts.


Energy is no doubt the foundation of the global challenges we face over the next generation and competition is fierce enough that every energy sector can expect negative publicity and propoganda from their competition. This is something the PV industry needs to consider as they still face a challenge of convincing consumers to the short term and long term benefits of PV solutions as well as the safety of devices. Even within the industry there is technological competition.


One of the impacts of PV price drops has been the change in focus on technology types with thin film and concentrated losing ground to the decreasing silicon costs. One area that industry needs to tackle is defining the right technology for the right environment for the right purpose. Defining the differences between technologies can broaden the overall effectiveness of the industry and increase consumer choice. While some companies continue to claim falsely they are a solution for all needs, consumers continue to be confused with their options and dissapointed in the outcomes.


Another potential problem is being too ready to jump on bandwagons as the US science and general media discovered after getting uber excited over a 13 year old’s science project which was reported as a major discovery that should have been known to the industry. Of course the industry was aware and the poor lad’s work was flawed from the start after too many over excited adults forgot to be critical enough to notice the school boy errors.


So after a week of being feted by the nation the young man is now the centre of how science and knowledge is covered in the media and how a simple mistake in presenting your technology and ideas can lead to all sorts of confusion and provide ammunition for your competition to make you look less than you should be considered.


David Ridsdale Editor in Chief


Issue VIII 2011 I www.solar-pv-management.com 3


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