Records tumble but not always for the right reasons. Twenty twenty-three has been another banner year for the solar industry and the numbers speak for themselves. Optimistic solar deployment forecasts tip global installations to exceed 400 GW in 2023. In an outcome that would’ve seemed impossible only a handful of years ago, a single […]
Records tumble but not always for the right reasons. Twenty twenty-three has been another banner year for the solar industry and the numbers speak for themselves. Optimistic solar deployment forecasts tip global installations to exceed 400 GW in 2023. In an outcome that would’ve seemed impossible only a handful of years ago, a single country – China, of course – is expected to install more than 200 GW. Indeed, the signs of solar’s success are everywhere.
However, as appears almost always is the case in the solar and energy storage industries, it’s not all good news. The oversupply market situation is weighing heavily on many. While record low prices may revive the prospects of some stalled projects and drive more competitive power purchase agreement pricing, it will, equally, mean the end for manufacturers who are unable to compete and for market participants left holding stock worth significantly less than they were only months ago. Some discussions as to the shape of potential protectionist trade measures are well advanced.
In such an environment, it could be easy to think that innovation on technology will come to a grinding halt. While there will be pressure put on manufacturing budgets, including R&D, there is a real incentive for module makers to prioritize high-efficiency products as they are sheltered from the most intense competition on price.
This edition of pv magazine is one in which innovation is heralded throughout, in the annual schedule of our awards. High-performance products feature among the winners. So too do components and systems that push the boundary of solar application. This includes an innovative approach to PV refrigeration, which has picked up our inaugural projects award.
With a total of 224 award entrants from 39 countries, in 2023, it is a huge job to manage them, along with our seven expert judges. The great volume and variety is challenging. In this regard, a big thank you must go to senior editor Mark Hutchins, who has managed the pv magazine Awards again this year. As you review the winners, I think you’ll agree that they represent a genuine highlight in a time of mixed fortunes.
