Introduction:
In the constantly evolving tech landscape, the photovoltaic energy sector is set to witness numerous transformations. This article will discuss the effects of global events on the PV sector, shifts in the PV market, and the introduction of new European regulations.
Content:
- A Mind-Blowing Innovation: Foldable Photovoltaic Pallets
- New ESG Standards in Solar: A Shift in Global Photovoltaic Supply?
- Solar Module Shipment Rankings for the First Three Quarters of 2023 Released!
- Business Photovoltaics Flourishing in Spain and Germany
A Mind-Blowing Innovation: Foldable Photovoltaic Pallets
Once mere functional items, pallets have now been transformed through the incorporation of "photovoltaics."
A groundbreaking change in the packaging of photovoltaic elements has emerged with the introduction of a foldable and recyclable photovoltaic component pallet by the US-based PV Pallet Company.
Benefits of the PV Pallet’s solution for transporting solar photovoltaic components encompass:
Enhanced protection during transit due to robust plastic sidewalls and crossbars.
Sidewalls with adjustable spacing cater to different component dimensions.
The design’s foldable nature facilitates stacking, optimizing recycling transport.
Up to four pallet layers can be stacked, optimizing storage space.
Though PV Pallets come at a premium, their emphasis on recyclability showcases long-term value, outweighing the initial costs when compared to traditional wooden pallets.
Historically, conventional pallets were used for photovoltaic elements. As component technology advanced, two pivotal innovations emerged.
In 2015, the first shift came with the advent of double-glass components. Their initial design caused frequent breakages during transit. To address this, Hongchun Group innovatively designed protective partitions within the pallets, greatly enhancing the transport efficiency of these components. They also pioneered recyclable metal pallets, fostering environmentally friendly practices in the photovoltaic supply chain. Despite changes in the double-glass components, some design aspects persisted.
The next transformative phase in photovoltaic component pallets transpired recently, spurred by the launch of oversized components. Efficiently transporting these became a focal point in the 182 vs. 210 debate. Both parties suggested innovative pallet designs, aiming to streamline operations and diminish container and pallet redundancies. Yet, neither completely abandoned the conventional packaging, which involved wooden pallets with durable cardboard exteriors.
The progression in packaging for photovoltaic components mirrors the broader technological evolution in the sector.
New ESG Standards in Solar: A Shift in Global Photovoltaic Supply?
In October 2023, a pivotal change occurred in the solar sector with the unveiling of the SSI ESG standards. These are heralded as the foremost all-encompassing Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance (ESG) criteria crafted especially for the solar industry. They cover sustainability prerequisites for a range of production elements such as multicrystalline silicon, silicon ingots, wafers, cells, modules, and associated manufacturing sites. Furthermore, the standards have introduced a unified service for independently verifying ESG pledges at production locations.
The foundational principles of the SSI ESG standards revolve around three tenets: ethical governance and business practices, devotion to environmental conservation, and upholding labor rights.
The European Union’s implementation of ESG regulations, especially the CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive), has created waves in the worldwide business sphere. Covering over 50,000 firms within and outside the EU, the CSRD has broadened the list of companies required to adhere to ESG reporting guidelines. Given that reporting expenses could lie between €30,000 and €100,000, a substantial market opportunity is emerging. Additionally, the CSRD seeks to refine the quality of ESG disclosures, enhancing the allure of ESG investments on a global scale. Essentially, any organization engaging with European counterparts, encompassing suppliers and service providers, will need to maneuver through the CSRD’s regulatory framework. Significantly, prominent Chinese solar power titans such as JinkoSolar, Longi Green Energy, and JA Solar fall under the CSRD's scope.
For enterprises aiming to succeed within Europe, adhering to these newly introduced ESG criteria is imperative. Timely and transparent ESG statements throughout the supply chain are crucial, underscoring the importance of due diligence in this dynamic regulatory milieu.
Solar Module Shipment Rankings for the First Three Quarters of 2023 Released!
Recently, Sobi PV released the solar module shipment standings for the initial three quarters of 2023. The figures show JinkoSolar at the forefront, boasting over 52GW in shipments during these months. LONGi Green Energy and Trina Solar are neck-and-neck for the second place, both delivering between 45-46GW. JA Tech clinched the fourth rank with a shipment range of 38-39GW.
From 2022 and through the first half of 2023, extending to the initial three quarters of the year, JinkoSolar, JAO Technology, LONGi Green Energy, and Trina Solar consistently maintained their spots in the global top four for solar module deliveries. The fifth position is held by the veteran solar module heavyweight, Atlas, with reported shipments oscillating between 22.8-23GW during the first three quarters of 2023.
Three significant movements are observed in the solar module delivery rankings for the initial three quarters of 2023:
Capitalizing on its integration with TOPCon technology, JinkoSolar is on track to secure its position as the premier solar module distributor for 2023, marking itself as the worldwide frontrunner.
AT&S's grip on the fifth rank seems to be slackening, with Tongwei and Chint gaining momentum. The race for ranks between Top 5 and Top 9 in global module deliveries is growing fiercer.
Established manufacturers like Ring Sheng PV, Yingli Energy, and TengHui PV find themselves displaced from the upper echelons. The contest for spots between Top 10 and Top 20 is becoming increasingly competitive.
Analyzing the data, total shipments from the Top 10 manufacturers during the first three quarters of 2023 fluctuate between a low of 282.6GW and a high of 286.8GW.
Business Photovoltaics Flourishing in Spain and Germany
In a recent insightful interview with “Photovoltaic” magazine, Gaëtan Masson, the esteemed Chief Executive Officer of the Becquerel Institute and the Operational Agent for the Photovoltaic Power Systems Program of the International Energy Agency (IEA PVPS), shed light on the burgeoning commercial photovoltaic sector in key European markets. Masson highlighted the lucrative opportunities that commercial photovoltaics present, with investors reaping significant profits.
Delving into the realm of utility-scale photovoltaic power generation, Masson delineated three primary business models. The first, bidding, is marked by its low-risk profile. The second, power purchase agreements (PPAs), carries a moderately higher risk, particularly in the realm of commercial PPAs, which hinge on private companies and may be subject to unforeseen events over the course of the 20-year agreement. The third and potentially most rewarding yet risk-laden option is commercial photovoltaics. Masson underscored that, given the prospects of commercial photovoltaics in Germany and Spain, coupled with the elevated prices in the wholesale markets, the potential for substantial profits significantly outweighs the associated risks, positioning it as a prime investment opportunity.
Masson pointed out that this trend is gaining traction in specific European markets, with Spain and Germany at the forefront. He also noted the emergence of this trend in Italy, albeit at a slower pace, owing to the country’s fluctuating solar energy regulations.
To illustrate, in Spain’s southern region, market prices range from 50 to 100 euros per megawatt-hour. In contrast, the levelized cost of electricity (NCOE) for photovoltaics stands at approximately 20 euros (equivalent to around $21.17) per megawatt-hour, rendering it an exceptionally attractive investment proposition.
Reference：
Segal, M. and Segal, M. (2023) EU Council adopts new European Green Bond Standard.
Commercial photovoltaics continues to grow in Spain and Germany
https://www.kesolar.com/headline/244416.html
Brainstorm! Foldable photovoltaic tray
https://solar.ofweek.com/2021-08/ART-260008-8220-30517077.html
Photovoltaic Daily Daily, everyone can read about the photovoltaic world!
https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/bDUAuI6vG4Yomuwm0zWceA
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