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Tailoring Photovoltaic Component Specifications to Industry Needs By John Baxter: Manager, Products and Technology, Swagelok Company January/February 2010
A discussion of how one manufacturer has addressed the needs for stainless steel standards in the photovoltaic industry. (Exclusive to Gases & Instrumentation).
For the global photovoltaic (PV) power industry to prosper, it must become more competitive with the cost of traditional electric power. That means reducing the cost per kilowatt-hour (kWh) associated with solar-generated power to a level that yields grid parity between solar power and traditional electricity.
Among the factors that weigh on the PV industry’s ability to achieve grid parity are standards that add to the total cost per kWh. Following standards is a preferred practice as specifications ensure quality in components, processes, manufacturing and end-product performance. However, in some cases, PV standards may be stricter than what is necessary to ensure the safe, efficient generation of power. By their nature, tighter specs are more costly. As PV energy producers and market suppliers work toward reducing costs, they need to examine existing standards and determine if less stringent specifications can yield acceptable results while saving money.
