Sun Above the Horizon

INTRODUCTION Act 1 DAWN 1972 - 1984 Damn the torpedoes and full steam ahead Cook book: how to make solar cells and modules Betting on horses The dawn of the terrestrial PV - solarex: the beginning and... ... Almost a premature end "chevron" solar cells The silicon enigma Silicon, the second most common element in the earth's crust The evolution of the terrestrial PV modules - the importance of testing and quality Dreamers and sobering reality Photovoltaic systems "stand alone" or "off grid" PV systems 1975 the year of change The importance of consumer business Micro-generators and ... ... and a permanent bridge to europe The micro-generator mushroom resulting in a solar thin-film solution PV for the people Story about success and cash flow Water pumping with PV Navigational aids Amorphous silicon (a-si) the first successful thin film solar cell Act 2 SUNRISE 1985 - '999 Changing landscape The Big Oils' involvement in PV Building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) and PV roofs Space applications used in everyday life: Communication Satellites and GPS Development of the global PV quality program World bank's trailblazing role for PV in developing countries Japan and then Europe take over the baton Three axioms that will shape the future of PV Does PV need government subsidy or can it be financed privately? Grass roots - common sense. Act 3 TOWARDS HIGH NOON 2000 - 2013 The winding road to the feed in tariff (FiT) A new silicon enigma and thin film PV alternatives PV becomes unstoppable "The Chinese miracle" ( ) part one "The Chinese miracle" ( ) part two Concentrated, tracking and the solyndra PV systems The PV rollercoaster The last barrier: "bankability"= proof of quality/reliability The effect of PV on the transformation of the electric utilities Energy independence and the wireless environment EPILOGUE ...525 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ANNEX Annex - Metallurgical and polycrystalline silicon Annex - Float zone (FZ) and EFG processes Annex - Qualification testing of PV modules and PV standards Annex - Early photovoltaic pilot applications in the European Union Annex - US and Canadian coast guards solar modules for navigational aids Annex - Space solar cells conversion efficiency of light to electricity Annex - Satellite navigation systems in use or in development in various countries Annex - Regional PV manufacturing shares Annex - 25 year life prediction of PV modules Annex - PV GAP training manual covers Annex - China General Certification center (CGC) photovoltaic (PV) product certification Annex - Electricity storage systems INDEX