- Email: [email protected]
Cuban museum goes solar
SOLAR
Solar Energy lab named Heritage Site The University of Florida's (UF) Solar Energy and Energy Conversion Laboratory (SEEC) was named a Heritage Site by the History and Heritage Program of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers-International (ASME), in 2002. The SEECL was founded in 1954, and in its nearly 50 years of continuous operation, this highly diverse facility has pioneered the development of solar energy applications worldwide. The laboratory was unique in developing practical solar energy devices based on established prin-
ciples of thermodynamics, heat transfer, and fluid mechanics, long before solar energy was considered a serious energy alternative. Among its many significant technological accomplishments are advanced solar collector designs, solar-assisted HVAC systems, space power systems, breakthroughs in solar-based housing, and development of advanced materials including glazings and highly selective surfaces. Both the U.S. Department of State and the United Nations have recognized this facility for its global accomplishments in training and innovation.
NEWS
PV hybrid r e v a m p for National Park A US National Park is upgrading its hybrid photovoltaic, batteries and diesel generator system which was the largest of its kind at the time of installation in 1980. The power system at Natural Bridges National Monument near Moab, Utah, USA is to be rennovated by Schott Applied Power Corporation (SAPC). While the solar arrays continue to produce energy today, over time the system's battery backup and storage components have degraded and its DC to AC inverters have
become obsolete. Consequently, the diesel generators run longer to keep pace with the Monument's energy needs, causing increased noise, exhaust, fuel deliveries and potential for spills. The renovation will entail the disposal of the old batteries and the replacement of them with a 319 kW C & D battery bank and 100 kW of Advanced Energy inverters and new controllers. The work is expected to finish in April 2003. Visit www.schottappliedpower .com for more details.
UK PV maker acquired by Canadian group Intersolar Ltd in Wales, UK, the only PV maker in the United Kingdom and one of Europe's largest amorphous-silicon cell manufacturers has been acquired by ICP Solar Technologies Inc. the world's largest group involved in solar charging solutions for
consumers. The acquisition includes a 3MW thin-film amorphous solar cell manufacturing plant as well as the Electra-slate roof tile technology and all other patents previously held by Intersolar. ICP Solar Technologies Inc is the parent
company of a group of companies including ICP Global Technologies, which develops, manufactures and markets leading advanced solar powered products for non-distributed residential, portable and mobile consumer markets. ICP Group is a
privately owned holding and is headquartered in Montreal, Canada. Contact: Charles Gelinas, ICP Solar, 6995, Jeanne-Mance, Montreal, H3N1 W5, Canada. Tel: +1 514 270 5770; [email protected]
Cuban museum goes solar Cuba Solar employees recently installed solar modules on the roof of the natural history museum in Pinar del Rio, Cuba representing the first grid-tied PV plant on the island. The public building was identified as a prime
location to install the solar panels as it attracts many visitors and is near to the university. The solar plant has now become the first part of an environmental centre for presentation of renewable energies. It also demonstrates
January/February 2003
how well solar technology works and the optimum results that can be achieved. A considerable power yield has been obtained: The plant includes eight 100 W modules produced in Cuba with German solar cells feeding 4kWh of power into the grid each day. SMA sponsored the project and provided equipment for the project in the form of its Sunny Boy range of inverters. The plant was equipped with a Sunny Boy 850 and Powerline communication. The project was started by Mr. Frank Neumann a qualified electrician who realized this project with the support of SMA. Official experts sent by power supply companies in the region were impressed by the performance of the system indicating that the plant was indeed feeding solar power to the grid and not taking it out for consumption.
REFO¢~,~S www.re-focus.net
Contact: SMA Regelsysteme GmbH, Hannoversche Strasse 1 5, 34266 Niestetal - Germany. Tel: +49 561 95 22 0; Fax: +49561-95 22 100; [email protected]; www.sma.de
Solar Energy lab named Heritage Site The University of Florida's (UF) Solar Energy and Energy Conversion Laboratory (SEEC) was named a Heritage Site by the History and Heritage Program of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers-International (ASME), in 2002. The SEECL was founded in 1954, and in its nearly 50 years of continuous operation, this highly diverse facility has pioneered the development of solar energy applications worldwide. The laboratory was unique in developing practical solar energy devices based on established prin-
ciples of thermodynamics, heat transfer, and fluid mechanics, long before solar energy was considered a serious energy alternative. Among its many significant technological accomplishments are advanced solar collector designs, solar-assisted HVAC systems, space power systems, breakthroughs in solar-based housing, and development of advanced materials including glazings and highly selective surfaces. Both the U.S. Department of State and the United Nations have recognized this facility for its global accomplishments in training and innovation.
NEWS
PV hybrid r e v a m p for National Park A US National Park is upgrading its hybrid photovoltaic, batteries and diesel generator system which was the largest of its kind at the time of installation in 1980. The power system at Natural Bridges National Monument near Moab, Utah, USA is to be rennovated by Schott Applied Power Corporation (SAPC). While the solar arrays continue to produce energy today, over time the system's battery backup and storage components have degraded and its DC to AC inverters have
become obsolete. Consequently, the diesel generators run longer to keep pace with the Monument's energy needs, causing increased noise, exhaust, fuel deliveries and potential for spills. The renovation will entail the disposal of the old batteries and the replacement of them with a 319 kW C & D battery bank and 100 kW of Advanced Energy inverters and new controllers. The work is expected to finish in April 2003. Visit www.schottappliedpower .com for more details.
UK PV maker acquired by Canadian group Intersolar Ltd in Wales, UK, the only PV maker in the United Kingdom and one of Europe's largest amorphous-silicon cell manufacturers has been acquired by ICP Solar Technologies Inc. the world's largest group involved in solar charging solutions for
consumers. The acquisition includes a 3MW thin-film amorphous solar cell manufacturing plant as well as the Electra-slate roof tile technology and all other patents previously held by Intersolar. ICP Solar Technologies Inc is the parent
company of a group of companies including ICP Global Technologies, which develops, manufactures and markets leading advanced solar powered products for non-distributed residential, portable and mobile consumer markets. ICP Group is a
privately owned holding and is headquartered in Montreal, Canada. Contact: Charles Gelinas, ICP Solar, 6995, Jeanne-Mance, Montreal, H3N1 W5, Canada. Tel: +1 514 270 5770; [email protected]
Cuban museum goes solar Cuba Solar employees recently installed solar modules on the roof of the natural history museum in Pinar del Rio, Cuba representing the first grid-tied PV plant on the island. The public building was identified as a prime
location to install the solar panels as it attracts many visitors and is near to the university. The solar plant has now become the first part of an environmental centre for presentation of renewable energies. It also demonstrates
January/February 2003
how well solar technology works and the optimum results that can be achieved. A considerable power yield has been obtained: The plant includes eight 100 W modules produced in Cuba with German solar cells feeding 4kWh of power into the grid each day. SMA sponsored the project and provided equipment for the project in the form of its Sunny Boy range of inverters. The plant was equipped with a Sunny Boy 850 and Powerline communication. The project was started by Mr. Frank Neumann a qualified electrician who realized this project with the support of SMA. Official experts sent by power supply companies in the region were impressed by the performance of the system indicating that the plant was indeed feeding solar power to the grid and not taking it out for consumption.
REFO¢~,~S www.re-focus.net
Contact: SMA Regelsysteme GmbH, Hannoversche Strasse 1 5, 34266 Niestetal - Germany. Tel: +49 561 95 22 0; Fax: +49561-95 22 100; [email protected]; www.sma.de