French firm launches floating solar power system to market

French firm launches floating solar power system to market

News Digest | Full news service at http://www.renewableenergyfocus.com French firm launches floating solar power system to market S OLAR FIRM Ciel et...

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News Digest | Full news service at http://www.renewableenergyfocus.com

French firm launches floating solar power system to market

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OLAR FIRM Ciel et Terre has launched a large-scale floating solar power generation system – the “world’s first”, according to the French company. The modular Hydrélio system comes in a variety of versions and can be used to construct power plants generating up to 50MW. The basic module consists of two blow-moulded floats made of HDPE plastic material. One supports the solar panel and the other is used

as a link and to provide maintenance access. The floats are then joined together to form solar islands, using a system of connection pins. According to Ciel et Terre interest in Hydrélio is “promising” following its launch into the international markets. Ciel et Terre developed the Hydrélio floating solar power system in partnership with energy research group IFP Energies Nouvelles (IFPEN) following a research and development agreement signed by the two companies at the end of last year. The partnership was set up under IFPEN’s drive to help SMEs develop their technological innovations, with IFPEN contributing expertise in finite element modelling, structural modelling and analysis of mooring line behaviour. The Hydrélio system will be best used in unused stretches of water, such as quarry lakes, irrigation ponds, water treatment plant lagoons and

dams, Ciel et Terre said. “This new floating solar power generation concept addresses the problems of land availability and landscape impacts that large-scale land-based solar power generation projects come up against,” it said. “It makes it possible to conserve land that can be put to other uses, and to convert unused stretches of water into spaces dedicated to renewable electricity production. These stretches of water cover substantial areas.” The Ciel et Terre-IFPEN partnership focused on analysing the mechanical strain placed on the floating system, in particular the extreme stresses caused by swell and high winds. The tests, which are structured to take into account maximum stresses related to extreme weather conditions such as cyclones and typhoons, confirm the viability of the system for all climates during over 20 years, Ciel et Terre added.

Show Preview - PV America East

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V AMERICA 2013 East, in Philadelphia, PA, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center is taking place this February 5 - 7 for eastern US professionals in solar energy and related fields. Over 4000 visitors are expected, say the organizers, with registrants spanning the industry - including manufacturers, installers and contractors, distributors, engineering firms, utilities, government representatives and policymakers, investors and financiers, architects, builders and developers. Organised by Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA), around 150 booths/exhibition stands have been booked, offering exhibition visitors “countless opportunities to make the connections needed to solve business challenges”. In addition, the conference programme features a Choose-Your-Own General Session on Tuesday, Solar Idea Swaps on Wednesday, and more than 30 conference sessions Tuesday-Thursday

across six tracks of study - Finance, Innovations, Markets, Policy, Solar Multi-Track and Working with Utilities. New this year, Solar Energy International (SEI) and North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) will provide free technical training and resources for installers, salespeople and other solar energy professionals - right on the exhibit floor. Session topics range from site analysis to mounting, maintenance and safety, to NABCEP sales and business certification program overviews. Solar Central, also on the exhibit floor, will be the networking hot spot to interact with some of the industry’s most dynamic leaders for postconference-session discussions, watch live “Solar on the Street” interviews or use the Career Center. Follow @PV America on Twitter for announcements or tweet using #PVAEast. Unlike other solar conferences,

all proceeds from PV America support the expansion of the US solar energy market through both SEIA and SEPA’s year-round research and education activities, and SEIA’s advocacy , research and communications efforts. Join SEIA or SEPA by February 1, 2013, to enjoy a membership discount on PV America 2013 East registration as well as many member benefits year round. For details on association membership, visit www.seia.org or www. solarelectricpower.org. Register at www.pvamericaexpo.com/east.

January/February 2013 | Renewable Energy Focus

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