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PV augments wireless surveillance
NEWS 12 V nominal power output, making it ideal for battery charging applications. Its robust design, featuring BP Solar’s standard Universal aluminum frame and high capacity U-Version junction box, make the product durable in the field and easy to install. The BP 350U features BP Solar’s leading warranty, covering power output for 25 years and freedom from defects for five years. BP Solar has also launched the BP 3160QS, a PV module offering 160 W of rated power, 12.7% module efficiency, and a ±5% power tolerance. Designed to have the same physical dimensions as BP Solar’s popular 3160S and 5170S, the BP 3160QS has the same easy handling on the roof and drop-in mounting capabilities. Electrically, the BP 3160QS is designed especially for grid-connect applications. Its 50×150 mm cells achieve a rated power of 160 W with 23.8 V and 7.34 A under standard test conditions. The module has been tested and certified to meet the IEC 61215 and UL performance and reliability standards and the TÜV Rheinland Safety Class II standard for use in systems up to 780 V. The BP 3160QS is available for sale in Europe and will be offered in North America in 2004. For more information, go to: www.bpsolar.com
Origin is greenest in Australia For the second consecutive year, Sydney-based Origin Energy has been acclaimed Australia’s national market leader in environmental practices and products by the Green Electricity Watch, a coalition of 16 environmental groups. The report also ranked Origin’s premium GreenEarth Solar and GreenEarth Plus products as two of the three market-leading 100% new green energy products on the Australian market. The annual survey of 14 electricity retailers – which helps consumers make an informed decision on switching to a more environmentally aware electricity company – was conducted on two levels: the retailers’ overall environmental policy and practice, and their Green Power products. Origin Energy was chosen as a ‘Best Australian Corporate Citizen’ and Origin Energy’s 100% renewable solar (GreenEarth Solar) and wind (GreenEarth Plus) products were ranked as market leaders. Origin Energy is currently the most successful national marketer of accredited Green Power to 30 000 residential and business customers in Australia.
October 2003
For more information, go to: www.originenergy. com.au or www.electricitywatch.org
PV augments wireless surveillance Proxim Corporation in California, a manufacturer of wireless networking equipment, and Texas-based Hutton Communications Inc, a distributor of wireless communications equipment, have launched a PV-powered wireless surveillance solution. This gives customers the flexibility to deploy a security solution virtually anywhere it is needed. The companies’ SolaCam solution combines Proxim’s Tsunami MP.11, an economical 802.11-based point-to-multipoint solution, with feature-rich IP video cameras, powered completely by solar energy. Customers can now use this reliable, easy-to-deploy technology for security and surveillance, public safety or traffic monitoring, regardless of whether there is a traditional power source available. ‘Customers with remote or hard-to-access assets, such as oil and gas pipelines, bridges or rural properties, have not had an effective, economical solution for protecting those assets,’ said Ron Ryan, senior vice president of sales and marketing at Hutton. ‘This solution makes it easy and affordable to set up a wireless connection, and minimizes concerns about locating a traditional power source.’ Wireless networking technology enables users to easily install network video products in areas where leased lines are not available or are cost prohibitive, such as on bridges, at utility plants, large campuses or on rough terrain. By adding the capacity for solar power, Proxim and Hutton are eliminating one more barrier for customers who require a reliable, cost-effective security solution. ‘Proxim has proven that wireless bridges are very effective for flexible, easy-to-deploy security and surveillance networks,’ says Kevin Duffy, senior vice president of R&D and product line management at Proxim. ‘Now by adding solar power to the system, customers can truly deploy a security system anywhere.’ In addition to the solar-powered solution, Hutton and Proxim are also offering a system with battery back-up power. This provides customers a reliable redundancy solution for areas where power is available. The PV-powered camera and Tsunami MP.11 bundle comes in a variety of configurations to fit customers’ specific needs. It includes a Tsunami MP.11 subscriber unit, camera with weatherproof enclosure, PV panel, enhanced battery system, charge controller, integrated lightning protection, antenna and RF cable.
IN BRIEF Thai investment in PV project The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT, www.egat.or.th/english) says that it is to spend 2 billion baht (about US$50 million) on the installation of six PVpowered facilities in Mae Hong Son province. Deputy governor Chanaphun Kridakorn says that the PV project is part of EGAT’s five-year investment plan, and will have total capacity of 4.2 MWp. The cost for PV generation is 10 baht ($0.25) per watt, which is likely to halve once production technology has been developed. The utility has started construction on the Pabong PV project, which will cost 195 million baht ($5 million) and will be the first such plant project in this part of South East Asia.
Konarka secures future with new credit Massachusetts-based Konarka Technologies (www.konarkatech.com) has announced that Silicon Valley Bank (www.svb.com) in California will provide the company with a revolving line of credit of up to $2 million. Chairman of Konarka Technologies Howard Berke said the announcement marked an important milestone for the company as it moves away from being a developer to becoming a global manufacturer and provider of products. The arrangement provides additional working capital to support the company’s growth and overall business strategy.
Grid project for Solar Plexus In Montana, Missoula-based Solar Plexus (www.solarplexus1.com) is to collaborate with Northwestern Energy (NWE, www.north westernenergy.com) in Butte to offer grant support for grid-tied PV systems. Solar Plexus says that the agreement with NWE should provide $120 000 for rebates of 50% for 12 grid-tied systems. Solar Plexus will design, build and install the rooftop systems.
New Jersey PV project stalls A $7 million PV energy project at Long Beach Island in New Jersey is unlikely to start until next summer, with legal and engineering setbacks blamed for the delay. NJ-based Stellar Energy Systems had hoped to install 50 000 sq ft (4650 m2) of PV panels this year, but the company has had to look for sites on the mainland. The project is part of the state’s Renewable Energy Grid Supply Program, which is itself part of a plan for renewable energy sources. New Jersey has promised Stellar $2.5 million on the commencement of the project, with the total cost set at $7 million.
Photovoltaics Bulletin
3
NEWS The battery back-up system, BackUp Cam, includes: a Tsunami MP.11 subscriber unit, camera with weatherproof enclosure, integrated lightning protection, an uninterruptible power supply, an antenna and RF cable. For interested value-added resellers, Hutton and Proxim are planning informational ‘webinars’ on these solutions shortly. For more information, go to: www.proxim.com or www.huttononline.com
DOE investment promotes crosscutting as key to energy R&D The US Department of Energy (DOE) has issued funding awards to the tune of $12.3 million to more than 20 broad-based, costshared R&D projects for the further improvement of materials and technologies for cleaner and more efficient use of energy. Interestingly, the projects promote crosscutting systems in different research fields designed to be applied to more than one area of science. ‘A strong commitment to leading-edge science is necessary in order to develop energy efficiency and clean energy technologies,’ says secretary of energy Spencer Abraham. ‘Addressing crosscutting-science needs within DOE maximizes the taxpayers’ return on investment in key technology areas such as solid-state lighting, membranes that produce hydrogen, advanced fuels and chemicals, solid oxide fuel cells, as well as process sensors and controls.’ This crosscutting approach aims to ‘broaden DOE’s energy-efficient and clean-energy R&D work while expanding and formalizing existing cooperation between DOE’s offices of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy and Fossil Energy’. It is said to fall between the exploratory research as traditionally pursued by universities, and applied R&D as pursued by private sector firms. A middle ground of research, crucial to identifying and proving the feasibility of multiple potential applications of a fundamental scientific discovery, is often overlooked, according to DOE. The projects will be managed by universities and companies, and will run for 1–3 years targeting scientific developments in the following broad technology areas: • Materials, including developing higherperformance and less-expensive materials for energy-efficient lighting such as electrooptical and luminous substances, membranes for hydrogen production, and cathode materials used in fuel cell production. 4
Photovoltaics Bulletin
• Fuels and Chemicals, including computational chemistry and synthesis gas science needed to make better, cleaner fuels from synthetic gas. • Sensors and Controls, including process optimization, emissions reduction and sequestration, extreme environments (FE applications) to building systems integration (EERE applications) and embedded sensors. • Energy Conversion, including converting heat into electricity by advancing research in motor-control and power-conversion technologies as well as direct thermal-toelectric energy converters. Among the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy/Office of Fossil Energy 2003 Science Initiative Selections are Hi-Z Technology in San Diego, California, which is developing thermoelectric converters 25% more efficient than current systems; Alfred University in New York, which is working on rare-earth aluminosilicate glass materials for high-intensity discharge lamps and fuel cells; and Georgia Tech Research Corporation in Atlanta developing lattice-matched, solid-state emitters using nonnative III–nitride substrates such as AlGaN on lithium gallate or zinc oxide. Other topics include the integration of nanoscale photonic crystal structures into LEDs to increase external quantum efficiency, membrane devices, specific ion-conducting ceramics, and phosphor-coating efficiency in UV LEDs. For more information, go to: www.eere.energy.gov
Solarlok eases PV module production Tyco Electronics in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania has introduced ‘Solarlok’, an interconnection system for the mass production of solar modules. It also facilitates quick and easy field installation via a new, flexible, UL- and TÜV-approved system accommodating both serial and parallel solar module connections. The connectors allow for rapid assembly using hand tools, but can also utilize high-speed, semiautomatic applicators. Silver-plated, copper alloy contacts are rated at 25 A with up to 50 mating cycles and are sealed to an IP67 environmental rating when mated with another Solarlok connector. Contact resistance is typically 1 mΩ or less and affords a low-resistance, separable interface. The contacts are easily crimped onto 10 AWG, 12 AWG or 14 AWG stranded wire with a manual hand tool or semi-automatic stripper-
crimper. Connector assembly is as simple as snapping the crimped leads into the connector housing and tightening a sealing nut. The connector housings are offered in positive and negative polarity keying to help eliminate mismating of connectors. The weatherproof housing is molded from polyphenylene oxide (PPO) to provide maximum resistance to UV radiation and ozone. For more information, go to: www.tycoelectronics.com
Woods Hole becomes net renewables exporter The new $8.5 million Woods Hole Research Center in Massachusetts is to serve as a ‘showcase’ for its vision of conservation. The building will use only 19% of the energy demand for a typical building of the same size. The use of 26.4 kW of rooftop PV panels will generate 37 000 kWh a year, or 41% of the building’s total demand. Electricity from the 88 ASE modules will also power an earth energy heat pump for heating and cooling of the space, using groundwater from a 1200 foot (365 m) deep well. The group has received additional funding from the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust to pursue permission for a 100 kW wind turbine that would push the supply of green power to 141% of campus needs, allowing it to become a net exporter of electricity on an annual basis. The 19 000 sq ft (1800 m2) campus operates without combusting fossil fuels. Energy demand will be 90 000 kWh per annum (16 000 BTU/ft2/year), which is 19% of the energy demand for the ASHRAE/IES Base Case. The Woods Hole Research Center works on environmental issues through scientific research and education, with a focus on climate change and global warming issues. For more information, go to: www.whrc.org/ education/ordway/renewables.htm
PV solar chargers plus for consumers Universal Communication Systems, the Florida-based subsidiary of Solar One Corporation, has launched a new range of PV-powered products exclusively for consumer markets. An alternative to bulky electric-powered chargers comes in the form of a variety of PVpowered dual-purpose products. UCS will shortly announce further details and designate
October 2003
Origin is greenest in Australia For the second consecutive year, Sydney-based Origin Energy has been acclaimed Australia’s national market leader in environmental practices and products by the Green Electricity Watch, a coalition of 16 environmental groups. The report also ranked Origin’s premium GreenEarth Solar and GreenEarth Plus products as two of the three market-leading 100% new green energy products on the Australian market. The annual survey of 14 electricity retailers – which helps consumers make an informed decision on switching to a more environmentally aware electricity company – was conducted on two levels: the retailers’ overall environmental policy and practice, and their Green Power products. Origin Energy was chosen as a ‘Best Australian Corporate Citizen’ and Origin Energy’s 100% renewable solar (GreenEarth Solar) and wind (GreenEarth Plus) products were ranked as market leaders. Origin Energy is currently the most successful national marketer of accredited Green Power to 30 000 residential and business customers in Australia.
October 2003
For more information, go to: www.originenergy. com.au or www.electricitywatch.org
PV augments wireless surveillance Proxim Corporation in California, a manufacturer of wireless networking equipment, and Texas-based Hutton Communications Inc, a distributor of wireless communications equipment, have launched a PV-powered wireless surveillance solution. This gives customers the flexibility to deploy a security solution virtually anywhere it is needed. The companies’ SolaCam solution combines Proxim’s Tsunami MP.11, an economical 802.11-based point-to-multipoint solution, with feature-rich IP video cameras, powered completely by solar energy. Customers can now use this reliable, easy-to-deploy technology for security and surveillance, public safety or traffic monitoring, regardless of whether there is a traditional power source available. ‘Customers with remote or hard-to-access assets, such as oil and gas pipelines, bridges or rural properties, have not had an effective, economical solution for protecting those assets,’ said Ron Ryan, senior vice president of sales and marketing at Hutton. ‘This solution makes it easy and affordable to set up a wireless connection, and minimizes concerns about locating a traditional power source.’ Wireless networking technology enables users to easily install network video products in areas where leased lines are not available or are cost prohibitive, such as on bridges, at utility plants, large campuses or on rough terrain. By adding the capacity for solar power, Proxim and Hutton are eliminating one more barrier for customers who require a reliable, cost-effective security solution. ‘Proxim has proven that wireless bridges are very effective for flexible, easy-to-deploy security and surveillance networks,’ says Kevin Duffy, senior vice president of R&D and product line management at Proxim. ‘Now by adding solar power to the system, customers can truly deploy a security system anywhere.’ In addition to the solar-powered solution, Hutton and Proxim are also offering a system with battery back-up power. This provides customers a reliable redundancy solution for areas where power is available. The PV-powered camera and Tsunami MP.11 bundle comes in a variety of configurations to fit customers’ specific needs. It includes a Tsunami MP.11 subscriber unit, camera with weatherproof enclosure, PV panel, enhanced battery system, charge controller, integrated lightning protection, antenna and RF cable.
IN BRIEF Thai investment in PV project The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT, www.egat.or.th/english) says that it is to spend 2 billion baht (about US$50 million) on the installation of six PVpowered facilities in Mae Hong Son province. Deputy governor Chanaphun Kridakorn says that the PV project is part of EGAT’s five-year investment plan, and will have total capacity of 4.2 MWp. The cost for PV generation is 10 baht ($0.25) per watt, which is likely to halve once production technology has been developed. The utility has started construction on the Pabong PV project, which will cost 195 million baht ($5 million) and will be the first such plant project in this part of South East Asia.
Konarka secures future with new credit Massachusetts-based Konarka Technologies (www.konarkatech.com) has announced that Silicon Valley Bank (www.svb.com) in California will provide the company with a revolving line of credit of up to $2 million. Chairman of Konarka Technologies Howard Berke said the announcement marked an important milestone for the company as it moves away from being a developer to becoming a global manufacturer and provider of products. The arrangement provides additional working capital to support the company’s growth and overall business strategy.
Grid project for Solar Plexus In Montana, Missoula-based Solar Plexus (www.solarplexus1.com) is to collaborate with Northwestern Energy (NWE, www.north westernenergy.com) in Butte to offer grant support for grid-tied PV systems. Solar Plexus says that the agreement with NWE should provide $120 000 for rebates of 50% for 12 grid-tied systems. Solar Plexus will design, build and install the rooftop systems.
New Jersey PV project stalls A $7 million PV energy project at Long Beach Island in New Jersey is unlikely to start until next summer, with legal and engineering setbacks blamed for the delay. NJ-based Stellar Energy Systems had hoped to install 50 000 sq ft (4650 m2) of PV panels this year, but the company has had to look for sites on the mainland. The project is part of the state’s Renewable Energy Grid Supply Program, which is itself part of a plan for renewable energy sources. New Jersey has promised Stellar $2.5 million on the commencement of the project, with the total cost set at $7 million.
Photovoltaics Bulletin
3
NEWS The battery back-up system, BackUp Cam, includes: a Tsunami MP.11 subscriber unit, camera with weatherproof enclosure, integrated lightning protection, an uninterruptible power supply, an antenna and RF cable. For interested value-added resellers, Hutton and Proxim are planning informational ‘webinars’ on these solutions shortly. For more information, go to: www.proxim.com or www.huttononline.com
DOE investment promotes crosscutting as key to energy R&D The US Department of Energy (DOE) has issued funding awards to the tune of $12.3 million to more than 20 broad-based, costshared R&D projects for the further improvement of materials and technologies for cleaner and more efficient use of energy. Interestingly, the projects promote crosscutting systems in different research fields designed to be applied to more than one area of science. ‘A strong commitment to leading-edge science is necessary in order to develop energy efficiency and clean energy technologies,’ says secretary of energy Spencer Abraham. ‘Addressing crosscutting-science needs within DOE maximizes the taxpayers’ return on investment in key technology areas such as solid-state lighting, membranes that produce hydrogen, advanced fuels and chemicals, solid oxide fuel cells, as well as process sensors and controls.’ This crosscutting approach aims to ‘broaden DOE’s energy-efficient and clean-energy R&D work while expanding and formalizing existing cooperation between DOE’s offices of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy and Fossil Energy’. It is said to fall between the exploratory research as traditionally pursued by universities, and applied R&D as pursued by private sector firms. A middle ground of research, crucial to identifying and proving the feasibility of multiple potential applications of a fundamental scientific discovery, is often overlooked, according to DOE. The projects will be managed by universities and companies, and will run for 1–3 years targeting scientific developments in the following broad technology areas: • Materials, including developing higherperformance and less-expensive materials for energy-efficient lighting such as electrooptical and luminous substances, membranes for hydrogen production, and cathode materials used in fuel cell production. 4
Photovoltaics Bulletin
• Fuels and Chemicals, including computational chemistry and synthesis gas science needed to make better, cleaner fuels from synthetic gas. • Sensors and Controls, including process optimization, emissions reduction and sequestration, extreme environments (FE applications) to building systems integration (EERE applications) and embedded sensors. • Energy Conversion, including converting heat into electricity by advancing research in motor-control and power-conversion technologies as well as direct thermal-toelectric energy converters. Among the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy/Office of Fossil Energy 2003 Science Initiative Selections are Hi-Z Technology in San Diego, California, which is developing thermoelectric converters 25% more efficient than current systems; Alfred University in New York, which is working on rare-earth aluminosilicate glass materials for high-intensity discharge lamps and fuel cells; and Georgia Tech Research Corporation in Atlanta developing lattice-matched, solid-state emitters using nonnative III–nitride substrates such as AlGaN on lithium gallate or zinc oxide. Other topics include the integration of nanoscale photonic crystal structures into LEDs to increase external quantum efficiency, membrane devices, specific ion-conducting ceramics, and phosphor-coating efficiency in UV LEDs. For more information, go to: www.eere.energy.gov
Solarlok eases PV module production Tyco Electronics in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania has introduced ‘Solarlok’, an interconnection system for the mass production of solar modules. It also facilitates quick and easy field installation via a new, flexible, UL- and TÜV-approved system accommodating both serial and parallel solar module connections. The connectors allow for rapid assembly using hand tools, but can also utilize high-speed, semiautomatic applicators. Silver-plated, copper alloy contacts are rated at 25 A with up to 50 mating cycles and are sealed to an IP67 environmental rating when mated with another Solarlok connector. Contact resistance is typically 1 mΩ or less and affords a low-resistance, separable interface. The contacts are easily crimped onto 10 AWG, 12 AWG or 14 AWG stranded wire with a manual hand tool or semi-automatic stripper-
crimper. Connector assembly is as simple as snapping the crimped leads into the connector housing and tightening a sealing nut. The connector housings are offered in positive and negative polarity keying to help eliminate mismating of connectors. The weatherproof housing is molded from polyphenylene oxide (PPO) to provide maximum resistance to UV radiation and ozone. For more information, go to: www.tycoelectronics.com
Woods Hole becomes net renewables exporter The new $8.5 million Woods Hole Research Center in Massachusetts is to serve as a ‘showcase’ for its vision of conservation. The building will use only 19% of the energy demand for a typical building of the same size. The use of 26.4 kW of rooftop PV panels will generate 37 000 kWh a year, or 41% of the building’s total demand. Electricity from the 88 ASE modules will also power an earth energy heat pump for heating and cooling of the space, using groundwater from a 1200 foot (365 m) deep well. The group has received additional funding from the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust to pursue permission for a 100 kW wind turbine that would push the supply of green power to 141% of campus needs, allowing it to become a net exporter of electricity on an annual basis. The 19 000 sq ft (1800 m2) campus operates without combusting fossil fuels. Energy demand will be 90 000 kWh per annum (16 000 BTU/ft2/year), which is 19% of the energy demand for the ASHRAE/IES Base Case. The Woods Hole Research Center works on environmental issues through scientific research and education, with a focus on climate change and global warming issues. For more information, go to: www.whrc.org/ education/ordway/renewables.htm
PV solar chargers plus for consumers Universal Communication Systems, the Florida-based subsidiary of Solar One Corporation, has launched a new range of PV-powered products exclusively for consumer markets. An alternative to bulky electric-powered chargers comes in the form of a variety of PVpowered dual-purpose products. UCS will shortly announce further details and designate
October 2003