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Silicon Energy, DuPont develop c-Si module
News/Roundup
Silicon Energy, DuPont develop c-Si module
OPT develops wave power station in Japan Ocean Power Technologies (OPT) will develop a demonstration wave power station in Japan together with a consortium of the three Japanese companies: Idemitsu Kosan Co., Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co., and Japan Wind Development Co. OPT has also been invited to become a member of the Tokyo Wave Power Initiative, a committee including the city of Tokyo, regional governments and national agencies involved in the promotion of new energy sources. The initial phase of the wave power project will to work with the Japanese government to increase the recognition of wave power in Japanese energy policy, and to identify favourable sites for wave power stations and assess their commercial prospects. Subject to the successful identification of a project site and completion of economic assessments, the parties plan to enter into an agreement to build a demonstration wave power plant with up to three of the OPT’s PowerBuoys®. The trial wave power plant would provide the basis for the expected building of a commercial-scale wave power station with an initial capacity of 10 MW or more. Japan’s recently elected Prime Minister, Yukio Hatoyama, has pledged to target a 25% cut in green-house gas emissions from 1990 levels by 2020.
Silicon Energy and DuPont Photovoltaic Solutions are introducing glass-glass polycrystalline silicon (cSi) solar photovoltaic (PV) modules made with DuPont PV5300 series ionomer-based encapsulant for added module strength and durability. “By combining the high efficiency of crystalline silicon with the new, stronger encapsulant from DuPont, our module offers a new level of physical strength, durability and improvements in design,” says Gary Shaver, Director of Sales for Silicon Energy. Manufactured by Silicon Energy, LLC, in Washington State, the solar PV module made with DuPont PV5300 Series encapsulants is said to be able to withstand wind and snow. “Compared with EVA and other available encapsulants, the new DuPont PV5300 sheet is based on ionomer, which is up to 100 times stiffer, five times stronger and much more resistant to moisture intrusion,” explains Steve Cluff, Global Encapsulants Business Director for DuPont Photovoltaic Solutions. “DuPont’s ionomer sheet technology comes from our
22
renewable energy focus
advanced interlayer business for safety glass, where the original challenge was to find a clear material that could help laminated glass meet hurricane codes.”
Fraunhofer targets smart grid
DuPont PV5300 Series encapsulant sheets are said to deliver glass-like clarity plus impact resistance, high strength and adhesion to glass, allowing Silicon Energy to build modules suited to not only high wind loads, but also heavy snows typical during the winter season.
Fraunhofer ISE is coordinating a demonstration on how all of the features of a smart grid can be realised using an integrated smart metering concept. An energy management and communication system was developed as part of the InnoNet Joint Project “DEMAX” (Decentralised Energy and Grid Management with flexible Electricity Rates), sponsored by the German Federal Ministry of Economy. The main component of the smart grid energy management system includes an ‘embedded system’ of the newest generation that allows internet based communication. “In order to be able to use the generated energy locally, the supply and demand must be optimally matched. For instance, the energy generated by a photovoltaic system can be used directly for charging the electric vehicle. During peak load in the evening, the cogeneration can supply a part of the electricity demand,” explains Dr Christof Wittwer, Head of the Group Operation and System Controls at Fraunhofer ISE.
To manufacture its module, Silicon Energy uses two 60-mil layers of the DuPont PV5300 encapsulant to surround the silicon solar wafers, and adds high-transmittance tempered glass to complete the structure. The resulting combination of glass and ionomer sheet material delivers significantly increased flexural strength over traditional modules, DuPont says. “Because the new DuPont encapsulant is more resistant to moisture intrusion, we’re also able to innovate with an open-edged framing design,” says Shaver. “This allows snow, water and dirt to just slide right off, which increases module performance.”
November/December 2009
Silicon Energy, DuPont develop c-Si module
OPT develops wave power station in Japan Ocean Power Technologies (OPT) will develop a demonstration wave power station in Japan together with a consortium of the three Japanese companies: Idemitsu Kosan Co., Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co., and Japan Wind Development Co. OPT has also been invited to become a member of the Tokyo Wave Power Initiative, a committee including the city of Tokyo, regional governments and national agencies involved in the promotion of new energy sources. The initial phase of the wave power project will to work with the Japanese government to increase the recognition of wave power in Japanese energy policy, and to identify favourable sites for wave power stations and assess their commercial prospects. Subject to the successful identification of a project site and completion of economic assessments, the parties plan to enter into an agreement to build a demonstration wave power plant with up to three of the OPT’s PowerBuoys®. The trial wave power plant would provide the basis for the expected building of a commercial-scale wave power station with an initial capacity of 10 MW or more. Japan’s recently elected Prime Minister, Yukio Hatoyama, has pledged to target a 25% cut in green-house gas emissions from 1990 levels by 2020.
Silicon Energy and DuPont Photovoltaic Solutions are introducing glass-glass polycrystalline silicon (cSi) solar photovoltaic (PV) modules made with DuPont PV5300 series ionomer-based encapsulant for added module strength and durability. “By combining the high efficiency of crystalline silicon with the new, stronger encapsulant from DuPont, our module offers a new level of physical strength, durability and improvements in design,” says Gary Shaver, Director of Sales for Silicon Energy. Manufactured by Silicon Energy, LLC, in Washington State, the solar PV module made with DuPont PV5300 Series encapsulants is said to be able to withstand wind and snow. “Compared with EVA and other available encapsulants, the new DuPont PV5300 sheet is based on ionomer, which is up to 100 times stiffer, five times stronger and much more resistant to moisture intrusion,” explains Steve Cluff, Global Encapsulants Business Director for DuPont Photovoltaic Solutions. “DuPont’s ionomer sheet technology comes from our
22
renewable energy focus
advanced interlayer business for safety glass, where the original challenge was to find a clear material that could help laminated glass meet hurricane codes.”
Fraunhofer targets smart grid
DuPont PV5300 Series encapsulant sheets are said to deliver glass-like clarity plus impact resistance, high strength and adhesion to glass, allowing Silicon Energy to build modules suited to not only high wind loads, but also heavy snows typical during the winter season.
Fraunhofer ISE is coordinating a demonstration on how all of the features of a smart grid can be realised using an integrated smart metering concept. An energy management and communication system was developed as part of the InnoNet Joint Project “DEMAX” (Decentralised Energy and Grid Management with flexible Electricity Rates), sponsored by the German Federal Ministry of Economy. The main component of the smart grid energy management system includes an ‘embedded system’ of the newest generation that allows internet based communication. “In order to be able to use the generated energy locally, the supply and demand must be optimally matched. For instance, the energy generated by a photovoltaic system can be used directly for charging the electric vehicle. During peak load in the evening, the cogeneration can supply a part of the electricity demand,” explains Dr Christof Wittwer, Head of the Group Operation and System Controls at Fraunhofer ISE.
To manufacture its module, Silicon Energy uses two 60-mil layers of the DuPont PV5300 encapsulant to surround the silicon solar wafers, and adds high-transmittance tempered glass to complete the structure. The resulting combination of glass and ionomer sheet material delivers significantly increased flexural strength over traditional modules, DuPont says. “Because the new DuPont encapsulant is more resistant to moisture intrusion, we’re also able to innovate with an open-edged framing design,” says Shaver. “This allows snow, water and dirt to just slide right off, which increases module performance.”
November/December 2009