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Solara PV system for New Jersey education agency
ISSN 1473-8325
CONTENTS
Canadian companies unite for BIPV development In Canada, ATS Automation Tooling Systems, its subsidiary Spheral Solar™ Power (SSP) and Elk Premium Building Products (a subsidiary of ElkCorp) are collaborating to share resources to design, manufacture, test and commercialize a new generation of fully integrated PV roofing products, primarily for use in residential buildings. The new products will take advantage of Elk’s extensive knowledge and expertise in the residential roofing materials market, and the unique qualities of Spheral Solar Technology. The companies will bring considerable expertise to developing building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) products, which have long been considered an excellent solution for the PV industry because significant reductions in material and installation costs can be achieved by making the PVs an integral part of a building. Elk has developed several integrated solutions for the roofing industry, as well as consumer goods. These products have reduced costs, increased safety and boosted productivity. ATS and SSP are currently commercializing their proprietary Spheral Solar Technology, and
building their first 20 MW production facility in Cambridge, Ontario. This revolutionary PV technology allows solar cells to be manufactured using thousands of tiny silicon beads bonded in an aluminum foil. The resulting flexible solar cell is expected to dramatically reduce the cost of solar energy, and open up a broad range of new uses for solar power by industrial, commercial and residential users worldwide. The cells are lightweight, pliable and break-resistant, and can be formed into a variety of shapes and sizes. ‘Finding strong partners in the building materials industry is key to our commercialization plan,’ explains Milfred Hammerbacher, president of SSP. ‘We are excited to have [Elk] involved in the development of truly innovative building products utilizing our new Spheral Solar Technology.’ Details of the non-binding agreement between the three companies are subject to negotiation, and will be defined on completion of a definitive agreement. For more information on Spheral Solar Power, go to: www.spheralsolar.com
Solara PV system for New Jersey education agency One of New Jersey’s most advanced solar energy systems has been unveiled in Sewell, at the Educational Information & Resource Center (EIRC), a public agency specializing in education programs and services. The 88 kW Sharp PV system – evaluated and designed by California-based Solara Energy – is the basis of EIRC’s new ‘Green Apple Program’, designed to highlight real-world practices that preserve the environment and reduce energy consumption. The new system features 480, 185 W solar panels on EIRC’s roof, and was showcased during a ceremony at the agency’s offices. The system was installed by RCL Enterprises of Alloway, New Jersey.
The project was made possible by an incentive from the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU), which enabled EIRC to offset the initial cost of solar system installation. The BPU’s Clean Energy Program contributed $370 000 to the EIRC project. Receiving a 60% rebate on the total cost of the system, EIRC estimates it will be able to recover its investment in seven years. The BPU strongly promotes solar energy to advance use of renewable energy in the state.
NEWS Canadian companies unite for BIPV development
1
Solara PV system for NJ education agency
1
Efficient PV cells possible by new material
2
Advent Solar wins national award
2
Scope for PV energy savings for UK residents 2 Texan institute opens PV station, exhibit
2
Smart Power M5 inverter at green building event
3
Daystar Tech files for IPO
3
Solar power monitor wins design award
3
TV advertising highlights energy wastage in UK industry
4
Four awards for hydrogen energy R&D
4
Crystal Palace set to rise again
4
Largest green village opens in the US
4
HelioVolt, NREL team for CIGS PV R&D
5
Power conditioning systems for PV in NYC
5
Johnson Controls wins awards for energy projects
5
Xantrex unveils European PV strategy, opens Spanish office
5
Microgrid at Michigan Power Pavilion
6
Oil giant predicts slow growth of renewables 6 Solaicx breaks PV cost barrier
6
Harvard Business School PV system
7
Europe’s largest triple-junction PV system
7
PV, micro-wind generator powering Spanish school
7
Solara module using advanced composites 8 NJ utility supporting renewables
8
Australian PV power station completed
8
FEATURE Moving further towards ‘green manufacturing’ of photovoltaics
For more information on BPU’s Clean Energy Program, go to: www.bpu.state.nj.us/cleanEnergy/ cleanEnergyProg.shtml
9
REGULARS In Brief
For more information on Solara Energy Inc, go to: www.solaraenergy.com
December 2003
3
Research Trends
11
Patents
13
Events Calendar
15
Comment
16
ISSN 1473-8325/03 © 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved This journal and the individual contributions contained in it are protected under copyright by Elsevier Ltd, and the following terms and conditions apply to their use: Photocopying Single photocopies of single articles may be made for personal use as allowed by national copyright laws. Permission of the publisher and payment of a fee is required for all other photocopying, including multiple or systematic copying, copying for advertising or promotional purposes, resale, and all forms of document delivery. Special rates are available for educational institutions that wish to make photocopies for non-profit educational classroom use.
CONTENTS
Canadian companies unite for BIPV development In Canada, ATS Automation Tooling Systems, its subsidiary Spheral Solar™ Power (SSP) and Elk Premium Building Products (a subsidiary of ElkCorp) are collaborating to share resources to design, manufacture, test and commercialize a new generation of fully integrated PV roofing products, primarily for use in residential buildings. The new products will take advantage of Elk’s extensive knowledge and expertise in the residential roofing materials market, and the unique qualities of Spheral Solar Technology. The companies will bring considerable expertise to developing building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) products, which have long been considered an excellent solution for the PV industry because significant reductions in material and installation costs can be achieved by making the PVs an integral part of a building. Elk has developed several integrated solutions for the roofing industry, as well as consumer goods. These products have reduced costs, increased safety and boosted productivity. ATS and SSP are currently commercializing their proprietary Spheral Solar Technology, and
building their first 20 MW production facility in Cambridge, Ontario. This revolutionary PV technology allows solar cells to be manufactured using thousands of tiny silicon beads bonded in an aluminum foil. The resulting flexible solar cell is expected to dramatically reduce the cost of solar energy, and open up a broad range of new uses for solar power by industrial, commercial and residential users worldwide. The cells are lightweight, pliable and break-resistant, and can be formed into a variety of shapes and sizes. ‘Finding strong partners in the building materials industry is key to our commercialization plan,’ explains Milfred Hammerbacher, president of SSP. ‘We are excited to have [Elk] involved in the development of truly innovative building products utilizing our new Spheral Solar Technology.’ Details of the non-binding agreement between the three companies are subject to negotiation, and will be defined on completion of a definitive agreement. For more information on Spheral Solar Power, go to: www.spheralsolar.com
Solara PV system for New Jersey education agency One of New Jersey’s most advanced solar energy systems has been unveiled in Sewell, at the Educational Information & Resource Center (EIRC), a public agency specializing in education programs and services. The 88 kW Sharp PV system – evaluated and designed by California-based Solara Energy – is the basis of EIRC’s new ‘Green Apple Program’, designed to highlight real-world practices that preserve the environment and reduce energy consumption. The new system features 480, 185 W solar panels on EIRC’s roof, and was showcased during a ceremony at the agency’s offices. The system was installed by RCL Enterprises of Alloway, New Jersey.
The project was made possible by an incentive from the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU), which enabled EIRC to offset the initial cost of solar system installation. The BPU’s Clean Energy Program contributed $370 000 to the EIRC project. Receiving a 60% rebate on the total cost of the system, EIRC estimates it will be able to recover its investment in seven years. The BPU strongly promotes solar energy to advance use of renewable energy in the state.
NEWS Canadian companies unite for BIPV development
1
Solara PV system for NJ education agency
1
Efficient PV cells possible by new material
2
Advent Solar wins national award
2
Scope for PV energy savings for UK residents 2 Texan institute opens PV station, exhibit
2
Smart Power M5 inverter at green building event
3
Daystar Tech files for IPO
3
Solar power monitor wins design award
3
TV advertising highlights energy wastage in UK industry
4
Four awards for hydrogen energy R&D
4
Crystal Palace set to rise again
4
Largest green village opens in the US
4
HelioVolt, NREL team for CIGS PV R&D
5
Power conditioning systems for PV in NYC
5
Johnson Controls wins awards for energy projects
5
Xantrex unveils European PV strategy, opens Spanish office
5
Microgrid at Michigan Power Pavilion
6
Oil giant predicts slow growth of renewables 6 Solaicx breaks PV cost barrier
6
Harvard Business School PV system
7
Europe’s largest triple-junction PV system
7
PV, micro-wind generator powering Spanish school
7
Solara module using advanced composites 8 NJ utility supporting renewables
8
Australian PV power station completed
8
FEATURE Moving further towards ‘green manufacturing’ of photovoltaics
For more information on BPU’s Clean Energy Program, go to: www.bpu.state.nj.us/cleanEnergy/ cleanEnergyProg.shtml
9
REGULARS In Brief
For more information on Solara Energy Inc, go to: www.solaraenergy.com
December 2003
3
Research Trends
11
Patents
13
Events Calendar
15
Comment
16
ISSN 1473-8325/03 © 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved This journal and the individual contributions contained in it are protected under copyright by Elsevier Ltd, and the following terms and conditions apply to their use: Photocopying Single photocopies of single articles may be made for personal use as allowed by national copyright laws. Permission of the publisher and payment of a fee is required for all other photocopying, including multiple or systematic copying, copying for advertising or promotional purposes, resale, and all forms of document delivery. Special rates are available for educational institutions that wish to make photocopies for non-profit educational classroom use.