- Email: [email protected]
Strong demand for TFT
NEWS R&D bodies, the World Bank and the United Nations Development Programme to promote quality assurance of performance of PV products (components and systems). PV GAP established the PV Quality Mark for components; PV Quality Seal for PV systems. Requirements to obtain the license for the Mark are an IEC QA system for electronic components certification that the manufacturer has a valid ISO 9001:2000 or similar, and the products have a certificate of successfully testing to an International Standard or Specification by an accredited PV testing lab or in the in-house testing lab under IECQ surveillance. The manufacturer must complete PV GAP’s product QA specification that prescribes when modules have to be re-tested. The VDE Testing and Certification Institute in Offenbach, Germany, IECQ’s supervising inspectorate, issued the approval. For further information contact: RWE Schott Solar GmbH: Mr. Peter Lechner. Email: [email protected] or PV GAP and IECQ: R. Kay Email: [email protected] www.iecq.org
Strong demand for TFT Energy Photovoltaics Inc, (EPV) is finding strong commercial demand and improved manufacturing economics increasing business interest. Under most conditions, amorphous silicon (aSi) produces more energy per-installed-watt than crystalline technologies. It was reported at the PV conference in Rome that: ‘Double-junction amorphous silicon products have been shown to give the greatest energy yields per manufacturer’s declared kW peak.’ Together with the lower manufacturing cost of TFT products, this give the lowest cost per kWh. The published range of total energy requirements to produce crystalline silicon modules is 20-100 MJ/Wp. In contrast, the specific energy required to produce frameless a-Si thin film modules at 12-15MJ/Wp for CIGS TF modules of 11MJ/Wp is published. Growth of PV will only benefit if the industry is a net energy producer; otherwise it is simply using carbon-emitting kWh to produce fewer non-carbon-emitting kWh. To achieve net energy contribution at a manufacturing growth rate of 30% pa, specific energy must be less than 23MJ/Wp. If a positive energy return from a new factory is desired in less than 10 years, less than 18 MJ/Wp is required. This positions TFT as the only option. EPV focus on the design, manufacture, installation, commission and operation of an integrated manufacturing systems for thin-film
6
Photovoltaics Bulletin
PV modules. It has recently doubled the capacity of the PV-IMS operating in Budapest, Hungary to 5MW per year; is completing 2.5MW per year in Sacramento, California and operating an a-Si manufacturing system and installing a copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) line in New Jersey for process improvement R&D. PVIMS projects in Greece, Germany, and China are expected to begin early in 2003. For more information contact: James Groelinger, CEO, Energy Photovoltaics Inc, Alan Delahoy VP R&D Email: [email protected] and [email protected]
Connecticut fails hurdle Green Mountain Energy Company is to discontinue serving its 1,312 customers in Connecticut as of March 31, 2003. Citing regulations that make bringing pollution-free energy to Connecticut cost prohibitive, as well as an overall lack of a competitive electric market, it is to focus on New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. GMEC began marketing to Connecticut customers in January 2001. In recent months it has been the only energy supplier actively signing up residential customers in Connecticut. Three factors led to the company’s decision to discontinue its service in Connecticut. These are: artificially low, fixed Standard Offer rate, not reflecting the true cost of electricity; new rules adopted by the regional power grid putting place limitations and excessive costs on GMEC’s ability to secure pollution-free wind electricity. With no wind power available GMEC has had to import from upstate New York. Clifton Payne, eastern region president emphasised GMEC’s commitment to ensure customers have uninterrupted service while the return to utility service occurs. He paid tribute to customer support allowing the building of the solar plant at Bridgeport Discovery Museum. GMEC will maintain its supplier license in Connecticut and advocate for a competitive energy market. For more information contact: Connecticut Customer Service, Green Mountain Energy Company 1-866GREEN CT. USA Tel: 1-866-473-3628.
Framatome bows out of Duke Solar Solar Roof International and Framatome (the nuclear engineering company jointly owned by AREVA (66%) and Siemens (34%), with revenues exceeding 2.5bn, has agreed to an acquisition and transfer of the Framatome interest in Duke Solar to Solar Roof.
Solar Roof was set up in 1995 to acquire solar technologies applicable for a new roof system for industrial, and institutional buildings. NonImaging Optics technology was developed by Dr Winston at University of Chicago. SRI bought this and achieved a vested relationship between SRI and University of Chicago appointingDr Winston as SRI/Duke Solar chief scientist. Duke Solar, a JV in 1997 by SRI and Framatome’s Duke Engineering & Services, Inc maximises SRI’s technology. Duke Solar is in the third year of a contract with the NREL/DOE for developing concentrating solar trough plants. For more information contact: http://www.areva group.com or http://www.dukesolar.com or http:// www.framatome-anp.com
Minnesota urged to plan better Minnesota risks serious consequences if it continues its current approach to electricity production, distribution and use, says a non profit public-affairs Citizen’s League group. The committee began studying the electricity supply about 18 months ago. About 75% of the state’s energy comes from coal-fired plants. Another 17% comes from nuclear-power, 3% from hydroelectric and 5% from sources such as wood and wind. Power plants have a life expectancy of 40 years or more, and it is realistic to meet new energy policy goals in 2040 if the state begins working toward these immediately, the report says. ‘A power generating plant installed today will still be in service in 2040. In 10 years, generating capacity representing about 25% of Minnesota’s power supply will be installed, to replace old capacity or to add new.’ The report ‘Powering Up Minnesota’s Energy Future: Act Now on a Long-Term Vision’ lists among it conclusions and recommendations: • Neither the state nor the power industry have been aggressive enough using sources that provide supplies without unacceptable, cumulative environmental damage. • Emphasis on low prices ignores health care and the environmental clean up costs which Minnesota is paying for in other ways. • Regulating energy and environment separately prevents a needed balance between the two. Minnesota lags behind in electricity conservation and efficient use. • The state should neither plan for nor expect an increase in nuclear energy. But nuclear fuel will and should continue to provide a significant fraction of electricity. • Companies selling electrical energy on the retail market should operate under a permit
February 2003
Strong demand for TFT Energy Photovoltaics Inc, (EPV) is finding strong commercial demand and improved manufacturing economics increasing business interest. Under most conditions, amorphous silicon (aSi) produces more energy per-installed-watt than crystalline technologies. It was reported at the PV conference in Rome that: ‘Double-junction amorphous silicon products have been shown to give the greatest energy yields per manufacturer’s declared kW peak.’ Together with the lower manufacturing cost of TFT products, this give the lowest cost per kWh. The published range of total energy requirements to produce crystalline silicon modules is 20-100 MJ/Wp. In contrast, the specific energy required to produce frameless a-Si thin film modules at 12-15MJ/Wp for CIGS TF modules of 11MJ/Wp is published. Growth of PV will only benefit if the industry is a net energy producer; otherwise it is simply using carbon-emitting kWh to produce fewer non-carbon-emitting kWh. To achieve net energy contribution at a manufacturing growth rate of 30% pa, specific energy must be less than 23MJ/Wp. If a positive energy return from a new factory is desired in less than 10 years, less than 18 MJ/Wp is required. This positions TFT as the only option. EPV focus on the design, manufacture, installation, commission and operation of an integrated manufacturing systems for thin-film
6
Photovoltaics Bulletin
PV modules. It has recently doubled the capacity of the PV-IMS operating in Budapest, Hungary to 5MW per year; is completing 2.5MW per year in Sacramento, California and operating an a-Si manufacturing system and installing a copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) line in New Jersey for process improvement R&D. PVIMS projects in Greece, Germany, and China are expected to begin early in 2003. For more information contact: James Groelinger, CEO, Energy Photovoltaics Inc, Alan Delahoy VP R&D Email: [email protected] and [email protected]
Connecticut fails hurdle Green Mountain Energy Company is to discontinue serving its 1,312 customers in Connecticut as of March 31, 2003. Citing regulations that make bringing pollution-free energy to Connecticut cost prohibitive, as well as an overall lack of a competitive electric market, it is to focus on New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. GMEC began marketing to Connecticut customers in January 2001. In recent months it has been the only energy supplier actively signing up residential customers in Connecticut. Three factors led to the company’s decision to discontinue its service in Connecticut. These are: artificially low, fixed Standard Offer rate, not reflecting the true cost of electricity; new rules adopted by the regional power grid putting place limitations and excessive costs on GMEC’s ability to secure pollution-free wind electricity. With no wind power available GMEC has had to import from upstate New York. Clifton Payne, eastern region president emphasised GMEC’s commitment to ensure customers have uninterrupted service while the return to utility service occurs. He paid tribute to customer support allowing the building of the solar plant at Bridgeport Discovery Museum. GMEC will maintain its supplier license in Connecticut and advocate for a competitive energy market. For more information contact: Connecticut Customer Service, Green Mountain Energy Company 1-866GREEN CT. USA Tel: 1-866-473-3628.
Framatome bows out of Duke Solar Solar Roof International and Framatome (the nuclear engineering company jointly owned by AREVA (66%) and Siemens (34%), with revenues exceeding 2.5bn, has agreed to an acquisition and transfer of the Framatome interest in Duke Solar to Solar Roof.
Solar Roof was set up in 1995 to acquire solar technologies applicable for a new roof system for industrial, and institutional buildings. NonImaging Optics technology was developed by Dr Winston at University of Chicago. SRI bought this and achieved a vested relationship between SRI and University of Chicago appointingDr Winston as SRI/Duke Solar chief scientist. Duke Solar, a JV in 1997 by SRI and Framatome’s Duke Engineering & Services, Inc maximises SRI’s technology. Duke Solar is in the third year of a contract with the NREL/DOE for developing concentrating solar trough plants. For more information contact: http://www.areva group.com or http://www.dukesolar.com or http:// www.framatome-anp.com
Minnesota urged to plan better Minnesota risks serious consequences if it continues its current approach to electricity production, distribution and use, says a non profit public-affairs Citizen’s League group. The committee began studying the electricity supply about 18 months ago. About 75% of the state’s energy comes from coal-fired plants. Another 17% comes from nuclear-power, 3% from hydroelectric and 5% from sources such as wood and wind. Power plants have a life expectancy of 40 years or more, and it is realistic to meet new energy policy goals in 2040 if the state begins working toward these immediately, the report says. ‘A power generating plant installed today will still be in service in 2040. In 10 years, generating capacity representing about 25% of Minnesota’s power supply will be installed, to replace old capacity or to add new.’ The report ‘Powering Up Minnesota’s Energy Future: Act Now on a Long-Term Vision’ lists among it conclusions and recommendations: • Neither the state nor the power industry have been aggressive enough using sources that provide supplies without unacceptable, cumulative environmental damage. • Emphasis on low prices ignores health care and the environmental clean up costs which Minnesota is paying for in other ways. • Regulating energy and environment separately prevents a needed balance between the two. Minnesota lags behind in electricity conservation and efficient use. • The state should neither plan for nor expect an increase in nuclear energy. But nuclear fuel will and should continue to provide a significant fraction of electricity. • Companies selling electrical energy on the retail market should operate under a permit
February 2003