Solar Glazing Magazine

PPG Forms Solar Performance Group

Editor — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 15:37:04 +0000

PPG Industries in Pittsburgh has announced the formation of the PPG Solar Performance Group, which will focus on the continuous development and commercialization of glass and coatings technologies for the solar power industry.

Scott Follett, global director, Patrick Kelly, solar segment manager – North America/European Union, and leading PPG and development professionals will lead a team dedicated to solar product and technology development, sales, manufacturing and technical support.

“PPG is well positioned to capitalize on the future of the global solar market. Our expertise in glass substrates and glass coating is enabling the development of new products that increase solar power generation efficiencies,” says Victoria M. Holt, senior vice president, glass and fiber glass.

“The formation of the PPG Solar Performance Group demonstrates PPG’s commitment to creating innovative products that serve markets with tremendous growth potential,” Follett adds. “We have worked closely with customers to ensure that these products increase power-generation efficiency, and the PPG Solar Performance Group will help to grow the products’ position in the solar marketplace.”

The PPG Solar Performance Group will leverage the expertise of the entire corporation to develop durable, “green” lead-free protective coatings, adhesives and sealants. Follett says the company’s proficiency in glass handling and fabrication also will enable the group to provide customers with complete solar solutions.

The PPG Solar Performance Group is headquartered at the PPG Glass Business and Discovery Center in Harmar, Pa.

BC Housing Complex Features Western Canada’s Largest Solar Installation

Editor — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 14:25:50 +0000

A recently renovated BC Housing complex in Surrey has become Western Canada’s largest solar energy development.

The $21.8-million renovation of the 127-unit Greenbrook complex is expected to yield a 90-per-cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and extend the life of the townhouse complex by 30 years.

The project, which began in 2008, was completed ahead of schedule in June 2010.

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Centrosolar Establishes UK Subsidiary

Editor — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 14:54:02 +0000

HAMBURG, September 2, 2010 /PRNewswire/ — Centrosolar has established an international subsidiary in the UK. Following the introduction of attractive feed-in tariffs in April, Centrosolar UK Ltd. will be in a position to respond to increased demand for photovoltaic systems particularly in England. Centrosolar is pleased to have been able to recruit an experienced solar specialist with an excellent knowledge of the market to run the British subsidiary.

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Bright Prospects for Photovoltaics

Editor — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 14:34:41 +0000

Bayer MaterialScience is committed to developing sustainable technologies and materials, particularly when it comes to utilizing energy from renewable sources such as the sun and wind.

With photovoltaics (PV), for example, the focus is on customer-specific solutions featuring higher energy efficiency, lower manufacturing costs and a broader range of applications. “The current development portfolio offers a variety of innovations, including polyurethane sheathing for solar modules with an integrated assembly system, a sandwich composite of polycarbonate sheets with solar cells, and flexible solar modules with higher efficiency,” says Dr. Frithjof Hannig, who is responsible for the coordination of photovoltaics activities at Bayer MaterialScience.

Innovations and visions with thermoplastic films

At present, crystalline solar cells are leading the way worldwide in terms of solar technology. These are encapsulated by Platilon® hot-melt adhesive films made of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), which have proved to be superior to other materials used for the same purpose. This is particularly true of their flexibility in bonding with relatively hard materials such as polycarbonate and glass. The TPU film facilitates continuous, vacuum-free processing without cross-linking and, therefore, also without emissions. “This is a clear advantage in terms of productivity in the manufacture of photovoltaic modules. What’s more, the film can be recycled and enables complete solar modules to be repaired,” adds Hannig.

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Solar Cottage to Test McMaster University’s Technology

Editor — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 17:43:37 +0000

This was cottage traffic of a different kind. Drivers on the Queen Elizabeth Way and Highway 403 between Oakville and Hamilton did a double-take recently as a “cottage” to be used for testing solar technology was moved to McMaster Innovation Park.

The 18-foot long, 13-foot wide and 13-foot high wooden structure was donated by VELUX Canada Inc. of Oakville to a group of engineering researchers at McMaster who will use it to test a unique translucent solar skylight that can help control interior building temperature and generate electricity but still allow natural light to shine through.

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Tecnalia Participates in Creation of Glass that Optimises Use of Solar Energy

Editor — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 15:21:30 +0000

The Construction Unit at Tecnalia (in conjunction with the University of Cantabria) has taken part in the Sunglass project, the aim of which is to develop a new building product. This involves a glass that augments the efficiency of photovoltaic solar systems, in such a manner that it boosts having more renewable energy in the construction sector.

The term ‘photovoltaic’ literally means ‘light-electricity.’ This technology arose in the 1950s and currently has great possibilities of making contributions in the transition towards sustainable development in the building sector. To this end, the challenge for the Sunglass project is to boost the use of photovoltaic solar energy by means of increasing the performance of the currently existing solar panels (their performance goes up to 15 % now).

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Self-Cleaning Solar Panels Could Find Use in the Dusty Environs of Arizona, the Middle East or Mars

Editor — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 18:36:12 +0000

The best places to collect solar energy are also some of the dustiest on Earth and beyond, a quandary that leads to inefficiencies in how well the cells are able to convert strong sunlight into renewable electricity. The solution, according to new research, is to coat solar cells with material that enables them to chase away dirt particles on their own with the help of dust-repelling electrical charges.

A dust layer of 4 grams per square meter can decrease solar power conversion by 40 percent, says Malay Mazumder, a research professor in Boston University’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. To put this in perspective, dust deposition in Arizona is about 17 grams per square meter per month, and the situation is worse in many other solar-friendly sites, including the Middle East, Australia and India. Mazumder, who led the study, presented the results Sunday at the 240th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS).

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Glass Firm Predicts Loss Despite Strong Order Book

Editor — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 12:47:29 +0000

SPECIALIST glass maker Romag said its performance since May had been disappointing and it expected to make a loss this year, despite it winning a £10.2m contract.

In a trading statement yesterday the firm, based in Consett, County Durham said disruption caused by the death in June of its popular chief executive, Lyn Miles, 57, after a long illness, had been exacerbated by delays in supplies of key materials as well as the funding squeeze on customers, which left it unable to complete sales until they have had sufficient funds on hand to pay for goods they have ordered.

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Rioglass Solar Opens Manufacturing Facility in Arizona

Editor — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 14:10:15 +0000

Rioglass Solar, the primary manufacturer for Abengoa Solar Inc., today announced it will open its headquarters and North American manufacturing facility in Surprise, Ariz., making it the fifth solar company set up operations in Greater Phoenix under the state’s new Renewable Energy Tax Incentive Program.
Rioglass Solar, a subsidiary of Rioglass Solar holdings, is expected to bring $100 million in capital investment to Greater Phoenix over two phases. Rioglass is the first company worldwide to develop and produce tempered glass reflectors. It will supply Abengoa Solar’s Solana Generating Station in Arizona.
Rioglass Solar evaluated many states, but GPEC encouraged the company to pick Greater Phoenix, said president and chief executive officer (CEO) Jose Maria Villanueva.
“They helped us do analysis and convinced us this is the place to be,” he said. “It was clear [Surprise] wanted us to be here and now we are proud to become citizens.” “Arizona is a tough competitor in the renewable energy space,” says Barry Broome, president and of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council, which created the economic analysis that influenced the legislation. “The new incentive legislation has caused companies to zero in on Arizona. And what do they see? They see a strong operating climate, talented workforce, year round sunshine and new industry that’s thriving.”
The Spanish glass manufacturer is the third major international solar company to call Greater Phoenix home since the legislation went into effect in January. China-based Suntech and Canadian company Linamar are also setting up operations in the region.
Broome said Arizona can expect to see more renewable energy announcements in the coming weeks and months. “Arizona is a leader in renewable energy and we intend to keep it that way,” he said.

Local Company Teaches Workers Solar Energy Skills

Editor — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 13:11:51 +0000

Finding himself unemployed as construction slowed in Las Vegas, Donald Beckman decided to look to the future. He had some experience with solar-power projects, but knew of nowhere that offered workers training in the relatively new field.

So in April, Beckman opened the Solar Institute of Nevada, which he says is the first training program of its kind in the state, to introduce newcomers to solar energy. Upon graduation, participants will also be prepared to take Nevada’s test for an installer’s license, which is required for a person to work on any solar projects.

The institute’s first session of classes will begin in September.

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