new dawn for process improvements · indium gallium selenide (cigs) thin-film photovoltaic solar...

Issue IV 2012www.solar-international.net

New dawn for processimprovementsDEK Solar showcase the next

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Protecting the customer = protecting the industry

How Fit for Purpose are switches?

An Angel Business Communications publication

Front Cover Solar v1.qxp 28/5/12 12:15

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Issue IV 2012 I www.solar-international.net 3

07 News roundupGlobal news from within the solar industry.

14 Strong growth forecast for PV equipment Equipment spending by PV manufacturers is poised to resume in 2013 with strong growth rates forecast to 2016, according to NPD Solarbuzz PV Equipment Quarterly report.

16 New dawn in process improvements and accuracyDemand for solar as an alternative energy source has never been greater. Alternative energy is gaining wider acceptance globally and the demand for installations is growing at about 25 to 30 percent annually.

20 Protecting the customer = Protecting the industryWorldwide, solar has been the most successful of renewable energy technologies, backed by strong government support. With state supports under pressure in many countries, the industry will have to innovate and cut costs to remain competitive.

26 How “Fit for Purpose” are switches in the photovoltaic industry?There is a flip side to using photovoltaic energy supplies in that there is a need to use DC electrical supplies. In a world where AC based electrical supplies have monopolised there are a number of potential dangers with the more volatile DC currents.

28 Clean power and renewable energy growth in MENA regionSustainability is now firmly on the agenda in the Middle East; with the development of Masdar at the hub of a low carbon future, we are continually seeing a shift away from fossil fuels towards a variety of clean energy solutions.

31 New SolarMax MT inverterSolarMax 8MT2 string inverter developed for smaller PV plants will debut at Intersolar Europe 2012.

35 PV power plant supplied with 80 Mastervolt invertersOne of the Isle of Wight’s largest solar plants is completed.

38 SunnySideUpSolar energy assures bright future for charity.

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contents Issue IV 2012 www.solar-international.net

Cover image supplied by DEK Solarwww.dek.comFront cover designed by Mitch Gaynor

Contents Solar v1.qxp 28/5/12 11:34

Untitled-1 1 30/04/2012 09:51

NEWS I ROUNDUP


MIASOLE, a manufacturer of copperindium gallium selenide (CIGS) thin-filmphotovoltaic solar panels, has announcedthat the U.S. Department of Energy'sNational Renewable Energy Laboratory(NREL) has confirmed a 15.5 percentaperture area efficiency on commercialsize flexible PV module (total area1.68m2).

MiaSole's record represents over 2 pointsof improvement compared to the previousworld record for flexible PV of 13.4percent set earlier this year.

"Achieving 15.5 percent efficiency is aclear validation of MiaSole's unique andinnovative approach to delivering high

MiaSole sets flexible PV efficiency world recordefficiency CIGS flexible cell technology,"said John Carrington, CEO of MiaSole."MiaSole's world leading efficiency andlow cost flexible PV technologydemonstrates the potential of CIGScompared to silicon-based and other thinfilm technologies."

MiaSole's proprietary cell technology iscreating new and compellingopportunities for their customers bybringing high efficiencies to flexibleapplications. Companies in the building,vehicle and fabric integrated PV marketsthat were previously unable to realize thepotential of solar, can now explore newand innovative applications for highefficiency, flexible solar panels.

"Along with our current capacity to deliver 14.5 percent glass modules, the NREL verification of our flexiblemodules highlights the progress we are continuously making against ourefficiency roadmap and goal of delivering the lowest levelized cost ofelectricity to our customers," addedCarrington.

The cells for the record device weremade using MiaSole's existing productionlines in Santa Clara, CA.

MiaSole's large area flexible PV modulewas submitted for evaluation by NREL aspart of the company's ongoing processfor third party verification.

Q.Cells and CCC realise large off-gridsolar Installation in Abu Dhabi desertQ.CELLS and Consolidated ContractorsCompany (known as CCC), an Athens-based construction company, havesuccessfully realised the first off-grid solar installation in the UnitedArab Emirates. The rooftop photovoltaicsystem with an output of 368 kWp is oneof the largest solar installations in thecountry empowering a camp with morethan 5000 people working for an oil fielddevelopment project in the desert. Theinstallation carries 1,536 multicrystallinePV modules from Q.CELLS.

They generate approximately 610 MWhper year which will be used for airconditioning, kitchen installations andother daytime power demand. Thesystem feeds directly into one of thecamp´s diesel generator powerhouses. Itwill also contribute to reduce CCC´scarbon footprint by offsetting 420 tons ofCO2 emissions per year.

Q.CELLS acted as a Procurement andEngineering partner and providedextensive support services to CCC duringthe construction phase. CCC initiated theproject, employed its local teams forconstruction and will operate andmaintain the plant.

“We are very proud to be part of one ofthe largest off-grid PV installations in theUnited Arab Emirates so far”, said

Hannes Behacker, Senior Vice PresidentAsia Pacific/Middle East of Q.CELLS. “Theproject marks a major innovation showinghow to reduce the environmental impactand cost of fossil energy consumption byinnovative off-grid solar power plantswhich operate together with dieselgenerators.”

Q.CELLS has already provenperformance of its products in hotclimates at the Desert Knowledge CenterAustralia. Q.CELLS had opened an officein Abu Dhabi, UAE, earlier this year andlooks to further expand its footprint in thesun-kissed Middle Eastern region. This project and the establishedprofessional partnership with CCC mark afirst important milestone on this road.

CCC believes in providing futuregenerations with a healthy and safeenvironment and social and economicprosperity. As such CCC has initiated tolaunch a PV power plant in UAE -Qusahwira Camp. CCC selectedQ.CELLS as its key partner for thisproject. Q.CELLS has provided supportfrom the design to engineering andprocurement of the PV generator as wellas technical support during theconstruction phase.

CCC added its unique position and skillsin designing the balance of theequipment needed and in doing theconstruction work under guidance ofQ.CELLS experts for the PV-specific partof the installation.

News Solar v1.qxp 28/5/12 12:10

Investor meets project developer

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NEWS I ROUNDUP


Inventux Technologies face difficult days ahead

THE wave of bankruptcies has now alsohit Inventux Technologies AG. The Berlin-based company is technologically leadingin the manufacturing of toxic-free andhighly efficient thin-film modules. It hasfiled for insolvency at the Local Court inBerlin-Charlottenburg. After initial talkswith management members, solicitor RolfRattunde will continue the business withover 200 employees as temporaryinsolvency administrator and is nowlooking for investors for the moderncompany with its sustainable micromorphtechnology.

The dramatic price drop on the solarmarket also strikes technology leaderslike Inventux. In the current situation,even silicon-based thin-film modules withhighest efficiencies cannot be producedat break-even, as the Asian competition issubsidized massively.

“The situation of Inventux is linked withthe broader question whether Germanycan sustain future-oriented technologieslike silicon-based thin-film modules or

whether Asian manufacturers withdumping prices below production costssucceed in squeezing globally leadingmanufacturers from the market. Theprices on the solar market are currentlyso low that an economically reasonableprice policy does not exist anymore - itcan actually only get better. Politicsseems to recognize the gravity of thesituation. Therefore, Inventux offers goodopportunities for investors who look tothe long term” declared the temporaryinsolvency administrator Prof. RolfRattunde of the Berlin-based law firmLeonhardt. “As a system provider with ahigh sales and marketing competence,Inventux is well positioned and offerssustainable and innovative products withan awarded design.

The installation of the aestheticallypleasing products is also easy and time-saving. In the coming days, we willtherefore approach investors. Currentlywe are organizing the continuation of thecompany. Orders will be processed in theusual manner.”

Inventux was founded in 2007 by fourexperienced solar managers. In 2008, thecompany already started the first seriesproduction of micromorph thin-film solarmodules in Europe and in 2010 raised theefficiency of their modules to 10 percent.Micromorph thin-film modules are basedon gaseous silicon (silane) which can beobtained and processed easily andenvironmentally friendly. Compared tocrystalline solar modules, less than half ofprimary energy is used. Also, micromorphthin-film modules are 100%environmentally compatible.

Innotech Solar delivers over 13,000 solarmodules for solar power stationA 3.1 megawatt peak (MWp) solar powerstation has gone online in Nauen nearBerlin, Germany. With an annualelectricity production of 3.1 million KWh itwill supply energy to approx. 800households. The entire workforce forconstruction of the solar project wasdrawn from the region – especially fromthe town of Nauen itself.

The solar park was developed on aformer building rubble tip belonging toNauen and dating back to pre-war times.Because of the unstable groundconditions, heavy machinery was neededto clear the 80,000 m2 site before addinga 20 cm layer of topsoil to protect againsterosion. Work on preparing the groundbegan in late January, with constructionof the solar installation beginning inMarch.

A workforce of over 20 recruited fromlocal companies handled thegroundwork, electrical cabling andframework and module assembly.

The Norwegian manufacturer InnotechSolar (ITS) supplied over 13,000photovoltaic modules for the powerstation. The modules are particularlyenvironmentally friendly, consisting ofsolar cells which had been rejected dueto defects. Innotech Solar then used alaser-assisted process to restore their fullperformance power. “Our modules havean extra small carbon footprint. The production of modules withconventional solar cells consumesaround 90% more energy than theproduction of ITS modules, which aremade of optimized solar cells,” explains

Dr. Thomas Hillig, Director Sales &Marketing EMEA. “So I am delighted thata particularly green solar project is goinglive.”

The planning and project managementfor the ‘Solarpark Ludwig-Jahn-Strasse’was handled by the mdp Group fromOldenburg, which will also operate thesolar power station. This was the fourthsolar park to be created by the companyin the Nauen area, bringing the totaloutput from free-standing installations to13 MWp.

“We made the deliberate decision toemploy only workers from the region. Itwas important for us to install modulesfrom a European manufacturer instead ofequipment from China,” says Hans-Helmut Kutzeer, CEO of the mdp Group.“Innotech Solar was recommended to usby an independent expert because thecompany can supply European qualitymodules at competitive prices thanks toits special production methods.”


NEWS I ROUNDUP

8 www.solar-international.net I Issue IV 2012

ISOFOTON declares a profitof €7.74 million for 2011ISOFOTON has reported profits of Euro7.74 million in 2011, allowing thecompany to achieve positive results forthe second consecutive year. During2011, ISOFOTON increased sales interms of watt production by 10% withrespect to the previous year despite a60% drop in polysilicon prices. In 2011,ISOFOTON sold 85MW.

ISOFOTON’s President Ángel LuisSerrano comments: “We are satisfied withthe results obtained. ISOFOTON hasachieved positive results for the secondconsecutive year and has increased thevolume of watts sold by 10%, despitecompeting in an increasingly complexenvironment that is currently experiencinga process of sectoral concentration,coupled with a drop in polysilicon pricesof up to 60% that has resulted in othermaterials in the value chain experiencingsimilar drops”. Adds Mr. Serrano: “newinvestments such as the automatedmodule assembly line in 2011 havecontributed to improve overall efficiency,maintain profitability and increasecompany sales”.

The company’s outlook remains positive,as ISOFOTON continues to adapt to

changes in the global photovoltaic sector.In order to respond to increasing demandfrom Latin American markets, the UnitedStates and Asia, ISOFOTON plans toexpand its production capacity to1,500MW in two years.

The company has begun construction ofa new plant in Ohio (U.S.) to beinaugurated September 2012, in additionto opening a new manufacturing facility inLatin America in the coming years. ÁngelLuis Serrano remarks: “ISOFOTON plansto become one of the first companies toachieve 21% solar cell efficiency throughour collaboration agreement withSAMSUNG, in addition to increasing efficiency of HCPV modulesup to 25-27% and 30% in 2013”.

ISOFOTON has also entered intostrategic agreements with Asian partnersincluding CNOOC, Samsung, Posco and GCL-Poly. A global leader in theprocessing and production of polysiliconand silicon wafers and one of the largestglobal investors and green energyproducers, GCL-Poly has recently signeda Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)with ISOFOTON to boost worldwidedevelopment (1GW of solar farm project)

and use of solar energy and promote thesupply of clean energy. CGL-Poly willmanage project financing in addition toproviding EPC (Engineering, Procurement& Construction) services. In return,ISOFOTON will supply modules for jointprojects and will purchase wafers andpart of the solar cells from GCL-Poly.

During 2011, drops in polysilicon pricesplummeted 60%, dragging prices down ingeneral across the entire value chain. Themain raw materials dropped fromUS$80/kg at the beginning of 2011 to lessthan US$30/kg.

Other materials in the value chain havealso experienced drops of approximately60%. Despite these drops in prices,ISOFOTON’s revenue reached Euro106.197 M, 13.8% less than 2010,representing a much lower percentagethan the 60% price drop of polysilicon.

China Sunergy delivers 5MW to BulgariaCHINA SUNERGY CO., LTD. has announced that the company had completed delivery of 5MW insolar modules to Bulgaria for the YerussalimovoSolar Park.

The modules were sold to MitsubishiInternational GmbH and are being installedand managed by Helios Power. HeliosPower has been a strategic partner for thecompany in Bulgarian market startingfrom 2010. Since the beginning of 2012,China Sunergy has shipped a total of22.32 MW to Bulgaria, on top of 18MWsold last year, which accounted forabove 30% of the Bulgarian market in2011.

Bulgaria’s solar market has gained pacesince the country introduced a preferential feed-in-tariff in December 2006 and entered the European Union inJanuary 2007. The first renewable energy projects were hydro-electric and wind, followed by solar, for which the country’ssouthern part with relatively warmer climate is well-suited. In

recent years, Bulgaria’s energy grid has experienced someinstability as demand sometimes outpaces supply during the

daytime. Power generated by solar installations has helped tomoderate the supply of electricity to the grid. The solar

power industry has experienced rapid growth in Bulgaria,and companies like Mitsubishi and Helios Power have

partnered to develop large-scale solar projects. Mr.Stephen Cai, CEO of China Sunergy commented,

“We have built up a very large market share inBulgaria. Our 18 MW in shipments last

year comprised nearly 32% of this market, which, according to the latestSolarbuzz report, totalled about

57 MW in 2011.

The Bulgarian market is forecasted by thesame report to increase to 2.7 times last

year’s level, to 152 MW, in 2012. We hope tocontinue to maintain 30% market share this year, even

considering the tripled market size. Bulgaria is a great exampleof high potential emerging markets for China Sunergy, and webelieve we can build on the solid relationships we have there tosell more in the future.”


NEWS I ROUNDUP


Solar power investments broke recordslast year, surpassing wind powerinvestments, according to a report byenergy experts GlobalData.

The new report states that globalrenewable power investments reached$209 billion in 2011, as the industrywitnessed changing geographicalopportunities. Renewables received highinvestments in the US, while changingeconomic conditions in Europe affectedavailable funding. However, governmentpolicies continue to prove themselves asa major factor in the renewable powermarket, encouraging the worldwide switchfrom carbon-emitting methods to cleanpower generation.

In 2011, solar power investments seized ahuge 49% share of global renewablepower investments, compared to the 34%share given to wind power. A drasticdecrease in solar PV module prices, dueto oversupply issues, resulted in anincrease in capacity installations. Venturefinancing and private equity investments

were also high for solar technologydevelopments. With solar power pricesapproaching grid-parity, asset financinginvestments in this area have witnessed ahigher growth rate than other renewablegeneration technologies.

Renewable power investments fromEurope are anticipated to drop in 2012, asthe region’s credit crisis continues todamage economic stability. However,North America will continue todemonstrate high investments in bothsolar and wind power, particularly towardsthe development of new wind power

projects. The renewables industry is alsoexpected to see growing investments inthe Asia-Pacific region, as low-costequipment manufacturers tempt themarket with competitive pricing, whilesome countries in the Middle East andNorth Africa, such as Abu Dhabi, Dubai,Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Algeria andJordon, are being tipped as upcomingsolar power investment destinations formajor market players.

China looks to become a futureinvestment giant in the solar market, asthe state government has plannedfinancing of around $100m to developprojects throughout 40 African nations,where large prospective demand marketsare enabling China to expand itsproduction targets.

As a result, China’s solar modulemanufacturers are planning to increasetheir production capacity drastically,adding 3.6 gigawatts (GW) of moduleproduction capacity in the country by2012.

Trina Solar announces 2.1 MW off-gridproject in TibetTRINA SOLAR LIMITED has announcedthat it has entered into a supplyagreement with Longyuan (Tibet) NewEnergy Co., Ltd. (“Longyuan (Tibet)”) tosupply an off-grid solar system project inthe Northern Tibetan region of Naqu. Theagreement marks an important milestonefor Trina Solar in the domestic market,where the Company is expanding itscommercial presence.

The 2.1 MW project is Trina Solar’slargest off-grid system project in China inrecent years, following the construction ofapproximately 40 standalone powerstations in 2002 in the Chamdo region ofTibet.

“We are very pleased to have beenselected by Longyuan (Tibet) for theNaqu project,” said Jifan Gao, Chairmanand CEO of Trina Solar. “Qualityirradiance in this highly elevated regionunderscores its suitability for such aproject. We are committed to providingquality products and excellent service in

implementing this project, which webelieve can benefit the local population.”

“This off-grid project, which differs fromutility scale projects in terms of set-upand components, will use our specially-designed PC20 off-grid modules,” saidMark Kingsley, Chief Commercial Officerof Trina Solar. “We believe the off-gridmarket has the potential to bring anotherdimension of growth to the Company.These installations, believed to be one ofthe largest off-grid module orders inChina, are especially suited for Tibet’senvironment owing to its clean air,excellent sunlight, and challenges ofrugged topography to extend traditionaldistributed power. We are especiallypleased to be supplying our solutions inthe Tibet Region, where our legacyprojects from ten years ago are stillimproving lives.”

Naqu Prefecture is located in NorthernTibet, bordering with Xinjiang andQinghai, with total area of more than

400,000 square kilometers. It is situatedon an altitude of 4,500 meters. Theterritory possesses basins, lakes, riversand forests, and as one of the few crop-producing areas of Tibet. With an average2,900 sunlight hours per year, the regionis highly suited to PV solar generation.Naqu is one of the Tibetan areas lackingdistributed grid power. Trina Solar hopesthat the new off-grid project will alleviatethe electricity shortages of the farmersand herdsmen, thereby improving thequality of life, while promoting localeconomic and social development in the region.

Solar investments broke records in 2011


Untitled-1 1 25/05/2012 09:36

NEWS I ROUNDUP


Soltecture openinsolvency proceedingsTHE executive management of SoltectureGmbH have applied to open insolvencyproceedings. The responsible insolvencycourt in Berlin Charlottenburg hasappointed Hartwig Albers from the lawfirm Brinkmann & Partner as thepreliminary insolvency administrator.

Having extensively explored newfinancing options, the executivemanagement saw no other viable optionfor averting the company’s impendinginsolvency at the present time.

Over the last two years, Soltecture hasmade extremely rapid progress inincreasing the efficiency of its thin-filmsolar modules, securing a leadingposition in the area of CIGSe technology.

At the same time, the companypositioned itself as a provider ofarchitectonically attractive solutions forsolar construction and was alwayssuccessful in placing its products on themarket. However, the high surpluscapacity on the market has led to adramatic drop in solar module prices,which – despite the company’s greatest

efforts to further reduce costs – could notbe compensated.

Due to the outstanding technologyproduced by Soltecture and the alreadyadvanced stage of discussions withprospective partners, Soltecture isconfident that operations can becontinued at its headquarters in Adlershofwith an industrial investor. Dr. NikolausMeyer (CEO Soltecture): “This is a toughday for our company.

However, the discussions over the lastmonth make me extremely confident thatwith our technology we will be able tosecure a new, strong partner as ashareholder. We will be working togetherclosely with our insolvency administrator,Mr Hartwig Albers, to successfullynegotiate an agreement with an industrialinvestor as quickly as possible”.

Once he has gained an overview of thecompany’s current situation, thepreliminary insolvency administrator,Hartwig Albers, will then prepare the nextsteps in the preliminary insolvencyproceedings.

GCL Solar Energy place Satcon orderSATCON TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION,a provider of utility-scale powerconversion solutions for the renewableenergy market, has announced that it hasbeen selected by GCL Solar Energy, tosupply forty-five of their Equinox 500kilowatt (kW) inverters, along with over1900 Satcon Solstice Subcombiners, 680 of its SSC Smart Subcombiners, and 64 medium voltage transformers,which will be used in the construction of a 76 MW solar power plant in theCaribbean.

“We’ve seen demand for solar PVcontinue to grow in the Americas over thelast two years. First with commercialsystems and most recently in large utility-scale power plants.” said Pete DeGraff,Executive Vice President of WorldwideSales, Services and Marketing for Satcon.

“Satcon’s leading power conversionsolutions continue to be deployed by the

most respected developers in solar, andwe are very proud to have been selectedby GCL Energy for this project.”The Equinox 500kW is the nextgeneration of Satcon’s flagship 500kWsolar inverter solution, which has beenutilized by the industry’s leading solardevelopers on over a gigawatt ofcumulative PV power systems.

With 98.5 percent peak efficiency and the industry’s widest thermal operatingrange, Equinox solutions improve system-wide energy harvest and solarplant yield for best-in-class performance,enabling the large-scale solar industry’slowest Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE).

The efficiency gains, compared to othersimilar solutions, will enable utility-scaleplants to produce millions more kilowatthours over the life of the system, and add millions of dollars to the bottom lineof the plant owner operators.

Worlds largestCPV projectbegin operations

COGENTRIX ENERGY, LLC (“Cogentrix”)has announced that the largestconcentrating photovoltaic electric powergenerating facility in the world hassuccessfully begun commercialoperation. The Alamosa Solar Generatingplant, located in the San Luis Valley ofColorado, produces 30 megawatts ofsolar power for use by customers of XcelEnergy’s subsidiary, Public ServiceCompany of Colorado (“PSCo”).

The San Luis Valley was chosen for its’outstanding sunlight characteristics, highelevation and an ability to easily deliverthe solar project’s output to the utilitytransmission system.

The Alamosa Solar project site isapproximately 225 acres and consists ofover 500 dual-axis, pedestal mountedtracker assemblies, each capable ofproducing approximately 60 kW ofelectricity from the sun. Each trackerassembly is 70 feet wide by 50 feet highand contains 7,560 Fresnel lenses thatconcentrate sunlight by a multiple of 500onto multi-junction solar cells developedoriginally as part of the US spaceprogram.

The construction of the facility wascontracted to M.A. Mortenson Co.Tom Bonner, President of Cogentrixstated, “Cogentrix has a long history ofdeveloping, constructing, and operatingpower plants employing a variety oftechnologies. We’re proud of the AlamosaSolar project and we are excited for what


NEWS I ROUNDUP


Solar Junction Receives 5 MW Orderfrom SolFocusSolar Junction, a developer of multi-junction solar energy cells for theconcentrated photovoltaic (CPV) market,has announced an agreement withSolFocus for a 5-megawatt order.

"It is great to see growth in the sales andmanufacturing sides at Solar Junction. It'san indication that, 'technical' innovation insolar, will win the day," said Jim Weldon,CEO of Solar Junction. "Our multi-junctionsolar cell technology provides thepathway to higher efficiency leading tohigher performance for CPV system endusers."

Solar Junction continues to developleading high-efficiency solar cells toenhance the competitiveness ofconcentrated photovoltaics.

An optimized cell directly correlates tomodule performance enhancements anda higher efficiency cell drives LCOEtowards grid parity.

"This order evidences SolFocus'confidence in Solar Junction and its cell

technology, as the companies work tomake CPV cost-competitive andsustainable with quality products," saidBob Legendre, President and COO ofSolFocus.

In March, SolFocus announced a 50megawatt project in Baja California,Mexico. The 50 megawatt project is thefirst tranche of a planned 450 megawattcapacity for the facility. Construction isscheduled to begin in late 2012.

Solar Junction's announcement falls on the heels of a SUNPATH award fromthe Department of Energy. SUNPATH ispart of the DOE's SunShot Program,which aims to increase PV manufacturingin the U.S. through investments intechnologies that are sustainable with competitive cost and highperformance.

Earlier this year, Solar Junction signed amanufacturing agreement with IQE andcontinues on a path to ramp up high-volume manufacturing of its WorldRecord multi-junction solar cell.

Concentrator Opticsraises €3.5 million

ET SOLAR GROUP CORP. (“ET Solar”),has announced completion of twoground-mounted PV power plants inGermany with total installed capacity ofover 9.6 MW.

The plants are both ground mounted andare 4 MW and 5.6 MW by size. They arelocated in Oberröblingen, 100 kilometerswest of Leipzig, and Rätzlingen, 100kilometers from Hamburg respectively. ETSolutions AG, ET Solar’s wholly ownedsubsidiary, performed full engineering,procurement and construction tasks withall PV modules sourced from ET Solar’sChina plant. Mr. Dennis She, Presidentand Chief Executive Officer of ET Solar,commented: “We are very pleased thatour business relationship in the past threeyears has evolved so strongly and welook forward to further growing withWattner with the solid track record wehave built up.”

Mr. Guido Ingwer, Managing Partner ofWattner, added: “Our relationship with ETSolar in the past few years has beenmore than satisfactory and the firm hasreally proven to be an excellent partnerthat provides both strong EPC services.We look forward to working with ET Solarto develop more large scale PV projectsin the future.”

Concentrating photovoltaics is gainingmomentum with an expected industrygrowth exceeding 400 % for the currentyear. Following this trend, ConcentratorOptics raised € 3.5 million in equity, debtand grant financing.

Capricorn Cleantech Fund, Leuven,Belgium, and the German Kreditanstalt fürWiederaufbau (KfW) contributed to theequity raise. The proceeds shall be usedfor installing a 40 MW silicone-on-glasslens production line, for organizationaldevelopment and for fuelling its continuedcommercial growth.

With concentrating photovoltaics (CPV),sunlight is concentrated by factor of 500to 1,200 employing flat Fresnel lenses inorder to generate electricity by using verysmall and highly efficient cells. Thistechnology enjoys rapid growth due tothe double efficiency compared withtraditional photo-voltaic systems in sunny

climates with high direct irradiation levels.Concentrator Optics is one of the fewglobal manufacturers of Fresnel lenses andis the only company to offer lenses in bothPMMA as silicone-on-glass technology.

Dr. Ralf Leutz, co-CEO and one of thefounders of Concentrator Optics,appreciates the capital influx: “CPV is readyfor main-stream and this investment allowsus to accelerate our growth. We deliverproduction lines for many millions of lensparquets to be installed in solar powerplants around the world”.

Paul Decraemer, Head of the CleantechInvestment Practice at Capricorn VenturePartners, ex-plains the investmentrationale: “Concentrator Opticspossesses outstanding know-how indesign and production of Fresnel lensesand is positioned right at the bottleneckof the upcoming CPV industry. Thegrowth of this industry will generate

a high demand for Fresnel lenses and Concentra-tor Optics is ready todeliver”.

Bettina Krüger-Derst, Senior InvestmentManager of the ERP-Startfonds, confirmsthe interest of KfW: “Germany is the birth place for new technologies andengineering solutions addressing climate change. Concentrator Optics is a global innovator in the emerging HCPV market confirming the excellent German track record in renewable energy technologies.”

ET Solar completes9.6 MW plant


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ANALYST I FORECAST


Strong GrowthForecast for PV Equipmentfrom 2013 - 2016Equipment spending by tier 1 PVmanufacturers is poised to resume in2013 with strong double-digit annualgrowth rates forecast out to 2016,according to new research featured in the NPD Solarbuzz PV EquipmentQuarterly report.

This upturn in capacity expansion is being stimulated bythe PV manufacturing shakeout, as uncompetitive

production lines are either being idled, retired or removedfollowing corporate failures.According to Finlay Colville, VicePresident at NPD Solarbuzz, “Capacity taken offline is just onereason why PV equipment suppliers are planning for futuregrowth. Tier 1 manufacturers are also choosing to run existingproduction lines at reduced utilization rates during 2012, whileincreasing the level of outsourced wafers and cells. This ishelping to restore a healthier supply-demand balance to the PVindustry, thereby removing the underlying deterrent holding backthe release of new CapEx.”

PV equipment revenues, (covering c-Si ingot-to-module and thin-film) for Q1’12 fell to $1.75 billion, a 10-quarter low, down 27%Q/Q and 51% Y/Y. However, the CapEx downturn is forecast tofinally bottom-out during Q2’12, following six consecutivequarters of negative growth.

The rebound in spending will be characterized first by new orderintake driven by a select group of tier 1 manufacturers. PositiveQ/Q growth in new orders will emerge in 2H’12, as capacityexpansion plans are revised to address market-share aspirationsfor 2013 and beyond. This will be reflected in PV book-to-billratios that will return above parity during 2H’12.

SolarBuzz v1.qxp 28/5/12 15:22

ANALYST I FORECAST


Equipment Supplier Ranking Shake-up in 2012The severity of the cyclic spending downturn is having adramatic impact on PV equipment suppliers in 2012. Mostleading equipment suppliers are now projected to see Y/Y PV-specific revenue declines in the 60-80% range.

Suppliers that already serve market segments adjacent to PV(semi, display, and LED) have experience in how to managecapital equipment spending cyclicality, so they will be bestpositioned to cope with the PV downturn during 2012. However,equipment suppliers that had aligned their core businessactivities to focus mainly on the PV industry will be particularlyaffected, with further workforce adjustments and negativeoperating margins likely.

“Supplier rankings are undergoing a transition phase in 2012,with significantly less revenues on offer to the PV equipmentsupply chain,” added Colville. “The leading PV equipmentsuppliers during 2012 may be those able to recognize the mostdeferred revenues that were accumulated as PV backlog by theend of 2011, or those already secure as preferred suppliers totier 1 producers adding new capacity during 2012.”

Based purely on trailing-twelve-month PV-specific revenues,Meyer Burger is projected to claim the top-ranked positionamong PV equipment manufacturers during 1H’12, therebyending Applied Materials’ 14-quarter reign that dates back to2008. This ascendency is due in part to Meyer Burgerconsolidating a significant fraction of Roth & Rau’s 2011 PVrevenues during 2H’11 and a very strong deferred backlogaccumulated by the end of 2011.

However, by the end of 2012, GT Advanced Technologies(GTAT) is forecast to emerge as the top PV equipment supplieron a revenue-recognized basis. GTAT is presently the onlyleading PV equipment supplier with a significant PV backlog thatis dominated by CVD reactors for polysilicon expansions, whichhave investment phases that are not directly tied to c-Si ingot-to-module and thin-film spending cycles.

The NPD Solarbuzz PV Equipment Quarterly report enables PVequipment suppliers to navigate spending cycle challenges byidentifying target customers and competitors, equipmentrevenues on offer (down to the key process tool level), and theprecise timing of each PV manufacturer’s fab expansions byquarter through 2016.

Source: NPD Solarbuzz PV Equipment Quarterly

© 2012 Angel Business Communications. Permission required.

SolarBuzz v1.qxp 28/5/12 15:22

PROCESS I IMPROVEMENTS


A new dawn in processimprovements andaccuracy

Demand for solar as an alternative energy sourcehas never been greater. Alternative Energy isgaining wider acceptance globally and thedemand for installations is growing at about 25to 30 percent annually. As technologicaladvancement develops next-generationapplications, there is an increasing need andimportance for solar cell partners to deliver evenhigher-levels of efficiency to manufacturers. By DEK Solar.

DEK Solar is known globally for innovation, leadingthe drive towards increased cell efficiency through

enhanced metallization processes and technologies. DEK Solarhas prioritised reducing the Cost per Watt; enable the printing ofthinner wafers, lower breakage rates and hardware footprintwhile increasing printer utilisation, accuracy, throughput andyield.

One of these innovations, Apollo - a next-generation integratedcell manufacturing metallization platform, was recently launched.DEK Solar’s latest offering has been designed to improveperformance and help manufacturers to meet the futurechallenges of the solar industry.

Apollo is an integrated cell manufacturing system whoseadvanced automated features optimise accuracy for Print-on-Print and Selective Emitter processes and offer customersrepeatability as well as high performance in an industry-leadingsmall footprint, single line configuration.

DEK Solar is committed to developing advanced technologiesand processes that help customers reduce costs and optimisecell efficiency, and the ±10 micron accuracy @ 2 Cpk capability

DEK v2.qxp 28/5/12 09:58



offered by the Apollo platform ensures that this commitment canbe met. Offering exceptional productivity per meter of

floor space the Apollo platform sets the standard inthroughput and flexibility.

Key features of Apollo include:� Breakage rate < 0.15%� 1450 wafers per hour� Single lane, smallest footprint� Optimised for high accuracy such asPoP and SE� Non edge contact wafer transport� Increased process flexibility� MES capability

Featuring topside cameras forfiducial or pattern alignment, andincorporating handling systems,conveyoring, drying equipmentand the ability to integrate directlywith other photovoltaic productionprocesses, Apollo is the

foundation for DEK Solar’s newgeneration of solar cell metallization

solutions.

An innovative in process wafer alignmentsystem has been designed specifically for the

selective emitter, print on print and MWT processwhich delivers exceptional alignment accuracy and

makes these next generation technologies practical. Thestate of the art print engine design delivers the highest level of

print quality through use of its unique closed loop controlsystem and paste delivery systems. Print results are controlledthrough an SPC software suite for optimal performance.

“We developed Apollo with one primary goal – helping ourcustomers to create a more cost efficient production line,” saidDarren Brown, DEK Solar Alternative Energy Global BusinessManager. “Apollo boasts market leading accuracy, increasedcapability and advanced features, and allows us to now offer acomprehensive portfolio of metallization platforms ring fencingthe complete spectrum of PV customers, from entry level startup through to the multi-national cell makers.”

Apollo is the latest addition to DEK Solar’s award winningportfolio including the Eclipse and PV1200+ lines that delivershigh-throughput and maximum cell efficiency.

DEK Solar’s Eclipse platform is a high throughput metallizationtechnology featuring parallel print head procession options tomaximise productive uptime. Its innovative modular designallows manufacturers to easily scale their production to from1200 to 3600 wph to accommodate dynamic productionrequirements. Far ahead of current solar cell metallizationrequirements, the Eclipse platform’s accuracy is imperative for

DEK v2.qxp 28/5/12 09:58



demanding technologies like print-on-print. With next-generationzero-edge-contact handling, advanced vision capabilities andexceptional positional accuracy, Eclipse enables high yieldsilicon cell processing for even the most demanding solarproduction environments. The PV1200+ builds on DEK Solar’sproven platform expertise. It operates at optimal throughput of1450 wph and delivers maximum yield while reducing the totalcost of ownership with its compact design.

In addition to these platforms, DEK Solar has an extensiveshowcase of stencils and screens from its Process SupportProducts division. Known worldwide for its expertise in screenmanufacture, DEK Solar has consistently delivered precisionemulsion screens for multiple applications and photovoltaictechnologies.

Leveraging its precision and accuracy of both the PVP1200+and Eclipse platforms, DEK Solar has developed breakthroughtechnologies such as Print-on-Print that have been breaking cellefficiency records. In a recent independent testing, the Institutefor Solar Energy Research Hamelin (ISFH) achieved a recordvalue of 20.1 percent for the conversion efficiency of screen-

printed silicon solar cells. This was carried out on DEK Solar’sDual Print and Print-on-Print processes, using the highlyaccurate Eclipse screen printing platform and precision screens.In addition, the ISFH confirmed that significant silver savings canbe made using the two processes, with no loss of efficiency.

Over the years, DEK Solar has grown from strength to strengthby leveraging our complete knowledge of the printing process.DEK Solar is the only metallization equipment provider in theindustry with in-house screen and stencil design andmanufacturing expertise. This enables DEK Solar to providecustomers an optimal complete photovoltaic metallizationsolution from screen and stencil design and manufacture, to thedevelopment of award winning solar cell metallization platformsthat boost cell efficiency and reduce total cost of ownership, alldelivering on DEK Solar’s ‘Expect More’ philosophy. DEK Solarserves customers in over 100 countries and support over 20,000platform installations from DEK Solar’s Centers of Excellence inEurope, Asia and the Americas.


In a recent independent testing, the Institute for Solar EnergyResearch Hamelin (ISFH) achieved a record value of 20.1 percent

for the conversion efficiency of screen-printed silicon solar cells.This was carried out on DEK Solar’s Dual Print and Print-on-Print

processes, using the highly accurate Eclipse screen printing platform and precision screens

DEK v2.qxp 28/5/12 09:58

MAXIMUM PROTECTION FOR PV SYSTEMSCX-SERIES: INDUSTRY BEST RATING OF 100A, 600VDC IN A COMPACT 2-POLE CONFIGURATION

This innovative, best in class circuit breaker features hydraulic/magnetic over-current sensing technology providing stable performance even in the harshest environments. Its innovative arc quenching design allows the breaker to handle high amperage and DC voltage applications and it has an industry best rating of 100A, 600VDC in a compact 2-pole configuration!

By specifying the CX-Series breaker into your PV system you are guaranteed maximum protection and efficiency for the life of your equipment.

60 Johnson Avenue • Plainville, CT 06062–[email protected] • www.carlingtech.com

VISIT US ATIntersolar Munich, Germany

June 13-15, 2012 Booth B6.475

SPI Orlando FloridaSeptember 10-13, 2012

Booth 1150

Untitled-1 1 28/05/2012 11:23

MANUFACTURER I GUARANTEES


Protecting the Customer =Protecting the Industry

Worldwide, solar has been the most successful ofrenewable energy technologies, backed by stronggovernment support. With state supports underpressure in many countries, the industry will haveto innovate and cut costs to remain competitive. It will also have to improve its service levels. Panels are designed to last twenty five years buthow can customers be certain they are gettingwhat they pay for, asks Robert Goss, MDConergy UK. With a multitude of manufacturerguarantees, comparing warranty conditions can be confusing.

Conergy v1.qxp 25/5/12 11:02



Of the energy investment classes, solar panelshave until recently been among the safest.

Relatively simple technology backed by the strong governmentsupport in the form of feed-in-tariff gave the technology the auraof a triple-A rating. The high level of government support isunder review in many markets, so attention is turning to quality.What happens now if the technology goes wrong? The solarindustry is young enough that it has had to deal with only a fewcustomer complaints – but these are certain to rise in the futureas installations face the elements in diverse climates. Asgovernment support falls, how can the industry give fullconfidence in their investments?

Under European law, customers of any kind of product areentitled to a two-year warranty as a minimum. If there is a defector fault, the manufacturer must fix it, offer a replacement, orreimburse the customer, who is also able to withdraw from thecontract if the case arises. While these protections are neitherwell known to customers or installers across Europe, they arebacked by a European directive, signed into law at the countrylevel, and well-known to consumer rights advocacy groups.

This guarantee is suitable for most products such as fridges orTVs, which are easily replaceable, or for cars, where a certainamount of maintenance can be expected. Solar modules aredifferent. By and large, maintenance should be non existent, andthe products are sold specifically to provide long-term returns,more comparable with property investment than electricalequipment. Inverters for solar installations typically have five yearguarantees, but most panel manufacturers offer 10-year, or even12-year, product guarantees – much longer than comparableproducts. Under these, the manufacturer warrants that itsmodules will be free from defects relating to their manufacture orthe materials used.

There are often a large number of exclusions that can lead to thewarranty being invalidated, with these varying according to themanufacturer. Take care to read the small print. Typically, thefaulty module must, quite rightly, have been installed accordingto the manufacturer’s instructions. A common, but moreconcerning omission, is the plugs and cables used to connectthe modules. Here, customers are often not protected.

Performance GuaranteesManufacturers also offer what are known as ‘performanceguarantees’, designed to reflect the main driver of purchases–feed-in-tariffs – covering the power output of the modules overa period of time. These fall into two categories: ‘staged’ and‘linear’.

The ‘staged’ variety normally guarantees around 90 percent ofthe nominal or minimum performance during the first 10 years ofinstallation - and 80 percent over the following 15 years. The‘linear’ guarantee tends to be more customer-friendly andensures the customer is protected against reduced performance

Conergy v1.qxp 25/5/12 11:02

www.intersolar.de/pvgroupIn co-operation with

Equipment, Automation, Inspection

Ingots, Wafers, Glass, Consumables

Gases, Chemicals, Materials

June 13–15, 2012

Intersolar Europe Hall A5 and A6 Where PV Meets Manufacturing!Messe München, Germany

AZPVGroup_1.1._end:Layout 1 14.03.12 16:26 Seite 1



in the first year, and any subsequent year, where these exceed acertain percentage. The advantage of the linear guarantee is thatthe customer does not run the risk of falling into a so-called“performance hole” immediately after installation. With thestaged model, the performance guarantee will only be triggeredin the first year if the module performance drops below 90% ofthe nominal or minimum performance level.

Despite the unusually long product and performance guaranteesthat the industry offers, consumer protection groups areincreasingly critical of solar module warranties. In many cases,the terms and conditions are close to incomprehensible tocustomers, to the extent where that they may have been writtento be deliberately confusing. The substantive risk is that costlyconfusion over claims will put people off investing in solar, andthe weaknesses in provisions offered by one supplier, willdamage the reputation of the wider industry – a serious issue inthese challenging times.

Many manufacturer warranties currently require the end-customer to take on all of the ancillary costs, starting withproving to the manufacturer that there is a problem in the firstplace. First customers must pay for the right tests to be carriedout on the faulty panel, either by using an engineer on site or aninstitute that runs standard tests. In the latter case, the modulehas to be removed from the roof and transported to the institute,without any certainty that the damage or defect will beauthenticated. The manufacturer determines without anyindependent oversight whether there is in fact a fault. In practice,results from testing institutes are rarely recognised by themanufacturers, and in some cases even ignored.

Repair or ReplaceIf the manufacturer accepts there is indeed a problem, themodule then has to be sent to the manufacturer, again at thecustomer’s expense. In our globalised world, this can often be inanother country – most often, China or Germany for Europeancustomers. Even if the customer is happy to pay for the modulesto be transported to China, claims there rarely result incompensation. It is not surprising then that many customers giveup at this point.If they decide to proceed, they will find further challenges ahead.Most warranties require the manufacturer to either repair orreplace the module, or to refund the customer – but they get todecide which. If the manufacturer decides to refund the customer – often for nomore than the residual value of the faulty panel – then the

installation will still not produce the amount of power it wasdesigned to produce, and the amount recovered may not covera separate replacement.

If the module is repaired, then the customer should be happy tohave the installation running at the output levels they originallypaid for. But if the manufacturer decides to replace the module,what they offer may not be an exact match for the faulty one – interms of colour or size. In a worst case scenario, there havebeen cases where it was impossible to fit the replacement to theinstallation, and one in which two 185 watt modules were used

If the manufacturer accepts there is indeed a problem, the modulethen has to be sent to the manufacturer, again at the customer’s

expense. In our globalised world, this can often be in another country – most often, China or Germany for European customers

Conergy v1.qxp 25/5/12 11:03



to replace one 240 watt module. The combined power outputmay be greater than the original module, but this shows aclassic lack of understanding of the customer’s problems thatwe must fight against across the industry.

Another example of this is the issue of transferability. Mostmodule guarantees apply to the customer and not the product.This means that if a property owner with a solar installation sellshis or her property, then the warranties are invalidated. Thesame is often true if work is required on the roof of the property,even if solar modules are removed and then re-mountedcorrectly. This is not a problem with most consumer productswhich, as mentioned earlier, tend to have shorter lifespans. Butit’s a very serious issue with modules, where the product is notonly a long-term asset, but becomes a highly visible andsignificant part of the property itself. There are growing concernsthat installations that are not properly protected could impact thesale value of buildings – in some cases, rendering themunsellable.

It is clear then that if a customer has a technical problem withtheir installation, there are multiple challenges for those withouta solid warranty. The various legal loopholes can also take timeto navigate, throughout which output from the installation will bereduced, varying depending on the time of year, but ultimatelyreducing financial returns. This is not a particularly satisfactorysituation for an industry under pressure.

There are three solutions. The first, output insurance,compensates customers in the event of a drop in output, up to acertain percentage. This ensures that customers’ investmentsare protected through any claims process, even in the event ofthe installation ceasing to function altogether. For largerinstallations, in particular, this can represent genuine addedvalue. It is still essential to the small print, as there are oftenmajor differences between materialisation of risk, the precise

modalities of such protections, the amount of cover availableand the excess. The second solution is to have a claims processthat is fit for purpose. Customers should be able to deal with themanufacturer direct for a start. To help the manufacturers,installation data should be registered as soon as the installationis commissioned. This reduces time spent on the hunt for serialnumbers, module types and installation protocols should aproblem arise, and will help the manufacturer resolve thesituation, also reducing its cost exposure.

The third is to improve the warranties on offer. Here, Conergyhas demonstrated leadership by introducing the first solarindustry-specific warranty system, called PremiumPlus. In thiswe offer to bear the costs of testing and replacement up to afixed amount, guarantee a replacement that is the same as theoriginal, agree to accept the opinion of objective testinginstitutes, and allow the transfer of guarantees to third parties.

In fact, it was relatively easy to calculate the risk of a faultoccurring, and to develop guarantees to suit. Our customers arethe big winners, but we know that we will benefit too. Ourdistributors and partner installers are more comfortable, becausethey understand our role in helping protect them in turn fromcustomer claims. This is the kind of virtuous circle of improvedservice our industry would do well to learn from.

It is our industry’s reputation that is on the line here. We believethat an industry that is prepared to back its product claims withsolid warranties that customers can understand, will be farstronger for it. Make no mistake – there are plenty oforganisations out there that will be all too happy to capitalise ona groundswell of popular dissatisfaction if we don’t get ourhouse in order.


Conergy v1.qxp 25/5/12 11:03

India Expo Centre, Greater NoidaNational Capital Region of Delhi, India

7 - 9 November 2012

Solar PV | Solar Thermal | Wind Bio Fuels | Bio Mass | Small Hydro Power

Geothermal | Energy Efficiency

Rajneesh Khattar | +91 98717 26762 | [email protected]

Asia's largest event on renewable energyAsia's largest event on renewable energy

...where inspiration meets aspirations

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REI Ad 2012-UBM_21x29.7cm_4SolarPV.indd 1 2/27/2012 12:22:37 PM

ELECTRICAL I SAFETY


How “Fit forPurpose” areswitches in thephotovoltaicIndustry?

There is a flip side to using photovoltaicenergy supplies in that there is a need touse DC electrical supplies. In a world whereAC based electrical supplies havemonopolised there are a number ofpotential dangers with the more volatile DCcurrents. Kevin McCarthy, ManagingDirector at Katko UK believes there is notenough awareness or reaction to thepotential dangers.

Although growth in the photovoltaic market hascreated an efficient means of generating electricity

in an environmentally friendly way, it has also created apotentially lethal danger - the introduction of powerful DCsupplies into domestic and commercial environments thatpreviously functioned on AC.

The dangerous DC differenceAt 50Hz AC (Alternating Current) the current and voltage passthrough a zero point at 100 times per second. A person touchinga live component will of course receive a nasty shock, butpossibly will be able to withdraw from the component when thesupply goes through the zero point. DC (Direct Current)however, never goes through zero unless it is switched off. A person coming into contact with live parts will be unable towithdraw from it, often with fatal consequences.

Next, consider that the present AC supply in domestic propertiesis 240 V, and sometimes 415 V in commercial environments. TheDC supply from photovoltaics is normally a potentially lethal 500V to 600 V. This is why it is absolutely vital for photovoltaicsuppliers and installers to ensure that ‘Fit for Purpose’ safety

switches are used, and not the cheap options, which could spelldisaster. Price difference between safe, high quality switches andthe cheap alternatives would, on say a £10,000 installation, bearound 0.008%. Quite apart from the vital safety aspects, thepotential labour costs of return site visits to rectify faulty inferiorswitches could make them a costly false economy. How cansuppliers/installers of photovoltaic systems know that a switch is“Fit For Purpose?”

Genuine DC SwitchingThere is a fallacy being generated by some switchmanufacturers that their products are true DC switches and notAC switches which have been de-rated or rewired for DCoperation. This claim is totally untrue.

There are two main switch designs. The first uses a doublebreak contact on a contact bridge, similar to the operation of acontactor. The second method employs a knife-operatedmechanism. Both systems have their pros and cons. A doublebreak system permits increased spring pressure on the contacts,giving better electrical contact and therefore less heat. It is alsoable to switch more quickly to extinguish the arc on breaking.

Katko UK v1.qxp 28/5/12 14:30

ELECTRICAL I SAFETY


The downside is that there is less distance between the pointson breaking. A knife-operated system allows more distancebetween the contacts on breaking, but the downside is thatspring pressure on the contacts is much lower, thus creatingmore heat.

Switch manufacturers have used and still use both designs forAC switches. It is totally untrue, as some switch manufacturersclaim, that AC switches use the double break contact systemand that DC switches use the knife system.

Door /Cover InterlockingTo prevent anybody from unscrewing a cover and gainingaccess to live contacts, standards require there to be a methodof interlocking the door or cover of a switch when it is in the ‘ON’position. While most manufacturers provide this facility, someallow covers to be unscrewed and removed in the ‘ON’ position,and some even allow removal of the switch with the cover - thiscan kill.

Standards also require the facility for fitting a padlock to thehandle in the ‘OFF’ position, to prevent unauthorised personnel

from gaining access. Again, while most manufacturers supplythis facility, some allow the cover, complete with padlock, to beunscrewed and removed. This totally defeats the object of fittinga padlock in the first place, again with potentially fatalconsequences.

Manufacturers arrive at the ratings for their switches by verydifferent routes. Some calculate ratings without testing. Otherstest their products in-house, from where results can bemassaged. The best quality manufacturers have their productstested by completely independent authorised test facilities forratings and compliance with standards.

ConclusionIf you purchase safety switches, you can gain peace of mindand help to drive up standards in the industry simply by askingyour supplier for confirmation of how their products are tested,and requesting copies of test certificates as proof. All reputablemanufacturers will be very happy to oblige.


Katko UK v1.qxp 25/5/12 11:00

REGION I OPPORTUNITY


Clean power and renewableenergy growth in MENA regionSustainability is now firmly on the agenda in the Middle East;with the development of Masdar at the hub of a low carbonfuture, we are continually seeing a shift away from fossil fuelstowards a variety of clean energy and power solutions. Someof the most surprising movements are happening in oil-richcountries such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar. SustainabilityRecruitment Specialists, Allen & York, take a look at the rise in alternative energy projects in the Middle East and the largenumbers of renewable energy job opportunities being created.

Currently, the MENA (Middle East & NorthAfrica)region meets 98% of its energy

requirements through oil and gas, having benefited fromabundant hydrocarbon resources and low costs in the region.However, rising oil prices combined with a greaterunderstanding by the Middle East of the impacts of globalwarming and growing energy demands, brought about by hugeinfrastructure development, have resulted in depleting reservesand a clear need to diversify. Fortunately, the geography andclimate conditions of the MENA region are highly conducive tothe development of renewable energy sources, most notablysolar and wind.

The vast desert is ideal for solar energy, while the Mediterraneanand North African coastlines are highly suitable for wind energyproduction. Allen & York are currently partnering a prestigious

international corporation to source a Vice President for theirAlternative Energy operation which will oversee all renewableenergy projects within the Middle East. As we will discover thisis an exciting opportunity as the region is beginning to exploit itsnatural resources; the sun, sea and land mass.

Solar EnergyWith average daily sunlight exceeding 8.8 hours in the MiddleEast, limited rainfall and abundant land space there are optimumphysical resources for the construction of large scale solarpower plants. Recent solar energy projects include Desertec,designed to enable the use of solar energy and wind, in desertsworldwide. Morocco, the only North African nation without oilresources, is a promising site for solar power because of itsabundant sunshine combined with its government’s eagernessto embrace solar energy.

MENA v1.qxp 25/5/12 11:16

REGION I OPPORTUNITY


In 2009 Morocco unveiled a US $9 billion plan to build five solarplants that would produce 2,000 megawatts of electricity,enough to power Morocco’s largest city, Casablanca.Furthermore (according to the Moroccan government) thesesolar farms could produce more than a third of the nation’scapacity by 2020.

This project was the first step in the Desertec plan and is nowwell on the way to ensuring they have the best team of solarprofessionals on board to ensure the farm is completed by 2015, when it is expected that the site could feed 340 MW eachday to Spain.

Furthermore, the combination of all the planned Desertecprojects could generate up to 15% of Europe’s electricity by2050. With the increase of such solar projects in the MENA

region, Allen & York are seeing an increased demand forrenewable energy professionals to support the development ofsolar farms and solar thermal power plant.

Onshore & Offshore Wind Power Wind Energy within the MENA region grew 38% in 2009according to The Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) andthere are encouraging signs for wind power development in theMENA region in the coming years. Masdar intends to build a 20-30MW wind farm on Sir Bani Yas Island off the western coast ofAbu Dhabi. In North Africa, the expansion of wind powercontinues in Morocco, Egypt and Tunisia; Egypt not only sawthe largest addition of new capacity in 2010 (120 MW), bringingthe total up to 550 MW, but also continues to lead the regionwith the government setting ambitious targets of 20% of totalelectricity produced from renewable energy sources by 2020.

Combined Cycle PowerAnother primary clean energy source for the MENA region isCombined Cycle Power (CCP); in fact the world’s first integratedrenewable energy combined cycle power plant (CCPP) is beingbuilt in Turkey, by General Electric and eSolar. The design of thepower plant integrates a traditional combined cycle plant withwind and solar energy, allowing it to generate electricity withmuch greater efficiency. The Karaman plant, due to startrunning in 2015, will have a capacity of approximately 530megawatts which is enough to power over 600,000 Turkishhomes.

The CCP Plant in Turkey will convert 69% of all the natural gas itconsumes into electricity compared with most natural gas plantsthat convert no more than 50%. Following in Turkey’s footstepsis Saudi Arabia, which has announced plans to construct theworld’s largest CCPP, which will provide enough energy to meetapproximately one tenth of the country’s current power demand.

Renewable Energy Career OpportunitiesAs we can see, the region’s fast-growing power demand is beingincreasingly met with the aid of advanced technologies withinthe renewable energy portfolio; Solar, Wind and CCPP powerplants are enabling the Middle East to realise a more sustainableenergy production model for the future.


This project was the first step in theDesertec plan and is now well on

the way to ensuring they have thebest team of solar professionalson board to ensure the farm iscompleted by 2015, when it is

expected that the site could feed340 MW of power each day

MENA v1.qxp 25/5/12 11:16

www.solarmax.com

Connect to the net with SolarMax!Solar plants are just like football: only the result counts. And the inverter is the champion that can make the difference.

SolarMax has been developing and marketing grid-connected solar inverters for more than 20 years. We provide top-class Swiss Quality: Our products stand out through optimum ef� ciency, maximum yields and absolute reliability. In addition, our Service Center will support and advise you throughout the entire life span of your plant.

Go for the champions. Get SolarMax on your team.

Maximise your results

Hall C4 I Booth 110

Untitled-2 1 25/05/2012 10:56

PRODUCT I NEWS


New SolarMax MT inverterThe new SolarMax 8MT2 string inverter specifically developed for smallerPV plants will be presented for the first time at Intersolar Europe 2012.

The Swiss inverter manufacturer Sputnik Engineeringcomplements its successful SolarMax MT series by adding thenew 8MT2 string inverter with an output power of 8kW. Thethree-phase inverter is particularly suitable for flexible use in thefield for detached houses and multiple dwellings.

The SolarMax MT series now offers a comprehensive portfoliothat can be used to perfectly implement both small domesticplants and decentralised large-scale plants. The MT rangecomprises four MT2 models (8, 10, 13, and 15kW output) withtwo MPP trackers in each case; thetwo MT3 inverters (13 and 15kW)with three MPP trackers in each casecomplete the MT family.

For private domestic plants, themodule strings must often bedistributed in an asymmetricalmanner due to multiple orientationroofs. This normally results in onelarge and one or several smallmodule fields. Quite often, moduleareas are also partially shadowed byroof architecture or antennae. Thenew 8MT2 stands out from the otherinverters of the MT series due to thefact that its two trackers are designedasymmetrically. This way, for example,the tracker with the higher inputcurrent can be connected to a largesolar generator with uniformly orientedmodules thus optimising the mainyield of the plant. For this, there aretwo string connections. The secondtracker with only one stringconnection is used for smallermodule fields and/ormodule fields thatare partiallyshaded ororientateddifferently.

“At the beginning of 2012 we already presented three MT2inverter models first and foremost standing the test fordecentralised commercial and industrial large-scale plants withhomogeneous solar generator,” says Olaf Geistlinger, seniorProduct Manager for the SolarMax string inverters.

“However, since private PV plants normally must meet differentrequirements, the new 8MT2 offers the tried and testedperformance of the MT series paired with high levels of flexibility,as required by the design of plants on detached houses and

multiple dwellings.”

The light and compact design, aswell as the easily accessibleconnections allow for quick andsimple installation. With highefficiencies of up to 98%, the MTseries stands for the highest SwissQuality and is based on more than20 years of experience in the fieldsof inverter development andmanufacture.

The SolarMax MT inverters meet allcurrently applicable standards andgrid connection directives and,thus, are suitable for use innumerous European and non-European countries. The 8MT2 isparticularly suitable for use inEuropean countries such asGermany, Italy, France, Austria, orSwitzerland and will provisionallybe available in the 3rd quarter of2012.

For more informationabout the SolarMaxMT series from 13-15 June at theIntersolar in hall C4 /booth 110.

Sputnik Solar Max v1.qxp 28/5/12 10:25

Nominations for The Solar Industry Awards 2012 are NOW open.

This year it could be YOU!

www.solar-international.net/awards


Solar Awards 2012 v1.qxp 28/5/12 14:57

The photovoltaic market is one where growth andopportunity remains high, the last few years has seenenough investment and research impetus to ensurethere is ample opportunity for companies that candemonstrate technological development towards gridparity while reducing overall cost.

The growth of the PV market has been driven bynecessity as the world comes to grips with adwindling supply of fossil based fuels to meet thegrowing global appetite for energy. In this highlycompetitive environment, which products, processand people will provide that creative ingenuity?

The Solar Industry Awards 2012 will recognise thewhole value chain and those people, products andservices that will develop innovative manufacturingand product approaches that have the potential tochange the way we live.

If you believe your product or process is innovativeor best in class and should be recognised globally,you should enter the Awards.

Now in its 4th year, the Solar Industry Awards remainthe only global awards which recognise the wholevalue chain of the solar PV community worldwide.


Solar Awards 2012 v1.qxp 28/5/12 14:57

For outdoor mounting thanks to closed electronics compartment

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The SunMaster CS range:Maximise your yield

Choosing the right inverter has never been easier now that the Mastervolt SunMaster

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Choose for a conversion result of up to 98% and minimal system losses in a compact and

robust design that suits all available PV panels and is easy to install. Visit Mastervolt at

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Your search for the ideal inverter is over

Optima Cooling for eff icient operation on cool and warm days

Clear information display with 10 year

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mounting thanks to closed electronics mounting thanks to closed electronics mounting thanks

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SunMaster CS A4.indd 1 21-05-12 09:48

ADVERTORIAL


PV power plant with 80 Mastervoltinverters on the Isle of Wight One of the Isle of Wight’s largest solar power plants near Newport is completed

THE ISLE OF WIGHT, located off the southern coast of Britain,has few conventional power plants and also receives itselectricity from the main land. So the new solar power plant willmake a valuable contribution in supplying the electricity grid onthe island. The ground mount installation with an output of 1.6MWp consists of 80 strings with 88 solar modules each. Eachstring is equipped with a SunMaster CS20 inverter fromMastervolt. This makes the plant one of the largest systems withstring inverters in Britain.

“The Isle of Wight has long been an important location forMastervolt: Many of the yachts cruising the magnificent sailingresorts around the island use our independent power supplysystems. After all, Mastervolt is theglobal market leader for these systems.Being able to implement our largestBritish photovoltaic project to date onthe Isle of Wight makes us particularlyproud,” says David Craig, GeneralManager, Mastervolt UK and Ireland.

The solar power plant has its own33,000V transformer for grid feed-in.The plant was planned and constructedwith Mastervolt’s support. Even thoughplants of this size often use centralinverters, the plant owner opted for

string inverters to provide high availability and redundancy in thedesign. This decision was driven by the high efficiency of theSunMaster CS20, the IP65 housing for weather-resistant open-airmounting and its suitability for the LDK solar modules used.

About Mastervolt Headquartered in Amsterdam, Netherlands, MastervoltInternational BV has been specialising in the development andproduction of inverters and grid-independent power supplysystems for solar, marine and automotive applications since1993. Mastervolt has seven offices across Europe, the UnitedStates and Asia, and sells its products in more than 60countries. From January 2011, Mastervolt became

a subsidiary of Actuant, a globallyoperating technology consortium.

About the Isle of WightThe Isle of Wight is an island off theSouth coast of England. The popularholiday destination boasts scenic hikingpaths and one of the world’s mostfamous sailing resorts off the city ofCowes.

Additionally, the Isle of Wight Festivalattracts more than 50,000 visitors every year.

MasterVolt v1.qxp 28/5/12 09:26

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SUNNYSIDE I UP


Editor-in-Chief David RidsdaleT: +44 (0)1923 690210 E: [email protected] of Solar & IC Publishing: Jackie CannonT: +44 (0)1923 690205 E: [email protected] Account Manager: Shehzad Munshi T: +44 (0)1923 690215 E: [email protected] of Logistics: Sharon Cowley T: +44 (0)1923 690200 E: [email protected] Design & Production Manager: Mitchell Gaynor T: +44 (0)1923 690214 E: [email protected] Subscriptions Manager: Debbie Higham T: +44 (0)1923 690220 E: [email protected]

Published by: Angel Business Communications Ltd(London Office). Hannay House, 39 Clarendon Road,Watford, Herts WD17 1JA, UK

USA Representatives: Tom Brun, Tom Brun MediaT: 724 539-2404, E: [email protected] Jenkins, Tom Brun Media.T: 724 929-3550, E: [email protected]

Japan Representative: Katsuhiro Ishii, Ace MediaService Inc., T: 81-3-5691-3335, E:[email protected] Representative: Parker XU, Unionbandy Limited,T: 86-755-83753881, E: [email protected]

Directors:Bill Dunlop Uprichard – CEO Stephen Whitehurst – COOJan Smoothy – CFO Jackie Cannon, Scott Adams, Sharon Cowley,Sukhi Bhadal

Registered Office:Angel Business Communications Ltd (Coventry) Registration Number: 1972952

Solar is published ten times a year on a controlled circulation basis. Non-qualifying individuals can subscribe at: £110.00 (UK & Europe), $140 pa (USA). Cover price £5.50. All informationherein is believed to be correct at time of going to press. The publisher does not accept responsibility for any errors and omissions. The views expressed in this publication are notnecessarily those of the publisher. Every effort has been made to obtain copyright permission for the material contained in this publication. Angel Business Communications Ltd will behappy to acknowledge any copyright oversights in a subsequent issue of the publication. Angel Business Communications Ltd © Copyright 2012. All rights reserved. Contents may not bereproduced in whole or part without the written consent of the publishers. The paper used within this magazine is produced by chain of custody certified manufacturers, guaranteeingsustainable sourcing. Printed by: Pensord Press Ltd. ISSN (Print) 2040-8714 (Online) 2040-8722. © 2012.

Solar energy assures bright future for charity

A charity that supports families following the loss ofa child is benefiting from a solar energy systemdonated by the South West’s leading renewableenergy specialist. The Rainbow Centre providescounselling and therapy to children and theirfamilies affected by bereavement, life-threateningillness and cancer. It has been chosen as the firstUK charity partner by Solarsense, the Backwell-based company that has installed renewableenergy systems everywhere from Bristol Zoo to theGlastonbury Festival site.

The company has just fitted nine solar photovoltaicpanels on the Rainbow Centre’s roof at LilymeadAvenue, Bristol. The solar array, which will generateover 2,000 kilowatt hours every year, will not onlycut the charity’s electricity bills by about a third but also earn itmoney through the Feed-In Tariff incentive.

Centre director Angela Emms said: “The solar panels havegenerated more than 200 kilowatt hours of free electricity in theirfirst month and earned us about £45 through the Feed-In Tariff.That’s enough to pay for one and a half sessions one-to-onewith a counsellor or therapist for a child or parent.”

Jenny Stanley Smith, Charity Project Co-ordinator forSolarsense, said: “We are delighted to have been able tosupport the wonderful work of The Rainbow Centre by installing

free solar panels and look forward to helping the charity in otherways.”

Solarsense also supports a number of other charitable projectsincluding a Bristol-based charity working in Africa, For-Ethiopia.Three volunteers from Solarsense spent two weeks installingsolar PV panels and vaccine fridges for the charity at healthposts in a remote area. The solar-powered fridges safely storevaccines for immunising children against potentially fataldiseases such as tuberculosis, polio, tetanus and diphtheria.

SunnySideUp v1.qxp 28/5/12 10:21

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