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July 2011
Oser Communications Group
HENKEL CORP: GLOBAL LEADER IN ADHESIVES, SEALANTS & TREATMENTS
NORDSON EFD: WORLD SPARQ SYSTEMS, INC. LAUNCHES PV CLEANTECH LEADER IN PRECISION DISPARTNERSHIP WITH SANMINA PENSING SYSTEMS
Joseph DeBiase, Senior Vice President & General Manager, Henkel Adhesive Technologies, Engineered Adhesives and Surface Solutions talks about his company.
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THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT FOR JETION SOLAR USA
AEN: Tell our readers a little about
SPARQ Systems, Inc., a Canadian global provider of solar microinverters, is pleased to announce that it has partnered with Sanmina SCI Corp. (Nasdaq: SANM), a
Our Technology Nordson EFD is the world’s leading manufacturer of precision dispensing systems for applying controlled amounts of the solder pastes, fluxes, sealants and other fluids used in photovoltaic manufacturing and other industrial assembly processes.
Jetion Solar USA has opened a facility in Charlotte, N.C. The company is owned and operated by Jetion Solar China Ltd., a multinational manufacturer of PV solar modules. It is the company’s first effort to serve the U.S. market as a stand-alone operation. In a facility of
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FIVE TIPS TO MAXIMIZE SOLAR YIELD WITH METEOCONTROL
By Benjamin Compton, COO & VP of Commercial Operations at meteocontrol North America, one of the world’s most innovative and influential leaders in solar performance.
Today’s
solar
dealmakers
REFU SOLAR ELECTRONICS, INC. INTERVIEW
(banks,
Continued on Page 36
Alternative Energy News caught up with Alan Beale, Vice President of Sales & Marketing for REFU Solar Electronics, Inc., the North American subsidiary of REFUsol GmbH, a PV inverter manufacturer making waves with its long-awaited entry to the North American market. Continued on Page 33
New solar microinverter design significantly increases product lifespan and reliability.
AETI: LEADING THE WAY IN SOLAR POWER DELIVERY SOLUTIONS Charles Dauber, CEO of American Electric Technologies, shares with Alternative Energy News about his company.
AEN: What types of solar solutions does American Electric Technologies offer?
HERAEUS PRECIOUS METALS IMPACTING THE PHOTOVOLTAIC INDUSTRY
Continued on Page 41
Andy London, Global Business Unit Manager at Heraeus, details his company’s impact on the solar industry.
AEN: Tell our readers a little about Heraeus and your photovoltaics business.
Continued on Page 28
TIGO ENERGYʼS MAXIMIZER PRODUCTS IMPACTING THE GLOBAL SOLAR MARKET Sam Arditi, CEO of Tigo Energy, on what it takes to win with module maximizing technologies.
AEN: After formally announcing your Maximizer products at Intersolar last year, how has the market reception been?
GLOBAL SOLAR ENERGYʼS INNOVATION: MORE SOLAR POWER PER ROOF
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Jean-Noel Poirier, Senior Vice President of Marketing & Business Development for Global Solar Energy, discusses his company’s latest product offering for the solar industry.
AEN: Tell our readers about Global Continued on Page 28
FLEXLINK LEADS THE WAY IN GLOBAL PRODUCTION LOGISTICS SOLUTIONS
Bill Thomas and Will Hunter of FlexLink discuss what their company brings to the solar power marketplace.
AEN: Describe your company and target end users.
HISCO INC.: PREMIER NORTH AMERICAN DISTRIBUTOR FOR SOLAR INDUSTRY Continued on Page 33
Bob Dill, President of Hisco Inc., explains his company’s supply chain contribution.
AEN: Tell our readers a little about your company. What’s your main line of business? Continued on Page 20
ENTEGRIS EXPLAINS HOW MATERIALS ALLOW HIGH TEMPERATURE PROCESSES TO DO MORE 4
July 2011
Reducing chemical usage, reducing silicon cost, reducing process times—we often become focused on doing more with less, especially as the photovoltaic industry pushes to achieve economic parity with competitive energy sources. Original equipment manufacturers are faced with the challenge of designing systems which meet process requirements while minimizing operating costs. For high temperature processes, the selection of appropriate materials for equipment construction is fundamental to the overall equipment capability. This also influences operating cost. High temperature processes such as diffusion processes, plasma-enhanced chemical
vapor deposition, direct vapor deposition or metal organics require the use of special material capabilities which meet the stringent temperature and operating requirements. Entegris, Inc.’s POCO® materials provide a wide range of high-performance materials for meeting the demanding needs of many photovoltaic applications. Leading in its performance properties for purity, uniformity and strength, POCO graphite provides flexural strength up to 13,000 ksi and electrical resistivity as low as 1350 ohm cm. Graphite is also widely used in many industries from steel making to aerospace applications. To fit demanding applications, Entegris makes
OAIʼS SOLAR SIMULATORS
OAI President Dr. Charles Turk discusses his company’s efforts in the field of solar simulator and I-V tester manufacture.
AEN: Dr. Turk, OAI Solar Simulator and I-V tester sales continue to increase. Can you tell us why this has been such a good
business for OAI?
CT: For almost 40 years, OAI has been a leader in the generation, control and measurement of light. We are well known in the semiconductor, MEM’s, sensor, and biosensor industries. We have taken our expertise in controlling light and applied
Alter native Energy News a range of graphite types, but has developed specific grades for the photovoltaic industry to meet application-specific requirements for thermal/electrical conductivity, metallic purity, structural strength and process compatibility. Entegris designs custom solutions and offers a range of coatings to enhance chemical compatibility specifically developed for photovoltaic applications. In addition to graphite, Entegris also provides silicon carbide— SUPERSiC®—materials where process requirements need high strength and resistance to oxidation. Entegris’ SUPERSiC materials are produced through a conversion process of POCO graphite which enables material properties that are not achievable by other materials. This process also allows for the construction of complex geometries, which is often cost-prohibitive using other technologies relying on post production machining. For more information, please visit Entegris at booth 5723 and www.entegris .com, or call 800-394-4083. it to solar simulation and I-V testing. With this expertise behind our product development, we have produced reliable, precision systems that have been very well received in the PV/Solar industry.
AEN: Solar simulation and test is a very competitive field. What distinguishes OAI’s products? Continued on Page 28
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Alternative Energy News is published by Oser Communications Group ©2011 All rights reserved. Executive and editorial offices at: 1877 N. Kolb Road, Tucson, AZ 85715 520-721-1300/Fax: 520-721-6300 www.oser.com European offices located at Lungarno Benvenuto Cellini, 11, 50125 Florence, Italy.
SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC TO SHOWCASE SOLAR SOLUTIONS AT INTERSOLAR NORTH AMERICA 12
July 2011
Schneider Electric will present full solar solutions at Intersolar North America in booth 7510. The renewable energies business of Schneider Electric is focused on designing and developing photovoltaic products and solutions and providing best-in-class, global customer service and technical support. Schneider Electric provides the full solution from the panel DC output to the grid connection, including monitoring and supervision. Among the products displayed will be the new Xantrex XC 1000 Vdc inverter, which will be available for shipment in early 2012. The XC Series is a new line of central inverters designed for high efficiency and flexibility for any PV panel type and installation. The XC series has peak efficiencies of 98.7 percent and its flexibility allows the inverter to be configured with voltage and power outputs up to 680 kVA. In addition, the XC series is designed to allow for DC inputs up to 1000 Vdc for longer string lengths. Other products at the booth will include: • Conext™ Series Grid Tie Solar Inverters, a new line of single- and small three-phase inverters, featuring models ranging from 1.5 to 20 kW; • Schneider Electric™ Xantrex™ XW MPPT 80 600 Solar Charge Controller, which accepts voltages up to 600VDC and tracks the maximum power point of a PV array to efficiently deliver up to 80 A of charge current to storage batteries in
Alter native Energy News
24 V or 48 V systems; • Schneider Electric Xantrex GT30 GridTie Solar Inverter, a three-phase inverter that delivers 120/208 Vac out of the box and can be used as a building block for larger systems, and • PV Box, a pre-wired equipment package specifically designed to meet the growing demand of a large-scale gridtied solar farms and large commercial installations.
About Schneider Electric As a global specialist in energy management with operations in more than 100 countries, Schneider Electric offers integrated solutions across multiple market segments, including leadership positions in energy and infrastructure, industrial processes, building automation and data centres/networks, as well as a broad presence in residential applications. Focused on making energy safe, reliable and efficient, the company’s 110,000 plus employees achieved sales of 19.6 billion euros in 2010, through an active commitment to help individuals and organizations “Make the most of their energy.” Visit www.schneider-electric.com for more information.
ANGSTROM SCIENCESʼ PLANAR MAGNETRON CATHODE INNOVATES PV INDUSTRY The patented profiled magnet design in Angstrom Science’s planar magnetron cathode optimizes the shape of the magnetic field, which increases thin film uniformity and improves target utilization. Now, Angstrom Sciences has developed a new magnetic retrofit to improve rotating cylindrical magnetron performance by, literally, putting a new spin on old technology. By taking advantage of its profiled magnet design, Angstrom Sciences has improved the rotating cylindrical magnetron’s performance, creating a deposition profile that is closer to normal between the source and the substrate. The improved deposition profile offers reduced debris accumulation on the chamber walls. Further, to this inherent power savings, the Angstrom Sciences magnet array offers a higher magnetic field intensity, which provides the opportunity to run the sputtering process at lower power to achieve typical deposition rates. The new patent-pending technology is designed to maximize existing cylin-
drical magnetron performance and throughput. Customer testing sees a power savings as high as 20 percent for manufacturers using this new technology. Also, Angstrom Sciences can provide both cantilever and drop-in rotating cylindrical magnetrons, incorporating the same magnetic technology combined with: • An optimized electrical brush design to deliver high power while avoiding arcing as well as reduced brush wear and debris. • An NW50 type quick-connect water-to-vacuum seal for quick target changes, shorter down times and increased production. • A universal and cost-effective magnet design with customized turnarounds and two adjustments to dial in uniformity. • A lightweight, easily-serviced product with many off-the-shelf components for low-cost, long-term investment. For more information, please visit Angstrom Sciences at booth 9212 and and www.angstromsciences.com.
AIR LIQUIDE: PARISIAN GAS MANUFACTURER IS A GLOBAL LEADER Alter native Energy News
Chris Ryan, Vice President, Sales & Marketing of Air Liquide Electronics U.S. LP details why his company is a global leader in gases. AEN: Tell our readers a little about your company and what makes your company unique?
CR: Air Liquide is the world leader in gases for industry, health and the environment. Based out of Paris, France, we are present in 80 countries around the world and have more than 43,600 employees. 2010 annual sales revenue was €13.5 billion.
Air Liquide is unique in the industry because of our ability to provide a full range of products and services, including turnkey project management for our cus-
tomers. Our integrated offering of gases, chemicals, related application equipment along with engineering, construction, onsite operations management services and analytical services allow us to fully support the needs of our customers.
AEN: Describe your current customer support strategy.
CR: Our current strategy is to provide our customers with value-added, fully integrated process materials and services that allow them to scale up and grow their business through achieving their target efficiencies, lower their cost per watt, and increase their yield at all levels of scaling up in their process lines.
AEN: What is the nature of your
HUETTINGER ELECTRONIC, INC.ʼS NEW AND IMPROVED TRUEPLASMA RF SERIES 1000
Cost-efficient manufacturing processes that produce high-efficiency solar cells: These are challenges that must be met by generators for film deposition in the production of solar cells. At Intersolar North America, HUETTINGER Electronic is presenting the TruPlasma RF Series 1000, which now offers even more advantages: The high frequency power supplies have been technically improved and now provide even higher output stability. The new power supplies have been available since March 2011. Application spectrum expanded in several models Currently available in the TruPlasma RF Series 1000: The TruPlasma RF 1003 high
frequency generator. With a frequency of 13.56 megahertz, it produces an output power of three kilowatts and is particularly well-suited for plasma applications in semiconductor and solar cell production. For the demanding coating and etching processes in these industries, the power supply delivers the necessary processing energy with a high level of accuracy and reproducibility. To carry out these processes with lower power consumption, HUETTINGER has now improved this product family: The TruPlasma RF 1001 and the TruPlasma RF 1002 now supply users with power supplies of one and two kilowatt power outputs. These generators help to keep plant expenses down because they cost less to purchase and operate.
FAST & HIGHLY RELIABLE MULTI-PURPOSE PROCESS CONTROL SPECTROMETER SYSTEM FROM TEC5USA
Optical metrology is a major tool to control the manufacturing of solar cells. Whether the concentration of acids has to be monitored or the coating thickness of a finishing layer has to be controlled, the MultiSpec spectrometer system can handle most spectroscopic applications. Cassettebased, the spectrometer and light source units can be selected over a wide range in accordance to the actual demand, from 190nm up to 2200nm. An example is a Deuterium-Halogen shine-through lamp in combination with a UV-VIS and a special NIR module. The electronics and driver merge the spectral data. For the individual application, various measurement heads can be easily connected to the spectrometer
system by fiber-optic light guides. For measurements in liquids, a wide range of immersion probes is readily available. And a specially designed RTP head can handle the acquisition of reflectivity and transmission data even simultaneously. The used spectrometer modules are maintenance free, i.e. the wavelength is permanently calibrated. Even minor changes in spectral behavior can be detected. Only the light Continued on Page 33
July 2011
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distribution and how do you handle sales?
CR: Our distribution is managed by a trained, centralized logistics team managing product distribution out of our strategically positioned product manufacturing sites and stocking depots across the country. The distribution fleet runs routine or rush deliveries between these product sources and our customers. We handle sales through our PV Sales team managing a dedicated geographical region supported by the corporate marketing and business development teams. An experienced product management team assists the sales organization with strategic product sourcing and logistics for successful account development.
AEN: To what do you attribute your company’s success?
CR: We attribute our success to o ur business philosophies based on four key pillars: (1) A partnership approach
Extra communications interface makes integration easier HUETTINGER has also equipped the new and improved TruPlasma RF Series 1000 with an extra communications interface. As an alternative to the previous RS232/485 interface, the process power supply now also comes with a PROFIBUS connection. This means that the generators can now be fully used on the European market. Thanks to the new interface and its very compact size, the power supplies can be integrated into the machines easily and economically.
Improved output power stability For the TruPlasma RF Series 1000 to better meet the demands of the semicon-
where we develop close, long-term relationships with our partners and customers; (2) Continued efforts to enlarge our offering by finding innovative and customized solutions, technologies, equipment and services that offer value to our customers; (3) R&D resources dedicated towards improving efficiency and lowering manufacturing costs; (4) A Global PV Team Approach that draws on the knowledge of the Air Liquide Group across the world, allowing us to support our customers’ local needs through a global and local presence. For more information, please email Info.Electronics-US@airliquide.com, visit www.airliquide.com or stop by booth 9347.
ductor manufacturing industry, HUETTINGER has considerably improved the stability of the output power. The processing of the filigree structures of semiconductors makes accurate control of the power supply critical. The machine’s output power has to be able to be measured and controlled precisely. To guarantee this at a higher load, HUETTINGER implemented a higher signal processing resolution in the machine’s control system. This means that the measuring instruments in the power supply can facilitate more accurate recording of the output power generated and the exact results reported back to the control systems. By that, the control system can readjust the output power reliably and precisely at any time and adapt to the target value. Stable processes and optimal process results are the outcome. For more information about HUETTINGER Electronic, Inc., please stop by booth 5321, call 800-910-0035 or email info@us.huettinger.com.
AZTEC WASHER COMPANY FUSES QUALITY, SERVICE, PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
Founded with the mission to provide premium products and drive down costs to customers, Aztec Washer Company Inc. has succeeded in producing quality lines of pipe flashing and bonded washers matched with unsurpassed customer service. Having served the HVAC and construction industries for 40 years, and most recently taking the solar industry by storm, Aztec possesses a well-built reputation for competitive dependability. An in-house lab provides top-rate compounds for the 11 styles of Master Flash® currently available, plus the ability to develop apt products to meet evolving demands of the market. With a 20-year warranty as a standard for all Aztec Master Flash products, the IAPMO certified/UPC listed products are suitable for use with double-wall heated pipes—also known as type-b vents—as well as many other applica-
tions. Their parts are nothing short of exceptional, indicated by an ISO 9001 certification and customer satisfaction around the globe. The unique qualifications of products along with commitment and loyalty to customers set Aztec apart Continued on Page 36
TÜV SÜD AMERICA AND RETC LLC PROVIDE PV TESTING AND CERTIFICATION SERVICES 20
July 2011
About TÜV SÜD America Inc. TÜV SÜD America Inc., a subsidiary of TÜV SÜD AG, Munich, Germany, is a leading globally recognized testing and certification organization. TÜV SÜD’s Testing Division offers electrical and mechanical product safety, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) testing, environmental testing, NRTL and SCC certification, CE marking assistance, restricted substance services and international compliance services. TÜV SÜD America is a European Union (EU) Notified and Competent Body for a number of EU directives, and also provides SEMI equipment manufacturers a full suite of services including third-party evaluations to SEMI industry guidelines SEMI S2, S8, S10, S14, S22, field evaluations, CE marking assistance, compliance to potentially explosive atmospheres directive (ATEX), electrical,
Hisco (Con’t. from p. 1)
BD: Hisco is the leading distributor of materials for the North American photovoltaic industry. We have 33 stocking locations throughout the U.S.A., Mexico and Canada. Our vendor partners include trusted brands like 3M, Henkel-Loctite, Momentive Performance Materials, Hosiden, alpha metals, Bixby and others.
AEN: What would you say makes Hisco unique?
BD: Our unrivaled commitment to the solar industry makes Hisco unique. We have invested in 40 certified solar specialists to provide local support to our customers in the U.S.A., Mexico and Canada. No other distributor can match that. AEN: Are you introducing any new products? Jetion Solar USA (Con’t. from p. 1)
over 20,000 square feet, the company will be the final point of assembly for Agrade PV solar modules ready for final installation. Along with assembly, the U.S. team will also warehouse, sell, deliver and service the company’s product line as it is brought to the market place. “We are very excited to introduce one of the world’s leading solar module manufacturers to the U.S. market,” says Juergen Fehr, president of Jetion Solar USA. He continues, “Timing is every-
the four existing TÜV organizations. The acronym TÜV, Technischer Überwachungsverein, translates into English as “Technical Inspection Association.” In Germany, there are four “TÜVs”—TÜV SÜD AG is the largest of the TÜV organizations (TÜV Rheinland group, TÜV Nord group and TÜV Saarland are competitors). TÜV SÜD AG, the largest of the TÜVs, offers a much wider range of benefits beyond inspection as a global, third party services provider for a variety of industries.
mechanical and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) testing and certification. TÜV SÜD’s Auditing Division provides management system certification services to ISO 9001, ISO 14001, AS9100, AS9120, ISO 13485, TL 9000, Safe Quality Food (SQF), ISO 22000 and more. The company’s Industry Division offers a full suite of services for pressure equipment manufacturers and materials producers exporting products to the European Community. Globally, TÜV SÜD has more than $1.5 billion sales and more than 15,000 skilled employees who proactively gained more than 150,000 product certifications and 35,000 management systems certifications at more than 600 locations worldwide. The three letters “TÜV” have high name recognition, and as a protected trademark, the TÜV registered mark (TÜV®) is the shared name of
About TÜV SÜD America and Renewable Energy Test Center LLC (RETC LLC) In mid-2009, TÜV SÜD America and Renewable Energy Test Center LLC of Fremont, Calif. established a cooperative agreement to provide photovoltaic testing and certification services from a newly designed 26,000 sq. ft., state-ofthe-art PV testing laboratory in the heart of the Silicon Valley. Leveraging on RETC’s vast experience in equipment design and fabrication, process development, PV testing and quality standards in just a brief three-months after the
System™ at facilities generating, in aggregate of 35MWs of power. Baja will custom design, engineer, supply and install Solar
Support Systems to support PV and secondarily, shade vehicles of all heights. PV is mounted directly to Baja’s Solar Support System with a patent-pending connection that delivers minimal impact to the site, maximum efficiencies for installation and the potential for additional revenue. For more information, email bob@bajacarports.com, visit www.baja carports.com or stop by booth 7051.
BD: Always! Hisco continuously brings leading edge products to the marketplace. Some examples include new junction boxes and connectors, tapes, adhesives and encapsulants.
customer of more than $58,000. Those are customer-verified, documented savings. We are very proud of this and I think it speaks to our commitment to our customers.
BAJAʼS SOLAR SUPPORT SYSTEM— DESIGNED FROM A CARPORT BUT ENGINEERED FOR THE SUN
Baja Construction, the leader in highly specialized and engineered solar support structures has installed its Solar Support
Alter native Energy News
AEN: How does Hisco help PV customers reduce their manufacturing costs?
BD: Reducing cost for our customers is in the Hisco DNA. We provide supply chain optimization, vendor consolidation, local stocking, vendor managed inventory ... the list goes on and on. However, it’s all smoke and mirrors unless we can quantify the value we bring. Our Documented Cost Savings program provides customers with hard data regarding the amount Hisco has saved them. In the 11 years of this program, we have realized more than $70 million in cost savings for our customers―last year alone was more than $7 million, with an average saving per thing. As this market’s need for renewable energy grows, we will be there to deliver one of the most efficient lines of modules in the market today.” Jetion Solar has been manufacturing solar modules since 2004. The company has been growing exponentially, with installations around the globe. Jetion Solar USA will have the full backing of the company’s world headquarters in China. “At Jetion Solar USA, we will work with our international team to bring solar solutions to the North American market now and into the future,” says
AEN: Who are your customers?
BD: Module assemblers represent a significant percentage of our customer base. Contract manufacturers, inverter companies and government labs all use our services. I guess that’s the great thing about our business model—our value translates across the board. All these different types of companies in the PV ecosystem benefit from reducing their cost of consumables. AEN: What do you foresee for the North American PV manufacturing industry?
move into the new facility, RETC successfully obtained ISO/IEC accreditation from The 17025 American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA). The scope of the ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation applies to all IEC and UL test standards required for PV certification, and includes: • IEC 61215 for c-Si flat-plate panels. • IEC 61646 for thin film flat-plate panels. • IEC 62108 for concentrator PV. • IEC 61730 standard for safety for flatplate panels (Europe). • IEC 60904 standard for cell testing and characterization. • UL 1703 standard for safety for flatplate panels (USA). • ULC/ORD C-1703 standard for safety for flat-plate panels (Canada). For more information on TÜV SÜD America’s Photovoltaics Testing, visit http://tuvamerica.com/services/photovoltaics.cfm or contact info@tuvam.com. For more information on Renewable Energy Test Center, visit https:// retc-ca.com/ Visit TÜV SÜD America at booth 8940 and www.tuvamerica.com or call 800-TUV-0123.
rate of manufacturing consolidation in 2012. The PV business environment remains dynamic. Government policies are constantly shifting, pricing pressure continues to mount, new players are entering all the time and technology continues to evolve. Our plan is to remain nimble, stay on the leading edge and contribute to our customers’ success regardless of their technological approach. AEN: To what do you attribute your company’s success?
BD: Our people. Absolutely no question. Hisco is an employee-owned company. The level of accountability, teamwork and service from our employee-owners is unrivaled.
BD: Contrary to conventional wisdom, I don’t believe we will see an accelerated
For more information, please visit Hisco Inc. at booth 9465 and www.hiscoinc.com or email bandrew@ hiscoinc.com.
Fehr. He continues, “Everyone we’ve been in contact with tells us that we are doing everything right. Customer service will be the underlying theme in everything we do here.” The new office will have a team of experts in every phase of operation: manufacturing, sales and logistics. “We want to be the complete package for any installer, contractor or developer. When customers call, we will line them up with the right person with the necessary solution to get the job done,” says Fehr.
There couldn’t be a better time for Jetion Solar USA to open its doors than now. There will be continued pressure for renewables to play a crucial role to fulfill this country’s energy needs. Solar will play the biggest role. That’s Jetion Solar USA’s specialty. “We are eager to meet the challenges ahead of us,” says the company’s president. “We are even more eager to provide the solution.” For more information on Jetion Solar USA, please visit booth 8856 and www.jetionsolarus.com, email info@ jetionsolarus.com or call 704-944-1069.
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Heraeus (Con’t. from p. 1)
AL: Heraeus is a precious metals and technology group headquartered in Hanau, Germany. We are a global, privately held company with 160 years of tradition. Our businesses include precious metals, materials and technologies, sensors, biomaterials and medical products, as well as dental products, quartz glass and specialty light sources. In 2010, our product revenues were €4.1 billion and our precious metal trading revenues were €17.9 billion. We have more than 12,900 employees in more than 120 subsidiaries worldwide and hold a leading position in many global markets. The Heraeus Photovoltaics Business Unit is a spinoff of Heraeus’ Thick Film Materials Division, which has been producing customized pastes for various industries for more than 40 years. Our Photovoltaics Business Unit has become the leading supplier of metallization paste for c-Si solar cells in the world, supplying almost all of the top c-Si cell manufacturers. AEN: What makes Heraeus different Global Solar Energy (Con’t. from p. 1)
Solar Energy.
JNP: Global Solar manufactures flexible solar cells and modules. We produce CIGS at high efficiency (more than 12 percent average efficiency in volume) in two plants: in Tucson, Ariz. and Berlin, Germany. We are focused on innovative products that take advantage of the lightweight and flexibility of our cells. Global Solar’s key product lines are flexible laminates for commercial applications, cells for BIPV applications and portable solar chargers. AEN: What is your outlook on the current BIPV market? Any opinions on how it will be changing in the coming years?
JNP: BIPV is the fastest growing segment within the solar industry and is forecasted to become a multibillion-dollar market within the next five years. BIPV makes sense because it creates value via materials and installation cost savings, OAI (Con’t. from p. 4)
CT: OAI’s philosophy is to use standard modules with proven technology in as many of our exposure systems as possible. Our Solar Test Systems have ease of use, long-term reliability and have the very best performance among all our competitors. As a result, we have been able to offer Class AAA Solar Simulators with superior specifications at very competitive prices.
AEN: I understand your increase in sales is not only domestic but also in foreign markets. What accounts for your export success?
CT: Again, the reasons are our superior specifications, outstanding performance and competitive pricing. However, I also believe that the growth in both export and domestic sales is very much related to OAI’s strong reputation for customer support and service. Remember, OAI has
Alter native Energy News from other metallization paste companies in the solar industry?
AL: As a technology and precious metals company, our entire history incorporates the development, manufacture and supply chain management of products that incorporate silver, gold, palladium and other precious metals. This makes us unique relative to other major PV paste manufacturers.
AEN: What was the most significant event or series of events affecting your company in the past year?
AL: Growth! In 2010, the photovoltaic market grew by more than 100 percent. Though 2011 will not grow at the same rate, the market is continuing to expand. Not only are we seeing growth due to market expansion, there is an increased demand for our industry-leading products. The conversion efficiencies our customers achieve with our pastes have increased the demand for our products at a rate beyond the market’s growth.
To meet this demand, our goal is to supply
and because it allows PV to be marketed and installed by the traditional construction and roofing industry, which gives it a broader reach than traditional PV.
European governments are pursuing BIPV incentives that will help accelerate market growth. We see a number of applications emerging there as well as in the U.S.A.
AEN: Can you outline key benefits of your BIPV solution?
JNP: Global Solar’s flexible module, PowerFlex™ BIPV, has been designed specifically for roofs with weight bearing limitations. It is very lightweight, integrates with the roof surface without creating wind load, installed without roof penetrations, and provides more power per roof than most alternative solutions.
our current customers and the market with front-side and back-side silver paste when they require it. We have expanded our capacity in the U.S.A., Europe and China, and we have recently opened a manufacturing facility in Singapore that will also include R&D, Technical Service and Sales functions. We have also hired technical personnel worldwide to support our customers.
AEN: What product has been a highlight this year?
AL: The Heraeus SOL9400 Series of front-side metallization pastes has been very successful since its introduction in 2010. Our customers are impressed with the higher efficiency (0.2 to 0.6 percent efficiency gain over our industry leading SOL9235H from 2009, depending on cell design and processing) and faster throughput. Both of these factors reduce the cost per watt for c-Si solar cells, which is important for our customers and the industry. PowerFlex BIPV more than doubles the power per module compared to the current flexible amorphous silicon standard, increasing energy generated per roof, and decreasing the costs of installation and BOS per watt. Because it lays flat and covers the entire roof area, PowerFlex BIPV also generates more energy per roof than most systems built with traditional tilted glass modules. AEN: Who are your target customers for the BIPV module?
JNP: With up to 300 watts per module,
JNP: Target customers include roofing manufacturers and PV integrators looking for a solution to install PV on roofs with weight limitations. About 30 percent of large commercial and industrial rooftops cannot handle the weight of glass and steel. In some areas, like southern California where the “strong roofs” have been covered with glass modules, the percentage of remaining roofs with weight limitations is much higher than 30 percent.
products in the field that, in some cases, are over 20 years old. Our ongoing field support and our attention to customer service is a major contributor to our increase in solar test system sales.
solar cell testing, a high current I-V tester and a solar power meter. In all cases, the specifications were a joint collaboration with customers and combined needs and market requirements.
AEN: What distinguishes your BIPV product from the competition?
AEN: Do your solar simulator sales include I-V testers?
CT: About 40 percent of OAI’s sales include an integrated I-V tester. Many of our sales also include calibrated reference cells, test fixtures, and Solar Power Meters.
AEN: How does your relationship with customers drive new product development?
CT: OAI continually works with its customers to develop new products. In the last six months after working closely with customers, OAI has introduced an advanced 350 nm to 1800 nm Class AAA Solar Simulator ideal for multi-junction
AEN: Is your sales increase mainly in your new products or in the standard products?
CT: Right now, the bulk of our sales increase is in the standard solar simulator and I-V test line. This includes 50 mm, 156 mm, 200 mm and 300 mm solar simulators. The new 350 nm to 1800 nm Class AAA solar simulator was developed in conjunction with customers doing multi-junction research. We are just beginning the production of this model in response to a very positive initial demand. The solar power meter will begin shipping in August. AEN: What additional products can we
AEN: To what do you attribute your company’s success?
AL: The Heraeus Photovoltaic Business Unit has been successful due to our focus on our customers’ needs. We use our technology, innovation and years of thick film manufacturing experience to help our customers produce the most efficient c-Si solar cells possible. Our research and development team work with customers to understand product development trends and then work to improve and develop three-to-four new metallization pastes per year. And finally, we have a worldwide infrastructure to deliver the products and services our customers demand for their success.
For more information, visit www.pvsilverspaste.com or stop by the Heraeus booth 9357.
AEN: Any other markets that Global Solar contributes to?
JNP: In addition to manufacturing flexible modules, we supply flexible cells to customers seeking to develop BIPV products. For example, we are working with DOW™ in the U.S. on the POWERHOUSE™ Solar Shingle, a fully integrated flexible shingle that can be installed easily by roofing installers, while providing builders a way to integrate PV aesthetically in residential homes. This application is one of the most innovative PV products in the world.
Global Solar also supplies portable solar chargers to the military worldwide, and recognizes new applications emerging in the area of portable and mobile power, driven by the development of electric vehicles. For more information, please visit Global Solar Energy at booth 5635 and www.globalsolar.com. expect to be introduced in 2011?
CT: The main product that will be introduced in the fall of 2011 is our new Concentrated Photovoltaic (CPV) Simulator. We worked with our customers to define their requirements for a CPV simulator in 2013. Therefore, OAI’s CPV simulator will have some advanced specifications that will meet the future needs of our customer base. We have also identified a panel tester and a panel array tester that have been very successful in Japan. OAI will begin distributing this product in the U.S.A. in August. This summer OAI is introducing a Solar Power Meter with reference cell for both Flash and Continuous solar simulators.
For more information please visit OAI at our booth L302 to see our products and discuss your requirements, or contact OAI via email at cturk@oainet.com or through their website, www.oainet.com.
Alter native Energy News REFUsol (Con’t. from p. 1)
Below is an excerpt from our discussion with Mr. Beale.
AEN: Tell our readers a little about your company. How long have you been in operation?
AB: REFUsol’s parent company was established in 1965, producing AC to DC conversion for drives applications such as trains and cranes. We channeled this expertise into PV inverters in the early 1990s. Our PV inverter business really took off starting in 2007, and we currently have almost 2GW of inverters in the field throughout Europe (Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Czech Republic), China and India. The REFUsol brand has grown tremendously and we have built a strong and loyal customer base because our products offer outstanding efficiency, quality and design. And don’t just take our word for it. REFUsol inverters were ranked in the #1, #2 and #4 positions in FlexLink (Con’t. from p. 1)
BT: FlexLink is a global supplier of production logistics solutions for a broad spectrum of customers with specialized focus on several industries, solar being one of them.
We go to market in various ways ranging from supplying the raw components directly to the end user and system builders/integrators/OEM’s to complete material handling system, along with all of the controls hardware and software necessary to truly be a “Production Logistics Solution.”
Over the years, we have provided solutions specifically suited to the solar industry in the areas of wafer fabrication, cell processing, module manufacturing and inverter assembly.
AEN: FlexLink has two different product offerings to the solar industry: your traditional flexible, plastic chain conveyor and your Montrac product line with distribution rights in the U.S.A. How do you decide which product is more suitable for your customer? What are the differences between the two offerings?
BT: As with any application, factors include product type, size and rate along with the preferred transport method. The transport method refers to either ‘part on chain’ or ‘part on pallet,’ as well as, whether the product will be carried individually or in one of the many styles of magazines/cassettes/carriers. With the traditional flexible plastic chain conveyor, it comes in several diftec5USA (Con’t. from p. 17)
bulbs have to be exchanged after a couple of thousand hours. The Xe flash lamp version avoids even that. The overall efficiency of the systems is very high, therefore measurement times in the millisecond range can typically be realized, acquiring hundreds of spectra within a second.
July 2011 the recent inverter rankings from Photon International Magazine (http://www.refusol.net/fileadmin/download/News/Sonde rdruck_Refu_017K.pdf).
AEN: What products are you offering in the North American Market?
AB: We are very excited to bring our inverter line to the North American market to support the strong growth of PV in both the U.S. and Canada. We are offering our string and central inverter lines in the NA market. Our REFUsol threephase string units are available in 12, 16, 20 and 24kW power classes. We offer 500kW and 630kW central inverters which we will integrate into a PowerBox configuration for a turnkey 1.0MW or 1.3MW system, including transformer and medium voltage switching.
AEN: What kinds of applications are you targeting? AB: Our three-phase REFUsol string
ferent widths and can be used in a single strand for standard applications. It can also be used in a multi-strand arrangement for wider products. The flexible plastic chain also offers configurations for both ‘part on chain’ and ‘part on pallet’ solutions. The Montrac product line is purely a pallet (Shuttle)-based system, which is best suited for when clean and smooth transport is needed for either fixture product or one of the many carriers referred to earlier.
AEN: How are FlexLink’s conveyors and production logistic solutions unique and what makes your company desirable for solar panel manufacturers to do business with you?
BT: The combination of both a broad product offering (Mechanical, Controls & Software) and years of experience enable us to not only “talk the talk” but ensure our ability to “walk the walk.” This results in our ability to provide solutions which will enhance your process by maximizing its efficiency and quality as compared to many of the manual, semi-automated and other fully automated solutions available in the industry.
inverters are perfectly suited to both roofand ground-mounted commercial PV projects from 12kW to multi-megawatt. These units are outdoor-rated, extremely lightweight and compact and simple to mount so they can be put almost anywhere. Ideal rooftop applications include schools, warehouses, churches, municipal facilities and parking structures. There are also many benefits in using our string units in larger, ground-mount projects, including more granular maximum power point tracking and savings on balance of system (BOS) and construction costs. The REFUsol line of central inverters is ideal for large, utility-scale PV projects. Benefits include savings on BOS costs and rapid deployment utilizing our integrated PowerBox design.
AEN: To what do you attribute your company’s success?
AB: It is no secret that REFU is one of the most successful PV inverter brands in the carriers on their sides to keep the cells from breaking in transit. This means the process equipment can be simplified in that it does not need additional material handling to manipulate the carriers from a vertical to horizontal orientation. They do not need different carriers for transport, storage and processing. And the Montrac system does not need a separate conveyor section with its own drive unit at every stop to safely decelerate the product. AEN: FlexLink is the first choice for production logistics in many industries. Can you demonstrate, specifically, some examples of how FlexLink is paving the way in the solar industry?
BT: The Solar Business Unit within FlexLink has been driving a somewhat standardized modular approach to the conveyors and devices used in typical crystalline and thin-film module manufacturing facilities, from both a mechanical and electrical perspective. First, we sectionalize each individual conveyor segment mechanically to handle a single product. Then, we gave each section a stand-alone controller using an existing industry-standard handshake for isolated controls communication, upstream and downstream. With this, we can quickly implement systems, which are mostly pre-engineered with a reduced risk for both our customer and ourselves. The modular nature of this solution is even more beneficial when it comes to adding to, taking away from and/or rearranging the system in the future.
WH: The Montrac system uses individually powered shuttles that are impact free and fast. Since there are no hard stops in the system, we are able to transport wafers and cells stacked horizontally and individually in the carriers—the same orientation in which they are handled in the process equipment. Systems with impact need to lay the
AEN: What products and/or solutions do
This renders it the perfect tool to analyze solar simulators, so-called flashers. A seamless supervision of most processes can be set up. However, if a fast update of data is not necessary, the high rate can be used to improve the already high accuracy by averaging. Intensity accuracies of 10-6 can be realized. The MultiSpec Pro is a multi-purpose
software with various add-on modules which controls all aspects around the data acquisition, information determination as well as feedback signals. Up to 32 parallel channels can be mastered. For more information, please visit tec5USA at booth 5719 and www.tec5usa.com or call 516-653-2000.
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world. REFUsol succeeds because we draw on our heritage of engineering in drive applications to make the most thoughtfully designed inverters in the business.We know what customers want: inverters that maximize PV system profits.REFUsol inverters deliver on this through worldclass efficiency and long field life.
AEN: We know that a lot of companies and projects have been waiting for your inverters to be certified to UL 1741 standard. What it the status for this? AB: Yes, this is very important and we are pleased to be working with UL, one of the most respected, nationally recognized testing laboratories in the U.S. Our inverters are finishing testing now and probably by the time this interview appears in Alternative Energy News, the certification will be complete with full U.S. production commencing shortly after that. We are taking orders and we encourage end-users and partners to contact us to reserve units today!
you see as being hottest this year?
BT: With the volumes for U.S.-based manufacturers of wafers, cells and inverters still leaning towards push carts and WIP areas, our module manufacturing solutions are running strong, with specific interest in adding accumulation and buffering units to balance the flow within a system as volumes are increasing. WH: As cell manufacturing facilities grow larger, there is an opportunity to branch away from the traditional in-line process configuration and consolidate some of the processes to reach economies of scale. However, when these customers get away from the in-line process, the material flow becomes an issue. Since managing material flow is exactly where FlexLink excels, we believe this will be a hot solution moving forward. AEN: Please assess the marketplace as it relates to your product line.
BT: The market in general is still very dynamic and a bit volatile as much of the U.S. solar industry is driven by evolving utility incentives and hard-tofind venture capital. However, all indicators predict continued growth for the balance of the year and beyond. Since our solutions are rooted in the improvement of overall system efficiency and quality, which results in increased process yield, we have positioned ourselves to be a key player as the solar industry moves forward.
For more information, please call 877266-2249, email info.us@flexlink.com or visit FlexLink at booth 9311.
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July 2011
Nordson EFD (Con’t. from p. 1)
We have helped numerous solar companies achieve higher levels of product innovation and process optimization. Both crystalline silicone and thin-film module manufacturers have improved their product offerings through the use of our precision dispensing systems and high-quality solder pastes. For the past five years, Nordson EFD has been working closely with equipment and module manufacturers to achieve: • Higher yields • Greater cell efficiency and reliability • Lowest cost per watt • Less rework and fewer rejects • Lower production costs Our global experience and support can meteocontrol (Con’t. from p. 1)
investors, developers) demand maximized yields from solar investments as incentive rates decline. Cheaper PV pricing and stiff installation competition have led to concerns about system quality and reliability in the rapidly expanding North American PV market. Seeking the lowest Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) and increased energy output, companies must find new ways to guarantee immediate returns and increase ongoing ROI without sacrificing quality. Top five tips to maximize solar yield:
1. Bankable yield forecasts Decision makers at banks and other investment firms demand accurate output projections to finance projects. The starting point to maximizing yield is a reliable prediction of the expected energy yield itself. The basis for bankability stems from dependable forecasts derived from long-term global irradiance trends and thorough analysis of localized variability Tigo Energy (Con’t. from p. 1)
SA: The demand for our products has been extremely strong. We have been doubling our volume every quarter since launch, and we expect the growth to accelerate even more in the second half of 2011.
AEN: Which geographies and applications are driving the most demand?
SA: Tigo Energy has had a global presence from the very beginning. We are a Silicon Valley company, but we are very proud that half of our sales come from international markets. We are also seeing a very nice balance between residential and commercial installations. Two-thirds of our volume is installed in Aztec Washer (Con’t. from p. 17)
from inferior offshore counterparts and their attempts to imitate Master Flash. Master Seal Washers are bonded through a unique process that allows for optimal resistance to weathering from ozone, ultraviolet light and chemical agents. The washers are designed to pro-
Alter native Energy News help you identify areas of competitive advantage—whether based on higher productivity, improved module quality, lower cost per watt or technological advances.
Our Products Nordson EFD offers a broad portfolio of precision dispensing solutions to support solar module manufacturers at any stage of development—from manual stations to automated lines, our products can grow with you. • Precision spray valves dispense flux during solar module stringing and tabbing processes, and provide the ability to apply liquid flux in uniform patterns as small as 3.3 mm wide—eliminating the mess, waste and hazards of flux baths. The valves can be easily integrated into any manufacturing platform to achieve
in weather data. Tip: Seek experienced onsite inspection firms with financial community credibility. Such firms are the best bet for generating accurate, trusted and bankable energy yield forecasts.
2. Project evaluation and construction supervision A PV plant’s yield is dependent on proper system configuration during the planning phase. During this stage, clearly articulate goals and include performance and risk mitigation, efficiency and quality-control protocols, and warranty terms. Conduct vendor audits and seek a knowledgeable construction supervision team to conduct quality control checks. Tip: Increase ROI by streamlining the construction process, ensuring ontime deliverables and identifying construction defects while focusing on open communication between the investor and construction team.
3. Bankability-focused certification and technical acceptance
commercial systems. Our success in commercial applications proves that the Maximizer System’s value proposition of more energy, active management and enhanced safety is compelling in unshaded applications. AEN: Are you launching any new products at Intersolar North America this year?
SA: We are pleased to announce two higher-power products: the 350-watt Maximizer (MM-ES), and the 600-watt Maximizer (MM2-ES). As PV modules continue to drive to higher power levels, we must make sure the power electronics offer correspondingly higher-power products. Otherwise, the electronics will clip the excess power of the module, and restrict system performance significantly.
vide a permanent seal in applications where expansion and contraction of metal occur, such as metal roofs and siding. With the wide range of inner diameter sizes as well as a variety of backing and facing materials, Aztec Washer Company can provide a washer to suit your unique application. The service team works personally
process optimization. • PICO™ non-contact jet dispensing systems offer an extremely fast, accurate way to apply flux, conductive adhesives and other materials used in PV manufacturing processes, with cycle rates up to 150 dots per second and dot sizes as small as 0.5mm. • Dispensing-grade solder paste is an effective alternative to solder-coated copper ribbon during the stringing and tabbing process. Our flux-rich solder formulations provide superior wetting, for greater cell efficiency and reliability. • PerformusTM dispensers improve process control in manual production processes by making it simple for operators to apply material as accurate, consistent dots and uniform lines. In 2009, we won the International Solar
Just as consumers seek certified doctors or car dealers, financiers should require certification for solar projects. Independent PV assessments assure overall technical quality while minimizing the system’s risk of failure. Bankability evaluation includes financial risk assessment and independent, objective technical analysis of a PV project. Final verification of technical acceptance results is crucial. Tip: Utilize independent analysis and certification for improved financing options. Reduce risk and increase project viability through trusted third-party certification. 4. Real-time yield analysis To improve yield, develop a process to monitor and optimize system output. Products like meteocontrol’s safer’Sun Professional and Virtual Control Room provide analytical tools and alarming through real-time monitoring. Tip: Increase yield by minimizing production losses, responding promptly to outages and alarms and increasing transparency of solar reports to optimize
AEN: Do these higher-power products use a different topology from the current line of Maximizers?
SA: No, both products use the same patented Impedance Matching technology that our current Maximizers use, and are completely compatible with the rest of the Tigo Energy Maximizer System. Tigo Energy’s industry-leading efficiency (99.5 percent), makes it much easier to offer these higher-power products. AEN: We hear you were a finalist for the Intersolar Innovation Award this year— the first company to be named a finalist two years in a row. How did you earn that?
SA: We have also announced the Maximizer Junction Box at this year’s
with clients to ensure their needs and satisfaction are met. Worldwide locations including Mexico, Germany, UK, Poland and Australia allow prompt delivery no matter where the destination. A large volume stock and lengthy shipping hours provide the basis for superior shipping options, giving their customers just-in-time delivery service.
Cell Award for Best Technical Product for Photovoltaic Module Assembly in acknowledgement of our advances in stringing and tabbing and solder paste technology. With more than 40 years of dispensing experience and local support in 30 countries, Nordson EFD has the unique ability to support the integration and effective operation of our technology, regardless of global location. We invite you to contact us today for a complimentary and confidential evaluation of your current process.
For more information, please visit Nordson EFD at booth 5613 and www.nordsonefd.com, call 800-5563484 or 401-431-7002 and ask for Art Tausek to schedule an interview, or email info@nordsonefd.com. energy production.
5. Operations management Following construction, the key to longterm operational plant efficiency is to optimize yield, while learning from the data collected. Using internal personnel or an outside firm like meteocontrol, establish an operational program that includes a thorough preventive maintenance plan, a rapid response strategy for corrective actions, and perhaps even a long-term availability guarantee. Tip: Focus on PV systems operations as the value of kWh generation continues to increase. A comprehensive strategy for plant operations, including concrete action plans and reporting structures, ensures peak performance of system operations for years to come. Come by and learn more about meteocontrol, including how to save money, increase solar bankability and optimize solar efficiency at booth 7150 during Intersolar North America. For more information, visit www.meteocontrol.com.
show, for which we were named a finalist for the Intersolar Innovation Award. We are working closely with eight of the top 10 module manufacturers to develop fully-integrated smart modules, enabled by our Tigo Energy Maximizer Junction Box. The Maximizer System is the ideal choice for smart modules because of our superior efficiency, cost and reliability. Being named a finalist for this award two years in a row illustrates Tigo Energy’s commitment to delivering innovative solutions that lower the LCOE and shorten the payback period for solar PV systems of all sizes.
For more information, visit Tigo Energy at booth 7646 and www.tigoenergy.com or email sales@tigoenergy.com.
The fusion of quality, service and product development is what has brought Aztec to its leadership position in the past four decades and continued success in the future. Learn more about specific parts by visiting www.aztecwasher.com or calling a customer service representative at 800-WASHER-5.
Alter native Energy News Henkel (Con’t. from p. 1)
your company. What’s your main line of business?
JD: Henkel Corporation is the global leader in adhesives, sealants and surface treatment chemistries for the industrial marketplace. With a history of more than 130 years of innovation, we continue to bring exciting new technologies to market, based on the demands of industry. We serve the solar market across the entire manufacturing chain from wafer production to final installation. AEN: Are you introducing any new products?
JD: At our Intersolar North America booth 5329, we are showcasing Henkel’s UL certified assembly products used in module framing and sealing, junction box bonding, and ingot bonding. We will exhibit some of the latest technologies available across the spectrum of epoxies, silicones, MS polymers and butyls. Featured products include Loctite® 3382, Loctite® 5611, Terostat® MS 500 and Terostat® 2782. Our products fixture and cure extremely rapidly to allow SPARQ (Con’t. from p. 1)
leading manufacturer of electronic and mechanical products. Sanmina will produce SPARQ’s new microinverters and communications hubs for solar photovoltaic systems for the consumer market. SPARQ has developed an efficient and low-cost microinverter solution that produces more AC power from PV panels for longer periods under lower light and partial shading conditions. The design eliminates unreliable components, which increases the lifespan of the microinverters threefold, giving homeowners up to 25 years of performance. The solar microinverters will be produced for global markets at SanminaSCI’s worldwide regional facilities in San Jose, Calif., and at the company’s Ottawa, Ontario facility for Canadian markets. “Sanmina-SCI’s core strengths include a focus on alternative energy technologies,” American Electric Technologies (Con’t. from p. 1)
CD: American Electric Technologies is a leader in power delivery solutions— products and services that deliver traditional and renewable energies from whatever is generating power to whatever is using the power. We offer solar combiners, inversion systems and substations, and electrical start-up and O&M services for utility scale solar projects. We are NASDAQ-listed company with a strong balance sheet and more than 65 years experience in power delivery solutions.
AEN: How large is AETI’s installed base of power delivery solutions?
CD: We’ve deployed 1000 MWs of systems into the world’s harshest environments, including Middle East deserts, humid South American jungles, frozen Siberian and Northern Canadian climates, and the hostile North Sea. Most systems are between 2 and 20 MW, so we’ve leveraged that multi-megawatt expertise to develop “ISIS™”—our
July 2011
automated manufacturing processes to continue without downtime or parts racking.
AEN: Where is your current product emphasis?
JD: At Henkel, we let our customers tell us about the challenges of their applications, and we find the most appropriate solutions from our diverse range of adhesive and sealant technologies. This is why we have created a portfolio of products that provide reliable bonds and seals for solar devices. For products that are intended to last, experts rely on Henkel to protect their devices from the harshness of elements for the life of their product.
AEN: What distinguishes your products from the competition?
JD: Henkel offers an extremely broad range of adhesive and sealants—we are not tied to a single technology. This allows our technical experts to address a customer’s application challenges using a portfolio of technologies from which to select the best solution for their application. Henkel engineers and chemists work directly with our customers, looking at materials, processes
says Praveen Jain, Chief Executive Officer of SPARQ Systems. “They have the expertise, the infrastructure and the track record to meet all of our product needs as we move into full-scale production. And Sanmina-SCI’s multi-continental manufacturing presence is well-suited for SPARQ, in producing the microinverters to meet local content requirements globally. We are delighted to be working with this qualityfocused organization.” “We’re committed to helping the clean technology sector grow to its full potential. Partnering with companies like SPARQ to bring innovative new products to market is important to Sanmina-SCI’s overall clean technology strategy,” says Tom Clawson, Executive Vice President of Sanmina-SCI’s Industrial Markets. “We have brought hundreds of highly complex products to market and this deep knowledge of new product introductions enables us to bring products like SPARQ’s new microinverters 1 MW 1000 volt Integrated Solar Inversion Station.
AEN: What new innovation does AETI’s Integrated Solar Inversion Station bring to solar?
CD: First, ISIS is the first Integrated Solar Inverter System approved to UL 1741 at 1000 volts. Second, ISIS offers the highest performance by delivering more watts per dollar. Because of our multi-megawatt pedigree, ISIS offers the highest reliability on the market. Finally, our utility interconnect system assures successful integration with any utility distribution system.
AEN: UL offers no certification for UL 1741 at 1000 volts—how did AETI achieve this?
CD: AETI utilized a nationally recognized test laboratory, TUV Rheinland, to perform the UL1741 testing at 1 MW and 1000 volts. TUV Rheinland validated ISIS’ compliance to the UL 1741 year
and testing to find the right solution. Our willingness to understand customers’ assembly processes and techniques has been integral to our success in bringing new, innovative products to market. AEN: Who are your target end-users?
JD: In the Solar market, our end users are typically product engineers responsible for the reliability and production of the module at the OEM level, or the installer who integrates the module into an array. By understanding the process and performance requirements the device will endure, our scientists work with designers and end-users to implement adhesive and sealant solutions that outperform the standards and requirements of NREL, UL and IEC. Whether an application is at the corporate design center test lab, on the shop floor or in the field, Henkel is committed to listening, understanding and providing both technical consultation and solution options for any solar application. AEN: Tell our readers about your trade show objectives, plans, products, promotions, etc.
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JD: At this years’ show we will be showcasing our Loctite®v and Teroson® solar UL-certified adhesives and sealants used throughout the assembly and installation process. In addition to our products, we will have application and product specialists available to discuss or answer questions concerning the industry. Stop by the Henkel booth 5329 to discuss a current application and enter to win an Apple iPad, which we will give away at the conclusion of the show. AEN: To what do you attribute your company’s success?
JD: Henkel’s heritage and success is founded on innovation. Since 1876, we have relied on the excellence of our people to be passionate and to create, innovate and implement new solutions that make our customers successful. Our success is rooted in our people. Our core values demand that we keep the satisfaction of our customers at the center of everything we do. At Henkel, excellence is our passion. For more information, please visit Henkel Corporation at booth 5329 and www.henkelna.com/solar
to market quickly and efficiently.” “We are very pleased to bring this Canadian innovation to global markets, enabling small businesses, consumers and manufacturers to reap the benefits of this highly reliable and efficient renewable energy technology,” says Randall North, Chief Operating Officer of SPARQ Systems. SPARQ will be launching its new products at Intersolar North America July 12-14. Their products can be viewed in booth 7446 in the West Hall, Moscone Center.
About Sanmina-SCI Sanmina-SCI Corporation is a leading electronics contract manufacturer serving the fastest-growing segments of the global Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) market. Recognized as a technology leader, Sanmina-SCI provides end-to-end manufacturing solutions, delivering superior quality and support to OEMs primarily in the communications, defense and aerospace, industrial and semiconductor systems, medical, multimedia, enterprise computing and storage, automotive and clean technology sectors. Sanmina-SCI has facilities strategically located in key regions throughout the world. More information regarding the company is available at http://www.sanmina-sci.com. For more information, please visit SPARQ Systems, Inc. at booth 7446 and www.sparqsys.com, email info@ sparqsys.com or call 613-533-3438.
2010 standard. We were pleased to work with TUV on this, as it enables developers and EPC firms to utilize approved 1000 volt inverters for their utility scale projects.
We are the only inverter company with this in-house capability, and that significantly reduces grid integration risks and costs to the project.
About SPARQ Systems, Inc. SPARQ Systems, Inc. is the global enabler of integrated AC modules. SPARQ microinverters are highly reliable, lightweight and compact, giving the user faster return on investment and increased flexibility. The company is based in Kingston, Ontario.
AEN: What additional value does 1000 volts offer as opposed to 600 volts for solar farm design?
CD: Most solar project designs are based upon commercial solar designs, where they use 600 volt solar panels. But the higher the power generation voltage, the greater the power generated. AETI designed ISIS for 1000 volt panels, which increases the watts per string by up to 15 percent.
AEN: You’ve mentioned “successful integration with any utility system.” What does that mean?
CD: Every utility has unique interconnection requirements. ISIS incorporates a utility interconnection system that is customized with appropriate breakers, relays and revenue meters to those requirements.
AEN: It sounds like ISIS was made for utility scale projects. Is that true?
CD: ISIS is designed for utility-scale solar projects from 1 to 100 MW and beyond. We work with developers, financiers, EPCs, and utilities to implement projects with the highest performance and maximum reliability. AEN: Thank You. Is there anything else you would like to mention?
CD: Only that all of our combiners, inverters and substations are made in America, and that we look forward to enabling utility-scale solar projects to meet their full potential in the future. AETI is presenting the 1 MW 1000 volt UL tested integrated solar inversion station at Intersolar North America 2011, booth 5453 in the North Hall.