AN INDEPENDENT PUBLICATION NOT AFFILIATED WITH ANY OTHER ORGANIZATION
Thursday, July 14, 2011
BAJA—WHY ARE THEY WINNING SO MANY SOLAR DEALS?
Bob Hayworth, Chairman & CEO of Baja Construction, shares why his company is so prolific in the solar industry.
SPDN: Baja Construction—what do you do?
Oser Communications Group
FLEXLINK LEADS THE WAY IN GLOBAL PRODUCTION LOGISTICS SOLUTIONS
Joseph DeBiase, Senior Vice President & General Manager, Henkel Adhesive Te c h n o l o g i e s , Engineered Adhesives and Surface Solutions talks about his company.
FERRO PIONEERS NEXT GENERATION SOLAR MATERIALS
CHRISTOPHER ASSOCIATES: TÜV SÜD PROVIDES GLOBAL EXPERIENCE TAILORED SOLUTIONS FOR AND LOCAL EXPERTISE THE PV INDUSTRY
SPDN: Describe your company and target end users.
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Matthew Holzmann, President of Christopher Associates, shares about his company.
The photovoltaic industry is rapidly expanding and so are the aspirations of PV module manufacturers, with many looking to sell their products in multiple countries and regions around the world. But modules must be certified before
Since introducing the first thick film metallization pastes for solar cells in the 1970s, Ferro has continued to innovate to make PV a more cost-competitive energy alternative. The leading supplier of solar materials, its products help increase electrical
SPDN: Tell our readers a little about your company. What’s your main line of business?
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ISRAELI PAVILION OFFERS A GLANCE AT THE FUTURE OF A GREEN ECONOMY
The companies exhibiting at this year’s Israeli pavilion have designed a wide scope of projects that improve standing solar plants and upgrade existing technology to make operations svelte, more durable and more profitable. Amitec offers a
Continued on Page 28
HISCO INC.: PREMIER NORTH AMERICAN DISTRIBUTOR FOR SOLAR INDUSTRY
Bill Thomas and Will Hunter of FlexLink discuss what their company brings to the solar power marketplace.
BH: Baja, established in 1981, is a
INTERTEKʼS KEY STEPS TO RAPID GLOBAL PV MODULE CERTIFICATION
HENKEL CORP: GLOBAL LEADER IN ADHESIVES, SEALANTS & TREATMENTS
San Francisco
SPARQ SYSTEMS RECEIVES U.S. CERTIFICATION FOR MICROINVERTER SYSTEM
SPARQ Systems Inc., an Ontario-based global provider of solar photovoltaic (PV) inverters, is pleased to announce that it has received both U.S. and Canadian certifications for its solar photovoltaic microinverter system. The certi-
Continued on Page 28
TÜV RHEINLAND PTL GETS OSHA APPROVAL FOR ANSI/ UL 1703 CERTIFICATION
Certification for key North American Photovoltaic safety requirement
TÜV Rheinland PTL, LLC, North America’s largest solar and photovoltaic testing company, was approved by the U.S. Occupational Continued on Page 28
Bob Dill, President of Hisco Inc., explains his company’s supply chain conribution.
SPDN: Tell our readers a little about your company. What’s your main line of business? Continued on Page 20
Karsten Xander, CEO and President, TÜV SÜD America Inc. and Dr. Ing. Robert Puto, Global PV Director, TÜV SÜD, tell us about their company.
SPDN: Tell our readers a little about
JETION SOLAR USAʼS HIGH STANDARDS AND INNOVATION ARE SECRETS TO SUCCESS Continued on Page 33
Juergen Fehr, President of Jetion Solar USA, discusses his company’s innovative contributions to the PV market.
SPDN: Tell our readers a little about Jetion Solar USA. What’s your main line Continued on Page 20
GLOBAL SOLAR ENERGYʼS POWERFLEX BIPV: THE MOST POWERFUL FLEXIBLE MODULE IN ROOFING 4
Thursday, July 14, 2011
The building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) market is one of the fastest growing segments of the solar industry. According to industry research firm NanoMarkets, the sector will be worth $6.1 billion worldwide by 2016. In part, this is because BIPV has opened up tremendous new options to the building industry. It offers both aesthetic and functional value beyond power generation while also lowering costs from a designed-in approach to PV.
Global Solar Energy, the leading manufacturer of high-efficiency Copper Indium Gallium diSelenide (CIGS) solar material and flexible BIPV roofing modules, recognized that the building industry has not been able to fully optimize the real estate on the rooftop with solar solutions that were currently available. In response, the company worked closely with commercial and industrial roofing professionals in designing their breakthrough flexible
HERAEUSʼ SOL200 SERIES BACK-SIDE PROVIDES COST SAVINGS WITH EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE Heraeus Photovoltaic Business Unit, a world leader in developing front and back-side metallization pastes for crystalline solar cells, is highlighting its new SOL200 Series for backside tabbing conductors for mono and multicrystalline silicon solar cell wafers at the Intersolar
North America 2011, exhibiting at booth 9357. The SOL200 Series of pastes has demonstrated lower paste laydown while maintaining excellent solderability with both leaded and leadfree solders while maintaining high adhesion and high
Solar Power Daily News
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Lee M. Oser
CEO and Editor-in-Chief
module: the PowerFLEX™ BIPV. PowerFLEX BIPV replaces heavy, rigid glass modules and metal racking structures that often can’t be applied to commercial rooftops because of weight limitations. The lightweight design of the PowerFLEX BIPV means it can be applied directly to a roofing surface—requiring no mounting Continued on Page 41
electrical performance. The fluctuating but currently high market price of silver has made the price of silver metallization pastes a concern for crystalline silicon cell manufacturers. The need for both high performance silver-based pastes for improved cell performance and cost-effective conducting materials is a critical requirement for PV manufacturers. Heraeus has addressed these needs with the SOL200 Series. Following the successful development and market introduction of SOL230 a few years ago, Heraeus developed the new SOL200 Series for back-side tabbing conductors that have demonstrated lower paste laydown while maintaining good solderContinued on Page 41
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Senior Associate Publishers
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Solar Power Daily 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
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Solar Power Daily News
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
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.
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 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. 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.
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.
FAST & HIGHLY RELIABLE MULTI-PURPOSE PROCESS CONTROL SPECTROMETER SYSTEM FROM TEC5USA
AZTEC WASHER COMPANY FUSES QUALITY, SERVICE, PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT Solar Power Daily News
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
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. 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 800WASHER-5.
ing processes, which are main production steps in solar cell manufacturing, HUETTINGER provides generators that fulfill these requirements. Especially for sputtering processes which solar manufacturers use to deposit TCO such as aluminum-doped zinc oxides (AZO) or indium tin oxide (ITO), HUETTINGER has developed the TruPlasma DC Series 3000 NEW. Available with outputs of two to 160 kilowatts, these direct current generators facilitate thin and
homogenous layers, even in high-arcing processes like TCO sputtering. Yet what makes the TruPlasma DC Series 3000 NEW so special? Mainly it’s the system’s innovative arc management system CompensateLine, which HUETTINGER has once again improved. If an arc occurs, CompensateLine balances the stored energy in the output circuit as well as in the connection cable between the generator and the cathode even more efficiently. This results in a very fast generator
response time on the arc and keeps residual energy to a minimum. It enables the production of high-quality TCO films with significantly higher deposition rates than of those with a pulsed DC power supply. High deposition rates increase the productivity of the TCO process. In addition, the cost of the power supply is reduced. The continuous DC power supply functions well without the expensive, high-power switching stages that are necessary for pulsed DC power supplies. With increased productivity and reduced investment cost, the TruPlasma DC Series 3000 NEW pays off twice for the user. For more information about HUETTINGER Electronic, Inc., please visit booth 5321, call 800-910-0035 or email info@us.huettinger.com.
Control for two modules at once. Both products are compatible with Tigo Energy’s industry-leading Maximizer System, which offers unmatched efficiency, cost and reliability. As module power continues to grow, power electronics must support correspondingly higher power levels. If not, the electronics will clip power
when the modules are producing at their peak—which not only sacrifices power, but also generates additional heat behind the module. Modules often produce higher power than their nameplate capacity (particularly with cloud edge effects, when light intensity can be 1,200 w/m2), so it is best to leave a buffer between the power rating of the module and the power rating of the electronics. Tigo Energy’s ability to offer higherpower products is due to its patented Impedance Matching technology, which achieves an industry-best 99.5-percent efficiency, and can easily scale to any
power level necessary. In contrast, microinverters have much lower power limits, typically around 215 watts. In addition, the 600-watt Maximizer (MM2-ES), which can handle two modules at once, cuts the number of Maximizer components by half, making installation faster and more convenient. The MM2-ES is offered in the same housing as the single Maximizers—making it, by far, the smallest and most efficient option of all module-level power electronics on the market. For more information, visit Tigo Energy at booth 7646 and www.tigoenergy .com or email sales@tigoenergy.com.
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 applications. 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
TIGO ENERGY ANNOUNCES THE INTRODUCTION OF TWO NEW HIGHERPOWERED MAXIMIZER PRODUCTS
Tigo Energy, the market leader in module-level DC power electronics, has announced the introduction of two higher-powered products in their Maximizer line. The 350-watt Maximizer (MM-ES) can be used with modules up to 350 watts, while the 600-watt Maximizer (MM2-ES) can provide Maximium Power Point
SOLAR IN THE CLOUD: CLOUD COMPUTING & THE VIRTUAL POWER PLANT WITH METEOCONTROL Benjamin Compton, C.O.O. & V.P. of Commercial Operations at meteocontrol North America, a global leader in solar performance, authors today’s guest post.
There is a Cloud looming on the horizon, but not the typical cloud solar system owners scorn. While clouds threaten system performance by blocking the sun, this Cloud holds great promise for the solar industry. Few terms are hotter than Cloud Computing. Although the Cloud’s origins date back to the 1960s and run deep through the IT and Web-technology land-
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loyalty to customers set Aztec apart 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 provide 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
SPUTTERING MADE EASY WITH NEW DC POWER SUPPLIES FROM HUETTINGER ELECTRONIC, INC.
The production of thin layer solar cells involves using photoactive semiconductors to coat the glass substrate extensively. A simple but cardinal rule in this process is: The better the quality of the deposited layers, the higher the efficiency of the finished solar cell. The requirements for the power supplies that deliver the necessary power for the coating process are therefore clear: They have to produce thin and homogenous layers while maintaining efficient production. For sputter-
Thursday, July 14, 2011
scape, the solar industry is now recognizing the Cloud’s ability to help maximize solar yield from any Internet-connected device. Today, the solar industry requires data and information to be mobile, transferable and immediately accessible. This information increases productivity, provides real-time performance analysis and allows teams to communicate and collaborate, regardless of physical proximity. But what does this have to do with the solar industry at large and how is this shift to virtualization increasing solar performance and bankability?
The Cloud’s Impact on Solar Yield Virtualization—using a virtual (rather than actual) version of something, including software, memory, data, etc.— is quickly becoming a highly valued asset for the entire solar industry. meteocontrol is leading the solar Cloud movement, and currently monitors more than three GW in more than 20,000 PV systems! These are HUGE numbers that will continue to increase as more states and provinces pass legislation requiring utilities to increase renewable energy production.
For example, meteocontrol’s sophisticated safer’Sun monitoring platform delivers all key performance indicators to system operators, including power purchase agreement (PPA) providers, energy service companies (ESCOs), utilities, construction and EPC firms, from any device with Internet connection. These organizations are using the Cloud to achieve greater profitability from solar performance than ever before. Decision makers are tapping virtualization services to read PV systems yield values to boost system efficiency.
The Cloud’s Impact on Investors Remote or Cloud-based performance monitoring with built-in analytical algorithms and automated alarm management allows for prompt responses to any Continued on Page 33
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Thursday, July 14, 2011
Intertek (Con’t. from p. 1)
they can access markets, and the rising number of PV products combined with a limited number of accredited testing labs has led to longer certification times. These delays can often lead to cost overruns, loss of market share, reduced profitability and lowered brand ranking. The good news is that module manufacturers can significantly reduce the risk of certification delays by making smart choices early in the design of their products. By selecting a testing lab such as Intertek, that is accredited to certify modules in North America, Europe and the major Asian markets, a manufacturer can gain access to more than 40 countries after completing just one set of tests. Using one lab can cut certification time down to as little as one-third of what it would be when using multiple labs in 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.
SPDN: 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. SPDN: Are you introducing any new products?
Jetion Solar USA (Con’t. from p. 1)
of business?
JF: Jetion Solar USA is a subsidiary of Jetion Solar China Ltd. and one of the largest designers, manufacturers and suppliers of high-efficiency solar cells and reliable solar modules which convert sunlight directly into electrical energy. We supply products worldwide from our production facilities in China as well as in Charlotte, N.C.
SPDN: What would you say makes Jetion Solar USA unique?
JF: Jetion Solar owns and controls the manufacturing of all our products from beginning to finish, so that we can guarantee the extremely high standards we have set out for our modules. We also maintain our own R&D department, which develops the latest in PV technology, and we have incorporated a number of our own patents into our products. We maintain a sales and service facility at our plant in Charlotte, N.C., in order to provide better customer service for our U.S. customers. SPDN: What has Jetion Solar USA done
Solar Power Daily News
different countries. Start Early. Begin certifying a new PV module before its design is complete. This ultimately will speed up the time to market. Manufacturers that wait too long to begin module certification risk delays and might have to rework some components after they thought their designs were done. Intertek’s Preliminary Design Review service is intended to assist manufacturers to identify applicable standards and potential design flaws that may impede certification. This step in the process can help to save considerable time and money. Only Use Certified Components. Each component that goes into the finished module must comply with certain standards. Intertek has found that one of the most frequent causes of module non-compliance is the use of components that aren’t properly certified. By working with a lab
to perform a design review, problems are identified early and the eventual certification testing can move more quickly. For speed and service, rely on Intertek’s ETL Listed Mark to verify that all of your components are properly certified. Select the Right Lab. If you’re looking to certify modules with innovative technology that is unlike any products previously on the market, a lab with PV expertise is better equipped to develop the right test plan and apply generic requirements to that new technology. In addition, a lab that is accredited to certify modules under both ANSI/UL requirements for the U.S. and Canada, and the CB Scheme for EU and Asia can offer certification for the two sets of requirements and significantly shorten your time to market. Intertek meets all of these requirements and more. Develop a Smart Test Plan. An experienced test lab will help you stream-
line efforts and create efficiencies to get your product to customers, faster. By maintaining multiple accreditations, Intertek can conduct concurrent testing, often satisfying two global requirements with one test. Taking advantage of a lab’s overlapping accreditations means fewer tests need to be done. Intertek’s single source solution for the PV industry provides access to a full suite of services, including safety testing and certification for more than 40 markets, performance testing, and reliability testing with custom testing plan options. When combined with Intertek’s technological expertise on the fast advancements in the PV industry, these advantages lead to rapid global PV module certification. For more on what Intertek has to offer, stop by booth 8655, email icenter@intertek.com or visit www.intertek.com/solar.
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.
don’t believe we will see an accelerated 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.
SPDN: 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 to penetrate the U.S. market?
JF: Jetion Solar’s decision to make a major investment in a manufacturing, warehousing and sales facility in Charlotte, N.C. points to the commitment of Jetion Solar’s interest in servicing the U.S. market.
SPDN: What is Jetion Solar USA’S goal in the U.S.A.?
JF: Jetion Solar is striving to become the leading supplier of PV modules in the U.S.A. We are confident our quality products and fair pricing will establish our reputation among the renewable energy industry as a reliable supplier source for PV products, as reflected in Jetion Solar’s receiving the award for being the “FASTEST GROWING COMPANY” from Deloitte Technology FAST 50 CHINA 2008. SPDN: What is Jetion Solar USA’S corporate philosophy?
JF: To become a good corporate citizen and a leader in our community in terms of educating the community at large about the importance of adopting a plan for renewable energy and conserving our environment. We hope to
SPDN: 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. SPDN: What do you foresee for the North American PV manufacturing industry? BD: Contrary to conventional wisdom, I
accomplish this through a high level of involvement within our community, with our higher-learning education systems such as universities and community colleges.
We also plan to contribute to our local community by creating well-paying manufacturing jobs at our manufacturing facility in Charlotte, N.C. SPDN: How is Jetion Solar USA helping the local community?
JF: Jetion Solar is constantly seeking new ways to contribute to the preservation of our environment, and one of the things we are doing is through innovation such as our “FULL CYCLE PV” project, which is made up of six steps that use automation to prevent resource wastage, state-of-the-art quality control to insure maximum power generation from our modules, turnkey consultation to our customers to insure proper use of our modules, optimum utilization through our ability to remotely monitor the performance of PV systems and the ability to provide maintenance to our customers for their solar projects. SPDN: Who are the potential users for
SPDN: 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. For more information, please visit Hisco Inc. at booth 9465 and or email bandrew@hiscoinc.com. Jetion Solar USA’s products?
JF: Our PV modules are designed for a variety of applications, both for commercial projects as well as residential projects. These highly efficient modules can be used for any application, from large scale PV projects such as solar farms to residential rooftop applications. The benefits are equally cost-effective from a renewable energy generation standpoint, and provide an excellent return on investment. SPDN: To what do you attribute your company’s success?
JF: Jetion Solar USA prides itself on our ability to innovate and surround ourselves with reliable partners. We are constantly inventing ways to improve on our products and help make our products relevant to the environment we live in. With the help of our partners in the industry, we know we have helped to increase the level of awareness for renewable energy and contribute to the stabilization of climate change. For more information on Jetion Solar USA, please visit booth 8856 and www.jetionsolarus.com, email info@ jetionsolarus.com or call 704-944-1069.
AIR LIQUIDE: PARISIAN GAS MANUFACTURER IS A GLOBAL LEADER 28
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Chris Ryan, Vice President, Sales & Marketing of Air Liquide Electronics U.S. LP details why his company is a global leader in gases.
SPDN: 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. Israeli Pavilion (Con’t. from p. 1)
flagship product for solar energy called SolGuard: This system uses monitoring and management technology to increase yield and efficiency while maximizing performance output. SmartDiodes, developed by Watts and More, creates a virtually lossless transparent system compatible with all mainstream photovoltaic inverters for energy harvesting. Israeli company Palram has created many of the necessary ancillary materials to construct green buildings and support solar power since the 1960’s. Another star in the Israeli solar constellation is Eternegy, which invented a state-of-the-art tracking system for phoSPARQ Systems Inc. (Con’t. from p. 1)
fications qualify SPARQ to sell its products to consumer markets. SPARQ’s efficient and low-cost microinverter solution produces more alternating current (AC) power from PV panels for longer periods under lower light and partial shadowing conditions. The design eliminates unreliable components such as electrolytic capacitors, which increases the lifespan of the microinverters threefold, giving homeowners at least 25 years of worryfree performance. The company has successfully completed testing to meet Canadian Standards Association (CSA) and Underwriters TÜV Rheinland (Con’t. from p. 1)
Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) to provide certification for ANSI/UL1703, the required North American solar safety mark. The accreditation is the latest in TÜV Rheinland´s comprehensive portfolio of testing and photovoltaic certifications to help clients penetrate the global marketplace. Worldwide, photovoltaic solar module manufacturers and the suppliers of related components consider the U.S.A. a large target market, according to industry analysts. ANSI/UL 1703 certification is currently one of the pivotal regulatory requirements to launch photovoltaic products in the U.S. marketplace. “We are very pleased by the accreditation of our North American certification body from OSHA. The elevation of status as a Nationally Recognized Test
CR: 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 customers. 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.
Solar Power Daily News 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. SPDN: What is the nature of your distribution and how do you handle sales?
keting and business development teams. An experienced product management team assists the sales organization with strategic product sourcing and logistics for successful account development. SPDN: To what do you attribute your company’s success?
CR: We attribute our success to our business philosophies based on four key pillars: (1) A partnership approach 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
CR: Our current strategy is to provide our customers with value-added, fully
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 mar-
tovoltaic panels designed to meet the needs of major solar countries―requiring significantly less materials for installation and increasing durability, all while providing 40 percent more electricity than fixed panels. On the related note of efficiency, Heliofocus has developed HelioBooster, a series of large parabolic dishes that enhance power production while requiring the lowest footprint per kilowatt of any comparable system and significantly reducing the environmental impact of solar power facilities. Israeli solar technology has historically focused on personal and industrial systems with significant attention to the energy-intensive experience of heating
water. The company Elsol, established in 1948, manufactures and designs solar thermal water heaters and solar flat plate collectors―an offering valuable for homes, hospitals, hotels and agriculture. Newcomer Tigi has improved solar water heating technology through its “Thermal Envelope” system, which allows its collectors to outperform other competitors―even in freezing conditions where other solar thermal systems routinely fail. Israel has an improvisational business culture where challenges are addressed in breakthrough ways. This character carries through to its solar industry to companies like bSolar who have developed, and successfully imple-
mented, the world’s first bifacial PV solar cells that produce up to 30 percent more electricity at the same cost and durability as conventional cells. Addressing the massive problem of how to create a green building, Solar Or has created the first high efficiency, transparent solar curtain wall. This system is optimal for vertical installation in large buildings as a low weight, efficient way to power large structures and keep them cool. As a final bright spot in the Israeli desert, Sun Power has worked worldwide to increase the efficiency of land use and improve the local environment for current and future generations. For more information, visit booth 8636 and www.israeltrade.gov.il.
Laboratories Inc. (UL) certification standards. These approvals―UL1741, IEEE 1547, CSA C22.2 NO. 107.1 and FCC part 15, class B―certify that the company’s products meet recognized national standards for safety and performance in North America. The company is announcing the launch of its newly approved products at Intersolar, North America’s largest solar conference and trade show, in San Francisco. “We are thrilled by this milestone. These approvals are the strongest possible endorsement of the quality of our product,” says Dr. Praveen Jain, CEO of SPARQ. “With these certifications in hand we are now fully equipped to
address the rapidly expanding North American markets.” “It’s extremely gratifying to see our technology receive these certifications,” says Randall North, Chief Operations Officer of SPARQ. “Tactically, SPARQ is now well positioned for volume manufacturing.” The company recently partnered with Sanmina-SCI of San Jose, Calif., a leading manufacturer of electronic and mechanical products, to produce microinverters and communications hubs for the consumer market. The solar inverters will be produced for the Canadian market at Sanmina-SCI’s Ottawa facility, which is certified for Ontario’s Feed-in Tariff (FIT) program,
as well as at Sanmina-SCI’s worldwide regional facilities to meet global demand. SPARQ is actively pursuing certifications for sale of its products outside North America.
Laboratory (NRTL) for TÜV Rheinland PTL will give TÜV Rheinland Group another of the key pieces to service our clients globally,” said Richard Bozicevich, North American Business Field Manager for Solar Services. “With this accreditation we can leverage the expertise and geographic reach of the TÜV Rheinland network to better service clients across the globe.” Around 80 percent of all solar module manufacturers have their products tested at TÜV Rheinland to obtain national and international market licenses. TÜV Rheinland operates test laboratories for solar modules and systems in six locations worldwide: Cologne, Germany; Shanghai, China; Taichung, Taiwan; Yokohama, Japan; and Bangalore, India as well as a U.S. facility in Tempe, Ariz. at TÜV Rheinland PTL. Nearly 200 experts specializing in solar
technologies work at the existing test centers.
SPDN: Describe your current customer support strategy.
About TÜV Rheinland PTL, LLC Based in Tempe, Ariz., TÜV Rheinland PTL, LLC is a leading provider of safety and performance testing and market certification serving every sector of the photovoltaic and solar thermal marketplace, from the supply chain through installation. TÜV Rheinland PTL is a member of the TÜV Rheinland Group, which has the largest network of solar energy laboratories worldwide, with six major laboratories on three continents. The lab was formed as a unique partnership between Arizona State University, an institution with more than 50 years of research on solar energy and extensive solar testing know-how, and TÜV Rheinland, a $1.5 billion global provider of independent testing, assess-
Continued on Page 33
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. For more information, call 613-5336000 x78238, email mbeaudette@ sparqsys.com or stop by booth 7446. ment, and certification services.
About TÜV Rheinland Founded in 1871, TÜV Rheinland North America is a global leader in independent inspection services. The company inspects technical equipment, products and services; oversees projects; and helps to shape processes for U.S. companies seeking entry to worldwide markets. With 14,500 employees, TÜV Rheinland maintains a presence in approximately 500 locations in 61 countries. In addition, it encompasses an international network of approved labs, testing facilities and education centers, and its experts train people across a wide range of industries. For more information, visit www.tuvptl.com or call TÜV Rheinland toll-free at 1-TUV-RHEINLAND (888743-4652).
Solar Power Daily News 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.
SPDN: 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 TÜV SÜD (Con’t. from p. 1)
your company. What’s your main line of business?
KX: TÜV SÜD AG, the largest of the TÜVs, is a leading technical services company with €1.5 billion in sales and more than 15,000 experts worldwide. TÜV SÜD’s breadth of services encompasses consultancy, inspections, testing and expert opinions, as well as certification and training. TÜV SÜD’s distinctive blue octagon and the TÜV SÜD brand are synonymous with increased safety, commercial added value worldwide, and associated with trust and reliability. Globally, TÜV SÜD is recognized as a quality process partner across multiple business sectors, with presence in more than 30 countries—all with German engineering background with local resources. meteocontrol (Con’t. from p. 17)
operational issues, thus increasing overall system availability and ongoing yield. The Cloud allows beneficiaries of investor dollars access to early failure detection and quick troubleshooting. PV system investors and owners demand reliable system management, with optimized yield assurance as the most important goal to support their investment and increase ROI. As another example, meteocontrol’s Virtual Control Room (VCOM) portal
Thursday, July 14, 2011 conveyor, it comes in several different 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.
SPDN: 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, semiautomated and other fully automated solutions available in the industry.
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 carriers on their sides to keep the cells from breaking in
Headquartered in Peabody, Mass., TÜV SÜD America, a subsidiary of TÜV SÜD AG, has had a presence in the United States since 1987. In its more than 20 years in the United States, operations have grown from a handful of individuals to a current staff of more than 1,000 experts in over two dozen locations throughout the United States, Canada and South America.
SPDN: Tell us about your services.
KX: Solar energy, a free and practically inexhaustible energy source is one reason for the fast-growing demand for photovoltaic [PV] modules, especially in North America and Europe. To reach these markets and beyond, products need to be tested to meet stringent performance and safety requirements. SPDN: What distinguishes your products from the competition?
helps minimize the operational costs of PV systems, allowing the operator to select key performance indicators, and directly compare individual components and long-term trends across a large fleet. Customized reports on yield trends can be sent to investors via email directly from the Cloud.
Can the Cloud Scale for Solar Capacity? The Cloud’s storage capacity is nearly limitless with endless potential to scale for market demand.
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. SPDN: 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. SPDN: What products and/or solutions do you see as being hottest this year?
KX: By choosing TÜV SÜD America, one chooses to partner with a global leader with more than 140 years of experience in the field of safety and quality, certifications and testing.
Together with our partner lab, Renewable Energy Test Center LLC, the relationship provides one-stop global PV testing and certification. RETC’s highly experienced PV engineers provide product characterization at cell and module levels, and combined with TÜV SÜD’s global presence, reinforce our commitment to bring quality and one-stop shop testing capabilities in Photovoltaics for our customers. Our experts will work alongside customers to enter global markets in a reliable and timeefficient way. Also, TÜV SÜD’s first-class reputation ensures a high level of acceptance for client reports and certifications. SPDN: Compare the position of your
While Cloud Computing is still in its infancy across the solar industry, this Cloud definitely has a silver lining for both solar providers and investors. For more information about solar virtualization, visit www.meteocontrol.com.
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.
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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 inline process configuration and consolidate some of the processes to reach economies of scale. However, when these customers get away from the inline 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.
SPDN: 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.
services and their technology against the current market.
Dr. P: TÜV SÜD’s strategy combined with its global PV partners is to deliver a myriad of PV test solutions for long-term small- and medium-scale energy validation and degradation analysis at multiple test sites. This provides various weather patterns/insolation, and soiling rates for outdoor testing and data collection. SPDN: Who are your target end-users?
Dr. P: TÜV SÜD provides global experience and local expertise customized for investors, manufacturers, operators [contractors/installers/importers] and R&D companies through testing and certification. Visit TÜV SÜD America at booth 8940 and www.tuvamerica.com or call 800TUV-0123.
Air Liquide (Con’t. from p. 28)
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.
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Thursday, July 14, 2011
Henkel (Con’t. from p. 1)
SPDN: Tell our readers a little about 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. SPDN: Are you new products?
introducing
any
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 Christopher Associates (Con’t. from p. 1)
MH: Well, I am both the president of Christopher Associates, Inc., engineering and distribution firm serving the electronics and photovoltaic industries, as well as president of SEMA, the Solar Engineering & Manufacturing Association.
Christopher Associates has been one of the leading North American suppliers of materials and equipment for high technology manufacturing for more than 30 years. We find the best technology globally and then tailor solutions for our customer base of more than 1,000 manufacturers. We have an extensive engineering and technical support team as well as global logistics support.
SPDN: What would you say makes your company unique?
MH: We help our partners stay ahead of the technology and manufacturing curves and to remain competitive. By finding global solutions, we can provide the best technology at very competitive prices while maintaining a very high level of support.
SPDN: What was your program last year?
MH: In the past year, we have seen the North American solar industry finally begin to take off, and with it, a significant increase in our customer base as well as sales. We have added engineering and support staff, and have been able to develop a number of exciting new solutions in materials and processes for our customers. SPDN: Tell us about SEMA.
MH: Last year at the Intersolar show, we held a meeting of engineers, managers and other stakeholders in the manufacturing and quality processes to form the Solar Engineering & Manufacturing Association. The solar industry has grown
cure extremely rapidly to allow automated manufacturing processes to continue without downtime or parts racking.
SPDN: 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.
SPDN: 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, rapidly, and there are several associations that address certain niches, but none of them really address many of the manufacturing and engineering issues: best practices, quality standards, new technology or professional education, as examples.
Since then, we have held a number of meetings featuring industry experts. We have a very active technical committee run by Jasbir Bath, and we recently held our first standards and engineering technology training sessions, which were very successful.
SPDN: It sounds as if you’re making quite a bit of progress.
MH: Yes. Believe it or not, the statistical data base on long-term reliability is limited, and, as they are finding in Germany, there are a number of issues related to modules and systems that have been inadequately addressed. We feel that SEMA can make a real contribution to the long-term success of the solar industry. SPDN: So what is your next step?
MH: Well, we are having a meeting on Thursday morning, July 14 at 8:30 AM at the Palomar Hotel in San Francisco during Intersolar. We have one of the top technical and industry forecasters, Jon Custer-Topai, speaking. It’s free, and we would love to have everyone there. We will also be discussing our long-term reliability project as well as other issues we are working on.
SPDN: Back to your business. How do you see the industry this year?
MH: North America seems to be the bright spot right now. We are seeing Chinese module manufacturers bleeding and cutting prices, but a number of North American manufacturing facilities are coming online rapidly and are geared for a higher level of service and support to their customers. This
Solar Power Daily News
looking at materials, processes 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. SPDN: 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.
SPDN: Tell our readers about your trade show objectives, plans, products, promotions, etc. may be the key to their success.
In addition, with rising costs in China and the savings on shipping, the North American industry will be able to compete more closely. SPDN: And your own business?
MH: It has been growing rapidly. We represent several of the largest Asian materials and equipment manufacturers, who have quietly become some of the largest suppliers in the industry. These include Tonsan sealants, Jolywood backsheet, GSMC pastes and Sunlight ribbon. On the equipment side, we represent Orient laminators among several other suppliers. SPDN: What is your outlook for some of these products?
MH: Tonsan are one of the largest suppliers of sealants and potting compounds in the industry, and we have been doing very well with a number of the leading module manufacturers. Orient has probably the largest installed base of laminators in the industry, and we have had good success in North America already, while GSMC are one of the largest paste manufacturers, as well. Our business has been growing with the industry, and we expect this growth to accelerate significantly this year.
SPDN: Describe your current marketing strategy.
MH: As an engineering services and materials supplier to several industries, we have a very strong technical team on both materials and equipment. We believe in working with engineering and management to provide not just products, but solutions. By working closely to help engineer processes and applications, we deliver greater value.
SPDN: What are some of the challenges you face?
JD: At this years’ show we will be showcasing our Loctite® 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. SPDN: 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.
MH: The cost pressure on the industry is significant. Our challenge is to deliver the best cost solution while delivering the best technology to our customers. One of the issues facing the industry, as we move forward, is extending the lifetimes of solar modules and reduce field failures. We have been working closely with several materials suppliers to test their products to exceed 25-year product lifetimes. With the tremendous impact of environmental conditions, as well as operational parameters, this is a significant undertaking as well as being time consuming. However, by doing so, we can also develop the next generation of products.
SPDN: Are you introducing any new products at the show?
MH: Yes. We have a new fast-cure sealant that has been recently approved by several major module manufacturers, and we will also be introducing new metallization pastes from GSMC, as well as several new backsheet solutions from Jolywood. On the equipment side, we will be introducing an exciting new multiple-opening press from Orient that also features advanced cooling to improve throughput significantly. SPDN: It sounds exciting.
MH: It is. There are a lot of ways we can help our customers improve yields and throughput at lower costs, and it is exciting to see the industry growing in this manner. Most of our managers are engineers, so we really enjoy watching our customers improve a process or reduce costs because we were able to help in some way. For more information, please visit Christopher Associates at booth 5706, email Matthew Holzmann at matt@christopherweb.com or call 714979-7500.
Solar Power Daily News Baja (Con’t. from p. 1)
construction company engaged in the business of highly specialized and engineered high-tensile, light gauge steel structures. We design, engineer, supply and install solar support structures as part of a solar ground-mount, carport and RV/Boat Storage solution; and continue to build carports, RV/Boat and Self-Storage facilities.
SPDN: Why is Baja winning most of the solar structure business?
BH: We are a nationwide company, operating under 43 years of experience building light gauge, high-tensile steel structures. In 1981, we were building carports and then expanded our business to include the RV and Boat Storage, and Self-Storage markets. As the solar business grew, we also emerged as the leader in solar support systems up to 17’ clear height.
SPDN: What are most significant wins for your company in the last year?
BH: Well, I would have to say that Ferro (Con’t. from p. 1)
efficiencies, reduce manufacturing costs and improve the environment. Ferro’s research is pursuing both evolutionary and transformational pathways in crystalline silicon PV technology and beyond. The company’s expertise in particle synthesis, polymers, glass and dispersion technologies enable it to help propel the industry forward. “We have a number of new products nearing commercialization that will help cell manufacturers reduce cost per watt,” says Todd Williams, business manager for Ferro Electronic Materials. “These include reduced-deposit silver pastes for both front and rear contacts as well as reduced-deposit backside aluminum pastes that offer significant cost savings without sacrificing performance.” One of Ferro’s new products is an aluminum paste that was developed for next generation back surface passivated Heraeus (Con’t. from p. 4)
ability, high adhesion and high electrical performance. The increase in adhesion also demonstrates a better quality solder joint. The affect of humidity and/or contaminants on the integrity of the solder joint is minimized giving reliable thermal cycling and improved lifetime testing results. Increased paste coverage with improved results can provide savings via improved performance. Coverage with the SOL200 Series is significantly better than competitive materials. Increased paste coverage translates into Global Solar Energy (Con’t. from p. 4)
hardware, creating no roof penetrations and no additional wind load— helping to maintain the integrity and aesthetics of a building structure. “Traditional glass solar modules and amorphous silicon laminates, which are limited by low efficiency, have been the only options available until now,” said Jean-Noel Poirier,
Thursday, July 14, 2011 every job we do is significant and we treat all jobs with the same intensity. That being said, Baja was awarded the solar structure business for LIPA’s 19MW solar carport project; and the solar structure business for General Motor’s electric vehicle solar carport/EV charging solution. SPDN: Any new and improved products?
BH: Not only are we improving our original designs to incorporate grounding, wire management, direct attachment (racking elimination) and accessory options (e.g. security cameras, facia, etc.); we also focusing on DSA structures. We have completed several solar carport school installations in California, Nevada and New Jersey. We also have DSA-approved three Baja designs and six options. SPDN: What distinguishes Baja from its competition? BH: Our in-house engineering department is able to customize a sitecells with point contacts (right). It does not fire through passivation layers, and forms excellent BSF in open areas (point contacts). Two rear silver pastes with reduced silver content and laydown tailored for different target fired thicknesses also are being readied for launch. All of these pastes are lead- and cadmium-free.
specific structure; our material is light gauge, high-tensile steel—half the weight of structural steel with same amount of strength; and our experience both technically and geographically. There is no other company out there with the depth of experience in terms of labor and geography—most of our employees have been in the business of steel design, engineering and installation for a minimum of 15 years in more than 23 states. Another important fact, we are contracted in the three western states with International Ironworker’s Union. SPDN: What is your outlook for your solar support structures?
suitable for through hole and fine grid lines. The company has metallization pastes for deep emitters that are compatible with Selective Emitter (SE) technologies, and materials for front and back surface fields of N-type cells.
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BH: We see a great demand for solar carports, as there is not much difference in price between a solar roof-mounted solution and a solar carport solution. The secondary benefit of shaded parking in conjunction with the generation of solar power is a winning combination. Shaded parking is not just a convenience for car owners; we are continuing to building PV shaded solutions for the essential operations of cattle and dairy farms, RV and boat storage, transportation centers and water districts.
SPDN: To what do you attribute your company’s success?
BH: I am amazed to find that the solar industry is filled with “construction-lite” companies trying to execute on a construction site. Baja brings more than 40 years of construction experience and reliability to each job.
For more information, call Bob at 925766-2612, bob@bajacarports.com, visit www.bajacarports.com or stop by booth 7051. and plating-resistant compositions.
Back Surface Cell Configurations In addition to the low-deposit silver described above, Ferro’s new products include p-contacts with ideal diode quality, diffusion barriers, and screening/jetting P and B diffusion materials.
Next Generation Aluminum Technology In addition to the product pictured, Ferro has developed pastes for fire-through dielectric passivation layers, including aluminum oxide, silicon oxide and silicon nitride. Other next-gen Al products that have been developed include full coverage aluminum reflectors, low temperature silver for interconnects that are solderable on fired aluminum, and water-
Thin Film and Module Applications Ferro also has developed solderable polymer silver compositions with low contact resistance to TCOs, lead- and cadmiumfree low temperature sealing glass compostions, and anti-reflective coatings for flat glass that enhance light trapping. Ferro frequently collaborates with leading solar cell manufacturers, equipment suppliers, and research institutes to develop advanced materials. For more information, call 760-305-1000, email solarsolutions@ferro.com, visit www.ferro.com or stop by North Hall, booth 5529.
lower paste consumption. The SOL200 Series of silver paste uses less silver than previously available back-side pastes, which translates to lower cost.
Demonstrated Performance and Cost Savings: Heraeus’ SOL 215H increase in adhesion has demonstrated a better quality solder joint. Adhesion tests using a GPStab tester with Sn62Pb36Ag2 solder at 270°C and Kester 961-E flux was used to measure the peak adhesion strength between solder ribbon (Cu 2.0 mm x
150 µm) and back contact metallization (1.5 – 2 cm section). Initial force measurements using a 6.0 µm fired film thickness demonstrated an average force of 6.0 N using the reference back-side paste and 6.6 N using SOL 215H. Heraeus’ SOL 215H increased paste coverage with superior results provides a high quality, cost-effective solution to any solar cell manufacturer. With rising costs of precious metals, SOL 215H provides savings with improved performance. Coverage with SOL 215H requires 160 – 240 cm2/g, which is significantly better than competi-
tive materials. Increased paste coverage translates into lower paste consumption. The new SOL200 Series is available in SOL220, SOL215H and SOL210. These pastes have been optimized for varying cell designs and processing. Our Technical Service team can identify the ideal product for a customer’s manufacturing process. For more details regard the Heraeus SOL200 Series and our other industryleading metallization pastes, please speak with us at booth 9357 or www.pvsilver paste.com for more contact information.
Senior Vice President of Marketing and Business Development for Global Solar Energy. “Global Solar flexible modules are lightweight and achieve cost-effective, high-performance solar power. This makes them extremely attractive to integrators and roofing companies from both functional and aesthetic value viewpoints.” The 12.6-percent aperture efficiency of the PowerFLEX BIPV makes it the
most efficient flexible solar module in the world. Its large format (5.75m x 0.5m) and high power density (300W) enables it to outperform other solar roofing solutions currently on the market, with twice the power per module than the current amorphous silicon standard, and lower installation and balance of system (BOS) costs. “Whether you are a PV integrator looking to put PV where weight is a
constraint, an architect looking to roll renewable energy into your designs, or a roofing manufacturer looking to differentiate its product offering, the Global Solar PowerFLEX BIPV offers a unique and affordable approach to creating buildings that bring sustainability to a new level,” said Poirier. Global Solar Energy will be showcasing its PowerFLEX™ BIPV at Intersolar booth 5635.
Advanced Cell Architectures Ferro has developed a front silver plug hole paste for Metal Wrap Through (MWT) cell designs and a rear silver paste for N-type MWT configurations. For Emitter Wrap Through (EWT) architectures, Ferro has developed a rear silver paste with heavy p doping for low contact resistance and a front silver paste