DuPont introduces Solamet PV159 for PV

10 renewable energy focus November/December 2008Company showcaseBodycote tests wind turbine bladesSweden-based Bodycote Materials Testing European Technology has used its aerospace experience to develop a unique and compactsystem for the ultrasonic inspection of wind turbine blades manufactured using composite materials.Windblast , reports the company, is a fast andreliable system for inspecting the non-flat areas of blades, including the leading and trailing edges. Ultrasonic waves in the MHz range are used to detect defects.Dr Christophe Mattei headed the development team from Bodycote: “Due to their geometry and size, wind turbine blades are difficult to inspect for porosity and delaminations in the skin of the blade, as well as the lack of adhesion to the bonded parts of the wind power blades”.Windblast , Mattei reports, is made up of amotorised scanner with an ultrasonic transducer that moves quickly over the inspection surface. The sensor can be configured for different bladeareas and blade shapes.DuPont introduces Solamet PV159 for PVDuPont Microcircuit Materials (MCM), part of DuPont Electronic Technologies has introduced Solamet PV159, a thick-film metallisation paste for front-side PV solar cell metallisation. The company claims that its advanced material has outperformed competitive metallisation pastes in a wide range of processes, and in trials by customers around the world.The company says Solamet PV159 provides up to 0.5% efficiency improvement on wafers with shallower emitters, compared to standard wafers, with substantial improvements also shown on many other wafer/emitter types. The product is also said to have a more favourable environmental profile, as it is made withoutcadmium as an ingredient.Alanod invests in enhanced solar coilAlanod GmbH , based in Ennepetal, Germany, has invested in a modern coil-to-coil lacquering line, and a further vacuum-coating line. Lacquers are used to produce weather-resistant reflector and absorber surfaces in the solar industry.The company specialises in surface treatment of coil aluminium, first with anodised products and also with coil-to-coil PV layer systems.The coil-to-coil lacquering line technology has been tested thoroughly through extensive research and development in a pilot plant over the last two years. This line is expected to provide an annual capacity of about 2,500 tonnes, reports the company.The new lacquering line is expected to begin production in April/May 2009. By the end of 2009, Alanod says it will invest in a fifth vacuum coating line, adding to the four lines already in operation.PV Cycle aims for DoubleGreenWhile it will be another 10 years before large-scale PV series reach the end of their lifespan, the PV industry is already planning a voluntary take-back and recycling scheme.PV Cycle was founded in Brussels in July 2007 to help make PV energy more sustainable. Today, 26 companies representing around 70% of Europe’s PV industry have joined the organisation. They are working to create a scheme to reduce the demand for raw materials and recycle most of the materials used.PV Cycle is planning to implement the scheme in key markets as of spring 2009, together with an effective monitoring system. To do so, the company aims to include all European PV module manufacturers, importers and wholesalers in Europe.Jan Clyncke, MD, PV Cycle, said, “full market representation is key to ensuring the credibility and effectiveness of our programme. Joining DoubleGreen today will give new members the opportunity to shape the scheme and make it an exemplary business model.”Centrosolar supplies Romanian national park with PVHamburg-based Centrosolar AG has supplied solar modules to Rezetat National Park in Romania’s southern Carpathian region. The PV installation provides power for a refuge in a nature reserve.The park, in the Rezetat Mountains, covers an area of 381 km 2. The region is not connected to the public power grid, as interference in the park’s environment is prohibited, so PV modules are said to be the only option. Centrosolar has provided crystalline modules from the company’s Solara S -Series, with a capacity of 125 W p . The solar generator provides 500 W p and in summer generates up to 2.5 kWh of power per day. The solar inverter is a Studer Sinus producing 500 W .Centrosolar’s partner LP Electric srl , located in Alba Iulia, Romania, handled the transaction, including plant installation. LP sells and installs power plants using renewable energy sourcesNew fund to invest in South Africa cleantechInspired Evolution Investment Management has launched South Africa’s first ever clean technology investment fund. The Evolution One Fund is a 10-year private equity fund, targeted to grow to ZAR 1 billion (South African rands) by mid-July 2009. To date the fund has raised ZAR 400 million from four core international investors: the International Finance Corporation(World Bank ), Castleway Properties , the Swiss Investment Fund for Emerging Markets , and the Finnish Fund for Industrial Cooperation . With regard to investment, particular attention will be paid to small, medium and micro-enterprises; broad-based black economicempowerment; and the transformation benefits of underlying investment projects.Dr Zuko Kubukeli, executive director of Inspired Evolution, said, “having raised ZAR 400 million from our core international investors, we are now targeting a second round of international and local investors.”Principle Power signs for floating offshore wind power plantSeattle, Washington-based independent power producer Principle Power, Inc. has signed a Memorandum of Agreement with Tillamook Intergovernmental Development Agency (TIDE) for the phaseddevelopment of a 150 MW floating offshore wind power plant off the coast of Tillamook County, Oregon, USA.The technology used by Principle Power – the WindFloat – was conceived by Marine Innovation & Technology , and is exclusively licensed by Principle Power. The WindFloat floating foundation for offshore wind turbines is said to dampen wave and turbine motion, enabling wind turbines to be sited in previously inaccessible locations with superior wind resource. The plant’s location will be selected with the participation of local stakeholders.Alla Weinstein, ceo of Principle Power, said, “upon fabrication of the WindFloat structures, full assembly is completed onshore. This provides for practicaldeployment to offshore locations, lowers costs and reduces weather dependence.”。