MANUFACTURINGMATERIALS
Lightening the load
There are many ways that companies can improve their PV products cost to output ratio to move closer to grid parity. While many consider function this is not the only areas where improvements can be made. Nikhil Bhiwankar, Research Associate at Saint-Gobain Solar discusses how materials can be an enabling part of the manufacturing goals and discusses factors for manufacturers to consider when designing a PV module.
W
orldwide economic challenges coupled with a relatively new
environmental consciousness, have put the search for sustainable, yet effective energy sources centre stage. In the ever-evolving world of alternative energy, solar power has emerged as a viable solution to the world’s energy demand issues, generating power from a readily-available power source.
Reliable and environmentally sound, the conversion of solar energy into electricity is now being used in various applications across the building, residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. With advanced photovoltaic (PV) module designs, solar power can supply a considerable portion of a building’s energy needs, paying off the initial capital investment and approaching grid parity, the point at which renewable electricity is equal to or cheaper than grid power.
Conventional design wisdom dictates two main drivers: form and function. However, when designing a product that serves a vital human need, such as a PV module providing a cost- effective source of sustainable energy, another key factor emerges: total systems cost. With this in mind, recent advances in materials science have led to a current design trend in solar power, lightweight photovoltaic (PV) modules.
Unique thin-film fluoropolymer technologies, such as ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) frontsheets, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) encapsulants, and combined pre-laminates with both ETFE and EVA, allow manufacturers to produce aesthetically pleasing lightweight PV modules that provide increased performance properties, including light transmission, as well as cost-savings to both manufacturers and end-users.
37
www.solar-pv-management.com Issue I 2011
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48