MANUFACTURINGMATERIALS
made with thin-film components are easier to install than their heavier counterparts made with conventional materials, requiring less time to put into action. As soon as PV modules are up and running, an end-user can begin to recoup the initial investment with clean and efficient power.
Another key PV module design consideration that has far-reaching effects on end-users is systems weight and its effect on building design and structure. Lightweight PV modules, made using thin film products such as ETFE and EVA, are easier to install from a structural load standpoint, requiring little-to-no additional structural support. It is not uncommon for large conventional PV module installation projects to get cancelled or down-sized due to weight restrictions on the roof.
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In regions that experience harsh weather conditions, roofs are subjected to the weight of conventional PV modules coupled with snow and wind load, as well, adding further structural burden. Some buildings are not even considered candidates for PV module installation projects, as they were not built with the extra load capacity for
conventional systems. As customer demand for more power per unit area increases, so does the burden on rooftop structure. It can be expensive to retrofit a rooftop. Lightweight panels made using ETFE and EVA films, coming in at roughly half the weight of conventional modules, allow installation projects to be completed as efficiently as possible, without costly modification to rooftop support structures.
As form and function meet the bottom line, lightweight PV modules with thin films such as ETFE and EVA, are more efficient, durable, and cost-effective than modules made with conventional materials. Renewable energy is making gains on fossil fuels, and the focus is on cost-effective and environmentally sound methods to meet ever-increasing global power demand. Lightweight PV modules provide a unique combination of cost-savings and performance, ultimately helping end-users achieve grid parity and move solar power into the mainstream.
© 2011 Angel Business Communications. Permission required.
Peak Performance in Solar Technologies
Expertise in each fi eld of the PV manufacturing process creates solar power at best cost performance ratio. The Meyer Burger Group offers its customers lowest cost of ownership at premium quality.
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www.solar-pv-management.com Issue I 2011
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