NEWS I ROUNDUP
Q.Cells and CCC realise large off-grid solar Installation in Abu Dhabi desert
Q.CELLS and Consolidated Contractors Company (known as CCC), an Athens- based construction company, have successfully realised the first off-grid solar installation in the United Arab Emirates. The rooftop photovoltaic system with an output of 368 kWp is one of the largest solar installations in the country empowering a camp with more than 5000 people working for an oil field development project in the desert. The installation carries 1,536 multicrystalline PV modules from Q.CELLS.
They generate approximately 610 MWh per year which will be used for air conditioning, kitchen installations and other daytime power demand. The system feeds directly into one of the camp´s diesel generator powerhouses. It will also contribute to reduce CCC´s carbon footprint by offsetting 420 tons of CO2 emissions per year.
Q.CELLS acted as a Procurement and Engineering partner and provided extensive support services to CCC during the construction phase. CCC initiated the project, employed its local teams for construction and will operate and maintain the plant.
“We are very proud to be part of one of the largest off-grid PV installations in the United Arab Emirates so far”, said
Hannes Behacker, Senior Vice President Asia Pacific/Middle East of Q.CELLS. “The project marks a major innovation showing how to reduce the environmental impact and cost of fossil energy consumption by innovative off-grid solar power plants which operate together with diesel generators.”
Q.CELLS has already proven performance of its products in hot climates at the Desert Knowledge Center Australia. Q.CELLS had opened an office in Abu Dhabi, UAE, earlier this year and looks to further expand its footprint in the sun-kissed Middle Eastern region. This project and the established professional partnership with CCC mark a first important milestone on this road.
CCC believes in providing future generations with a healthy and safe environment and social and economic prosperity. As such CCC has initiated to launch a PV power plant in UAE - Qusahwira Camp. CCC selected Q.CELLS as its key partner for this project. Q.CELLS has provided support from the design to engineering and procurement of the PV generator as well as technical support during the construction phase.
CCC added its unique position and skills in designing the balance of the equipment needed and in doing the construction work under guidance of Q.CELLS experts for the PV-specific part of the installation.
MiaSole sets flexible PV efficiency world record
MIASOLE, a manufacturer of copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) thin-film photovoltaic solar panels, has announced that the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has confirmed a 15.5 percent aperture area efficiency on commercial size flexible PV module (total area 1.68m2
).
MiaSole's record represents over 2 points of improvement compared to the previous world record for flexible PV of 13.4 percent set earlier this year.
"Achieving 15.5 percent efficiency is a clear validation of MiaSole's unique and innovative approach to delivering high
efficiency CIGS flexible cell technology," said John Carrington, CEO of MiaSole. "MiaSole's world leading efficiency and low cost flexible PV technology demonstrates the potential of CIGS compared to silicon-based and other thin film technologies."
MiaSole's proprietary cell technology is creating new and compelling opportunities for their customers by bringing high efficiencies to flexible applications. Companies in the building, vehicle and fabric integrated PV markets that were previously unable to realize the potential of solar, can now explore new and innovative applications for high efficiency, flexible solar panels.
"Along with our current capacity to deliver 14.5 percent glass modules, the NREL verification of our flexible modules highlights the progress we are continuously making against our efficiency roadmap and goal of delivering the lowest levelized cost of electricity to our customers," added Carrington.
The cells for the record device were made using MiaSole's existing production lines in Santa Clara, CA.
MiaSole's large area flexible PV module was submitted for evaluation by NREL as part of the company's ongoing process for third party verification.
Issue IV 2012 I
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