news digest ♦ Solar
an existing deployed interface. Opnext’s next generation 40G designs can offer lower power dissipation with extended reach compared to existing 1550nm wavelength-based solutions by using an uncooled laser source.
The Opnext 40GBASE-FR and SONET/SDH multi-protocol capable CFP MSA compliant module is currently sampling.
deliver grid-parity PV systems through the development of an integrated suite of system components and designs based on innovations in module, inverter and mounting technologies.
Honda’s demo test house Solar
CIGS innovator Nanosolar completes $42 million DOE
project The Solar America Initiative Technology Pathway Partnership program focused on lowering the cost of large-scale commercial CIGS PV installations
Nanosolar says it has successfully achieved or surpassed all 10 major tasks in completion of a $42 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy. The tasks were undertaken as part of the Solar America Initiative (SAI) Technology Pathway Partnership (TPP) program. Nanosolar was awarded the grant in 2006 to develop large-scale photovoltaic (PV) systems for commercial buildings that offer the best price per watt performance in the industry and received sign off from the Energy Department in early April 2012. One of the major achievements was that Nanosolar reached more than 13% cell power conversion efficiency on the production floor, which has been built out to a nameplate annual capacity of 115 MW, for its CIGS modules.
The firm also deployed 3.4 MW of panels specifically for pilot installations for this project, a 550 kW deployment for Camp Perry based in Ohio, and a 2.88 MW deployment based in Oregon. In addition, as of December 2011, Nanosolar has produced, sold, and deployed at 14 sites around the world. Based on third-party estimates, Nanosolar says it will reach grid parity economics by 2015 as per DOE program goals. The firm is continuing to collect performance and reliability data from third-party testing laboratories, and analysis of this data is carried out by independent engineering firms and institutions.
“Upon completion of the TPP grant, the Department of Energy indicated that Nanosolar met or exceeded every qualification,” says Eugenia Corrales, CEO of Nanosolar. “The close of this grant validates Nanosolar’s ability to execute to plan. We continue to drive toward delivering the most cost-efficient solar electricity.” Nanosolar worked with three partners to complete this TPP project, which started in September 2007, and focused on developing solar electric solutions for flat commercial rooftops that can deliver grid-parity with other non-renewable energy resources. The team included Nanosolar’s innovations in cell and module technology, inverter technology and systems optimization from Conergy AG and mounting technology from Sunlink LLC in a pilot installation by Suntechnics. The SAI team focused on using Nanosolar’s uniquely scalable PV cell technology in large-scale commercial building installations to
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www.compoundsemiconductor.net April/May 2012
features CIGS solar panels Japanese firm Honda Motor Co. has unveiled a house it has built in the city of Saitama, Japan, for the demonstration testing of the Honda Smart Home System (HSHS).
The house features HSHS, which comprehensively controls in-house energy supply and demand, and helps manage both the generation and consumption of energy for the home such as heat and electricity, while utilising mobility products. HSHS is also designed to enable users to secure their own supply of energy and mobility in a time of disaster.
The HSHS installed in this demonstration test house consists of CIGS thin-film solar cell panels, a home battery unit (rechargeable battery), household gas-engine cogeneration unit and hot-water supply system, and the Smart e Mix Manager.
The Smart e Mix Manager, the core of the HSHS, is a comprehensive energy management device which applies optimal control to electricity supplied from the commercial grid and generated by each energy device that composes the system. The Smart e Mix Manager reduces CO2 emissions from the home and, at the same time, provides a backup supply of electricity so that the house can be self-sufficient in the event of a power outage or disaster.
Striving to realise “the joy and freedom of mobility” and “a sustainable society where people can enjoy life,” Honda will conduct demonstration testing of the HSHS that is linked with electromotive mobility products such as electric vehicles, and the Internavi system. Through this demonstration testing, Honda will aim to reduce CO2 by 50% from the year 2000 and verify the future direction of personal mobility. What’s more, Honda will verify the backup function for household energy supply, which will provide a sense of security and comfort to the customers.
As a part of its effort to further reduce CO2 emissions in people’s everyday lives including mobility, on May 23, 2011, Honda signed an agreement to participate in the E-KIZUNA Project run by the city of Saitama. To conduct demonstration testing with the HSHS-equipped house as a part of the E-KIZUNA Project, Honda built two houses (each for single- family use) in the vicinity of Saitama University (located in the city of Saitama). A third house is scheduled to be built in the same location, where all three houses will be linked for smart community demonstration testing. These tests are scheduled to continue until 2018.
The houses will all feature CIGS thin-film solar cell panels. Honda aims to verify the superiority of power generation efficiency of an all-new CIGS thin-film solar cell module which is currently being developed.
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