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CONTENTS CONTENTS DRIVING RENEWABLE ENERGY


EPIC director general Carlos Lee looks at recent developments in photovoltaics


SUNNY SIDE UP


Greg Blackman and Rob Coppinger on how lasers and vision equipment are maximising solar energy


BUOYANT SECTOR 12


Lasers are being used to optimise the efficiency of offshore wind farms, as Greg Blackman discovers


WINDS OF CHANGE 16


Rob Coppinger finds out how wind power is being improved by the use of light


PHOTONIC PRODUCTS


A round-up of photonics and imaging products suitable for photovoltaics


20 16 12 8 4 8


PHOTONICS FOR RENEWABLES 2013


Renewable forms of energy are becoming much more important to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. This year’s Photonics for Renewable Energy supplement expands on last year’s Photovoltaics edition by incorporating the use of photonics in wind energy, both in manufacturing turbine blades (page 16) and in assessing potential sites for wind farms with lidar technology (page 12). There is even a discussion of solid state lighting in Carlos Lee’s introduction (page 4) – he is director general of the European Photonics Industry Consortium – which, while not a renewable energy per se, has huge potential to reduce energy consumption of lighting in the home and in industry.


PV is still very much a part of the


renewable sector where photonics plays a big role, and a market expected to undergo resurgence in the next few years. The article on page 8 addresses the laser technology used in solar cell manufacture and the inspection techniques available for quality control.


Whether you’re a regular reader of


Editorial and Administrative Team Tel: +44 (0)1223 211170 Fax: +44 (0)1223 213385 Editor Greg Blackman (greg.blackman@europascience.com) Feature Writer Rob Coppinger (rob.coppinger@europascience.com) Circulation/readership enquiries Pete Vine (subs@europascience.com)


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Jon Hunt (jon.hunt@europascience.com) +44(0)1223 275470 Alex Mappledoram (alex.mappledoram@europascience.com) +44 (0)1223 275471 Advertising Production David Houghton (david.houghton@europascience.com) +44 (0)1223 275474


Chairman Dr Tom Wilkie (tom.wilkie@europascience.com) Publishing Director Warren Clark (warren.clark@europascience.com)


Photonics for Renewable Energy 2013 is published by Europa Science Ltd, Unit 9, Clifton Court, Cambridge CB1 7BN, UK Tel: +44 (0)1223 211170 Fax: +44 (0)1223 213385 Web: www.europascience.com


Electro Optics and Imaging and Machine Vision Europe, or have picked this up at a show such as EU PVSEC and are coming to photonics technologies for the first time, we hope you’ll find plenty of information on how lasers and imaging can improve the efficiency and reliability of renewables.


Greg Blackman Editor


SUBSCRIPTIONS: Photonics for Renewable Energy 2013 is published by Europa Science Ltd, which also publishes Electro Optics, Imaging and Machine Vision Europe, Laser Systems Europe and Fibre Systems. Free registrations available to qualifying individuals. Paid subscriptions available to readers outside registration requirements. Enquiries to Europa Science Ltd, Unit 9, Clifton Court, Cambridge CB1 7BN, UK. Tel: +44 (0)1223 211170. Fax: +44 (0)1223 213385. ©2013 Europa Science Ltd. Whilst every care has been taken in the compilation of this magazine, errors or omissions are not the responsibility of the publishers or of the editorial staff. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the publishers or editorial staff. All rights reserved. Unless specifically stated, goods or services mentioned are not formally endorsed by Europa Science Ltd, which does not guarantee or endorse or accept any liability for any goods and/or services featured in this publication.


US copies: Electro Optics (ISSN 0013-4589), Imaging and Machine Vision Europe and Laser Systems Europe are published by Europa Science Ltd and distributed in the US by DSW, 75 Aberdeen Road, Emigsville PA 17318- 0437. Periodicals postage paid at Emigsville PA. Postmaster: Send address changes to Europa Science, PO Box 437, Emigsville PA 17318-0437.


Cover: Shutterstock PHOTONICS FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY 2013 3


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