1. Home
  2. Articles posted by: Rona Fried (Page 1509)

Sharp Introduces New Thin-Film Modules

Noting that market demand is expected to grow significantly for thin-film solar, Sharp Corp. unveiled two new thin-film solar modules which deliver 90W of power each. The amorphous/microcrystalline thin-film tandem cell design uses stacked layers of amorphous silicon and microcrystalline silicon and achieves a conversion efficiency of 8.5% (40% higher than conventional amorphous solar cells). Sharp’s thin-film modules are covered with tempered glass for increased strength and minimum reflected surface glare. The external surface appearance is an attractive black, a feature typical of thin-film solar cells. When used in combination with the company’s Lumiwall illuminating solar panels with built-in LEDs or with building material-integrated, transparent-type thin-film solar cells, these new modules will enable development of applications with better designs.

Read More

Unique BIPV Solar Module Installed

Atlantis Energy Systems, Inc. announced the completion of a 592 kilowatt (kW) solar electric system, including a 41.75 kW building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) system at the Center for Water Education in Hemet, CA. near Los Angeles. Each of the 114 BIPV modules – one of the largest, UL-listed modules ever made – measures 2.4m (7′ 11″) by 1.6m (5′ 3″) and delivers 366 Watts. They offer approximately 30% translucency. The glazing modules are point-supported on the canopies. “This is the first module of its kind and size for such a large solar system in the United States,” said the project manager Todor Galitev. “In addition, the design of a sophisticated, wireless control system at the site allows real-time monitoring and troubleshooting of all 90 inverters located in six separate buildings. This first-of-a-kind monitoring system makes the solar PV project user-friendly and allows customers and system operators to view performance of the panels in real time,” continued Mr. Galitev. The multi-inverter approach contributes to system reliability. The expected annual output from the BIPV canopies at the Center is 60 MWh. The BIPV system is installed as a canopy over the two front entrances of the building complex and is part of […]

Read More

PetroSun Starts Testing Algae-Based Biodiesel

PetroSun, Inc. (PSUD.PK) announced that its subsidiary, Algae BioFuels, will begin the field testing stage of the cultivation of algae for biodiesel production during the first quarter of 2007. The test site will be located in Arizona. Algae BioFuels will install a biodiesel refinery in Arizona after the successful completion of the field cultivation trials. The initial phase of the refining process will produce up to ten million gallons per year, to be increased after the initial phase of production and after refining has been evaluated. Algae BioFuels is also conducting a feasibility study of production and refinery sites in Australia and New Zealand. Independent studies demonstrate that algae is capable of producing over 30 times more oil per acre than corn, soy and other crops currently used to produce biofuels. The Office of Fuels Development, a division of the Department of Energy, funded a program from 1978 through 1996 under the National Renewable Energy Laboratory known as the “Aquatic Species Program”. The focus of this program was to investigate high-oil algae that could be grown specifically for the purpose of wide scale biodiesel production. Some species of algae are ideally suited for biodiesel production due to their high oil […]

Read More