301 Moved Permanently

---

nginx

Natcore Makes Laser-Processed HIT Cell

Scientists working in the Rochester, N.Y., research and development center of Natcore Technology Inc. have produced an all-back-contact silicon heterojunction with intrinsic thin layer (HIT)-structure solar cell using its proprietary laser technology.

Natcore’s HIT-structure cells are made using thin amorphous silicon layers in combination with a standard crystalline silicon solar wafer. The laser is used to apply contacts to the rear of the cell. In addition to further increasing cell efficiency relative to industry standards, Natcore says its all-back-contact technique could allow production of these high-efficiency cells at low cost.

“Silicon HIT-structure cells have been shown to yield record efficiencies of greater than 25%,” says David Levy, Natcore’s director of research and technology.

Natcore: natcoresolar.com

 

CAS Produces PV Plant Monitoring System

Ohio-based CAS DataLoggers has produced an integrated photovoltaic plant monitoring system that measures a number of environmental factors in addition to electricity production.

The company’s NI-816 Omnialog 16-channel universal input data logger is the core of the system. The Omnialog also has protected inputs and conformal coating on all of its internal electronics, which is useful in outdoor installations with extreme temperature variations and the possibility of internal moisture formation.

Current transducers are installed on electrical cables and connected to the data logger on a 4-20mA interface. The data logger itself monitors both temperature and humidity using its internal sensor. Solar radiation is measured with a pyranometer that continuously transmits the level to the Omnialog data logger. A cup-type anemometer is used to measure wind speed.

Users can monitor data from the Omnialog on the Web using a computer, tablet or smartphone. Trends are shown in charts via the Web browser interface and are stored for further analysis. Data can also be exported for use with spreadsheet applications.

Omnialog data loggers integrate modems to send data via FTP, email or SMS messaging. Alarms and reporting thresholds may be set up through the Web server.

CAS DataLoggers: dataloggerinc.com

 

1366 And Hanwha
Partner On Wafer Tech

Massachusetts-based 1366 Technologies and Germany-based Hanwha Q Cells have entered into a long-term partnership to collaborate on the development of 1366’s proprietary Direct Wafer technology with the intent to commercialize and use it in Hanwha’s solar cells.

1366 Technologies’ Direct Wafer forms multicrystalline wafers directly from molten silicon instead of using a multi-step process. The company says this “drop in” technology saves on energy and capital equipment and would work with most existing lines.

Upon successful commercialization of the Direct Wafer technology, the companies expect to expand the partnership. Among others, the potential options include the supply of Direct Wafers from 1366’s manufacturing facilities to those of Hanwha Q Cells.

1366 Technologies: 1366tech.com

 

SwRI Contracted To
Improve CSP Components

The Texas-based Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) has been awarded $4.9 million by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) as part of a $9.9 million continuation contract to manufacture and test a high-efficiency supercritical CO2 (sCO2) hot gas turbo-expander and compact heat exchangers for concentrating solar power (CSP) plants.

The award, given through the DOE’s SunShot Initiative, continues a previous DOE project to design the sCO2 expander. The SwRI will lead an industry team that includes Aramco Services Co., Bechtel Marine Propulsion Corp., the Electric Power Research Institute, General Electric and Thar Energy.

According to the SwRI, the highly cyclical nature of CSP plant operation requires a sCO2 hot gas turbo-expander to operate at high temperatures and pressures over a wide range of load conditions while maintaining high efficiency, handling rapid transient heat input swings and offering very fast start-up to optimize the plant’s online availability. There are applications for the technology in other industries, as well.

“Over the last two years, SwRI and its industry collaborators have developed a highly efficient, multi-stage axial flow sCO2 hot gas turbo-expander that advances the state of the art from laboratory size to a full megawatt-scale prototype,” says Jeff Moore, principal investigator of the project and manager of the rotating machinery dynamics section in SwRI’s mechanical engineering division.

A second objective of the project is to optimize novel compact heat exchangers for sCO2 applications to drastically reduce manufacturing costs.

The project is scheduled to continue through mid-2016.

SwRI: swri.org

 

Panasonic Developing Solar And Li-ion Hybrid

Panasonic Eco Solutions and its partner PowerOasis are unveiling a solar photovoltaic and lithium ion (Li-ion)-based hybrid power system for cellular tower and Wi-Fi hotspot sites.

The Green Tower system combines Panasonic’s Li-ion battery technology and HIT solar modules with PowerOasis’ telecommunications energy management system. The system is designed for a range of telecommunications sites with loads that range from 50 W to 3 kW. It can be deployed in off-grid, unreliable grid or on-grid locations as either a primary or backup power system.

Within certain markets, the Green Tower also offers an opportunity for smart grid energy arbitrage. It uses predictive algorithms to show actual load compared to market demand and can send unused energy from on-site assets back to the local grid. Other features include satellite connectivity and wireless equipment monitoring.

Panasonic: panasonic.com

 

TSEC Shows New
PERC Cells

Taiwan-based TSEC Corp. has developed its new V-Series high-efficiency solar panels made with a new photovoltaic metallization paste from DuPont Photovoltaic Solutions.

The TSEC V-Series 300 W and 360 W solar panels use DuPont’s Solamet metallization pastes that are formulated to help achieve improved conversion efficiency. The panels also employ DuPont Tedlar polyvinyl fluoride film-based backsheets.

TSEC signed an agreement with DuPont in late 2014 under which DuPont would create customized silver paste materials suited for lower-temperature processing in order to boost the efficiency of TSEC’s passivated emitter and rear cell (PERC) solar cell architecture.

“With Solamet pastes optimized for TSEC’s V-Cell manufacturing process, we’ve hit our conversion efficiency target of over 21 percent - not just in the lab, but in production,” says Tim Chang, Asia Pacific regional business director for DuPont’s microcircuit materials group.

TSEC: tsecpv.com

 

AceClamp Introducing Solar Fasteners

Connecticut-based AceClamp/PMC Industries Inc. is introducing its Wind Clamp and Wire Management Clip fastening systems for solar standing-seam metal roof applications.

The AceClamp Wind Clamp features a slide-pin design that prevents the clamp from loosening or backing out under strong seismic vibrations or wind conditions up to 150 mph. The company says the clamp’s push-pin design will not chip, mar or twist into a roof’s metal surface.

The AceClamp Wire Management Clip organizes solar wiring without requiring tools. It features a smooth, rolled-edge slide-in design and one-hand spring release. The company says installers need only one clip for ground wire assembly rather than multiple clips for one install. The clip is easily accessible if more wires need to be added.

AceClamp: pmcind.com

 

Cogenra Records Highs For Peak Module Power

California-based Cogenra Solar says its modules have broken two records for peak power.

Cogenra’s 72-cell format modules reached a peak power of 400 W using front-contact monocrystalline silicon cells and reached a peak of 352 W using polycrystalline cells. These records were verified by the California-based Renewable Energy Test Center.

Cogenra produces modules using commercially available cells assembled into modules through its proprietary Dense Cell Interconnect process.

Cogenra Solar: cogenra.com