Solis Partners Completes Solar Installation For New Jersey Utility
FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP, N.J. (March 11, 2011) – Solis Partners, a leading developer and integrator of commercial solar power systems, and Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G), New Jersey’s oldest and largest publicly owned utility, recently celebrated the completion of a 921-kilowatt rooftop solar installation at the utility’s Central Division Headquarters in the Somerset section of Franklin Township, N.J.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by PSE&G executives, local elected officials and dignitaries, representatives from the solar panel supplier and the solar developer responsible for building the system.
Designed, engineered and deployed by Manasquan, N.J.-based Solis Partners, the system utilizes a combination of U.S.-made SolarWorld flat, glass-plated crystalline panels and Solyndra thin film panels.
The Somerset system is part of Newark-based PSE&G’s Solar 4 All™ program, a plan to invest $515 million on 80 megawatts of solar projects around the state between 2009 and 2013.
“With the hard work and commitment of key state legislators, the BPU and utilities such as PSE&G, New Jersey has become the sixth largest solar market in the world and a national leader in installed solar capacity — second only to California,” said Jamie Hahn, managing director of Solis Partners. “PSE&G’s Solar 4 All program has been key to that achievement. This project exemplifies PSE&G’s commitment to transforming underutilized commercial rooftops into clean renewable energy sources.”
Rooftop solar makes tremendous sense for New Jersey, which has more flat commercial rooftops per square mile than any other state, said Gary Weisman, director of sales for Solis, in remarks at the event.
“These underutilized rooftop assets are the perfect platform for deploying distributed solar generation facilities where power is most needed,” said Weisman. “Rooftop solar produces during the hours of peak demand, and provides power to the areas of the grid that need it the most — large commercial and industrial users.”
The innovative cylindrical panels from Solyndra are designed to optimize electricity production on commercial flat rooftops. The ability of the system to cover more rooftop area and capture more light than traditional panels results in more annual solar electricity generation and will provide clean, low-cost power back to the utility grid for more than 25 years.
The Solyndra panels were integrated in the PSE&G system with a reflective white “cool” roof, which was on display at the ribbon cutting along with the Solyndra panels. The reflective roof not only enhances the efficiency of the building envelope from an energy savings perspective, but also increases the amount of solar production harvest.
Solis partnered with Allied Building Products Corp. on the project. Allied’s distribution team delivered the Solyndra and SolarWorld panels directly to the PSE&G rooftop and craned the Satcon inverters into place onto the concrete pad. Allied also provided the overall logistical support that allowed the project to be executed smoothly.
“For a project of this magnitude, staging and delivery are key to overall success and Allied has been a great partner in the role of solar distribution and logistics,” said Hahn.
At the ribbon cutting, the consensus of local dignitaries, which included New Jersey Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula and Somerset County Freeholder Patrick Scaglione, was that without a thriving renewable energy sector, the nation risks escalating dependence on fossil fuels, increased greenhouse gas emissions, reduced national security and the erosion of job creation within the clean energy sector.
In addition to being a great example of the advancements that are occurring in the solar sector, PSE&G’s Central Division Headquarters’ solar system illustrates how the Solar 4 All initiative is helping the renewable energy sector grow in New Jersey and the nation, said Al Matos, PSE&G’s vice president of Renewables and Energy Solutions, who delivered the opening remarks to the crowed of about 50 people.
“By installing large amounts of solar capacity in a reliable, orderly way, Solar 4 All is a driving force behind the renewable energy market,” said Matos. “Programs such as ours help create a predictable demand for these advanced products. This creates the kind of environment that solar companies need to spur innovation and cost efficiencies on their part, which then drives even more demand, more sales and more innovation.”
The benefits of having utilities such as PSE&G as major players in the renewable energy field extend beyond helping to create a market for solar companies, also helping ratepayers, he said.
“Our Solar 4 All program provides maximum benefit to PSE&G electric ratepayers,” said Matos. “Every one of the panels we are placing in service generates value from the sale of its electricity and capacity, the federal investment tax credits it realizes and the solar renewable energy certificates (SRECs) that it generates.”
TOP 10 GREEN STADIUMS
The countdown is on! We are T-minus four days until Super Bowl XLV.
All eyes will be on Cowboys Stadium when the Pittsburgh Steelers take on the Green Bay Packers. That very sports arena ranks in the top five green stadiums on a list compiled by SunRun, a national home solar company.
The Top 10 Green Stadiums are as follows:
1. Qwest Field, Home of the Seattle Seahawks and Seattle Mariners – The stadium has installed solar panels to help the building offset double-digit percentage increases in electric rates.
2. Lincoln Financial Field, Home of The Philadelphia Eagles – In 2008, the Eagles produced 97 percent of their energy through renewable sources. The team also calculates their travel emissions and plants trees to offset their carbon footprint.
3. STAPLES Center, Home of the LA Lakers – Was awarded ISO 14001 Certification in 2010 for the third-party review of its Environmental Management System (EMS), making it the first U.S. arena to receive the respected accreditation.
4. Nationals Stadium, home of The Washington Nationals –The stadium is building LEED certification and has an in-house recycling center.
5. Cowboys Stadium, Home of the Dallas Cowboys – The $650 million stadium is aiming to reduce solid waste by 25%, energy use by 20% and water consumption by 1 million gallons annually.
6. Qualcomm Stadium, Home of the San Diego Chargers – The stadium boasts 350 ninety-four gallon recycling bins in the tailgating area.
7. Gillette Stadium, Home of the New England Patriots – Recycling bags are handed out at the parking lot and solar-powered compactors collect plastic bottles and cans around the stadium.
8. Meadowlands Stadium, Shared by the New York Giants and Jets – The seats are made from recycled plastic and the Environmental Protection Agency consulted on the construction of the stadium.
9. Progressive Field, Home of The Cleveland Indians – The stadium uses recycled paper and cornstarch cups in their concession stands.
10. The Future Home of the San Francisco 49ers – Still in its planning stages, the new stadium is slated to open in 2014 and will have solar panels and a green roof, recycled water, and a plan that would have almost a fourth of all fans arriving via public transport.
SOURCE: SunRun, www.sunrunhome.com
Ceramic materials help manufacturers of thin film photovoltaic cells achieve greater efficiency
The earth benefits from an impressive 125,000 terawatts (TW) of solar energy. While the future energy needs of the planet will undoubtedly be met with a combination of technologies, many believe that solar – in the form of photovoltaic (PV) cells – is the only renewable energy source with the capacity to make a significant impact on global energy production.
As a result, the race is on to push the performance of PV cells to a level where the total cost of the electricity generated is as cheap (if not cheaper) than that from carbon-based sources. Some predict that grid parity, as it is called, could be achieved in some locations within as little as a few years.
Most of the effort in this direction is now centered on thin film deposition, rather than wafer-based modules, although there is still discussion around the relative merits of both. The main arguments in favor of thin film are that it uses less material, and is much faster and simpler than the complex and delicate process of slicing, dicing and placing of silicon wafers. This means that if the cost of deposition can be reduced, and the efficiency of the resulting PV cells increased sufficiently, the goal of grid parity will be achieved.
What most commentators and manufacturers do agree on is that, for significant increases in efficiency, all components of the equipment and all steps of the process must be considered; there is no one panacea that will achieve the goal in a single step.
Thin film deposition process
Thin film deposition has been used for some years for a variety of applications, including semiconductor and optical components, decorative and low-emissivity architectural glass, and most recently in the manufacture of flat screens for TVs and computers. In solar cell production, the process offers a simpler and cheaper alternative to using silicon wafers.
Manufacturers continue to experiment with various materials and refinements of the thin film deposition process for solar cells based on silicon and other materials. The direct band-gap semiconductors cadmium telluride (CdTe), copper indium diselenide alloy (CuInSe2) and copper indium gallium diselenide alloy Cu(InGa)Se2, have high optical absorption coefficients (>105cm-1) are now emerging as the most popular materials for the photo absorption layer in thin film photovoltaic (TFPV) cells. More than a dozen companies worldwide are already actively producing these cells, or are in a start-up phase.
Creation of the TFPV layers can be achieved by various methods; using a physical or chemical vapor deposition processes, particle sintering or electro-deposition for example. Reports suggest that the best results are achieved using high temperature (up to approx 500°C) deposition and post-growth anneal of the TFPV layers.
While the processes are complex, and manufacturers continue to research, develop and refine, the essential features remain – high temperatures, aggressive and corrosive process materials.
Quality is key
To date TFPV cells have only achieved approximately 20% efficiency (which is the current benchmark for Crystalline Silicon PV cells manufactured in production quantity) over small areas and under laboratory conditions. In production quantities and large panel sizes the best efficiencies that manufacturers currently achieve is in the range of 10-12%.
In the push towards achieving the goal of grid parity, the manufacturing challenge is to create reliable and consistent process conditions that can reproduce laboratory quality in large quantities.
This is an area where manufacturers of PV cells and their equipment suppliers can benefit from the huge investment in materials research that has already been done over the years in the manufacture of semiconductors and flat screens, both of which have been through large-scale, fast ramp-ups in volume manufacture.
Ceramic – the perfect choice
Technical ceramic materials feature high hardness, physical stability, extreme heat resistance and chemical inertness. As such, they are highly resistant to melting, bending, stretching, corrosion and wear – and ideal for use in environments of extreme heat and aggressive chemicals, like that of TFPV deposition.
Morgan Technical Ceramics, a division of the Morgan Crucible Company plc, is a world leader in specialist engineering of ceramic components. A global business, the company is working with leading players in PV cell manufacture in USA, Europe and Asia, supplying a wide variety of components for both silicon-based and non-silicon based thin film solar cells.
Non-silicon thin film solar cell manufacture
In an application borrowed from the manufacture of architectural glass, fused silica rollers are used to move the hot glass panels through the deposition process. The thermal stability of silica is exceptional; it has a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of <1 x 10-6/°C – lower than any other ceramic material. This low CTE combined with its chemical compatibility with glass make fused silica rollers an ideal choice for ensuring the glass remains perfectly flat during the process.
Morgan Technical Ceramics are supplying precision machined fused silica rollers for use in continuous flow TFPV deposition machines from its locations in Fairfield, NJ, USA and Yixing, China.
In TFPV deposition equipment, precursor vapors and gases are transported from a source vessel through a deposition zone onto a heated glass substrate to deposit the PV layer. Morgan Technical Ceramics produces a number of components used in this part of the TFPV process.
In some instances, solid materials are melted and vaporized from ceramic crucibles or boats to form a flux that is deposited on the heated glass substrate. It is critical that the ceramic crucible or boat be dimensionally stable and chemically non-reactive to the molten source material. Pyrolytic boron nitride (pBN) ceramic is an excellent material for this application due to its high corrosion resistance and non-reactivity with the source materials used in PV deposition. Morgan Technical Ceramics’ Hudson, NH USA site supplies pBN crucibles and evaporation boats made via a chemical vapor deposited (CVD) process that are ideal vessels due to the ultra-high purity nature of the CVD pBN material. Further, Morgan Technical Ceramics provides pBN-coated graphite heating elements used for material vaporization.
In other configurations, vaporized precursor materials are transported from the source to the deposition zone via a vapor distribution manifold. The manifold is formed from a perforated tube made of ceramic because it is one of the few materials with the chemical stability to operate without problems with these very toxic, hazardous chemicals, at high temperatures (above 500°C).
Morgan Technical Ceramics produces these tubes in mullite and in alumina, at its specialist extrusion facility in Waldkraiburg, Germany. Tubes are up to 2.5m (100inches) long x 105 mm (4inches) diameter, with multiple vapor exit points, for uniform deposition across the glass. They are extruded, fired in large kilns, and then precision machined to achieve final product tolerances within +/-0.15mm (0.005inch).
Silicon-based thin film solar cell manufacture
Oerlikon Solar, a European manufacturer of thin film deposition equipment for PV panel production, is using precision-engineered, high-purity ceramic bars in some of its higher temperature thin film deposition machines, for lifting, stacking and aligning components and the glass panels inside the chamber.
The ceramic is semiconductor-grade 99% alumina, chosen for its excellent thermal and chemical stability as an alternative to stainless steel, which has a tendency to buckle and bend at high temperatures.
Morgan Technical Ceramics is able to produce consistent flatness of less than 0.01mm over the 1.2m length of the bar and parallelism of less than 0.05mm, with a polished mirror finish. In fact, these tight specifications are well within the capability of the company’s specialist manufacturing facilities at Rugby, UK, where skills have been honed and refined through years of supplying critical components for the semiconductor, aerospace, laser and other demanding industries.
Ceramic pins, also made of high-grade alumina, are used as locators and separators between key components inside the TFPV deposition reaction module chamber. Shaped like a drawing pin, the component is about 15mm in length with tightly controlled dimensions to enable consistent deposition of the thin film layers within the reaction module.
Morgan Technical Ceramics’ Stourport plant, also in the UK, produces several thousand of these pins per month, and is expecting to double its production volume within the next 12 months.
Summary
In all these examples, two things are key. First, in these applications the very high quality engineering ceramics are not operating any where near the boundaries of their thermal and chemical stability. TFPV manufacturers are free to continue experimenting with higher temperatures and different thin film materials, safe in the knowledge that these components of the system will not have any adverse effect on the efficiency of the process or the finished PV panel. In such a rapidly developing market, this level of reliability is vital.
Second, Morgan Technical Ceramics has proven ability to produce consistently high specification components of this kind in large volume, and to be able to react quickly to sudden increases in demand on both sides of the Atlantic.
The manufacture of PV cells using thin film deposition processes is one of the fastest moving and most exciting manufacturing industries of our time. The global market is growing at a rate of 50% per year and estimates are that growth will continue at this rate until 2010, then increase even more rapidly for a couple years before ‘settling down’ to a steady 25% year on year growth. Clearly, the race is on, and the big money is there for PV manufacturers who can perfect their processes fast and take the lead.
Proven in other sectors, technical ceramics can make an important contribution to helping this roller-coaster of a developing industry achieve its goals of consistent quality in both the process and the finished product, for better PV cell efficiency in volume productions, and ultimately, parity with other sources of grid energy.
About Morgan Technical Ceramics
Morgan Technical Ceramics (MTC) has comprehensive range of Ceramic materials, from which its products are manufactured. Supplying to a variety of demanding markets, MTC has established an enviable reputation for providing value-added solutions through world-class research and development, innovative design and, perhaps most important of all, application engineering.
Morgan Advanced Ceramics, together with Morgan Electro Ceramics forms Morgan Technical Ceramics, a division of the Morgan Crucible Company plc. From manufacturing locations in Australia, North America, Europe and Asia, Morgan Technical Ceramics supplies an extensive range of products, including ceramic components, braze alloys, ceramic/metal assemblies and engineered coatings.
For more information on Morgan Technical Ceramics visit www.morgantechnicalceramics.com
Southern California Edison Awards 36 Contracts for Utility-Scale Solar Rooftop Project
Southern California Edison (SCE) awarded 36 contracts to independent power producers for a total of nearly 60 megawatts from photovoltaic solar panels that will produce emission-free energy for SCE customers. The panels will be installed on 31 unused rooftops and five ground-mount sites in SCE’s service territory.
The solar rooftop project, approved by the California Public Utilities Commission in June 2009, calls for a total of 500 megawatts of solar generating capacity, most of it on otherwise unused large warehouse rooftops. Half of the 500 megawatts will be from independent power producers who respond to SCE’s request for offers under competitive solicitations; the remaining 250 megawatts will be owned and operated by SCE. It is expected that this project will create about 1,200 jobs for Southern Californians.
“These contracts make significant strides toward distributed renewable generation for one of the most innovative solar programs in the country,” said Marc Ulrich, SCE vice president, Renewable and Alternative Power. “We’re working to help California meet its Million Solar Roofs goal and supply even more renewable energy to our customers where and when it’s most needed, without the added time and expense to construct major new transmission facilities.” The contracts awarded today are the first executed under the competitive solicitations for independent power producers.
SCE believes that its solar rooftop project will be a boon for the solar industry and consumers alike, with the resulting cost per unit significantly more cost effective than more common residential photovoltaic installations in California. Eventually, this could help drive down installation costs of photovoltaic generation for everyone. When complete, the solar panels will cover an area totaling 4 square miles on about 250 otherwise unused warehouse roofs. The total power production will rival a utility-scale power plant, enough electricity to serve 325,000 average homes at a point in time. SCE has already installed panels on three rooftop warehouses in California’s Inland Empire that are delivering – or are in line to deliver – electricity to the grid.
SCE is the nation’s leading utility for renewable energy. In 2009, SCE delivered 13.6 billion kilowatt hours of renewable power to its customers, about 17 percent of its total power portfolio.
One Block Off the Grid (1BOG) Launches New Solar Group Purchase Program in Denver
One Block Off the Grid (1BOG), the nation’s largest solar group purchase provider, today announced the launch of a new solar group purchase program in the Denver area. The program offers Denver homeowners a solution that reduces the cost and confusion traditionally associated with the solar buying process.
After an intensive selection process, 1BOG has selected REC Solar as partner to conduct the group’s solar system installations. Homeowners who join the 1BOG community are eligible for online and offline support, information and fixed discounted pricing. With zero down financing options, homeowners can install systems for free and save money from day one.[1]
After a month-long process of vetting local installers, 1BOG selected REC for their excellent group pricing, proven record of successful installations nationwide, premium products and long-term warranties.
“Colorado is one of the country’s leading solar states, so we are excited to bolster local solar adoption with a group program that makes going solar easy and affordable for homeowners,” said Dave Llorens, CEO of 1BOG. “Our 2009 Denver 1BOG campaign with REC Solar was a huge success. We are confident that this one will make a significant dent on the state’s goal of 100,000 solar rooftops by 2020.[2]”
“We are thrilled to have been selected as 1BOG’s partner for the upcoming Denver program,” said Cary Hayes, Senior Regional Manager at REC Solar. “We have worked with 1BOG in several markets around the country and have found the group model to be great for our business and our customers.”
The 1BOG Denver solar program is available now to local homeowners from Fort Collins to Colorado Springs including the cities surrounding the Denver area through October 14, 2010. For more information, details about pricing and products or to sign up, visit the 1BOG Denver homepage at www.SolarDenver.1BOG.org.
About One Block Off the Grid
One Block Off the Grid (1BOG) helps you buy solar panels for your home by researching local solar installers, negotiating group discounts and managing the entire solar buying process from beginning to end—at no cost. 1BOG membership is free and gives homeowners access to exclusive, pre-arranged group discounts, educational tools and advice from an experienced team of solar advisors. Homeowner members are confident that 1BOG’s installation partners have been carefully vetted on products, install practices, long-term stability as a company, as well as a great group discount rate. 1BOG was founded in 2008 in San Francisco, California and has active solar programs in 15 markets across the United States. For more information, visit www.SolarDenver.1BOG.org.
About REC Solar
REC Solar, Inc. specializes in grid-tied solar electric design and installation, offering affordable solar solutions for all residential, commercial, government and utility customers. With a local presence in all major solar markets in the USA and millions of watts installed, REC Solar is committed to lowering the cost of solar power through efficient processes, innovative products and outstanding customer service. REC Solar has installed more residential solar electric systems in the US than any other company. REC Solar is among the nation’s largest solar integrators and currently has over a dozen offices throughout five states (AZ, CA, CO, HI, and OR). For more information, visit www.RECsolar.com.
[1] Financing subject to credit approval
[2] http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/GovRitter/GOVR/1251575069016
Envision Solar Announces the LifeVillage, a ‘Solar City in a Box’
Envision Solar International, Inc. (OTCBB:EVSI), a leading solar planner, architect and inventor of clean energy systems, announces its newest solar innovation, the LifeVillage, which offers rapid and widespread deployment of safe, system-built, solar-integrated buildings that provide shelter and clean energy in times of crises.
Using the most cutting-edge and efficient solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, Envision Solar’s LifeVillage offers clean energy and durable steel-framed buildings where traditional electrical power generation and the associated transmission and distribution infrastructure cannot go. At 3,500 square feet of habitable area, the LifeVillage has the unique potential to provide a solar powered clinic and/or schoolhouse, residences, purified water, refrigeration and modern communications facilities.
The LifeVillage can also be tailored to an extensive array of applications, depending upon the situation and need. At up to 50kW of generation capacity, the LifeVillage can provide electricity to the surrounding community, offering power for such needs as charging cell phones, solar lanterns, and batteries for hundreds of families.
Integrated with large battery systems, the LifeVillage provides clean and reliable power at any hour of the day or night which is especially beneficial in times of crisis. These solar integrated buildings can be rapidly installed on site in just a few days by unskilled workers.
In an effort to build the best possible product that could be shipped to remote locations, Envision Solar partnered with Nuconsteel to frame each LifeVillage using light gauge steal. Envision Solar’s partnership with Nuconsteel includes access to the Mobile Framing Solution, roll former and light gauge steel technology, all of which offer a distinct and easily-deployable feature for the LifeVillage product.
By assembling the LifeVillage onsite, Envision Solar can cut down on the need for a manufacturing plant, costs, time, and labor significantly. Fabricating onsite also considerably reduces costs associated with shipping, and allows commoditized steel to be sourced in-country, if available.
“In light of the recent earthquake activity and rebuilding efforts in countries like Haiti, it is crucial for under-developed nations to have a quick, reliable energy solution, like the LifeVillage, in times of crises,” said Robert Noble, CEO of Envision Solar. “The LifeVillage is comprised of very simple, moderately-sized buildings that can do very big jobs – like provide purified water, refrigeration, medical facilities and transmission capabilities for cell phones, Internet, radio and television – in a time when recovering communities need help the most.”
For more information on the LifeVillage or other solar parking arrays created by Envision Solar, visit envisionsolar.com
Andes village runs on solar energy
A remote village in the Argentinian Andes mountains runs on solar energy. As a result, Misa Rumi is one of the first villages in the world to switch over to 100 percent sustainable energy.
