Neolectum - Submarine telecommunications cable - Offshore wind farm - Photovoltaic (PV) industry - thin films, energy efficiency

Valencia - September 2008

23rd European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition • Exhibitors' news

All products and/or services are new for 2008, already availble or to be launched in the following weeks.

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Kuraray Europe GmbH, Division TROSIFOL

TROSIFOL SOLAR R40 and TROSIFOL SOLAR R100
At "23. European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition" in Valencia we will present modules as follows. A new generation of TROSIFOL SOLAR will be launched in October at glasstec fair in Düsseldorf.
Module producer Inventux Technologies AG, Dimensions 1100 x 1300 x 8 mm
Type of PVB film TROSIFOL SOLAR R40, 0.76 mm, non refrigerated. Lamination process Roll lamination / autoclave
Module producer ersol Thin Film GmbH, Dimensions 1100 x 1300 x 7 mm
Type of PVB film TROSIFOL SOLAR R40, 0.76 mm, non refrigerated. Lamination process Vacuum laminator
Module producer Sun Well Solar Corporation, Dimensions 1100 x 1300 x 6.5 mm
Type of PVB film TROSIFOL SOLAR R40, 0.76 mm, non refrigerated. Lamination process Vacuum laminator
Module producer VIDURSOLAR S.L., Dimensions 1021 x 2027 x 11.9 mm
Type of PVB film TROSIFOL SOLAR R100, 2x 0.76 mm, non refrigerated/ TROSIFOL COLOUR B.31, 0.38 mm, non-refrigerated. Lamination process Vacuum + autoclave
Module producer ertex-solar GmbH, Dimensions [mm] 1100 x 1300 x 9.5 mm
Type of PVB film TROSIFOL SOLAR R100, 2x 0.76 mm, non refrigerated. Lamination process Vacuum + autoclave

TROSIFOL was the first company in the world introducing a new product line specially designed for the encapsuled of photovoltaic modules in interlayers on the base of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) to encapsulate solar cells with long-term durability. They offer added value as e.g. UV, sound and heat protection and have therefore also more economic value.
TROSIFOL, a brand of the Japanese Kuraray group, is one of the leading companies for innovative PVB film solutions in laminated safety glass. Since 1953, TROSIFOL has become European market leader for PVB film in architectural glazing. Outstanding material properties, a proven long term stability of the products in combination with a global Sales, Marketing and Technical Service network makes your business prospering.

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Kyocera Fineceramics

New Module Frame from Kyocera
Kyocera is presenting one of its newest products, the KD135GH-2PU (av. Spring 2009), the successor of KC130GH-2P. Its main attraction is a new frame that meets the enhanced testing standard IEC 61215 ed. 2. With a maximum surface load of 5,400 N/m2, it greatly exceeds the norm of 2,400 N/m2 required by the standard.
This means improved safety for the entire photovoltaic system during extreme weather conditions such has heavy loads of snow. In addition, the black anodized aluminum frame makes the design visually appealing. Starting in 2009, it will be introduced on all modules for grid-connected applications ranging from 130W to 210W.

Headquartered in Kyoto, Japan, the Kyocera Corporation is one of the world's leading manufacturers of fineceramic components for the technology industry. The strategically important divisions in the Kyocera Group, which comprises 189 subsidiaries, are information and communications technologies, products to increase the quality of life, and environmentally friendly products. The technology group is also one of the largest producers of solar energy systems worldwide. Kyocera has two independent companies in the Federal Republic of Germany: Kyocera Mita Deutschland GmbH in Meerbusch and Kyocera Fineceramics GmbH in Neuss and Esslingen.

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L.O.T - Oriel GmbH & Co. KG

Spectroscopic Ellipsometers: T-Solar and AccuMap-SE

T-Solar™ M-2000 System Specially Designed for Textures Si Wafers

Advanced Rotating Compensator (RCE) design.
Advanced INTENSITY-OPTIMIZER* to improve signal strength on any sample.
  Ideal for solar cell applications with scattering surface texturing.
Custom Sample Stage with variable Tilt and Rotation to allow optimized measurements of textured   
  monocrystalline silicon surfaces*.
Manual or Automated angle base options with angle range from 45°-90°, horizontal sample stage.

AccuMap-SE Designed to Map 1.1m x 1.3m Solar Moduls

Integrated M-2000 Spectroscopic Ellipsometer for fast measurments across a wide spectrum.
Fixed angle of 65° (near-vertical sample).
Automated Panel Mapping (size listed below)
Near Vertical Sample Mount (5° from vertical)
  Coating-side faces inside of system.
Measurement speed (typical):  <5 seconds/point
  (includes time for movement to new point, automated alignment, and data collection)
Manual Sample Loading.
Sample chuck: mechanical clips on 5mm edge exclusion.
Sample size: up to 1100mm by 1300mm by 6mm (max. thickness)
Automated sample alignment

 L.O.T - Oriel GmbH & Co. KG is based in Darmstadt (Germany).

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Montech AG

Belt conveyors for supplies of turnkey solutions (machines and lines for solar cell technology)
Montech: Transport Solutions for Solar technology

According to the specialization and longstanding experience, Montech can deliver tailor-made solutions for specific customer requirements. "The belt conveyors will be individually developed for the machines, so that they are 100 percent customized," explained Gianluca Aloisi, Manager Conveyors division. In production lines, Montech’s belt conveyors carry wafers with high accuracy and soft movements. They are also used for carrying solar panels.
"The leading suppliers of turnkey solutions rely on Montech for their belt conveyors. High quality, private labelling and adjustment to small space conditions are the main features of our belt conveyors," said Aloisi.
For intralogistics before, after and between the lines, the Montrac Transport system offers an ideal solution: smooth and soft transport, independent control and maximum flexibility guarantee perfect handling. Other distinctive features of Montrac are cleanliness and hygiene: in the standard execution, Montrac meets ISO Class 5 standards, and also a ISO Class 4 variant is available.

Montech AG markets basic modular components that automate demanding production and logistics processes. In addition to conventional conveyor belts, automation components and the Quick-Set profile system, the range of products also includes the Montrac transport system. Montrac is an intelligent transport system for networking industrial production and logistics processes. Founded in 1963, the company is based in Switzerland and stands for innovation in the automation industry.

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Morningstar Corporation

Morningstar SunSaver MPPT solar controller
Morningstar’s SunSaver MPPT solar controller with TrakStar Technology™ is an advanced maximum power point tracking (MPPT) battery charger for off-grid photovoltaic (PV) systems. The controller features a smart tracking algorithm that maximizes the energy harvest from the PV and also provides load control to prevent over discharge of the battery.
The SunSaver MPPT is well suited for both professional and consumer PV applications. Its charging process has been optimized for long battery life and improved system performance. This product is epoxy encapsulated for environmental protection, may be adjusted by the user via four settings switches or connection to a personal computer, and has an optional remote meter and battery temperature sensor.

Maximizes energy harvest
 Our TrakStar MPPT Technology has a peak efficiency of 97.5% and features a very fast (1 second duration) sweep of the entire PV module I-V curve, resulting in almost no power losses. Full sweep recognizes multiple peak power points and maximizes PV output during shading or when using mixed PV module arrays. Performs extremely well at low solar insolation levels.
Provides power boost
MPPT provides an increase in amps from the PV array into the battery compared to PWM controllers. PV output is higher when it is most needed: during the winter and when the battery is at a low state of charge.
Use of high voltage modules
In addition to 12 volt crystalline modules, this controller enables the use of high voltage and thin film modules for off-grid battery charging. TrakStar Technology operates very effectively with the flatter I-V curves typical of thin film PV modules.
Converts 36V or 24V to 12V
Provides a means to use up to a 36V or 24V PV array to charge a 12V battery, and thus reduce power losses in systems with a long cable run between the PV array and the battery. Charging a 24V battery with a 36V PV array results in maximum efficiency.

Morningstar Corporation is a world-leading supplier of photovoltaic (PV) controllers and inverters using advanced technology. Our products are sold in 73 countries through a global network of 164 authorized Morningstar distributors.
Our controllers have set new standards in the industry for quality, high reliability and extended battery life. Last year, we shipped over 225,000 controllers and are in the process of developing several new products.
Morningstar is a privately owned US corporation. Our commercial office is located near Philadelphia, and our engineering lab in Columbia, Maryland. Our products are manufactured in an ISO 9001 certified facility.

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NB Technologies GmbH

New plating options for solar cell efficiency increase
In the field of photovoltaics NBT offers an extensive service portfolio all around plating for solar cell efficiency increase. This portfolio comprises plating and etching process, chemistry and tooling, fine-line screen printing (Ag and etch paste), passivation layer patterning, production line optimization (COO, efficiency), reliability studies and layer characterization (cross section, FIB, TEM, Auger, XRF).
NBT has optimised three major options for plating on Silicon Solar Cell using a flexible tooling approach, which keeps the backside dry, and using a chemistry, which is pushed for high throughput:

- Plating on Ag paste with Ni/Cu/Sn or Ni/Cu/Ag (Bild)
- Direct plating on silicon with Ag/Ni/Cu/Sn or Ni/Cu/Sn (Bild)
- Plating on seed in photo resist mould with Cu/Sn (Bild)

Successful integration of plating for silicon solar cells requires thorough alignment with other process steps within the sequence. General requirements for nitride are high quality, density and coverage, which also depends on texture type (alkaline or acidic). If nitride quality is insufficient, photo resist print or RTP (rapid thermal processes) are options. Direct plating requires residue-free patterning, finer line width due to lateral growth of plating and, in case of screen printing, advanced printing screens. Ni silicide formation is desired for electrical and adhesion purposes, which should be shallow and stable in long term. For plating on Ag paste low porosity, less thickness and finer line width for silver print are desired. Plating on seed in photo resist mould requires a cheap resist process, e.g. using screen printing, and an advanced seed removal process providing least undercut.

NBT offers consultancy, design and support services in the fields of semiconductor and microsystem technology, photovoltaics, mechanical and systems engineering, telecommunication, nanobio- and medical technology.
The experience and profound technological expertise of our engineers as well as the use of the resources of our international partners enable NBT to provide a convincing full service matching exactly our customers’ special requirements.
This full service of NBT comprises consultancy on applications and technology, process development, engineering and prototyping including design, layout, technology flow and material characterisation, electromechanical and reliability tests and production transfer. The technological focus lies on electroplating, etching and polymer devices.

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OAO Polema

ViZO (a new generation of TCO ceramic targets used for thin films formation in Solar modules)
Polema launches ViZO, a stable and durable zinc oxide TCO (transparent conducting oxide) on August 2008. ViZO has properties of resilience, conductivity, and transparency that match or exceed traditional ITO, AZO, or GZO materials. The new product paves the way for a fresh generation of longer-lasting solar panels. Film deposition is consistently trouble-free because ViZO does not form nodules during the sputtering process. Better still, the undesirable columnar structure that typifies films deposited by traditional TCO targets is completely absent in ViZO films. The electrical and optical characteristics are comparable to ITO films, as is the speed of the deposition process. However, results obtained with ViZO are more predictable. At higher substrate temperatures and lower argon pressures, ViZO films grow as fast as ITO films – without the problems associated with nodule formation. The finished ViZO film has a superbly homogeneous structure. When deposited on substrates heated to 200°C, ViZO shows no sign of the columnar structure that plays havoc with the subsequent etching of typical AZO and GZO films. In this super-smooth state, ViZO etches evenly, layer by layer, without any surface irregularities. The homogeneity of ViZO in both the target and the finished film leads to an enhanced electrical performance. For example, the resistivity of a 150nm film deposited on a 200°C substrate is just 3.0 x 10-4 Ohm x cm. After heating it to 90°C in 100% humidity for 10 hours, the resistance and transparency of ViZO were unchanged. Post-annealing in air or vacuum at 200°C does not greatly affect ViZO either. In before-and-after tests, ViZO's electrical performance declined by no more than 10 to 15%. ViZO, which has been extensively tested within solar cells is manufactured under tightly controlled conditions at Polema's new purpose-built plant. From there, Polema will supply ViZO as planar or rotary ceramic targets for use in dc magnetron sputtering.

Polema is Russia's leading producer of metal powders such as molybdenum and tungsten. From 1992 the enterprise has been producing sputtering targets based on a wide range of refractory metals (Cr, ZnO, W), which are later applied by the producers of Solar modules for thin films formation. The company owns numerous patents on materials and deposition methods. Many of these materials and techniques are already used in LCDs, solar cells, and semiconductors, or for the production of optoelectronic devices. Polema has extensive expertise in dc magnetron sputtering and strong links with its partners in the Russian Academy of Sciences.
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Ortner c.l.s. GmbH

SolarEagle
SolarEagle by Ortner is an innovative, radio-based monitoring system for PV sites. The system monitores the performance of each individual solar module in real time. The SolarEagle devices are reporting via wireless connection to a central server, whether a solar panel is operating efficiently or out of its specification. A high performance software evaluates the received data. Through a centralized visualization on a PC, problems in the power plant can be located quickly. The integrated theft protection will immediately sent out a signal, if a PV-module will be stolen.
The benefits are obvious:

- Increase of PV plant productivity
- Elimination of complex measuring processes
- Simple and save theft protection
- Reduction of service costs
- Simple installation, also in existing PV plants

Ortner c.l.s. GmbH is a supplier of automation products and services, which are designed to optimize the customer’s logistic and manufacturing processes in semiconductor and photovoltaic fabs. We are primarily specialized in developing and manufacturing of RFID based logistic and tracking solutions, e.g. several RFID readers, intelligent conveyor systems and inventory control systems. In addition to the supply of the hardware, we offer the complete integration into existing fab facilities. Ortner's services include mechanical and electrical installation and 24x7 sustaining support services for automated Materials Handling Systems (AMHS) and automated equipment in semiconductor and photovoltaic fabs. Our main objective is to deliver the best solution that enhance our customer’s competitive advantages.

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