SCHOTT 60m Euro Investment in Solar Products

SCHOTT, the technology group based in Mainz, Germany, will be investing 60 million Euros to enable its subsidiary, SCHOTT Solar GmbH, to build a manufacturing facility for thin film solar electricity modules in Jena, Germany. The manufacturing capacity will exceed 30 megawatts (MW) per year. The facility is scheduled to open in the fall of 2007. By opening up this new solar manufacturing facility, SCHOTT will be creating another 160 new jobs at its site in Jena.

'The establishment of this solar factory represents yet another milestone in our efforts to expand our solar activities. This investment means we will be expanding our thin film technology to the industrial series production level. As a result, we’ll be rising to the world’s leading manufacturers in this field, as well' explains Dr. Udo Ungeheuer, Chairman of the Board of Management of SCHOTT AG. 'With this solar investment we bring another new business to Jena, and we strengthen the location where SCHOTT was founded,' he adds.

The new production facility will manufacture thin film solar electricity modules based on amorphous silicon. This process calls for silicon to be vapor deposited onto glass. One main advantage that thin film technology offers is that much less of the raw material silicon is required. In addition, these modules can be put to use in a number of flexible ways. For the most part, ASI® thin film modules (ASI = amorphous silicon) are integrated into glazing applications that involve windows, roofs and façades. Used in this manner, they allow for interesting architectural approaches in conjunction with environmentally friendly generation of energy. In addition, smaller thin film modules are used to supply power in consumer electronic products, such as solar powered watches, backyard lights and electrical appliances.

The SCHOTT Group has consolidated its PV solar electricity activities inside its subsidiary, SCHOTT Solar GmbH. With its SmartSolarFab® in Alzenau (Bavaria), SCHOTT Solar operates the world’s most modern fully integrated manufacturing facility for producing PV solar electricity components based on crystalline silicon wafers. Additional manufacturing sites are located in the Czech Republic and the United States. With a manufacturing capacity of over 100 megawatts, SCHOTT Solar ranks as Europe’s largest fully integrated supplier that is capable of covering the entire value creation chain, including crystalline wafers, cells and modules. In the area of thin film technology, SCHOTT Solar currently operates a facility for producing ASI® thin film modules in lesser quantities at its site in Putzbrunn, near Munich, Germany. This is now being joined by industrial serial production in Jena.
In addition to its activities in the PV solar electricity sector, SCHOTT is also active in the field of solar thermal energy. At its site in Mitterteich (Bavaria), the company manufactures tube collectors that utilise energy from the sun to provide heat and warm water, as well as solar receivers, a key component of solar thermal power plants. With the establishment of the new solar production facility, SCHOTT will have invested more than half a billion Euros in Jena since German Unification.

Energy Minister Announces Funding Level for the Low Carbon Building Programme

Malcolm Wicks recently outlined his vision for micro wind turbines, solar panels and other microgeneration technologies at the launch of the Energy Futures Lab at Imperial College in London. He will announce a £30 million funding package over three years for the Low Carbon Building Programme, (LCBP), and his determination to put schools at the forefront of transforming our skylines.

He will also be bringing forward £1.5million now to help the DTI's Clear Skies and the Major Photovoltaic Development programmes meet increased demand until the LCBP replaces these programmes early in the next financial year.

The announcements will be made alongside details of the latest round of successful grant applications under the solar scheme. Liverpool Institute for the Performing Arts and Bugle Village Hall in Cornwall are just two of the 15 projects that will be receiving a total of £1.09 million from existing money for their solar schemes.

He said: ‘The installation of microgeneration products such as micro-turbines, solar panels and air source heat pumps are an excellent way for individuals, communities and businesses to make their own contribution to tackling climate change. As these become more widespread they can help to teach children and future generations about the benefits of renewable energy and the new to use our resources more responsibly.

‘The Low Carbon Building Programme will be designed to take a holistic approach to reducing carbon emissions from buildings by combining innovative combinations of micro-renewable technologies and energy efficiency measures. As well as continuing to fund single installations, the programmes will fund large-scale developments in the public and private sectors. Potential beneficiaries could include schools, leisure centres or even remote villages that are not connected to the grid.’

The grant programme is just one part of the Government's strategy to promote microgeneration, which aims to remove those barriers currently hindering the development of a sustainable market for these products.

Malcolm Wicks went on to say: ‘I am also calling on the major players in the energy field to work with my department in order to expand the microgeneration sector, with a particular emphasis on renewable energy technology on school buildings. We have already aided 184 schools with their projects and I will be having further discussions with companies such as Shell, EDF Energy, SSE and Scottish Power, all of whom have expressed support, so that we can examine ways of working together to achieve our aims.’

Vincent de Rivaz, Chief Executive of EDF Energy has given his backing for the Minister's plans: ‘We are delighted to support this initiative and look forward to working with the Minister and his team to help ensure its success. There is no silver bullet for dealing with the challenge posed by climate change. Energy efficiency will be vital and even though EDF Energy is a leader in this field I am convinced there is a great deal more to be done to encourage the changes in behaviour which can really make a difference to energy consumption.

‘A diverse range of generation types will be another key part of the answer and within this there is certainly a role for microgeneration and for CHP schemes where they can be used at maximum efficiency. In fact EDF Energy operates the CHP unit which is installed at Imperial College and we already make some investment in microgeneration through our Green Fund.’

The microgeneration industry is also responding positively to the Government's focus on the sector. ‘We welcome the DTI's recognition of the need for continuity of support.’ said Philip Wolfe, Chief Executive of the Renewable Power Association, referring to the Minister's recent confirmation of an April target date for the start of the LCBP. ‘Mass market renewables provide an important new dimension to the sustainable energy mix and the best way of engaging the public in this issue’.

Ubbink Parent Company Introduces Ubbink Econergy Solar GmbH

Ubbink UK Ltd says that there has never been a better time to think about investing in one of the company's photovoltaic panels, the Solosun and Duosun, which provide any house with a source of sustainable energy. And the Ubbink parent company, Centrotec Sustainable AG, has made it even easier to install larger p.v. systems.

After a busy 2004, Centrotec Sustainable AG recently announced it has bought the roof integration products for solar energy systems business from Econcern, which will continue to focus on its core business. The newly created company, Ubbink Econergy Solar GmbH, based in Cologne, was established in December 2004.

Ubbink Econergy Solar GmbH will now sell the support structures for photovoltaic solar systems to a large European sales and distribution network. This means it will provide a perfect back-up service to that which Ubbink UK Ltd already provides.

John Donovan, Ubbink UK managing director says, 'this is a great opportunity for Ubbink to really advance its position in the market. It makes sense that the group supplies the solar integration products and also the support structures, ConSole and InterSole, too'.

The ConSole is designed for quick, easy and professional mounting of all common solar panels on flat roofs. It is also light, which means safe and effortless transportation. The InterSole is a suitable system for fixing all types of solar panels on sloping roofs. Mounted with overlapping plastic sheets and special anchors, the solar panels are well equipped to weather storms. The systems make it possible to assemble the solar modules without drilling through the delicate roofing skin; making the application benefits especially important if the system is not going to be permanent, in countries such as Germany, where industrial roofs have just been hired in order to operate solar energy systems on them. Both support products are made from 100 per cent chlorine-free, maintenance-free, recycled, highly durable plastic.

'Ubbink’s extensive range of ventilating, heating and roofing products combined with our expertise, delivers solutions to even the most difficult of challenges. Our corporate responsibility embraces sustainability for the future.' says John Donovan.

http://www.ubbink.co.uk/solar/solosun.htm

Take A Tea Break

Romag's PowerGlaz, by producing solar electricity, has helped to transform the disused tearooms in the village of Falstone (Northumberland) back into a thriving business, shop and community facility, selling local produce and offering a craft area and an information point for visitors while enjoying a cup of tea or coffee.

Northumberland National Park Authority, which recently bought the Victorian building, has been working with the local community and other partners to bring the Tearooms back into use after they closed in 2001.

Internationally renowned architects RMJM, based in Edinburgh, oversaw the design of the project having obtained part of the funding from the Sustainable Development Fund.

Because of its remote location it was necessary to make the building as self sufficient as possible and PowerGlaz assisted in this concept.

While this is a relatively small PowerGlaz installation, it demonstrates how remote locations can benefit from BIPV and can also be used with other sustainable products.

Romag is keen to show that PowerGlaz can be used in a variety of building designs, refurbishments as well as new builds.

Northumberland National Park Authority envisage the new Falstone tearooms will become a landmark building for Northumberland with 21st century technology combining with a traditional building located in a beautiful setting.

http://www.romag.co.uk/

Solar Technologies Tops 2 Megawatts in UK Solar

Having recently completed installing 33kWp at the Spinal Injuries Association HQ in Milton Keynes, Solar Technologies Group has now exceeded 2 Megawatts of installed PV solar solutions - furthering its position as the UK's largest installer for commercially integrated systems with an estimated 75% share of all building Integrated Solar in the UK today.

Managing director Barry Marsh comments 'While we are pleased with our recent growth, we anticipate a significant increase (in the rate of growth) over the next 3-5 years. We anticipate that pending government initiatives and legislation will drive the adoption of commercially integrated solar at a rate never seen in the UK before. Although we have installed 2MW over the past decade, we are now gearing the business for 2MW per year.'

The Spinal Injuries Association HQ

Ray Noble, UK Commercial Manager, BP Solar added 'Since the pioneering installation of the Northumberland building (10 years ago), the Solar Technologies team has been the BP partner of choice for commercially integrated PV. BP Solar remains, and has always been, the leading solar cell supplier in the UK - it is a natural fit to work with the most experienced installer'.

The Spinal Injuries Association HQ was built by the Milton Keynes office of Rok where the team was keen to find solutions to the charity's requests for improving the environmental impact of its landmark new building. The completed structure not only has PV panels but also a grass roof and a system for recycling water.

Rok's area director Graeme Culliton said it was the first time his office had installed PV panels and the team was excited at the opportunity of working with the technology.

Marsh concluded 'When we started out 10 years ago, integrating Solar Glass into buildings was unheard of. Now, the UK market leads the world with both design and installation of PV into (rather than onto) all types of building structures. We have innovated several solar surface designs including facades, canopies, rain-screens and shading devices.

‘Having installed more commercially integrated PV than any other UK organisation, Solar Technologies' expertise has been used in a majority of the pioneering projects throughout the country due to a construction and cladding background that enables a seamless fit with lead contractors when working on the larger new build contracts.’

Solar Technologies currently stands at 25 staff and anticipates a doubling of its size during 2005. Now with four installation teams and in-house design, Solar Technologies is equipped to provide panels and integrated solutions to Domestic, Commercial and Government markets.

Web: http://www.solartechnologies.co.uk

BP Solar – http://www.bpsolar.co.uk
Rok Group – http://www.rokgroup.com
Spinal Injuries Association – http://www.spinal.co.uk

UK's Leading Integrated PV Installer Expands Horizons

Following a year of rapid expansion within the Building Integrated Solar market, PV Facades MD, Barry Marsh explains the logic of building a group company structure and launching The Solar Technologies Group.

'Having spent the last seven years installing both on roof and integrated PV, we have ebbed and flowed with the emerging market. Primarily as an installer for BP, our fate lay in the hands of the EST grant process and BP's sales force. However, during the last 18 months, we have secured external investment and have rapidly evolved our position within the industry.'

Solartech G8 Showcase, Birmingham

Still, as BP's largest installer of PV and also the UK's largest installer, the emerging group of companies will still assume the position that has been generated historically. However, in addition to an installations division, the rapid growth within this sector has facilitated the creation of both maintenance and product distribution companies.

Marsh continues 'historically, we have only had the installation piece of the process with which to concern ourselves. Now though, we are experiencing significant demand to service and maintain existing installations, and while this was apparent in the past, the recent volume of work [over the last two years] now warrants this element of the business having separate focus.'

In addition, recent partnerships with a number of 'household names' in the industry, have led to an entirely separate entity being formed to handle the supply and distribution of domestic housing 'kits' that can be distributed through a number of channels to market.

Entitled Solar Technologies Group, the parent company for the new group will be responsible for generating market awareness and lobbying government bodies to ensure the maintenance of the successful grant initiatives that have 'opened up' the UK market in the past two years. Below the group company, three additional companies will operate - Installations, Maintenance and Service, Distribution.

Solar Technologies Installations Ltd will be the new trading name for PV Facades, though the other two companies will be created from new.

Marsh concludes 'clearly the busiest unit will still be Installations in the early days - we have currently secured enough work for the coming year. However, with 25 staff, we now have enough resources to initiate positive moves within both service and distribution, and we fully expect these to be operating at levels similar to our installation business within the next 18 months.'

Solar Technologies Group is expected to generate in excess of £4m in the coming 12 months, almost doubling 2004's revenues.

Web: http://www.solartechnologies.co.uk

solarcentury and Lambeth Council Celebrate the First Solar-Tiled Local Authority Housing Scheme

UK solar company solarcentury and Lambeth Council recently celebrated the launch of the first local authority-housing scheme in the UK to benefit from a fully integrated solar tiled roof generating clean electricity. The solar panels have been installed on the roof of a sheltered housing scheme in Langholm Close on the Clapham Park Estate.

The RT Honourable Keith Hill MP, Minister of State for Housing and Planning, made the keynote speech at the launch and there was also the opportunity to talk to some of the residents of Langholm Close. Guests were able to view an innovative display designed by More Associates, in the main entrance to the community centre. This interactive design  shows the sustainable features of the renovation work carried out at Langholm Close, along with live performance data from the solar tiles.  Residents and visitors are also able to see the increasing amount of electricity being generated over time, and can access more information via a website.
 
Residents of Langholm Close will benefit from this clean electricity whatever the weather, as solar roof panels need only daylight to generate electricity. The roofs will produce around 19 MWh (19,000 units) of electricity a year, enough to light 32 three-bed houses for one year, and make 87,000 cups of tea. 
 
Kirsty Stevenson, the solarcentury Project Manager for Langholm Close said:-
'solarcentury is delighted that Lambeth Council are leading the way with this installation and are making a visible statement of the importance of renewable energy. This is a perfect example of how solar technology can be an integral part of a housing regeneration scheme. If other local authorities followed suit and installed solar roofs as part of their refurbishment and regeneration work, then this could have a significant impact on reducing climate change'.
 
Cllr. Keith Fitchett, executive member for housing commented; 'We are committed to promoting sustainable construction and the use of renewable energy wherever possible. I am delighted that the award winning Langholm Close scheme has been recognised by Eurosolar for its innovative use of 'green energy'.
 
'This is good news for the environment, good news for Lambeth and good news for residents'.

Eurosolar, the UK branch of the European Association for Renewable Energies, awarded Lambeth Council with an award in recognition of the solar tiled roof earlier last year.

Contact: Melanie Davis
Tel: 020 7803 0100
Web: http://www.solarcentury.co.uk

RWE Schott Solar Installs Greece's Largest Solar Roof

In time for the Olympic Games RWE Schott Solar began the operation of Greece's largest rooftop solar-energy unit in Athens. Supported by its Greek and German partners, this will help the company to further strengthen its market position in Greece.

With this unit on the roof of the German School in Athens RWE Schott Solar will aim to encourage the Greek government in introducing an incentive scheme along the lines of the German Feed In Tariff. With its 1,700 hours of sunshine each year, Greece is in an optimal position to generate cost-effective and environmentally-friendly solar electricity. The initial costs for conventional electricity during the peak period around midday are already comparable to those of solar energy. Furthermore, the 33-kilowatt (kW) solar roof saves the city of Athens over 24 tons (t) of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO2) each year.

Eco//Sun, the RWE Schott Solar licenced dealer for Greece and Cyprus in Salonika, installed the solar roof. The unit can be set up in 7 days and connected to the public grid. With its 50 % share of the market, Eco//Sun is the largest solar-energy company in Greece. 'Now we hope for the rapid introduction of a law regulating feed in of renewable energy into the Greek grid, so as to reach the new government's ambitious environmental targets'. says the company.

The project is backed by German Federal Ministry of Economics and Labor (BMWA), the German Energy Agency (dena) and the Greek-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry. In addition, RWE Schott Solar GmbH and its partner Solar-Fabrik AG donated the solar unit, which is worth 200,000 euros.

Situated some 300 meters from the Olympic Stadium, the German School served as the Media Centre during this summer's Games. Each day, the solar roof was a stage for interviews with the competitors, politicians and VIPs. Now the Olympics are over, the solar panels will help to demonstrate solar-energy technology to teachers, pupils and their parents.

UK Should Join Solar Revolution, says Hain

Every new home in Britain should by law be fitted with solar panels on the roof to produce electricity, former energy minister Peter Hain, now the secretary for Wales, said earlier this month at the opening in Wrexham, Clwyd, of a production line for photovoltaic panels used to produce solar electricity.

He said Britain was falling behind in the solar revolution, and building regulations should be altered so every new development was required to have solar electricity and water-heating panels.

The production line at the Sharp factory will work around the clock to meet the demand from Germany and other European countries. The company said that to cope with the demand a second line would open in October, effectively doubling the factory's production.

Mr Hain said his cabinet colleagues were discussing the change in building regulations as part of the government's plan to catch up with the solar revolution in Germany.

Germany has increased its target of covering roofs in solar panels from 10,000 to 100,000, and spent £66m last year to get 121 megawatts of photovoltaic panels installed. Nearly all Wrexham's production will go there.

Although the UK has invested £25m in solar power- £9m this year - only 10 megawatts of electricity was produced in 2003, about the same as a small wind farm and only 1% of the output of the Sizewell nuclear power station in Suffolk.

Mr Hain said: 'There is no doubt the Germans have stolen a march on us in a big way. I believe that we should change building regulations so that by law every new house and development in Britain should have photovoltaic electricity production and solar panels for water heating. I know that Patricia Hewitt (the trade and industry secretary) is keen on this, and we are talking to Gordon Brown and cabinet colleagues.

'This technology is the future. Let us put it this way, if we do not switch to green energy, then our whole future as a human race is in jeopardy, or even more simply, we are doomed.'

Jeremy Leggett, chief executive of the company Solar Century, which designs solar energy systems, said he had twice as many clients wanting to install solar power in new developments than the government was prepared to support financially.

'This is an industry that needs support to get liftoff,' he said. 'We thought when the energy white paper was published two years ago that we would get it, but so far there has been a yawning chasm between their rhetoric and what they actually do.'

Takashi Tomita, for Sharp, said: 'The UK has been slow to embrace solar because, unlike us (Japan), you have oil. But you are a country of good traders, with plenty of sunshine at least in the south. You will realise the potential of solar.'

An Extra £2.2 Million for Solar Power

Energy Minister Stephen Timms announced yesterday a further £2.2m in funding awards for solar energy projects throughout the UK.

Twenty Four projects were chosen for funding at a grant cost of just over £2.2 million resulting in almost 650kWp being directly funded in this round. Projects were awarded to eleven regions and to nine different installers.

Housing associations, councils and schools and businesses are among those who will benefit from this funding round. The round supports medium to large (5-100kWp) scale solar electric power installations under the Government's £25 million Major Photovoltaics (PV) Demonstration Programme.

Projects to be supported include a Children's Hospice in Guildford, a large housing development in Huddersfield, a cemetery in Nottingham and a school on the Isle of Wight.

Energy Minister Stephen Timms said:
'This latest successful round is further proof of the growing appeal of solar power in the UK. To date this Government has awarded £15 million worth of grants to various projects. The growth and development of the solar power industry will help take us a step closer to achieving our renewable energy target of 10% of electricity by 2010.'

Web: http://www.solarpvgrants.co.uk

glasstec 2004 Presents a Focus on Technological Developments in Photovoltaics

As a part of glasstec 2004 in Düsseldorf, 9 - 13th November, the special glass technology live show will focus, amongst other things, on the potential of glass in the field of solar building components. Solar power can be generated in a variety of ways and as a result of the law on the injection of energy in Germany, mains-connected systems account for the largest proportion of all applications. The scope ranges from a solar electricity facility for a detached family home through to a large 1-2 MW facility.

Systems integrated into roofs called BIPV (‘building-integrated photovoltaics’) account for a significant and rapidly growing number of applications. Solar technology is now already being integrated into the building structure during the planning phase and the components are being fine tuned with each other to be compatible in terms of both function and efficiency.

Non mains-connected systems are always used when the infrastructure of a public power grid is not in place. This applies to minor applications for electricity for consumer goods and also to applications such as weather stations or solar electricity supplies for entire villages.

The European photovoltaics industry, in particular, is posting strong growth figures. A survey polling members of the German Federal Association for the Solar Industry (Bundesverband Solarindustrie - BSI) showed that growth in the photovoltaics market of approximately 35% is expected for 2004. This estimation is based primarily on the passing of the new interim law on photovoltaics under the energy entry law (EEG). Owners of photovoltaic facilities connecting up to the mains in 2004 can already expect a significantly higher injection refund on solar electricity as from 1st January.

The range of options for sustainable use of solar energy includes both complete systems for grid-connected photovoltaic facilities plus cells and modules, isolated systems for decentralised energy supply in regions without energy supply as well as a large spectrum of thin-layer solar cells (the base material being amorphous silicon deposited on glass) and modules. Several uses for this are 12 V applications such as lighting, traffic systems, telecommunications, security technology and consumer and leisure goods.

Another particularly attractive focus for planners, architects and those commissioning building projects is the use of building-integrated solar technology. In addition to familiar systems such as roof-integrated ideas and roof superstructures for photovoltaic units the market also offers both aesthetically appealing and functional components for the entire building shell. This new generation of building-integrated solar technology is suited for weather-proof roof seals or as heavy-duty facades. Among other things it offers semi-transparency, glare limitation, protection against overheating - and plenty of design potential.

DTI:Wilson Brings a 'Ray of Sunshine' to Buildings Across the UK

It was announced on 27th November that 19 schemes across the UK will be powered by solar energy as a result of new Government cash.

The projects which represent 435 KW have each won a share of a £2.2 million Government grant. They are the second set of proposals to be approved under the DTI's £20 million Major Photovoltaic (PV) Demonstration Programme.

The projects include a multi-story car park in Woking, a coastal visitor centre at Llanelli, Wales and the University of Leicester engineering building. There are also small and medium scale projects such as flats in London, a school in Hertfordshire and a health
centre in Bristol.

Brian Wilson, Minister for Energy, said:
'I am convinced that solar power should make a real contribution to the UK's energy mix. It is now crucial that the right foundations are put in place.
'These nineteen projects will add to the hundreds of solar houses and buildings which the Government has already sponsored. They range from leisure centres, schools and offices to business parks and modern flats.

'To help this source of energy really take off a new supply chain must be built. I want to ensure that the UK revolution in renewable energy brings with it jobs and that is exactly why I have set up 'Renewables UK,' a Government body tasked with securing maximum benefits for British manufacturers from the rapidly-growing worldwide green energy market.'

Public Enquiries: 020-7215 5000
Textphone: (for people with hearing impairments): 020-7215 6740
Web: http://www.dti.gov.uk

Curvet presents its first solar electric panel in a curved glass version

The collaboration between Curvet Spa from Pesaro, which for the last 25 years has specialised in manufacturing safety glass and curved glass, and Bekaert ECD Solar Systems LLC , the manufacturer of flexible solar cells and solar modules with brandname Uni-Solar®, has resulted in a solar electric glass panel in a curved form. 'This discovery is perfect to satisfy the needs of the latest trends in contemporary architecture, which tends more and more often to favour self-reliant buildings able to support their own needs by generating power, so that they are also able to establish a harmonious symbiotic relationship with their surrounding environment in terms of form.' says the company.

Glass, a highly ecological material in that it can be easily re-cycled and photovoltaic or solar electric cells, meet in this product to generate solar power (a renewable form of energy) making its use completely eco – friendly. It claims to be the only photovoltaic panel able to meet the demanding forms of today’s big names in architecture, famous for their all-enveloping curves which rather than jutting out uncomfortably, blend in perfectly with their surroundings
.
Solar electric power is a form of renewable energy, an energy for the future in that this technology makes it possible to transform sunlight into electricity. It uses the properties of certain materials which have been specially treated (including silicon, a naturally occurring resource) to act as semiconductors which generate electrical power directly when capturing the sun’s rays so there is no need to burn any type of fuel. The device that makes this conversion possible is the solar electric or photovoltaic cell.

Tel: 0039 0721 49441
Email: mailto:curvet@curvet.it
Web: http://www.curvet.it

RWE and SCHOTT to expand position in solar technology growth market

The RWE concern of Essen and SCHOTT Glas of Mainz are set to further expand their leading position in the solar technology growth market. To this end RWE Solutions AG of Frankfurt/M. and Schott Glas of Mainz are planning to merge all their solar activities in the field of photovoltaics in a joint venture. It is anticipated that RWE SCHOTT Solar GmbH, based in Alzenau, will start operations around the middle of 2002 and will bring together the activities of RWE Solar GmbH of Alzenau, its subsidiary ASE Americas Inc. of Billerica, Boston and SCHOTT Applied Power Corporation of Rocklin, California. SCHOTT will be a partner in the joint venture on an equal footing with RWE. This has been agreed by both companies in a letter of intent.

SCHOTT Management Board member Dr. Udo Ungeheuer and the Chairman of the RWE Solutions Managing Board Heinz-Werner Binzel explained: “Our aim with the planned joint venture is to expand the leading position of RWE SCHOTT Solar in a dynamic market.“ The technological pole position occupied by RWE Solutions‘ subsidiaries is set to be strengthened by the Schott Group’s materials research and production know-how and its global presence. The joint venture will involve the bundling together of the development and production of crystalline technologies (wafers, cells and modules) and thin film production plus worldwide sales of these components all the way through to complete photovoltaics systems.

RWE is one of the leading international multi utility concerns. Its core businesses are electricity, gas, water, waste management and recycling. In the 2000/2001 fiscal year the concern had sales of 63 billion euros and employed 170,000 people. In the 2001 part fiscal year the concern achieved a provisional sales figure of 32 billion euros. Under the umbrella of the overall holding company operational management companies are active in the market.

RWE Solar GmbH (formerly Angewandte Solarenergie – ASE GmbH), a subsidiary of RWE Solutions AG, Frankfurt am Main (sales 2.6 billion euros, 14,000 employees), covers three solar electricity product areas: wafers, solar cells and modules for the terrestrial market, thin film solar modules with an amorphous silicon base and high-powered solar cells for space travel. In 2001 the company employed more than 550 people and had sales of 96 million euros.

SCHOTT Glas is the parent company of the international SCHOTT Group. In the 2001 fiscal year its sales were some two billion euros. The technology concern employs 20,000 people worldwide, of whom more than 10,000 are based outside Germany, in a number of different fields: Home Tech, Display Solutions, Pharmaceutical Systems, Opto Electronics and Advanced Optical Materials & Components. The main focus of its corporate policy is directed towards future areas of growth including, in addition to photovoltaics, communications and information technology, optical materials for chip manufacture (microlithography), surface technology and special materials.

WILSON BRINGS SOLAR POWER TO BUILDINGS ACROSS THE UK

Brian Wilson, Minister for Energy, has brought the reality of the wide scale use of solar power closer by announcing funding for public buildings which include Schools, galleries, church halls and sports centres all over the UK.

He announced that 18 projects have won a share of a £4 million Government grant to develop solar rooftops. The scheme will benefit projects from Cornwall to Scotland and Cardiff to Northern Ireland.

The projects have been awarded the money following a bidding process which opened in November last year. £3 million was originally made available but so many quality schemes came forward that a further £1 million has been awarded to support an additional 7 developments on top of the original 11.

The Orange '@ Home' wireless house uses solar cells integrated directly
into the glass roof (by Solar Century)

Brian Wilson, Minister for Energy, said:
'This £4 million will put these very visible public projects in the front line of our commitment to solar energy. It is a major boost forthat brand of renewables.

'This follows on from support given earlier this year to develop an initial 400 UK based solar powered households. These schemes will provide important learning experience before the UK embarks on a much larger installation programme.

'The Government has already set aside £20 million for the first phase of that major programme, which will involve large numbers of houses and public buildings.

'I want to see thousands of roofs covered by solar panels every year. We have a lot of catching up to do if we are to aspire to the same kind of programmes in Japan and Germany.

'I'm sure that developers and UK manufacturers of solar equipment will invest in the future of this important industry. The potential for a green manufacturing industry is an important part of the case in favour of developing our renewable energy'

NB: An initial £10 million was allocated to the First Phase of the Major PV Demonstration Programme (MDP) by the DTI in March 2001. The Prime Minister also announced that a share of his £100 million Renewables Fund would also go to PV, depending on the recommendations of the Cabinet Office review of renewable energy. Their report was published in November 2001, and a further £10 million was allocated to the MDP over the next 3 years. It is expected that the total £20 million budget, dispersed via an average 50% capital grant, will result in at least 3,000 homes and 140 larger non-domestic buildings receiving solar PV systems.


Some of the projects given a Government grant

Bath University - Science Park

The University of Bath is developing a new science park to become the focus for low carbon technologies in the south-west region. The development is intended to become the first "carbon neutral" science park in UK through low energy design and use of renewable energy technologies. A comprehensive Sustainability Strategy has been adopted for the park.

The first building consists of two main wings joined by a central atrium. PV laminates will be applied to standing seam roofing in the main wings and semi-transparent glass/glass laminates will provide some shading in the atrium.

Unisolar thin film laminates and St. Gobain Monocrystalline laminates. Installer: Solar Century


Cotswold Water Park - Visitor Centre

A new Gateway Sustainability Centre is to be developed at the main entrance to the Water Park. Two linked buildings will provide visitor information, a shop and a café, also a large-scale visitor attraction featuring rural sustainable development.

Roof mounted PV will power lake loop heat pumps to provide heating and cooling, also power to supply electric vehicles for use in the Park.

BP Solar Monocrystalline laminates. Installer: PV Systems


The Gaia Energy Centre, Delabole, Cornwall - Visitor Centre

The new visitor centre at the UK's first commercial wind farm provides a specialist building for the education and demonstration of renewable energy. The building is also used for community social events. 530m2 of integrated PV panelling is to be installed on the south-facing roof and the system will form a primary exhibit within the centre.

The building design incorporates environmental and energy efficiency features including solar water heating, bore hole water supply, rainwater storage for WC use and an anaerobically digested sewage treatment system. Heat recovery from the PV installation is also planned. The RUE features for the new centre have secured EU support through the THERMIE programme.

BP Solar laminates. Installer: BP Solar Agent


Welsh Development Agency, St Asaph, Clwyd - Optical Technology Centre

The OpTIC Building is to be developed as a technology and business support centre in opto-electronic technologies. A large PV wall to provide visual screening and weather protection for the south facing main façade will help define this as a 'landmark'building.

The design team are committed to achieving an 'Excellent'rating under the BREEAM for Offices 2002 programme and the building will meet or exceed the latest revisions to Part L requirements.

Cadmium Telluride thin film modules. Installer: PV Systems


The Insolvency Service, Bloomsbury - HQ Office

The Service HQ office includes high profile prestige offce accommodation in an existing terraced building in Central London. The building was extensively refurbished in 1988 to include an atrium space. Currently the atrium glazing if fitted with a screen to reduce heat gains. The existing glazing and screen will be replaced with semi-transparent PV glazing to provide power supply for the building and solar shading.

The 1988 refurbishment resulted in energy performance significantly better than best practice benchmark figures for prestige air-conditioned office buildings.

West Oxfordshire District Council - Council Offices

An existing office building will be refurbished and linked to a new two-storey building through a Visitor Centre. The complex will incorporate a brasserie restaurant, reception areas, offices and meeting spaces.

The complex will incorporate demonstrations examples of three PV technologies - solar roof tiles, glass laminates and solar metal roofing. The new buildings are to be super-insulated with advanced BEMS control of heating and lighting. The project will also incorporate rainwater collection and use, solar water heating and underfloor heating run from condensing boilers.

Unisolar polycrystalline laminates, thin film laminates and thin film roof tiles. Installer: Solar Century


Belfast Education and Library Board - Cavehill County Primary School

A new replacement school is to be built adjacent to the existing school. The new school will combine best practice in sustainable building with high thermal insulation, passive solar design and heating from condensing boilers. The building will feature natural passive stack ventilation and solar control. It is planned that the design will become a template for future school design for the authority.

PV arrays will be incorporated into south facing roof surfaces in the two principal wings and roof glazing in the connecting link building.

BP Solar monocrystalline laminates and monocrystalline modules. Installer: BP solar Agent

Response to the Government's Energy Review from Solar Century

The Government’s strategic energy review raises more questions than it provides answers. Solar Century welcomes the review as a 'step in the right direction', but says it fails to recognise the urgency of embracing the new solar photovoltaic (PV) technology as a major part of the UK's energy mix.

The review calls for large carbon reductions over the next century and expresses deep concern over the security of future supply. 'These two key issues,'says Jeremy Leggett, CEO of Solar Century, 'are precisely what the new solar technologies address. Yet, the Downing Street review singularly fails to recognise that we have tomorrow's solutions NOW. It makes much of how we should all improve energy efficiency, but fails to tell us what we should do to get there. It also admits renewable technologies are options for the future, but it fails to recognize the advantages that solar PV gives security of supply and power where you want it when you want it.'

The German economy and jobs market is already benefiting from its government’s support programme. The reality is that the UK is still in the very early stages of catching up with our main competitors and Britain will miss out on the chance to benefit from an industry already growing at 30 per cent per annum world -wide. The International Energy Agency report 'Trends in photovoltaic applications' shows that in the year 2000 Japan spent 251 million dollars in government support for the solar PV industry; the USA $119 million; Germany $62 million; The Netherlands $25 million and Australia $14 million.

What has HMG spent so far? 'Just 6.9 million dollars,' says Dr Leggett,'

'As Richard Rogers puts it, no other technology has the scope to help in the regeneration of our cities. Solar PV is ideally suited to Britain's highly urban environment, even with our cloudy climate. High-rise modern buildings offer huge opportunities to create clean energy at point of use and solar PV is already cheaper than many façade-building materials. It costs approximately £150 million to build a prestige high-rise tower and for less than 4% of this cost a solar PV installation could provide more electricity than the building typically uses. Surplus clean electricity can be sold back to the national grid.'

'A domestic solar (PV) programme will literally give power to the people, enabling consumers to produce their own energy at source. The German 100,000 roofs programme is so popular that its completion date has been brought forward by 2 years. Based on the number of private inquiries made to Solar Century, we believe that a similar government subsidy would greatly accelerate the take up on the domestic solar PV installations in the UK.'

'There is one key element in the strategic review which I whole heartedly endorse,' says Dr Leggett. 'The review says 'the time for action is now’ the nation must not be lulled into inaction by the focus of much of the expert debate on long time scales and on energy systems in a future, which will belong mainly to our grandchildren. We have the technologies in place right now to ensure our grandchildren’s secure, clean energy. We just need to tell everybody about it."

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Powerglaz to the Core

The Eden Project in Cornwall opened its doors to its new education and resource facility on the 19th September 2005. The new building which is known as 'The Core' has a complex geometric roof design which replicates the ‘Fibonacci’ principle, a natural structural pattern seen for example, in seeds in the head of a sunflower or the spirals in a snail's shell.

The result is that, when viewed from above, it takes the appearance of a flowers head with eleven individual ’petals’ all of a different size and slightly different shape. Each of the ‘petals’ is covered in photovoltaic (PV) panels with the core of the flower head being encircled with bespoke PowerGlaz building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) glass/glass laminates manufactured by Romag.

 

Each of the PowerGlaz panels was complicated to make because the edges were raked to form a tapered shape with none of the sides being parallel. This presented a challenge because Romag had to ensure that each of the PV cell strings were positioned accurately to ensure that the panels looked good and that the power produced met the specified output of 80W per panel. Romag’s purpose built BIPV manufacturing facility ensured that these requirements were fully met.
 
The PowerGlaz panels were installed by Solarcentury as part of their PV installation on the roof of the building. The complete installation provides sufficient power generation for 20,000kWh per annum whilst reducing annual CO2 emissions by 9 tonnes.
 
Romag’s MD, Lyn Miles said 'We are proud to be associated with this beautiful building and to have worked with Solarcentury and with them, make a contribution to sustainable energy on the Eden Project'.
 
'The Core' was part lottery funded and was designed by architect Sir Nicholas Grimshaw. It was built as a joint venture headed by McAlpines’.

Fuelling The Future

Glass Specialist, Romag has recently supplied PowerGlaz building integrated photovoltaic panels (BIPV) to London's Science Museum project as part of the museum's recent re-development and improvement programme.

The old Glazed Barrel Vault Rooflight has been replaced and installed at a higher level. The new rooflight, which is partially glazed with PowerGlaz will generate electricity while controlling the amount of light transmitted into the building. Photovoltaic cells are packed to optimum density in areas of direct sunlight reducing solar gain and maximising electrical power output. Where there is limited sunlight the cell density is reduced to provide diffused light.

The PowerGlaz installation produces around 8kWp over an area of approximately 100m2. This is linked to traditional PV Modules positioned on the roof, making a total PV Energy output of 25kWp. The project is part funded by the DTI under the PV stimulation programme. It was selected for its innovative use of PowerGlaz as a building cladding material, controlling glare and heat transmission. The glazed section of the rooflight is positioned directly over the internal high level Wilkinson and Eyre designed glass footbridge allowing visitors close access to the PowerGlaz.

Quality roofing contractors required nationwide

Fancy getting involved in something new and exciting, working with innovative 21st Century technologies whilst developing existing skills?

Following on from recent successes and in anticipation of continual growth in the solar roof market, Solar Century is looking to expand its list of partner contractors.

Solar Century is one of the UK’s leading provider of solar electric systems, and is searching for quality roofing contractors to work with them on forthcoming installations.

'We are looking for expressions of interest from CIS 5 and CIS 6 level contractors for jobs ranging from one-off domestic roofs to large developments with reputable property developers. Preference will be given to contractors affiliated to professional bodies such as NFRC', the company says.

Chosen contractors will be involved in installation of various pitched-roof coverings incorporating solar technologies.

Training will be provided for all products but skills required include:
* Slating and tiling
* Installation of weather-proof boarding and roofing shingles

If you are interested please send details of your annual turnover, number of full-time employees, list of key skills, professional affiliations and examples of your past work to:

Jan Muller, Head of Engineering
Solar Century
91 - 94 Lower Marsh
Waterloo
SE1 7AB