Photovoltaic
Solar Power System at Alcoa's Kawneer Facility in California Begins
Operation
Alcoa has announced the start-up
of a 588,000 Watt, roof-mounted photovoltaic solar power system at its
Alcoa Building and Construction Systems' Kawneer manufacturing facility
in Visalia, California. The project serves to demonstrate the environmental
and financial merits of harnessing energy from the sun to generate electricity
on an industrial scale.
Alcoa
partnered on the project with DEERS, a global solar power project developer
and owner of the DEERS Solution™ the patent pending solar roof
top attachment system, and Constellation Energy Projects & Services
(CEPS), which constructed and will own and operate the solar system.
Alcoa agreed to host the new solar power system and purchase the electricity
generated.
‘This solar power project increases California's supply of clean
and reliable renewable energy,’ said David Schlendorf, president,
Alcoa Building and Construction Systems. ‘Alcoa is committed to
implementing sustainable energy solutions and is dedicated to pursuing
alternative energy supply options that benefit our key stakeholders
- including our employees, communities, customers and suppliers.’
‘Green energy solutions are becoming a business imperative for
forward-looking companies such as Alcoa,’ said Gregory Jarosinski,
president of CEPS. ‘With CEPS owning and operating the renewable
system, customers enjoy stable long-term energy pricing from an environmentally
friendly source.’
The power generated by more than 4,300 Uni-Solar thin film solar panels
will provide approximately 80% of the 200,000-square-foot facility's
electricity needs, during periods when demand on the electricity grid
is greatest. In addition to the solar panels, more than 200 solar light
tubes were installed to supplement the artificial lighting in the facility
with day lighting. Alcoa is evaluating similar solar power opportunities
at other facilities.
As a company committed to sustainability, Alcoa is a founding member
of the United States Climate Action Partnership (USCAP), which issued
an appeal for the US government to enact strong national legislation
to achieve significant reductions of greenhouse gas emissions. Alcoa
is a charter member of the World Resources Institute Green Power Market
Development Group, an active participant in the Global Roundtable on
Climate Change, The Business Roundtable, U.S. Green Building Council,
and World Economic Forum's Gleneagles Dialogue on Climate Change.
About Alcoa
Alcoa is a leading producer and manager of primary aluminium, fabricated
aluminium and alumina facilities, and is active in all major aspects
of the industry. Alcoa serves the aerospace, automotive, packaging,
building and construction, commercial transportation and industrial
markets, bringing design, engineering, production and other capabilities
of Alcoa's businesses to customers. In addition to aluminium products
and components including flat-rolled products, hard alloy extrusions,
and forgings, Alcoa also markets Alcoa® wheels, fastening systems,
precision and investment castings, structures and building systems.
The company has 116,000 employees in 44 countries and has been named
one of the top most sustainable corporations in the world at the World
Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. More information can be found
at http://www.alcoa.com.
About Kawneer
Celebrating more than 100 years of innovation and experience, Kawneer
North America is headquartered in Norcross, GA, and is the leading manufacturer
of architectural aluminium products and systems for the commercial construction
industry. Kawneer is part of Alcoa Building and Construction Systems,
which manufactures and markets architectural systems and products in
North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. For more information
on Kawneer or its products, please visit http://www.kawneer.com.
Solarcentury
Installs Solar Energy Roofs for Eight London Fire Stations
Solarcentury,
the UK solar energy company specialising in the supply and innovation
of building integrated photovoltaics, is to supply six more London Fire
Brigade (LFB) stations across London with solar photovoltaic (PV) systems.
With fire stations in Richmond and Acton already supplied with clean,
solar, electricity; a total of eight fire stations across the capital
will now cut their carbon emissions and create their own electricity using
solar technology from London based Solarcentury. This commitment to on
site renewable energy is the largest single public sector display of a
carbon reduction initiative. Discussions are already underway to kit out
a further 20 fire stations with similar renewable technologies.
The Brigade is set to meet its ambitious target of dramatically cutting
carbon emissions from 1990 levels by 2010 at the latest. Each year the
six new PV systems will save a total of 65 tonnes of carbon emissions;
with the Acton fire station system already saving six and a half tonnes
of carbon emissions a year. Richmond fire station in south-west London
was the first entirely solar powered fire station in the country. The
PV fire stations will be in Bow, Battersea, Park Royal, Ruislip, Stanmore
and Addington.
To achieve these targets LFB will also be using a range of technologies
according to the station building and location, including wind turbines,
solar thermal and Combined Heat and Power (CHP) systems. Fire engines
are also being replaced to meet low emission zone targets, boilers and
light fittings are being replaced and recycling is now an intrinsic part
of Brigade life.
Solarcentury worked closely with the Brigade to understand its needs and
fit around a complex set of project interfaces and stakeholders including
station commanders, project managers, fire officers and energy managers,
without disrupting Brigade operations or increasing residual risk. The
company also advised on wider 'energy change' issues highlighting opportunities
and tools to help deliver lasting behaviour change which has delivered
huge savings in addition to the PV as station crews become 'energy conscious'.
The Brigade has found that a staggering 20-30% of energy is now being
saved through behaviour change, with PV creating clean energy and saving
an additional 5-10% of energy in many cases.
LFB is now one of many public sector organisations to turn to solar power,
with schools, universities, housing associations and care homes also committing
to care for the environment. A 4kWp installation of this clean, silent
technology will generate approximately 3,300 kWh per year, saving nearly
two tonnes of carbon dioxide from being emitted from each building every
year. For many, the clean energy alternative also saves money in the long
run on costly electricity bills.
Commenting on the London Fire Brigade Green Programme, Dr. Jeremy Leggett,
CEO of Solarcentury said: ‘LFB is setting the standard in the public
sector for low carbon buildings, and they should be widely commended for
leading the field. Phase two of the LCBP will allow hundreds of public
buildings to benefit from photovoltaic systems at just 50% of traditional
cost. Photovoltaic technology is more widely available than ever as clean
energy solution that is effective and requires little ongoing attention.’
Val Shawcross, chair of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority,
which manages LFB, said: ‘This new stage in our green investment
programme is more great news for the Authority and I hope it will act
as a spur to other organisations yet to start blazing the green trail.
‘We take our responsibility to reduce our carbon footprint very seriously.
We have some way to go before we can say we are a truly sustainable organisation,
but are making big strides and remain committed to supporting the battle
against climate change.’
Energy Minister, Lord Truscott said: ‘The Government wants to see
more micro generation in the UK and is working hard to develop the sector
for both industry and consumers. The LFB project is exactly the kind of
initiative we want to see more of, and they are to be applauded.’
This announcement comes as Solarcentury reports a total of over 3 MW (mega
watts) of PV installed since it began in 1999, having worked on over 500
large commercial projects with another 100 in the pipeline. It has also
installed solar power on many thousands of homes in the UK. The company
has also revealed its move into the Spanish market, with its first overseas
office in Spain.
Tel: +44 (0)20 7803 0100
Web: http://www.solarcentury.com
Energy
saving University Switches on with SCHOTT Solar
A
new £59 million construction project known as AMPPS (Astronomy,
Mathematics, Physics and Photon Sciences) at The University of Manchester
includes the UK's largest solar shading array using thin film technology.
AMPPS
is a new innovation in cross-departmental working, which has been deliberately
designed to encourage collaboration between departments, most symbolically
represented in the large glass atrium which will dominate the building's
usage. The structure also integrates cutting edge environmental technologies
into its design with photovoltaic shading arrays to create an alternative
source of power.
SCHOTT Solar ASI® Glass semi-transparent photovoltaic panels, which
convert daylight into electricity, have been fitted onto the roof to help
to make the building carbon friendly. Designed by Manchester architects
Sheppard Robson, the building incorporates a canopy spanning the three
component structures featuring a 'rack' mounted louvre photovoltaic system
to provide shading. The light shining through the ASI® Glass semi-transparent
thin film photovoltaic laminate modules will also produce a striking effect
when viewed from below.
The energy output from the 1,100 ASI® Glass modules will be used to
offset the site's power demand. The installation means potential savings
of over 17,000 kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions each year and annual
savings for the university of thousands of pounds in energy bills. In
addition to generating electricity, ASI® glass will allow up to 20%
light transmittance and markedly reduce solar heat gain.
The placement of renewable energy technology so visibly in such a prestigious
educational establishment will enhance its public image and should also
inspire future scientists' interest in the field.
Architect: Sheppard Robson
Main Contractor: HBG
Specialist PV installer: Solar Technologies
Completion date: mid-2007
Web: http://www.schott.com
Massive Solar Cell Production Facility to be Built in Oregon
The
German company SolarWorld AG has announced
plans to build North America's largest solar electric component factory
in Hillsboro, Oregan. By 2009, the plant is expected to be producing 500
megawatts worth of solar silicon wafers and cells.
• SolarWorld purchased the Hillsboro facility from the Japanese Komatsu
Group, which had invested approximately $500 million in the plant but
never brought it online for production.
• SolarWorld paid $40 million for the facility, and plans to begin
production by this summer.
• The new facility will become SolarWorld's new headquarters for
solar crystallisation activities. The current headquarters is in Vancouver,
Washington.
• The state of Oregon will be offering SolarWorld credits on its
property and business taxes.
• ‘The new investment in Oregon constitutes an exceptional opportunity,’
said Frank H. Asbeck, CEO of SolarWorld.
Web: http://www.solarworld.de/sw-eng/
American
Elements Announces New AE Solar Energy™ Product Group
American
Elements
has announced the formation of a new product group to merge production,
sales and marketing of its solar energy photovoltaic products including
silicon, CIS and CIGS solar energy materials and related products into
a single product group under its tradename AE Solar Energy™.
The effected operations will include silicon, cadmium, indium, gallium,
selenide and several other elemental materials and the crystal growth,
nanoparticle and thin film manufacturing departments.
The consolidation is intended to streamline sales and customer support
of solar energy materials and combine production capabilities where possible
for better efficiency. The consolidation will not result in any worker
or staffing reductions.
American Elements is an American manufacturer and supplier of advanced
material products with distribution offices in Europe, Asia and South
America.
For further technical and pricing information on AE Solar Energy™
products, please contact your local American Elements distributor or American
Elements U.S. corporate headquarters at (1)310-208-0551 or http://www.americanelements.com.
Saint-Gobain
Vitrage and Shell in Partnership to Produce Photovoltaic Panels
Saint-Gobain
Vitrage,
Saint-Gobain's Flat Glass Sector, and Shell (Shell Erneuerbare Energien
GmbH) have announced the foundation of a 50/50 joint-venture for the production
and sale of next generation photovoltaic panels.
This company, named AVANCIS, will construct production facilities in Torgau,
Germany (Saxony). The initial capacity of the plant will be 20 MW, to
be rapidly scaled up. Production should commence in 2008.
The photovoltaic panels produced by AVANCIS will use the CIS technology.
This innovative technology, developed by Shell, is based on Copper-Indium-Selenium
thin-film deposited on glass, and does not incorporate the traditional
silicon. It offers high electrical efficiency, and is potentially very
cost competitive.
Saint-Gobain Vitrage will bring its in-depth know-how of thin-film coating
and glass processing. The new AVANCIS plant will be built nearby the production
facilities operated by Saint-Gobain Glass in Torgau.
This operation is in line with European Union procedures. It follows a
memorandum of understanding signed between the two partners in February
2006.
Wicks
Gives a Helping Hand to Green Householders
There
will be £6.2 million more funding available under the Low Carbon
Buildings Programme (LCBP) for people who want to install micro-wind turbines,
solar panels and other microgeneration technologies on their homes, Energy
Minister Malcolm Wicks announced recently.
There has been a fantastic response to the programme since its launch
in April and to help meet the demand the DTI is transferring £6.2million
of the total £28.5 million phase 1 funding into the householder
stream.
Phase 2 funding, which was announced by the Chancellor in the last Budget,
will provide a further £50 million in grants for large-scale public
sector projects and charitable organisations.
The Energy Minister highlighted the increase during a speech to the Royal
Geographical Society in London. He said:
‘Through the huge response to the Low Carbon Buildings Programme
we have already allocated over £3m of grants to households installing
microgeneration - the demand has been so great that this represents half
the total household budget in only the first year of the programme.
‘To enable it to continue this good work I am pleased to announce
we are re-allocating a further £6.2m of the programme funding to
the householder workstream. On projected demand levels this should allow
us to operate the grant programme until mid 2008.
‘By this time some of our wider measures to promote microgeneration
should be taking hold, and we believe the sector will have matured to
a point where householder grants are no longer the best use of our resources.
I am keen that industry are involved in our plans and we will be discussing
the details with them shortly.’
This will now mean there is a total pot of £12.7 million for householder
grants and DTI officials will meet with representatives from the microgeneration
industry next week to discuss in more detail how the programme will operate
going forward.
Welcoming the announcement, Philip Wolfe Renewable Energy Association
Chief Executive said:
‘Interest in domestic scale renewables has been growing very rapidly.
This is one of the cornerstones of the Government's microgeneration strategy,
so it is vital that there is adequate funding to sustain the public's
enthusiasm. The industry has also been working flat out to increase this
sustainable energy source, and the Association has launched the REAL code
of conduct to promote high standards of products and customer service
in the sector.’
Web: http://www.lowcarbonbuildings.org.uk
Liverpool
South Parkway Wins Green Award
Merseytravel's biggest project - the £32 million Liverpool
South Parkway (LSP) Interchange - opened its doors to the public
for the first time this month. It features solar photovoltaic cells on
south facing windows providing some of the electricity and saving 1.5
tonnes of CO2 a year.
The
interchange will transform public transport in South Liverpool, providing
fast and efficient links to Liverpool John Lennon Airport as well as access
to up to 11,000 jobs planned for the area.
The eco-friendly futuristic interchange has already won awards and accolades
for its design, use of building techniques and its potential contribution
to the regeneration of the Speke and Garston Pathway areas.
Engineer in charge of the works Neil Scales, Chief Executive and Director
General of Merseytravel, said: 'LSP is a state of the art interchange
that is breaking new ground not just nationally but internationally. It
is unique, fit for purpose and is pioneering new forms of sustainability
in transport infrastructure.
'It is a fantastic example of what can be achieved through partnership
working, innovation and imagination.'
A special BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment
Methodology) rating was created specifically for LSP and it has reached
a 'Very Good' standard.
Merseytravel beat 30 other entrants - including international and multinational
organisations - when LSP was named national champion in the transport
and freight category of the Green Apple Awards.
Key aspects which won the award include:
* The use of waste blast furnace slag instead of cement, saving 310 tonnes
of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) compared to the production of ordinary cement.
* Rainwater harvesting, saving 700,000 litres of mains water per year.
* A roof using 2.3 tonnes of recycled aluminium.
* Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified wood ensuring all timber
products come from a responsibly managed forest.
* Solar photovoltaic cells on south facing windows providing some of the
electricity and saving 1.5 tonnes of CO2 a year.
* Geo thermal heat pumps using 18 100-metre deep bore holes, which, although
more expensive to install, can save between 30 and 60 per cent on heating
costs compared with conventional systems.
Solar
photovoltaic cells by Oscamera on south facing windows providing some
of the electricity and saving 1.5 tonnes of CO2 a year.
Merseytravel's
Access Officer David Finnegan, himself a wheelchair user, has worked closely
on the development of the project, giving support on access issues.
As a result detailed design features include easy access doors, colour
contrast design features to assist people with low vision, variable height
ticket counters, accessible WCs, high visibility signage, induction loop
systems for people with impaired hearing and a highly visible staff presence
to assist all passengers.
Mr Finnegan said: 'Transport is vital to giving people freedom of choice.
Accessibility and usability have been at the forefront of the development
of this scheme, they are an incredibly important part of the design because
everyone should have the opportunity to reap the benefits this new transport
interchange will bring.'
Main contractors on the project were Edmund Nuttall, one of Britain's
largest civil engineer contractors. While the company can lay claim to
building Merseyside's most recent innovative project Edmund Nuttall has
an historic link with the region. The company was also responsible for
building the Liver Building and the first Mersey Tunnel.
The architects for the project were Jefferson Sheard. Tom Rhys Jones,
Managing Director of Jefferson Sheard, said: 'The site posed many challenges
- not least of which was the requirement to link two new rail platforms
in a cutting to four existing platforms on an embankment whilst achieving
level pedestrian access to buses.'
Project architect Nick Bogle added: 'The building has a striking exterior
and excellent visibility throughout. The extensive use of glass linking
the interior and exterior floods the public spaces with natural light.
It is possible to see straight through the building to the sky beyond
and also the movement of the people within, creating a strong sense of
the building's purpose and also a better perception of openness and security.'
Strucural glazing was installed by Henshaws http://www.charles-henshaw.com/index2.html
manufacturer planar (Pilkington)
Glazed screen by Oscamera including Photovoltaics http://www.oskomera.co.uk/projectpage.php?pid=213&wmid=10
(Schüco manufacture)
Aluminium roof installer http://www.lakesmere.com
(Corus manufacturer) '
Solarcentury:
Enabling Schools To 'Go Solar'
Solarcentury,
the UK solar energy company which says that it has helped more homes,
businesses and public buildings go solar than anyone else, has launched
Solar4Schools, a new initiative to help British schools go solar in
a bid to reduce rising carbon emissions.
The Solar4Schools programme will help make solar energy accessible
for schools with the supply and installation of part-funded solar
panels. Successful applicants will be provided with a 4kWp photovoltaic
(PV) system, or multiples thereof. Without the Solar4Schools scheme
each system would cost approximately £20,000; with the scheme
the school pays only half the cost, a unique opportunity to access
solar PV technology at a significant discount to the usual market
rate.
If only 100 schools participate in the Solar4Schools scheme, each
having a standard 4kWp PV system installed, their conversion to solar
power will save a staggering 200 tonnes of carbon emissions each year;
to otherwise offset this amount of carbon we would need to plant over
20,000 oak trees in the UK.
This clean, silent technology is likely to generate around 3,300 kWh
per year - the average electricity consumption of a three bedroom
house in the UK - saving nearly two tonnes of carbon dioxide from
being emitted annually from each building and over nine tonnes per
annum for large systems. An average school emits 30-40kg CO2 per m2,
with two tonnes the equivalent of 5% of a 1000 m2 buildings' emissions.
Solar4Schools is being launched following the appointment of Solarcentury
by the Department of Trade and Industry to supply solar systems to
public buildings, including schools, as part of its Low Carbon Buildings
programme. The Low Carbon Building Programme will be funded primarily
by £50million of the DTI budget.
Solarcentury has partnered with Scottish and Southern Energy to deliver
solar installations with its electrical contracting business, Southern
Electrical Contracting (SEC). The programme includes both existing
properties and new developments, and therefore provides a range of
strategic opportunities to develop low carbon buildings.
Jeremy Leggett, CEO Solarcentury says: ‘Solarcentury is delighted
to be part of the DTI's programme. We are excited to see the DTI committing
to solar power. If schools and public buildings follow their lead
they will find that solar in concert with energy efficiency can simply,
immediately and dramatically reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.
Photovoltaic technology is a widely available clean energy solution
that is both very effective and requires little ongoing attention.
Our 500+ systems across UK businesses, homes, schools and offices
will be reducing C02 emissions by more than 25,000 tonnes over the
next 20 years, and we stand ready to do many such installations.’
In addition Solarcentury will provide each of the successful schools
with a free activity-based educational pack. The bespoke pack is intended
to help educate and inform pupils about the challenge of climate change,
and to highlight the importance of efficient energy use and renewable
energy. Resources will include national curriculum lesson plans from
key stage one to four on climate change, global warming, renewable
and solar energy.
Each school will also be given a display meter - which will also be
available online - demonstrating the amount of energy being generated
by their solar panels, and the total generation and carbon savings
for schools to easily monitor progress. Each system comes with an
export meter which will allow schools to sell electricity back to
the grid when it is not needed, such as the school holidays.
Schools are invited to apply for funding at http://www.solar4schools.co.uk
or to register interest by emailing their contact details to: solarschools@solarcentury.com.
Solarcentury,
the UK solar energy company specialising in the innovation and supply
of building integrated photovoltaics (PV) and solar thermal solutions,
has opened its first overseas office, in Spain.
The company's Spanish launch is part of its wider European expansion,
as it also instigates a move to France. Solarcentury Spain is to be
led by Joaquin Piqueras, Sales Director, with support from Solarcentury
HQ in Waterloo, London. Joaquin has extensive experience of the market
with over 20 years experience in engineering and environmental business
operations.
As a fast growing renewable energy company, Solarcentury says that
its experience in the European solar energy and construction markets
is unrivalled, having installed over 3 MW (mega watts) of PV with
its 500 projects and thousands of home installations across the UK
since 1999; it has at least another 100 projects in progress. The
company aims to make solar energy simple to buy, install and use,
and has created innovative, award winning solar solutions such as
the 'Complete Solar Roof'. This integrated solar electric and solar
thermal tile application is increasingly popular amongst UK house
builders for its architectural sensitivity and ease of installation.
Jeremy Leggett, CEO Solarcentury says: ‘We are very excited about
the prospect for us in Spain both in terms of size and scope. We have
worked on some of the most complex and largest solar projects in Europe,
and believe our ability to offer experience and innovation in solar
thermal projects will enable us to build a strong brand name here.
The company has a fantastic challenge for the future and looks forward
to both innovating and delivering projects in such a progressive market.’
Joaquin Piqueras, Solarcentury Spain Sales Director, adds: ‘Spain
has now reached a point at which it can no longer rely heavily on
fragile external energy supplies and realises that the integration
of clean energy into buildings can both improve energy security and
help to protect the environment.’ He adds: ‘With a strong
portfolio in the UK, we are already witnessing great interest in the
company and the outlook for the next year looks very positive indeed.’
The Solarcentury solar thermal tile, C21t, has already received much
interest from Spanish developers seeking a high quality solar product
to meet government demands for all new homes to be fitted with a solar
thermal solution, and the tile is set to be installed on 100 new homes
in the south of Spain by Summer 2007. Demand for such products in
Spain is set to grow rapidly with more homes built in the country
over the past few years than the UK, France and Germany combined.
The Solarcentury industrial solution, SB1000 Energy Roof, has also
been well received. This modular PV system for flat or shallow pitched
roofs follows demand from the logistics, construction and large scale
retail industries for a fast to fit, highly productive PV system.
Owners and tenants of industrial buildings are increasingly turning
to solar energy as the simplest and most viable way to harness the
benefits of onsite renewable energy.
Solarcentury exhibited at Think! from 1-3 May 2007 at ExCel, London.
The Solarcentury award winning solar electric roof tile was demonstrated
on the Think ECOhome stand. The Think conference and exhibition is
a new landmark event for the UK construction and property markets,
as it explores the wider responsibilities of the property and construction
industries as we deal with the issues of climate change, urban renewal
and redevelopment. It comprised high-profile conferences, exhibitions
and networking opportunities around three themes: sustainability,
regeneration and innovation.
The company will also be exhibiting at Europe's leading construction
show, Construmat in Barcelona from 14th to 19th May 2007 at Montjuic
Precinct, Pavilion P6, Level 0, Street E, Stand 58. On show will be
the Solarcentury C21t solar thermal tile and SB1000 Energy Roof.
Web: http://www.solarcentury.com
Solarcentury
Wins EUROSOLAR European Solar Prize
Solarcentury, the UK solar energy
supplier specialising in building integrated photovoltaics, has been
awarded the EUROSOLAR European Solar Prize for outstanding industrial
and commercial company. Since 1994 the EUROSOLAR awards have gone
to municipalities, companies, individuals using renewable energies,
and to organisations which render outstanding service to the utilisation
of renewable energy. Solarcentury was established in 1998 to drive
innovation through research and development in solar energy.
The company works closely with architects and engineers to design
and install solar energy products that integrate within the fabric
of the built environment, to generate clean, on-site electricity and
hot water for commercial, residential, industrial and public sector
buildings. The London based company's installations include the groundbreaking
CIS Tower, Manchester and The Core, at the Eden Project in Cornwall.
Solarcentury is best known for its Low Carbon Building Products range,
including solar louvers, rain screen cladding, and the unique solarcentury
C21e solar roof tile. The solar tile is becoming an increasingly popular
solution for homeowners and housebuilders who can now integrate solar
electric solutions into regular roofs.
Jeremy Leggett, CEO Solarcentury said: ‘Our aim is to revolutionise
the global energy market and we are delighted our efforts have been
recognised in Europe. Merging solar technology with building materials
means that we have the potential to use create a new generation of
power stations using the skills being deployed on a daily basis by
roofers, electricians and other construction workers.’ He added:
‘The interest in solar technologies and how they can be integrated
into sustainable buildings is growing day by day as more people realise
they can make a contribution to reducing global warming. We are proud
to be working at the forefront of the industry and receiving recognition
for our efforts; but we await the day the UK joins the likes of Germany
in actively exploiting the full potential of the solar power industry.’
Solarcentury was also awarded The Sunday Times Tech Track 100 research
and development award. This accolade recognises the best of research
and development in the UK, selected from the country's fastest growing
technology companies as ranked in Tech Track 100. The company has
also recently been shortlisted for The Best of British Industry Awards,
the innovation in industry award for exceptional innovation that has
driven performance improvement.
Tel: 0207 803 0100
Web: http://www.solarcentury.com
Hydro
Invests in Solar Energy Company Norsun
Hydro is investing NOK 150 million
in the solar energy company Norsun, which is planning to set up a plant
in Årdal for the production of monocrystalline silicon wafers
for solar cells.
‘We find the solar energy market fascinating. The Norsun investment
gives Hydro an even broader and more forward-looking portfolio for renewable
energy,’ said President and CEO Eivind Reiten in a speech held
at Hydro's energy seminar in Bergen's Grieghalle on Tuesday.
Monocrystalline silicon wafers are made of pure silicon and used in
the manufacture of energy-efficient solar cells and panels. The silicon
wafers will be sold on the international solar energy market.
Hydro will hold a minority share in the company, which is also thinking
of investing in complementary solar energy technologies. Norsun was
started up by Alf Bjørseth, well-known within the international
solar energy community. He also founded the Renewable Energy Corporation
(REC).
In his energy seminar speech, Reiten emphasised the fact that Hydro
already has a broad new energy portfolio. He pointed out that Hydro
is one of the major players in Norwegian wind power, adding that the
company is participating in a number of hydrogen projects in Europe
and currently looking into the possibility of producing biodiesel from
wood. Hydro has also invested in the wave power company Ocean Power
Delivery, which will build the world's first commercial wave power plant
off the coast of Portugal.
‘We believe we will be seeing a broad mix of energy forms in the
years to come. Wind, bio, solar and hydrogen will represent important
supplements to oil, gas and coal,’ said Reiten.
At last year's energy seminar Hydro presented Hywind, a new concept
involving floating windmills attached to floating concrete constructions
as used in the North Sea oil industry. Hydro was recently licensed to
position a floating windmill in the sea off Karmøy.
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.