PES Solar 2 2018

ASK THE EXPERTSlike Australia, Middle East and LATM; Secondly, monitoring doesn’t mean just For example, when a plant alarm isChina slowed down the new installations measuring data anymore and providing triggered by any freely configurable event, itsignificantly, this is leading to an fancy charts. It is very much about often causes a chain reaction triggeringoversupply of modules and more controlling the PV system. The monitoring other alerts. The operator may receivecompetition for the module manufacturers. system is the plant manager, which provides many alerts, but the root cause is a singleAt the same time this means also a chance the interface for the grid operator and is failure. The intelligence we are developingfor the world market. thereby responsible for the grid stability. This will identify this chain and issue a single challenge is new to the market. The alert, pinpointing the root cause, saving theAustralia is a surprise market for everyone. conventional industry has the same rules as operator time and money of following theWe expect this market to be a very strong a conventional power plant, but they must alert chain to the cause.utility scale, C&I market in the short term of be carried out much more economically.5-7 years. Then the market will shift to a PES: What should customers be lookingstrong residential market. A major As the industry is growing and with more for in a reliable monitoring company?opportunity for meteocontrol, in these technological advancements being investeddecentralized global market portfolios, is to into these systems, it is necessary to MS: The stability of the company is critical.provide developers/operators a integrate these systems onto a singular A monitoring company should be a reliablestandardized platform where resources can master monitoring system, which will partner for the next 20 – 30 years. So, it isbe managed from anywhere in the world, interface with the grid operator. There is an important to work with a stable companysaving the owner/operator valuable increased demand for economical pricing, that can ensure data management andoperation capital. as the overall price for operations and performance for the full duration of the life components in the industry is dropping. of the solar plant. They need to partner withPES: What are the challenges of today’s a company that is continuing to adapt tomonitoring market? PES: What new products or the needs of the market, while still staying improvements are your company true to its values.MS: Acting globally means providing a working on?system which is capable of fulfilling the PES: What is the most exciting region forgeneral but also, the country specific MS: The above-mentioned plant manager growth in the U.S. today?requirements. Each utility of a respective is our next and most important innovationcountry has a different way of operating on the hardware side. The blue’LOG XC MS: Renewable energy overall hasand monitoring their systems. More often product will provide a provisional control significant room for growth of course,than not, they have the same requirements, algorithm, but at the same time be easy to globally and in the US. In the US market forbut sometimes a few additional features are use for the installer. On the server platform example, consider that the five states withneeded. It is necessary to keep up with we are working on more intelligent alarms, the most solar per capita are Nevada, Utah,these requirements and provide them on a by using KI and modern technologies to Hawaii, California, and Arizona.global scale. provide more and more efficiency for the PV plant operators. Approximately 40 states, however, have REC (Renewable Energy Credit) programs in one form or another, and nearly every major city and state at this time has some form of a renewable energy target. Additionally, half of the states offer PPA financing to further spur growth in the solar market. You didn’t see this level of focus in the public and private markets, even short term, three years ago. Due to increased efficiencies in solar panels, inverters, racking systems, financing, installation process, etc. regions such as the Midwest are now participating in solar in ways nobody really expected a few years ago. The State of Illinois for example, where our North American office is headquartered, introduced energy policy, which became a law a year ago mandating a 25% renewable energy target. This will be met across different segments, but Community Solar is really taking off and this along with C&I is where we see tremendous growth right now. PES: What solar industry advancement has surprised you the most over the 20 years? MS: In general, we find it very promising, that PV is already the cheapest way to produce electricity. This can be seen in the actual bidding prices. No one would have expected this some years ago and experts are expecting further drops. The significant reduction in energy loss www.pessolar.com 101

ASK THE EXPERTS‘Not even the most optimistic supporters couldhave imagined that renewable energy, in thiscase photovoltaics, would be able to competewith the yields of fossil fuels at this point in time.’through technological advancements on Tesla announced integrated solar roof future for our planet. One area that wethe solar panel itself has helped to technology a couple years ago, but this has haven’t seen implemented yet is the growthdramatically lower the cost per watt. not yet really taken off. There are articles of multiple variable sources (wind and solar) about solar glass for high rise buildings but working in tandem, side by side. SinceNot even the most optimistic supporters little data to support full adoption. there are times when the sun is not out, andcould have imagined that renewable energy, wind is not blowing, storage becomes thein this case photovoltaics, would be able to On a global level, wind currently has more key to real growth.compete with the yields of fossil fuels at installed capacity than solar. However, solarthis point in time. After the Fukushima installations are being completed at a The cost to produce lithium Ion storagenuclear disaster, several countries like significantly faster rate. technology in the last 10 years, like solarGermany and Switzerland even decided panels, has dropped dramatically. For thisagainst future additional nuclear utilities, The capital investment required for reason, we should expect to see continuedshaping policy for decades. offshore wind farms vs. 1 million growth in all renewable segments and individual home owners deciding to install perhaps even see some new ones emerge.PES: What technology do you think solar over the next 2-3 years are also very But due to the advantages that will comewill advance the most in the next 10 or different undertakings. with advancements in storage for wind and20 years? solar, the market is now more than ever One could make the argument that there is focused on this technology. And withoutMS: Significant advances in renewable more room for increasing efficiency in a actually having a crystal ball, this is theenergy technology have almost become solar cell than a wind turbine, but we will renewable energy technology that stands tomonthly industry announcements. The see. It’s important to have both working advance the most in the next 10-20 years.question of course is the advancement in together for more efficient energy costs,question truly ready for market adoption? more resilient grid, and of course a greener www.meteocontrol.com102 PES Solar

years meteocontrolProven experience.Maximum yield. Start the conversation at SPI 2018 Booth 1786 www.meteocontrol.com

THINK TANKAn economic analysis ofbifacial PV device outputpower measurementWords: Klaus Ramspeck, R&D Director and Denis Džafić, R&D researcher, both at h.a.l.m. elektronik GmbHWith bifacial PV devices a large gain in solar power generation in the range of 10%-20%can be achieved in the field. Despite this, selling bifacial devices at higher prices is still adifficult task. With peak-performance of solar cells and modules at standard testingconditions being the price meter, true bifacial testing is a key step to achieve bifacial pricingin the future of PV. We present deeper insight into bifacial testing and analyse the economicimpact of different approaches.Large-scale production of bifacial solar corresponds to 2% – 4% higher solar cell only, thus no value for their individual bifacialcells and modules has become possible efficiency, is larger than the gain achieved performance exists. This is contradictory tomainly by three developments over the last by the PERC process implementation. the long-lasting tradition of selling PVfew years – dielectric passivation layers on products by Wpeak – a price meter relyingboth sides of the solar cells, thinner glass Though the bifacial gain is not put into on direct measurement of the output powerfor solar modules and alternatively question, manufacturers still struggle with of each individual cell or module.transparent backsheets. Offering a major the incorporation of the rear-side power inincrease in electricity generation at a pricing of PV devices. One reason is This issue is solved by using twocomparably low increase in costs for device clearly that the effective benefit of independent light sources in measurementmanufacturing, bifaciality has become one bifaciality depends on the details of the systems used for bifacial PV productionof the largest industry trends in solar module mounting and the and defining standard conditions forphotovoltaics in the recent years. configuration of the solar system and measuring the bifacial power output. In the cannot be precisely predicted when solar following we analyze economic impacts ofBifacial devices achieve a gain in power cells or modules are produced. Whereas bifacial vs. single-side illuminated rating ofgeneration of 10% – 20% compared to this pricing barrier is hard to overcome, a bifacial PV devices, addressing systemmonofacial references [1-5], depending on second issue can easily be solved. cost, operating cost, direct economicsystem design, albedo of the systems’ benefit and indirect benefit through processlocation as well as the bifaciality coefficient The power output of bifacial PV devices is optimization and customer trust.of the modules. This gain, which often measured with front-side illumination Figure 1: Illumination of bifacial PV devices either from both sides or with increased equivalent intensity from the front side104 PES Solar

THINK TANKFrom a technical point of view, the main operating costs, flash tube consumption on To validate or vitiate the main assumption ofdifference between measurement the rear side and electric power for the rear- single-side illumination techniques namelytechnologies for bifacial PV devices is the side flash box add up to costs which are the constant bifaciality in production, weillumination of the device either just from not expected to exceed 4500 $/year. investigate 4 groups of solar cells obtainedone side or from both sides (see Figure 1). from 4 different solar cell manufacturers.The single-sided approaches thereby rely To decide which technique is best suited, Three of these cell groups, which eachon a constant bifaciality in production, the the additional investment required for more consisted of a little more than 100 cells,main assumption of these technologies. precise technologies needs to be rated were taken out of production prior to against the advantages delivered by the sorting and represented a production timeA further assumption is that the devices more precise measurement along the value slot of about 2 min each. The fourth groupbehave in an identical way under increased chain. These advantages comprise the consisted of presorted cells taken from twoirradiation from the front and when direct gains achieved by proper sorting of BIN classes. All cells were then measuredadditionally irradiated from the rear. Bifacial the cells as well as indirect gains like better on a cetisPV-IUCT-BF system integratedillumination on the other hand, requires two process control and optimization or higher with an adapted cetisPV-Celltest3 whichlight sources and thus the system trust of customers. provides a dark chamber for theinvestment is increased. As additional measurements (see Figure 2).Figure 2: cetisPV-IUCT-BF implemented into a cetisPV-Celltest3 system to perform laboratory bifacial IV The system consists of a single electronicmeasurements. cabinet to control the two flash boxes, which provide the illumination of front andFigure 3: Normalized values of short-circuit current for cell batches from manufacturer A-D. The front current is rear side of the solar cell, the dark chamberplotted as a function of the rear current in order to show the degree of correlation. with the flash boxes and cell contacting and the measurement electronics. One of the flash boxes is mounted horizontally, the light being directed to the rear of the solar cell under test, using a mirror. A black passe-partout around the cell is used to minimize light protruding from the front side into the half room of the rear side and vice versa (crosstalk). Both light sources are controlled by one single controlling unit and can be adjusted individually in both light intensity and flash length, allowing for user-defined flash curves and intensities. For our measurements we use a setting which provides a 1000 W/m² flash from the rear side first, a 200 W/m² flash from the rear side together with a 1000 W/m² flash from the front side in a second step and a 1000 W/m² flash from the front side in a third step, each of the steps being 30ms in length. IV curves are recorded in each of the three sections using halm’s advanced-hysteresis evaluation in order to account for capacitive effects of the solar cells under test. Both light sources are rated AAA according to the IEC standard 60904-9 ed. 2.0. Light intensities from both illumination sources are monitored independently using two monitor cells. An intensity correction is performed for the measured IV curves, using the flash intensity data for each point of the IV measurement. In this way, any crosstalk between the two half rooms is monitored in the measurement and automatically corrected. The results for the correlation of front- and rear-side current are displayed in Figure 3. As is obvious at first sight, there is no correlation between front- and rear-side current. Thus, no constant bifaciality can be assumed on these batches. To examine the degree of variation, the relative width of ISC variations is compared for front and rear side in Table 1. This allows a quantitative examination of the degree of variation in bifacial power output caused by current generation from either side of the cells. www.pessolar.com 105

THINK TANKManufacturer Variation width Variation width Standard Standard Ratio of Ratio of standard A total (front) total (rear) deviation (front) deviation (rear) variation widths deviations B C 1.26% 10.25% 0.29% 2.38% 8.14 8.32 D 0.97% 7.22% 0.21% 1.35% 7.43 0.728% 4.966% 0.158% 0.979% 6.82 6.46 1.58% 9.85% 0.34% 1.71% 6.23 6.21 5.02Table 1: Comparison of variation widths of front-side ISC and rea-side ISC values for groups of solar cells from 4 manufacturersThe analysis of the data indicates significant the measured bifacialities, in order to avoid output of customers achieved by measuringvariations in the short-circuit current of the complaints from customers. This is the bifaciality may be a key factor inrear side. The variation is independent of the illustrated in Figure 4. Thereby, part of the achieving real bifacial pricing.front-side performance and has about 6.5 power output is not rated and the value of(std-dev) – 7.1 (max-min var) times the the products is underestimated. In conclusion, we find that bifacialmagnitude of variations observed on the front measurements of bifacial PV devices areside of the cell. Keeping in mind that rear-side The average loss per cell in the 4 groups necessary for precise assessment of theirradiation is about one-sixth of the front side ranges from 15 mW to 65 mW bifacial power output and cannot beirradiation, this result shows that variations (corresponding to 0.06% - 0.27% substituted by single-side illumination withfrom both sides contribute equally to the total efficiency) per cell. This adds up to losses increased irradiation. Already the directvariation of bifacial current generation and of 45,000 – 194,000 $/year, assuming a economic benefit achieved by proper rating ofthus bifacial power output. With similar production capacity of 2400 cells/hour the bifacial power justifies additional expensesresults obtained on all 4 batches this behavior operated at 95% total uptime and a sales for the bifacial measurement systems.seems to be of rather general applicability. As price of 0.15 $/W. Taken alone, theseboth sides of the cell contribute equally and numbers will lead to payback times of Besides the direct economic benefits,independently to variations in current bifacial flasher systems, which are in the pricing bifaciality without directly measuringgeneration, it follows directly that the range of 1 year or below. Additional it would contradict the tradition of selling PVmeasurement of both sides is of comparable process optimization gains and better products based on a measurement of theirimportance and thus a bifacial measurement reputation achieved with a true bifacial power output. In order to achieve customers’is required in solar cell production. measurement add to this. trust in bifacial power generation, we propose measuring the bifaciality of eachBesides this obvious requirement of To estimate the economic impact of device, as one important parameter formeasuring solar cells from both sides in process optimization achievable by power generation and price finding or inorder to judge their bifacial power output, monitoring the cells rear-side performance other words: Measure what you want to sell!the value of true bifacial measurements we assume a reduction of variations inshall as well be rated in economic terms. bifaciality. An increase in bifacial power www.halm.deHaving only monitored a very short time of output of the cells by about 20 mW per cellproduction in our experiment, we assume in average, adding another 60.000 $/year, References:that a manufacturer using single-side seems feasible, regarding only theillumination technique can only safely claim variations on short time scale visible in [1] Stein J S, Riley D, Lave M, Deline C, Toor F,a bifacial power output at the lower limit of Figures 3 and 4. Last but not least, Hansen C. Outdoor field performance from increased confidence in bifacial power bifacial photovoltaic modules and system, In: Proceedings of the 33rd EU-PVSEC, pp. 1961Figure 4: Difference of bifacial measured PMPP (Pmpp.BF) and PMPP measured using a single-side illumination – 1967, Amsterdam, 2017approach (Pmpp.GE). A black horizontal line indicates a safe-sales value for bifaciality deduced from the re-spective cell batches. Bifacial power above this line would be lost for sales without bifacial measurement. [2] Di Stefano A, Leotta G, Bizzarri F. La Silla PV plant as a utility-scale side-by-side test for innovative modules technologies, In: Proceedings of the 33rd EU-PVSEC, pp. 1978 – 1982, Amsterdam, 2017 [3] Joanny M, Libal J, Kopecek R, Veschetti Y, Colin H. Bifacial system overview, In: bifiPV Workshop 2017, October 2017, Konstanz, http://bifipv-workshop.com/ index.php?id=konstanz-2017-program [4] Podlowski L, Wendlandt S, Cormode D, Yield Study on Identical Bifacial Rooftop Systems Installed in the USA and Germany, In: bifiPV Workshop 2017, October 2017, Konstanz, http://bifipv-workshop.com/ index.php?id=konstanz-2017-program [5] Chiodetti M, Lindsay A, Dupeyrat P, Binesti D, Lutun E, Radouane K, Mousel S. PV Bifacial Yield Simulation with a Variable Albedo Model, In: Proceedings of the 32rd EU-PVSEC, pp. 1449 – 1455, Munich, 2016106 PES Solar

Measurewhat you sellcetisPV-IUCT Bifacial• Flexible bifacial cell flasher system with any combination of illumination intensities on both sides (100 W/m² – 1200 W/m²)• STC front, STC rear and bifacial measurements in one system• Compatible with all h.a.l.m. options like electroluminescence• Ready for high-efficiency cells using advanced hysteresis• Available for production and laboratory• Proven integration in mass productionEBUoPoVthSECC132018, Brussels EXPO 2018, RGHEraNelaEltW3e,ArBBNoLooEitdEhaN3E.R1G6Y5 INDIAwww.halm.de

THINK TANK> 90% cost savingopportunity from recyclingWords: Dr Rob Grant FRSC, CEO, Gas Recovery and Recycle limitedHigh purity argon (greater than 99.999%) is used as a shield gas in the production of siliconingots, to be fabricated into wafers for solar cells and micro-electronic devices. The argon isused to control the impurity levels present during the manufacturing process to an acceptablelevel. In response to rising costs, the trend in the solar industry has been to reduce the argonpurge flows to a minimum, typically about 30slm; however, this cost reduction comes at theexpense of wafer purity which can result in lower performance solar cells.Ultra-High purity wafers for use in micro- performance and/or n-type doped wafers, This means, at best the, supply of highelectronic applications typically utilise two to maximise the efficiency of the resulting purity argon is essentially fixed and at worstto three times as much argon as for the solar cells and generate added value. This is in shortening supply as air separationsolar PV application, so rising argon costs requires argon purge gas flows to increase units are moth-balled in line with reducingare an even more critical issue in this sector up to about 70-90slm. The supply of high steel manufacturing capacity. The laws of purity argon is primarily a by-product of the ‘supply and demand’ dictate that the argonThe current trend in the Solar PV wafer air separation process generating oxygen price will increase. This is precisely what ismarket is to move to higher purity high used in steel making. being seen in the market, with argon prices108 PES Solar

THINK TANKincreasing by as much as 400% in the last Figure 1. CZ Furnace hall purification technology, jointly developedfew years in some territories. For with Cambridge University.manufacturers faced with this ‘double budget constraints, while Centralwhammy’ of increasing argon usage and Processing will either have redundant This process achieves gas recycle rates ofcost, investing in ArgonØ argon recycling capacity or become a production better than 95%, at purities exceedingsystems, which can reduce argon costs per constraint. industry expectations. The system is Pointwafer by more than 90%, has become more of Use and can connect to multiple vacuumand more attractive! The ArgonØ point of use recycle system furnaces, subject to a maximum flow limitArgon recycle strategies of approximately 20 Nm3/hr for eachA typical silicon furnace hall will have a A British Company, GR2L (Gas Recovery ArgonØ system.forest of up to 100 silicon ingot furnaces, and Recycle Limited) has designed theFigure 1, consuming upwards of 8 million ArgonØ to recover, purify and recycle The exhaust gas from a CZ puller or DSlitres of high purity argon gas per day. In exhaust purge gas from both CZ and DS furnace is typically contaminated withorder to recycle the argon, it first needs to vacuum furnaces. ArgonØ is currently the predominantly carbon monoxide andbe recovered from the exhaust lines of the only recycling system able to purify argon hydrogen in the 300 to 3,000ppm rangevacuum pumps associated with the from furnaces using both oil sealed and dry along with lower levels of moisture andindividual furnaces. Then purified and vacuum pumps. ArgonØ technology is carbon dioxide. These gases originatereturned to the argon furnace purge supply based on Chemical Looping Combustive primarily from reactions of moisture andline i.e. closed loop recycling. There are two silicon monoxide with process chamberstrategies to the recycle of exhaust gases components such as the heaters andfrom process tools: insulation materials. The ArgonØ system1. Point of Use recycle where the exhaust purifies the contaminated exhaust gasgas is diverted to a local purification recovered from the vacuum pump through asystem, close coupled to a limited number two-step process. In the first step theof tools, say <6. carbon monoxide and hydrogen are2. Central processing where all the facility combusted in the solid-state combustionexhaust lines, say >100, are combined reactor to carbon dioxide and watertogether and fed to a single, larger, respectively. As the process utilises a uniquepurification system. patented chemical looping combustiveThe main operational risk of Central purification technology no gas phase oxygenprocessing is that any failure impacts the is used in the process guaranteeing thewhole production facility, while with Point of recycled gas is oxygen free.Use systems issues are contained to a fewunits. The inherent reduced operating risks In the second step the carbon dioxide andand ease of retrofitting without impacting water are removed by absorption into aproduction make Point of Use recycling the zeolite-based material resulting in a highfavoured technology. Additionally, with purity exit gas to be directed back to thePoint of Use systems recycling capacity process. The ArgonØ system combines twocan be easily added based on demand and pairs of reactor/absorber vessels. One pair online and the other being regenerated andFigure 2. The ArgonØ Point of Use Recycle System. in standby allowing 24/7 argon recycling. No other gases or chemicals are needed for the regeneration of the reactor vessels other than compressed air. With few moving parts the system has an uptime of 99.9% and is www.pessolar.com 109

THINK TANKFigure 3. Recycle rate from 8 DS furnaces General Manager, said ‘I have to say that management and maintenance reports can the ArgonØ is a more flexible and compact be generated through the WonderWaredesigned such that most routine service and system than I expected’ adding ‘the Insight software package.maintenance can be conducted with no installation process was straightforwardinterruption to system operation. and resulted in minimal disruption to our In summary the GR2L ArgonØ gives wafer production schedules’. manufacturers the opportunity of reducingWhile the ArgonØ has an inherent recycle their Ar consumption by over 90% withoutrate better than 95% the operational The ArgonØs are collectively monitored impacting quality and with projected savingsfactory recycle rate is slightly less due to from a central SCADA computer where top per year of up to $160,000 an ArgonØ canargon losses from the process such as level recycle volumes and rates are collated pay for itself inside 18 months. The ArgonØduring recharge or the opening and from the individual ArgonØ units located can be retrofitted to existing facilities withreloading of furnaces, when argon escapes around the ingot production facility. Data minimum interruption to productioninto the atmosphere rather than being from the ArgonØs is also uploaded to the schedules, as well as be incorporated intodelivered to the ArgonØ for recycling. Cloud where regular performance, new facilities in phase with the vacuumFigure 3 shows the observed average furnace installations. In addition, the ArgonØrecycle rate from one ArgonØ system About GR2L will also contribute to a reduction in CO2connected to 8 DS vacuum furnaces and emissions. The projected reduction in CO2pumped by oil lubricated vacuum pumps GR2L was founded by Dr Rob Grant from reduced transport emissions and those(wet pumps). The achieved recycle rate is FRSC with the objective of associated with the electrical power used to~92% over a period of many months. commercialising chemical looping separate the argon from the atmosphere in combustion technology into the gas the first place can amount to 3-5 TonnesFigure 4 shows both the average and daily purification market. This was developed CO2 per vacuum furnace per year.recycle rates from an ArgonØ system jointly with Cambridge University.connected to 3 CZ pullers pumped with dry Dr Rob Grant is the founder and CEOvacuum pumps. Again, the average recycle GR2L is a cleantech company of Gas Recovery and Recycle Limited.rate is ~92% with daily recycle rates specialising in the recovery, purification He has a master’s degree and PhDexceeding 98% on occasions. and recycling of purge gases used in the from Cambridge University, UK, and is photovoltaic, microelectronics and the a fellow of the Royal Society ofIn one location in Taiwan, ArgonØ systems material processing industry sectors. Chemistry.are connected to 40 DS furnaces and havebeen operating for >18 months without any GR2L’s primary focus is on the In 2008 Rob set up Gas Recovery andunscheduled downtime. Sam Huang, Vice photovoltaic industry, where argon is Recycle Limited to exploit ideas he had used in large quantities during the for a new gas purification system, crystallisation of silicon into ingots. based on chemical looping combustion with collaborators at Cambridge GR2L entered into partnership with the University. UK Gas Technologies group in 2010 to bring GR2L’s flagship product Rob was previously Head of ArgonØ ­™ to market. Technology at Edwards Vacuum, where he was responsible for the company’s The UK Gas Technologies Group has systems engineering and PV business a track record in high purity gas areas pioneering the introduction of installations in the semiconductor and many new vacuum and gas processing medical markets and is synergistic technologies. with GR2L. Rob can be contacted at www.GR2L.co.uk [email protected] [email protected] Figure 4. Average and daily recycle rates from 3 CZ furnaces connected to one ArgonØ110 PES Solar







CORPORATE FOCUSForging ahead withN-type monocrystallineback contact cellsPasi Kautonen, Marketing Manager at Valoe Oyj, tells PES reached for transferring ISC’s Zebra IBCabout the background and aspirations of this high-tech (interdigitated back contact) cell technologycompany. Their focus is on the developing high efficiency and to further joint development of futuresolar photovoltaic modules and automated module IBC cells.manufacturing technology. The most efficient future cell technologiesThe company, originally named Cencorp, efficiency solar modules and production according to the latest ITRPV reportwas founded in 1978. It soon acquired a technology. The company first started to (International Technology Roadmap forreputation for innovative automatic robotic develop and manufacture advanced back Photovoltaics, Ninth Edition 2018) will besolutions for a wide range of industries. By contact modules in Finland, which were based on N-type monocrystalline backthe turn of the century, as a major global based on polysilicon and monosilicon solar contact cells.supplier of special components mainly for cells while also concentrating on enhancingmobile phone industry, the company automated production technology. In 2018 Valoe will be introducing its own new IBCobtained advanced production and nano they launched their advanced and robust back contact cells and modules into marketmaterial experience in high efficiency laser dual glass back contact PV module, called in 2019. The IBC cell has been developedtechnology and flexible back contact Valoe Chrome II. with ISC Konstanz and is based on theirelectrical circuits used for example in Zebra technology. It will be one of the mostantennas inside mobile phones. In 2018 further steps were taken in moving advanced, high efficiency solar cells towards the goal of producing world class, commercially available. The front side of theBy the end of the first decade of the most advanced high efficiency IBC cell reaches as high as up to 23% efficiencymillennium, Valoe moved its future business (interdigitated back contact) modules. of converting suns energy into electricity. Itfocus towards the upcoming and growing During the first half of 2018 additional has also been developed to generatesolar power industry. Through mergers and advanced manufacturing equipment for IBC electricity from irradiation from the rear sideacquisitions backed by its own know-how cells and modules was acquired. An of the cell. This bifaciality factor of the cell canof back contact technology Valoe started to agreement with well-known ISC-Konstanz add up to 30% more additional energy, byimplement its strategy to develop more in Germany (International Solar Energy diffused radiation collected on the back side.sustainable, yet world leading, high Research Center Konstanz) was also Valoe’s next generation European made N-type monosilicon cell has all the interconnections on the rear side of the cell. The front side of the cell is free of any metallisation leading to an optimized and114 PES Solar

CORPORATE FOCUSValoe ChrystalIBC cell structure Valoe Chrystal Twin Bifacialmaximized electricity generation. It also Chrystal Twin Bifacial IBC). Bifacial better radiation collection at cell level, butprovides the cell and entire module with an modules are able to increase the electricity the double glass structure (module totalalmost black, stylish design. generation up to 30% more compared to thickness 5mm) gives better overall and mono facial panels depending on surface superior protection against environmentalIn addition, N-type silicon is immune to material or substance. factors even in arctic, tropical climate orharmful degradation effects of LID (light desert environments.induced degradation) and PID (potential The mono facial module is suitable forinduced degradation) that may severely slanted roofs on commercial or residential Dual glass also enhances the coolingdamage traditional high efficiency or other buildings. It has a nominal power of 320-340 characteristics of the module. Thesilicon cells. Furthermore, the low Wp with 60 cells structure. The Twin Bifacial frameless version of the module bringstemperature coefficient of this cell maximizes is well suited for land mounted use or places additional benefit as over time, no residueenergy yield in high operating temperatures. where maximum power generation is gathers close to the frames. Valoe required in the given space (i.e. industrial manufactures the modules in its ownValoe Chrystal IBC is technically and and commercial use on flat roofs). The factory in Mikkeli in Eastern Finland.mechanically one of the world leading solar Chrystal Twin 120 half cell (60-cellmodules. It is characterized by high, long equivalent) module can reach close to 440 As well as advanced PV modules, PVterm solar power generation efficiency, Wp maximum power in optimal conditions. systems, Valoe also proposes turn keyextreme durability and suitability for harsh factories to partners. The verticallyenvironmental conditions. It is also lead The Chrystal Twin 144 half cell (72-cell integrated technology package isfree and one of the sustainable modules in equivalent) module has a nominal power of comprised of IBC cells, module andthe market. up to over 400 Wp on the front and an manufacturing technology based on its own additional up to 30% reaching thus record proprietary technologies.High efficiency, long lifetime, low operating breaking 500 Wp.and maintenance costs backed by elegant Valoe’s technology package provides itsvisual appearance and small footprint makes Both PV module models come in robust partners future proof automatizedit a suitable choice both for residential, glass-glass or dual glass structure giving manufacturing knowledge to produce highcommercial, industrial and utility scale use. the module superior strength, extreme efficiency modules with lowest levelizedThese modules have very low degradation of durability and great protection against cost of energy.less than 0.3% per year, which is way below mechanical, chemical stress andindustry standards today. This provides the environmental conditions. The highest www.valoe.commodule with over 90% of the initial efficiency available quality European anti-reflectiveafter 25 years of operation. solar glass maximizes the collection of For further info please contact solar radiation at cell level on every angle. Mr. Pasi KautonenThere will be two versions of Valoe IBC The self-cleaning structure on the frontmodule, one with regular frontal or mono glass enables dirt to wash away during the Marketing Manager, Valoe Oyjfacial solar power generation capability next rainfall.(Valoe Chrystal IBC) and another with mobile: +358 40 8207878bifacial power generation capability (Valoe The thinner glass, front and rear, enables e-mail: [email protected] www.pessolar.com 115





ASK THE EXPERTSTaking solar to where ithas never been before Brett Jarman, VP Commercial Business Development at Sunflare spared time to share the company’s vison with PES. Their panels are unique and they are now spending equal time developing commercial and residential solutions. They are super light, can be customized, low on emissions and can be installed in places which were previously thought impossible. Brett Jarman PES: Hi Brett, thanks for coming in to modules are light, thin, flexible and rugged, talk with us. Could you begin by so they can go everywhere traditional solar118 PES Solar explaining a little about the background is already installed, and many places they of Sunflare and the importance of the can only dream of for the moment. solar/PV industry to you? Our SUN2 cells are made of Copper, Indium, Brett Jarman: My pleasure. Sunflare has Gallium and Selenide on a .127 mm been in development for almost a decade, stainless steel substrate. Unlike traditional perfecting the next generation of CIGS solar panels, which are covered in glass, technology. Our mission is to reduce CO2 our modules are more durable because the worldwide. For that, solar needs to be SUN2 cells are encapsulated between installed universally. This is why Sunflare strong polymer sheets.

ASK THE EXPERTSPES: We have been hearing about your equipment partner to create the roofing installations and there is no need forCIGS panels and would like to know proprietary manufacturing process. The racking or heavy ballasts.more: what makes them different from resulting system is a compact, fullyother CIGS modules? automatic deposition system for CIGS There is no need to penetrate roofs to solar cell manufacturing. It’s designed for install Sunflare. Compare that to theBJ: With our proprietary CIGS high throughput, operational stability, traditional solar installation, which, can addmanufacturing technology, we have optimized layer uniformity and superior 1000s of new penetrations, opening up aeliminated the issues that plagued the CIGS material utilization. serious threat from new leaks.industry in the past. Unlike the old CIGSroll-by-roll processing, our precise The science was mostly there for CIGS. To reduce shading issues, we’ve integratedcell-by-cell manufacturing is tightly What was required was innovative bypass diodes on every cell. Therefore,controlled at every juncture. Thus, equipment matched with a precise shading doesn’t affect our modules like itincreasing yields and eliminating waste. formulation of the cells. This allows us to do does traditional solar. Sunflare can be added what no manufacturer of CIGS thin film has to existing parking structures, turning themPart of that precision comes from a high done before—mass produce high quality, from a mere canopy into a revenue-degree of monitoring built into each step of efficient, flexible solar panels. generating asset. Due to the fact that theythe system. Each cell has a QR code that are lightweight and frameless, existingrecords the exact conditions at each stage PES: What are the benefits to the parking structures can be used. There’s noto ensure uniform quality. It’s a classic customer and end user? demolition or removal needed, meaningcase of getting the right hardware and minimal disruption or displacement ofsoftware together. BJ: Sunflare performs best on commercial tenants, customers, or employees. roofs where weight and multipleSunflare provided a finely-honed design penetrations are a major issue. Sunflare is They are rugged enough to withstand theand worked tirelessly with their innovative 86% lighter than traditional commercial elements and impacts from objects during www.pessolar.com 119

ASK THE EXPERTSinclement weather. In addition, recent changes in residential construction PES: Are there any key projects ormicrocracking, common in more brittle laws in places like California, we see a developments that you are currentlysilicon cells, is eliminated because CIGS massive opportunity in the market for new working on that you can share withcell chemistry is inherently flexible. home construction and building-integrated our readers? photovoltaic construction materials.PES: Would you say that Sunflare’s main BJ: Sunflare will be announcing andfocus is commercial or residential The collective Sunflare team is motivated presenting a prototype of new easy toproducts or are they both equally as by the vision of making renewable, solar install, aesthetically pleasing residentialimportant to you? energy available and affordable to all: from shingles, at Solar Power International on a village in Africa that has never had access September 25th, 26th, and 27th at theBJ: Currently we are devoting an equal to electricity to the buildings in the largest Sunflare booth, #2482.amount of time and effort to the residential urban cities.market as well. Our proprietary cell by cell We asked ourselves why hasn’t roof-manufacturing process means we can Ultimately, there should not be a roof, a car, integrated solar been successful to-date? It’screate small, flat residential solar roofing or a truck built without solar. Our vision is not rocket-science. In a way, it’s the opposite.shingles. The unique properties of our that everything built under the sun is Sunflare looked at getting at the coretechnology allow us to be very creative in powered by the sun. problem of the market. How do we simplifyour connection methodology. With the the wiring? How do we lighten the load on the roof? How do we make the roof look beautiful? How do you make it easy to install? Sunflare created new patent-pending residential roof tiles with snap-together electrical connectors, and easy standard- roofing installation methods, with 100% water-proofing, and neighborhood appeal. Like our bigger modules, the roof tiles are light weight, and durable, CIGS solar encapsulated in polymer sheets. Each tile has a bypass diode, which means only the cell that is shaded becomes inactive. Brad Nally, from Diversified Roofing, the largest roofer in Arizona had this to say, ‘These could definitely be a game changer if they can perform in the heat. I like the cosmetics of this design as well. After a quick glance at these, they look to be fairly easy to install.’ It will have the best warranty: 25-year linear production, 25-year workmanship.120 PES Solar

ASK THE EXPERTSAs far as the heat goes, the Sunflare panel developing unique mechanical attachment insights, which differentiates andhas a temperature coefficient of - 0.31% methods. That way we can install solar distinguishes manufacturers from theirper 1 degree Celsius. Silicon runs - 0.45% quickly and efficiently on all roof types. competitors. We aim to optimize theirper 1 degree Celsius. Through this same mechanical attachment end-customers experience and perfect the research, it became apparent that we could product interface. As with commercial solar,Beyond that we are receiving significant also develop a solution for ground-mounts our goal, with the original equipmentinterest both in the US and Internationally with our module. manufacturers, is to take solar to new places.for applications of our product inindustries like cold storage and solid waste In addition, we push ourselves every day to PES: Looking ahead into 2019 andlandfill transitions. We continue to market meet the needs of the OEM marketplace by beyond, what trends and/or changesto the commercial sector and will be integrating our technology into the are you anticipating in the solar marketintroducing new products for commercial manufacturing processes of a growing and why?roofs, residential roofs and parking number of companies. The Sunflarestructures at SPI. creative team integrates solar into many BJ: Over time, we expect increases in types of product design. We create performance, especially in areas wherePES: Customization seems to be a trend prototypes, and revise them until, together CIGS has always had an advantage, suchin our industry, how do you as a with our partner, we reach perfection. We as low light capture and bettercompany respond to his? synchronize with our customers to temperature coefficients. Long term, the customers production schedule, working future is bright for CIGS because itBJ: Because our manufacturing process closely with their project managers. performs well, it uses scant resources andproduces each cell individually, we have the materials are recyclable.flexibility in module size. We have the Our marketing helps discover new end-usertraditional size for the commercial roofing www.sunflaresolar.commarket (1675mm x 990mm). And, since wealso have a robust and growing market withmanufacturers of diverse products, wedevelop sizes to fit our partners’ needs.PES: Where do you operate and whereare your key markets and are there areany areas, geographically speaking, thatyou would like to work in?BJ: Sunflare handles business worldwide.Our manufacturing is carried out inSweden and China. Our headquarters is inthe US. Our scalable manufacturing unitsgive us flexibility for our future large-scalevolume locations.PES: With so much competition in themarket what makes Sunflare stand outfrom the competition, why shouldcustomers choose you?BJ: We are the only mass producer of light,thin, flexible and rugged panels with uniqueinstallation methods that allow thesemodules to go where others can’t.PES: What is the single biggestchallenge facing the market today?BJ: Energy storage holds the biggestopportunity. The biggest challenge is theever-changing trade/political environment.PES: What is different about Sunflare’svision of the market?BJ: At Sunflare, innovation is at the core ofour vision. We see a time where our moduleis adapted for every segment of thecommercial solar market. We have a teamof creative and talented productdevelopment specialists whose job is tosolve the problem of going where solar hasnever gone before.CIGS has historically been relegated to aniche corner of the membrane roof market,because of the need for adhesives.Because of the light, thin, flexible andrugged properties of our module, we are www.pessolar.com 121

CORPORATE FOCUSCollaboration and connectivity:a must for the future of energyVARTA Storage has a growing network of partners, its most recent collaborations have beenwith EWE and innogy. VARTA Storage is focussing on the use and connectivity of energystorage systems in smart homes.• C ooperation with EWE for • Energy monitor from Smappee shows are becoming increasingly important. The myEnergyCloud: More independence savings potential most recent example is the collaboration from the electricity market between VARTA Storage and the north Advantages on all sides: EWE electricity German energy company EWE with EWE• Complete solution with innogy: Manage community and VARTA Storage myEnergyCloud. Owners of private solar your own green electricity more flexibly power systems in the electricity community The energy industry is undergoing a can save their self-produced electricity like• Energy storage in smart homes: Focus on fundamental transformation, innovative credits and retrieve it at any time. connectivity concepts are in demand and collaborations122 PES Solar

CORPORATE FOCUS The energy provider has launched a any other device. The energy storage units complete package consisting of twelve from VARTA Storage meet this demand. high-performance modules, the These can communicate with almost all corresponding inverter and a VARTA energy components and systems used by the storage system with a capacity of 3.3 building services and energy technology. kilowatt-hours. End users can decide themselves how the power provided by the PV system is used The complete solution enables users to and control it intelligently. utilise most of their own solar power in the home. This reduces the power consumed ‘For installers and end customers it is from the grid and noticeably reduces particularly important that the systems electricity bills. The innogy energy manager used throughout the home can be enables electrical devices to be operated combined and extended. They need to be as often as possible with electricity from able to communicate with one another,’ users’ own solar power systems. To achieve says Gordon Clements, General Manager this, the energy manager analyses the Residential Power & Energy at VARTA domestic electricity consumption around Storage GmbH. The Bavarian manufacturer the clock and checks location-based is therefore offering with its energy storage weather forecasts. units a system that is compatible with many different applications, and which allows Also included in the complete package is customers to make their own choice. the SolarCloud with a storage capacity of 1,000 kilowatt-hours for the first year. The Increase potential savings with the unused solar power is automatically stored energy monitor from Smappee there and can be used at any time with little or no sunshine. The electricity To ensure that energy can be successfully volumes that customers draw from his saved, it makes sense to first of all record SolarCloud come exclusively from the consumption of the individual devices in renewables. This virtual power storage the home. This is where the energy monitor enables the electricity generated in from Smappee comes into play. Combined summer to be also used in winter. with VARTA’s energy storage units this provides enormous savings potential. Connectivity is crucial for energy storage systems in smart homes Smappee’s patented technology records the exact monthly and yearly consumption Smart homes in particular require intelligent of individual devices. Behind the end-devices that can communicate with technology is NILM (Non-Intrusive LoadTheir photovoltaic system and theelectricity storage system from VARTAStorage therefore make them independentof the electricity market. With EWEmyEnergyCloud, specialist tradecompanies receive a service that givesthem competitive advantages.‘The collaboration between EWE andVARTA Storage is a double win-winsituation. For example, the VARTA energystorage system in conjunction with EWE’scloud solution makes customers even moreenergy self-sufficient, VARTA Storage ismaking its storage solution even moreattractive, specialist trade companies areincreasing their added value and EWE isstrategically extending its customer base,’explains Sebastian Jurczyk, ManagingDirector of EWE Vertrieb GmbH.Complete solution with innogyAt Intersolar Europe, VARTA Storagepresented its new collaboration with innogy. www.pessolar.com 123

CORPORATE FOCUS‘Safety, quality and reliability have the highestpriority for VARTA Storage. Through intensiveinvestment in research and development the long-standing company always strives to be one stepahead in regard to battery development knowhow.’Monitoring). With simple sensor terminals Brand PV Storage 2018 for its excellent third time. The Top Brand PV Storage sealon the main power line, the Smappee brand awareness, recommendation rate of approval is awarded only to a few selectenergy monitor detects the household and its distribution. vendors whose brands are rated byappliances and measures their power installers as superior to the competition.consumption. The smappee app shows ‘With the third award in a row as Top Brandwhich loads consume a particularly large PV we see the huge trust of the installers in Multi-stage safety conceptamount of electricity at what time of the the quality and reliability of our open energyday. This information can then be storage systems and services,’ declared Safety, quality and reliability have thespecifically used to save electricity. Gordon Clements. ‘We’re extremely highest priority for VARTA Storage. Through pleased with the installers’ positive intensive investment in research andThe VARTA product portfolio response to our brand and will continue to development the long-standing company apply our 130 years of battery technology always strives to be one step ahead inRecently VARTA Storage has impressed know-how to further optimize the safety, regard to battery development knowhow.German installers with its energy storage durability and profitability of our energy The multi-stage safety concept makesportfolio, comprising the products of storage systems,’ continued Clements. VARTA energy storage systems especiallyVARTA pulse, VARTA element and VARTA reliable. In the cell, in the cell pack, in theone. This was the chief finding of the latest EuPD Research awards the Top Brand PV battery module and in the whole systemissue of the European PV Installer Monitor, honour solely to leading manufacturers in different security mechanisms are in place.the annual survey published by the the industry and, in addition to module and In total, 130 years of battery expertiseGerman-based market and opinion inverter manufacturers as well as cumulate in the product development of theresearch firm EuPD Research. VARTA wholesalers, has now bestowed it on an energy storage systems.Storage earned the seal of approval as Top energy storage system manufacturer for the www.varta-storage.com124 PES Solar

Smart Energy Storage Waxman EnergySmall but full of energy, the VARTA pulse is perfect for domestic use where space is limited.Optimised for UK homes, the pulse is available in capacities of 3.3 kWh and 6.5 kWh.Why Choose VARTA pulse? Plug & Play - one man install in 30 minutes Compact all-in-one battery storage system Seamless integration with smart home systems Intuitive software for easy monitoring Wall mountable & adjustable European support base 10 year warranty Exclusive to Waxman Energy Buy online or find out more: www.waxmanenergy.co.uk @waxmanenergy | 01422 374114 | [email protected] 130 years of battery expertise in your energy storage system - www.varta-storage.com

ASK THE EXPERTS Weather solutions for IEC 61724-1 Class A solar monitoring systems126 PES Solar

ASK THE EXPERTSPES had a very thought-provoking discussion with MattPerry, who is a Technical Product Manager and co-foundingmember of the Renewable Energy Group, as well as theChair of the Sustainability Committee, at Campbell Scientific,Inc. He also serves on the Logan City Renewable Energyand Conservation Advisory Board. Outside of work, Mattspends time with family and friends, traveling in pursuit ofexperience and adventure through climbing, time on (andoff!) the trail, skiing, and the beach.Matt Perry incidence, diffuse/direct component distribution, albedo, spectral content, andPES: Why are meteorological random variations such as cloud cover,measurements so critical in smoke from fires, or dust storms. The onlyunderstanding the performance of way to accurately determine the amountsolar farms? of solar radiation reaching the PV module is through on-site measurement.Matt Perry: There are two fundamentalquestions that require quality The behavior of solar modules is, of course,meteorological data to answer: ‘how much directly related to the amount of solarsolar radiation reaches the surface of the radiation that reaches the solar module, butPV modules’ and ‘how much of this solar it is also dependent on other meteorologicalradiation is converted into electricity for a parameters such as ambient temperaturegiven module configuration’? and wind. The power performance of PV modules is rated under standard testIt may seem trivial to quantify with high conditions, typically defined as 1000 W/m2,accuracy and low uncertainty the amount 25 DegC cell temperature, and AM 1.5of solar radiation that reaches the PV spectrum. Short circuit current, open circuitmodule surface given recent advancements voltage, cell temperature, and maximumin satellite and radiometric technologies; power performance coefficients are allhowever, one must consider the seemingly typically determined in controlled laboratoryrandom nature of solar radiation. settings. However, modules rarely, if ever, operate under STC conditions. The only wayThe uncertainty associated with monthly to predict or verify performance of a PVmean values derived from system is to correct power-producingcharacterization of a given site’s climate is expectations to the weather.more than is commonly assumed. Theamount of solar radiation – or more Therefore, for analysts or grid/plantaccurately stated, the amount of available operators to produce high-confidencesolar radiation – is related to many performance analytic or ground-truthing ofcomplex phenomena such as the angle of satellite data, they rely on on-site measured data for input into their respective PV modelling exercise. PES: What is the IEC 61724-1 standard, and why was it created? MP: The IEC 61724-1 standard is the second revision of a guideline established to promote international uniformity in PV system performance monitoring. The completely revised and updated version introduces a monitoring system classification that specifies measurement parameters and sensor requirements, according to PV project size or monitoring objectives. The revised standard may be the first to present standardized methodologies for performing soiling measurements and calculating soiling loss indices. PES: How has the industry been impacted by the release of the IEC 61724-1 standard? www.pessolar.com 127

ASK THE EXPERTSMP: From my perspective as an engineer of is producing very high-quality, defensible Grounding, proper shielding and cableweather station and performance monitoring data sets. selection are critical aspects required tosystems, I am surprised how quickly the protect the instruments and keep the sensorstandard has been adopted. I think this PES: What are the most important signals clean. All of these considerations canadoption rate speaks to the industry’s need considerations when deploying and be easily mitigated by working with anfor uniform best-practice methodologies, for commissioning these systems? What experienced instrument provider. That beingassessing PV system performance. The are things beyond the specification that said, the oversights we most commonly seebiggest impacts we are seeing are the should be considered? in practice are lack of attention to cleaningadoption of soiling loss measurements as a and maintenance (particularly a lack ofstandard weather station component, an MP: Oftentimes, the weather and recalibration of sensors and dataloggers),increase in the number and quality of monitoring stations are afterthoughts: the record keeping, and consistent reviewing ofinstalled back of module temperature last bit that needs to be checked off the list the data to minimize bad data and quicklysensors and the addition of ventilation and before the site can go on-line. But when eliminate problems. Putting these practicesheating on pyranometers. Class A quality is critical, there are several into place then enables, with relative ease, parameters and considerations to keep in systematic quality assurance and qualityFurthermore, we anticipate that mind. The IEC 61724-1 standard simplifies control of the data – a final step in identifyingmaintenance of the weather station will be this process by classifying the project’s and correcting problems and ensuringgiven more attention in order to maintain goals and data accuracy requirements with quality data.the Class A designation, which requires a measurement parameter and sensorschedule of high-quality checks. requirements, but the considerations go PES: What are the biggest mistakes you beyond the standard’s scope. see being made in monitoring?Interestingly, implementation of thisstandard has not been limited to PV plants. At Campbell Scientific, we offer a training MP: In the previous answer, I mentionedSoiling, ventilation, and a more critical course that provides a detailed foundation of several areas that if not properly mitigatedattention to maintenance are now common best practices for solar weather and will lead to lower-quality data sets, butparameters on today’s solar resource monitoring stations. Details such as perhaps one common mistake seen inassessment meteorological station. The optimum site and instrument selection, monitoring would be lack of redundancy,standard has pushed us to innovate and which can be very complex, should be particularly in plane of array irradiance onexpand the capabilities of the common met considered as well as issues such as single-axis tracker sites and back ofstation with more built-in tools designed dataloggers and communications. That module temperature measurements.specifically at maintaining Class A quality. being said, there are several considerations that are just as important, but often not Even with the exceptional reliability ofToday’s standard solar resource given the attention merited- leaving the door modern single axis trackers, it is notassessment station, even from a year ago, open to potential data inadequacies. uncommon to see something less than128 PES Solar



ASK THE EXPERTS ‘...I still see people in both science and industry, dedicating their work to making a difference in the world and this is what I enjoy most...’MeteoPV-55 it is important to utilize enough temperature to see new soiling measurement and sensors to get a reasonable average module analysis techniques, more distributedperfect alignment from row to row. Reliance temperature at any given time. generation or microgrid sites using anon only one pyranometer mounted to a all-sky camera combined with systemsingle tracker’s torque tube, for the plane of This is one benefit of IEC 61724-1. In management, and more spectralarray irradiance measurement as attempts to help eliminate this mistake, it measurements as PV module developersrepresentative of an entire site with many provides guidance on the relation between develop ways to utilize this data.megawatts of PV, goes against the most system size and the minimum number ofbasic quality assurance, quality control pyranometers and back of module sensors PES: What do you enjoy the most aboutmethodology and adds significant necessary to achieve Class A accuracies. working in this industry?uncertainty to the assessment of expectedpower production. PES: What do you see being the future of MP: I’ve been in PV since 2008, not as long monitoring in the solar industry? as many of my colleagues but long enoughIn regard to back of module temperature, it to have a good idea where the industry is.is common to see temperature gradients MP: I expect the trend toward higher- Some say the golden era has passed, PV isgreater than 5 deg C even across a single quality data to continue, supported with now only big business, but I disagree.module, much less a string or entire array. A standards like IEC 61724-1 and the Maybe it is because I’m at a companymodule’s output voltage, and therefore upcoming ISO 9060. I’m excited by all the whose roots are in research that I’m able tooutput power, is largely impacted by new and refurbished measurement stay rooted in pure science and research,temperature. For example, the calculated technologies that are coming in at much while also working closely with industry.power output between two identical lower costs than just a few years ago.modules with a temperature difference of 5 But, I still see people in both science andDeg C can be significant, 5-10 W. Therefore, To name a few, in the near future, I expect industry, dedicating their work to making a difference in the world, and this is what I enjoy most, this comradery I enjoy with my community, making better sensors and dataloggers, working toward higher-value data, streamlining cost and implementation. www.campbellsci.com130 PES Solar

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Please contact us: www.staubli-alternative-energies.com Versatile laser processing platforms: Pfeiffer Vacuum GmbH · Headquarters/Germany · T +49 6441 802-0 » Laser contact opening (LCO) www.pfeiffer-vacuum.com Original MC4 Connector Asian Photovoltaic Industry Association / Shanghai New Energy Industry Association » Half cell cutting by TLS18.06.29_PES_Solar_4Prod_HiPace2300_A3004X_ATH3204_ASM390_210x297mm_EN.indd 1 Show Management: Follow Me Int'l Exhibition (Shanghai), Inc. » Patterning, doping, and annealing » Upmost throughput in the market Add：Room 902, Building No. 1, 2020 West Zhongshan Road, Shanghai 200235, China » Unbeatable cost-benefit ratio Tel：+86-21-33561099 / 33561095 / 33561096 Fax：+86-21-33561089 3D-Micromac AG For exhibition: [email protected] For conference: [email protected] Micromachining Excellence www.3d-micromac.com 29.06.18 15:01 Staubli is a trademark of Stäubli International AG, registered in Switzerland and other countries. 13.08.2018 12:17:11 © Stäubli 2018 | Photocredits: Stäubli 09.2018_PV_Bankability_risk_210x297mm_enV2.indd 1Ingenieurbüro Mencke & Tegtmeyer GmbH WORLDYOUR SOLAR 2019OmUeTdiNaOdaWta Since 1993 Your Best Choice for: • Silicon Irradiance Sensors COVERED EFTE facade with Largest Range of TypesSilicon Irradiance Sensors for Monitoring Solutions with Highest Quality OPV technology Temperature Compensation Best Accuracy Analogue Output (Voltage or Current) • I-V Curve Analyzers Generate power with your building envelope Digital Output (RS485, CAN, Modbus) Indoor and Outdoor Improved Accuracy by the Use of Better Calibration References Multi Module MUX Studer Innotec Huawei ABB Solar IMT EKO Instruments Kipp & Zonen Kameleon Solar Conference Call Eurotron Huawei Alencon MESIA High Accuracy Calibration (optional available) • Sun Simulators Pablo Muñoz, Technical Support PES takes a look at Huawei’s Leonardo Botti talks to PES Photovoltaic in the fast lane from An exciting update for the Ruud Ringoir brings us the latest We hear exclusively from We preview of two of the Back contact is no longer a Alison Finch brings Hanan Fishman on retrofitting Gives PES a view of the solar Additional Temperature Measurement Steady-State Manager at Studer Innotec talks new, flexible PV systems for about ABB Solar's solid technical Dirk Tegtmeyer IMT global PV market leading industry events concept – It’s proven us digitalisation existing PV assets market in the MENA region Additional Wind Speed Sensor (for Digital Sensors) Flash-Light Mini-grid solutions home owners expertise and knowledge scheduled for 2018 Additional Ambient Temperature Sensor (for Digital Sensor) • Meteorological Sensors SOLAR/PV from an industry pioneer CEO, Guust Verpaalen Glass Filter for Adapted Sensitivity Pyranometers SOLAR/PV Temperature Sensors SOLAR/PVSince 2016 Si types even made better because of Improvements in: Wind Sensors Reference Cells made by PTB (Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt) Optimisations of Sun Simulator for Sensor Calibration It’s that time of year again! We look ahead and preview two As ever, we bring you the latest technological & innovative It’s Intersolar time once again both in Europe and in the US. More Precise Specifications of Electronic Components of the biggest and most important events on the global solar developments and advances from many of the industry’s In this issue PES brings you our usual event previews and calendar in 2018. The Intersolar Europe in Munich & the key players. appetisers for 2 of the most important Solar PV shows in theMeasurement Uncertainty (for the Complete Working Temperature Range) Intersolar North America in San Francisco 2018 Plus, our usual dose of expert opinion, insight & analysis. world, make sure you book your tickets, see inside for details.acc. Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty Measurement (GUM k=2): Plus, enjoy our frequent offering of opinion, product Plus, our eagerly awaited, exclusive interviews and advances and industry insight. articles, bringing you the latest in developments, products,5 W/m2 + 2.5 % of measured value (AM 1.5, vertical light incidence) technology, innovation and services. POWER & ENERGY SOLUTIONS • ISSUE 32, 2018 POWER & ENERGY SOLUTIONS • ISSUE 33, 2018 POWER & ENERGY SOLUTIONS • ISSUE 30, 2017 BREAKING NEW SMARTER PV? GLOBAL GROUND CONNECTIONS The Industry is continuing to evolve at quite a pace. As the industry continues its rapid evolution, Are the advances in both knowledge & technology Aximos id et dolut is earum dolorum ra quam there are continuing technological advances leading us toward a PV market which is becoming unt quias diate coribea del modit del mint, adi and breakthrough developments that look smarter by the day? set to shape the future of our industryI-V Curve Analyzers with Meteo Sensors INGENIEURBÜRO SOLAR ENERGY’S ESSENTIAL MEDIA DESTINATION Join Merck in celebrating for Use with Sun Simulators or under Natural Sunlight 24,000+ READERS 350 years of curiosity. Multi-Module Multiplexing Test Stands for automatic I-V curve MENCKE & TEGTMEYER GMBH The power that connects us as measurements, incl. module temperature and meteological sensors EXTENSIVE ONLINE AND MOBILE REACH partners, drives human progress Inhouse or Certified Calibration of Measuring Ranges Distribution and Service BIG NAME INTERVIEWS and challenges us to imagine the next 350 years.Sun Simulators Headquarter in Germany NEWS, VIEWS AND ANALYSIS Steady-State or Flash-Light Systems (also Production Site) UNMISSABLE FEATURES AND AGENDA-SETTING COMMENT Greening the Customised Production for all Requirements Solar Industry Classification according IEC 60904-9 Ingenieurbüro Mencke & Tegtmeyer GmbH email [email protected] today Schwarzer Weg 43ANew Temperature Sensors (enhanced versions) 31789 Hameln www.pessolar.comMany Advantages Like Germany Internet: www.ib-mut.de One Range for both Surface and Ambient Sensor (-40 to +90°C) E-mail: [email protected] Extended Power Supply Voltage Range (12 to 28 Vdc Phone: +49 51 51 / 40 36 99 - 0 Calibration Protocol for every Sensor Electronics Fax: +49 51 51 / 40 36 99 - 19 Aluminium Housing Northern America IMT SOLAR 1801 North French Road Amherst, NY 14068, USA Internet: www.imtsolar.com E-mail: [email protected] Phone: +1 716 / 276 84 66THE SMART HANDLINGOF LIQUID CHEMICALSQuickly Connected. Safely Dispensed. Chemie Freiberger Recycling und Silicium Technologie GmbH FRESITEC A company of LFFICIENCY Holding  Greening the Solar Industry with PV-Recycling  We have the technology and we build the plant Pictures: Loser Chemie GmbH, andreas160578, rawpixel under Creative Commons Licence CC0  We can treat thin film and Si-based End-of-Life PV  Proven history of successful waste management Meet us 24 - 28 September 2018 Our Sessions: Brussels Meeting Centre 5CV.3.71 - Study about Silicon Material - Received from EOL-PV Waste EU PVSEC and Intended as Secondary Raw Material European PV Solar Energy 5CV.3.72 - Earth First! Greening the PV Industry with an Universal Conference and Exhibition PV-Module Recycling Concept! 5CV.3.73 - Indium, Silicon and Silver from PV Waste for New Photovoltaics and Other Applications - News from CABRISS (EU Collaborative Project) Loser Chemie GmbH  [email protected]  www.loserchemie.de/en   +49 37208 88788-0 FRESITEC GmbH  [email protected]  www.fresitec.com   +49 3731 41937-40 Loser Chemie GmbH and FRESITEC GmbH are companys of LFFICIENCY Holding 4600_Enabling Innovative_advert_A4_Convrt to curve.indd 1 14-08-2018 09:22:24Meyer Burger: IFC Gantner: 31 Dynapower: 53 Valoe: 59www.meyerburger.com/HJT www.gantner-environment.de www.dynapower.com/dc-dc www.valoe.comPfeiffer: 15 Staubli: 37 SNEC 2019: 54 VARTA: 67www.pfeiffer-vacuum.com www.staubli-alternative- www.snec.org.cn www.varta-storage.com energies.comIMT: 19 Merck: 55 3D Micromac: 71www.imtsolar.com PES Solar: 42 www.merckgroup.com www.3d-micromac.com www.pessolar.comA.S. Plastics Technology, Inc.: 23 Loser Chemie: 57 Edwards: 75www.as-plastech.com Kameleon: 43 www.loserchemie.de/en www.edwardsvacuum.com www.kameleonsolar.com132 PES Solar

ADVERTISERS’ INDEX Ÿ Data Gathering on Website Ÿ Generate Order Full Page VARTA AD.pdf 1 02/08/2018 17:18 NORTH AMERICA Ÿ Interaction with SPT for Ÿ Generate Mounting Plans and Smart Energy Storage SMART results Instructions ENERGY (Yield, Costs, Revenues) Ÿ Final Project Report Waxman Energy Ÿ Automatic Creation of Project Ÿ Plan Installation Date, Small but full of energy, the VARTA pulse is perfect for domestic use where space is limited. WEEK inside SPT on Lead‘s Interest Optimised for UK homes, the pulse is available in capacities of 3.3 kWh and 6.5 kWh. Lead Generation Resources and Items September 24-27, 2018 & Qualification Why Choose VARTA pulse? 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European support base Reduced Friction = Increased Satisfaction 10 year warranty At Levasoft, we are very aware of the pains our customers However, we see a lot of friction inside our customers‘ Exclusive to Waxman Energy are going through on a daily basis. daily processes - especially when information needs to be Buy online or find out more: www.waxmanenergy.co.uk At first, we wanted to deliver a tool, which reduced the transferred from one system to another. efforts and friction connected with the calculation of @waxmanenergy | 01422 374114 | [email protected] statics. Being part of a Digital Value Chain does not only reduce friction inside processes, it also opens up new fields 130 years of battery expertise in your energy storage system - www.varta-storage.com Today, thausands of users are working with Solar.Pro.Tool for your business. and are naturally consuming the integrated set of features, like statics, inverter layout, simulation, etc. Contact us, to get to know our references and how Solar.Pro.Tool can be part of your Value Chain. Solar.Pro.Tool - The Most Complete Advanceness Levasoft GmbH | Sterneckstr. 6 | A-9020 Klagenfurt | www.solarprotool.com | +43 720 35 19 20 The New Shape of Energy years meteocontrol Know exactly when and Optimize The only maintenance free Integrated in the leading where to clean yield solution to measure soiling monitoring software systems Proven experience. Maximum yield. www.kippzonen.com/DustIQ Visit booth 420 at Solar Power International to get the latest information on this innovation. Start the conversation at SPI 2018 Booth 1786 www.meteocontrol.com Huawei Ads-210mm x 297mm_170825-EU version but wrong inverter20180713-1.pdf 1 2018/7/13 17:33:01 The revolutionary Measure mod.PP monolayer-backsheet what you sell for high efficiency cetisPV-IUCT Bifacial modules. • Flexible bifacial cell flasher system with any combination of C ICOSOLAR® CPO 3G illumination intensities on both sides (100 W/m² – 1200 W/m²) M Y • Excellent reflectivity and UV-stability • STC front, STC rear and bifacial measurements in one system CM • Outstanding low WVTR and acetic acid permeability • Compatible with all h.a.l.m. options like electroluminescence MY • State of the art hydrolytic stability and insulation properties • Ready for high-efficiency cells using advanced hysteresis CY • Available for production and laboratory CMY Increased module output • Proven integration in mass production K and extended lifetimewww.solinex .com EBUoPoVthSECC132018, Brussels EXPO 2018, RECORD-BREAKING SOLAR MODULE: Available in 4 different thicknesses in order to cover RGHEraNelaEltW3e,ArBBNoLooEitdEhaN3E.R1G6Y5 INDIA Engineered by the technology leader IEC 61730-1 Ed.1, IEC 61730-1 Ed.2 and UL Type I www.halm.de We maximize energy output. 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Meyer Burger takes you to new energy levels. 14.08.18 14:28 meyerburger.com/HJT meyerburger.com/SWCT *verified 410W by CEA/INES + 17% albedo = 480W MBT_Inserat-480W_210x297_EN_18_RZ.indd 1 YOUR GREEN CERTIFICATE WASTE MANAGEMENT RECYCLING - REFURBISHMENT - REPAIRING www.pvcycle.orgTesvolt: 81 Levasoft: 97 35th EU PVSEC 2018: 112 VARTA: 125 Solar Powerwww.tesvolt.com www.solarprotool.com www.photovoltaic- www.varta-storage.com International: 134 conference.com www.solarpowerSunflare: 89 meteocontrol: 103 Campbell Scientific: 129 international.comwww.sunflaresolar.com www.meteocontrol.com EKO: 113 www.campbellsci.com/ www.eko-eu.com pes18 Kipp & Zonen: IBCSolinex: 93 h.a.l.m.: 107 www.kippzonen.com/www.solinex.com www.halm.de Renewable Energy India Meyer Burger: 131 DustIQ Expo: 116 www.meyerburger.com/PV CYCLE: 95 Gas Recovery & Recycle www.renewableenergy HJT Huawei: OBCwww.pvcycle.org Limited: 111 indiaexpo.com www.solar.huawei.com www.GR2L.co.uk Bischof + Klein: 117 www.bk-international.com www.pessolar.com 133

WORD ON THE TWEET NORTH AMERICAHere are some of the latestSMARTtweets which caught our eye at Solar Power Industry @SolarPowerb2b Thailand braces for surge of blockchain-enabledPES. Tweets are short but oftenENERGYlead to interesting information. solar power - Nikkei Asian Review Mike Hudema @MikeHudema We can literally print #solar panels. In ‘World First’,WEEKIRENA @IRENA Strategen’s Mark Higgins – Ultra-Cheap Printable #SolarPanels Are@StrategenNews– “It’s not only costs that are driving Launched in Australia https://buff.ly/2Cd6R5sthe rapid growth of battery storage, but also the value.#Climate #energy #renewables #cdnpoli #bcpoli #go100reHowever, our regulatory environment is designed forSeptember 24-27, 2018the 20th century and now it needs reform.”SEPA @SEPAPower It’s not easy California | United StatesPV-Tech @pv_tech Edimpact launcheskeeping up with the lightning-fast PV-powered digital literacy van in Indiachanges in the #electric & #solar http://zpr.io/6utNV #solarpvindustry. If you’ve been feeling out oftouch with what’s going on, these General Electric @generalelectric With the ability to make#ESIcon #SPIcon events will get you and store solar energy – and back it up with traditional fuels,back on track. http://bit.ly/2wDJFbx GE hybrid energy technology is making power plants smaller. And this village’s world a whole lot bigger.North America’s largestsolar and storage eventMore than 20,000 attendees and 750 exhibitorsfrom 120 countries gather to discuss the futureof energy. View the latest technology and interactwith the rapidly expanding North American solarand storage market.POWERED BYLEARN MORE AND REGISTER ATwww.solarpowerinternational.com

Know exactly when and Optimize The only maintenance free Integrated in the leading where to clean yield solution to measure soiling monitoring software systems www.kippzonen.com/DustIQVisit booth 420 at Solar Power International to get the latest information on this innovation.