PES Solar 1 2021

SOLAR/PV CSP Services Howmet Fastening Systems Campbell Scientific Conference call We hear from Birk Kraas, An insight into installation and We are delighted to PES looks ahead to one Commercial Head of system deployment solutions hear from Derek Jones, of the Solar Industry’s Meteorological Services Renewable Energy most anticipated Group Manager annual events We are delighted to bring you the very latest product innovation & developments from across the global Solar/PV industry, along with looking into some of the major policy developments across the sector. We are excited to bring you some of the thoughts & views from several of the industry’s key players & leading names. PLUS, enjoy our latest helping of incisive insight, opinion & analysis POWER AND ENERGY SOLUTIONS • ISSUE 38, 2021 SMART SOLAR We take a look at how an already smart industry just got smarter. Technology advances and service advancements help to optimize projects and continue to drive us toward a very bright future

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EDITOR’S NOTE Editor’s note POWER & ENERGY SOLUTIONS We have reached the mid-part of the year, and I am delighted to be writing this as we put the finishing touches to the latest issue of PES Solar/PV. Currently, most parts of the Directors world are at differing stages in the fight against the COVID pandemic, and whilst there Stuart Gillies are undoubtedly several and sizeable obstacles yet to encounter, I think it is fair to say Mark Wilson that the general feeling is one comprised of optimism, hope, gratitude and appreciation, Stefann Perrigot albeit tempered will a good helping of continued caution. Client Liaison Manager Vikki Birch We are going through a time as unpredictable and challenging as any period in recent Editor times, certainly in my life time. However, as we have seen many times before throughout Elaine Perrigot history, and certainly in the PV industry, with any period of turbulence and struggle [email protected] comes the opportunity for evolution and indeed innovation. The recovery has begun. Associate Editors Stephen Pearson As we have seen on many occasions before, China is leading the way in this recovery. Zachary George Indeed, China’s PV market is booming as they put this pandemic firmly in the rear-view Design mirror. The rest of the world is moving at a pace too, and as the vaccine rollout continues, Andrew Jenkins real progress is being made. [email protected] Production Usually at this time of year we would be looking ahead to the Intersolar Europe in Paul Lawson Munich in the coming weeks, but this year we will need to wait a couple of months [email protected] longer to get together. Sales Enquiries [email protected] The market is changing, the demands are evolving, and those involved in the PV business General Enquiries have shown impressive versatility and adaptability to keep up. Never has there been a [email protected] more difficult environment in which to operate, with rarely seen before restrictions on Media Partnership Enquiries travel and movement internationally, but what we are learning in this issue, is that this [email protected] fact has not dampened the mood in our industry to kick on or the appetite for business to Advertising Opportunities be done. [email protected] PES is published by P&G Media Ltd In this latest issue, we see multiple tales of thought leadership, technological innovation, optimisation and cost-savings. Some of the current hot topics include advances in P&G Media Ltd automation, manufacturing, measurement, inspection and digitization, where many of PO Box 310, Bristol, BS10 5WT, the latest developments are quite remarkable. As always, maximising efficiency and minimizing down time continue to remain at the forefront of people’s minds. United Kingdom Unexpectedly, energy storage will be key to the upcoming growth of the industry and we This publication is copyright © 2017 P&G Media Ltd and look at some of the principal players leading this surge. Some incredibly impressive may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form in whole developments are being made here. The same is true in the global solar tracker market, or in part without the prior permission of P&G Media Ltd. which is developing at break-neck speed. While every care has been taken during the preparation of this publication, P&G Media cannot be held responsible for We look ahead to the always eagerly anticipated Solar Power International 2021 coming the accuracy of the information published herein or any up in September in New Orleans, and if all goes to plan, this will be a sizeable gathering consequence arising from it. and meeting place. One of the few events in the last 18 months to take place as an ‘old fashioned’ in-person conference and exhibition. From sustainably managed forests. For more information visit: www.pefc.org As ever. we have some intriguing exclusive interviews, with some of the top players in the market, who are really driving the evolution of the solar/PV market, as well as some www.pessolar.com unique technical insight from a number of companies who continue to plough forwards and to strive for better! WWW.PESSOLAR.COM 3 Sit back, relax and enjoy the read. Elaine Perrigot Editor

CONTENTS 20 PES was delighted to catch up with Birk Kraas, Commercial Head 140 ‘It’s hard to find good help these days.’ How many times of Meteorological Services at CSP Services. He leads a team with have you heard that phrase? More times than there are experience in highly specialized and customized measurement entries on your CV? Skilled tradesmen have grown harder equipment. Between them, they have built up a large bank of and harder to find, with 52% of contractors saying they knowledge and know-how over many years. Being able to carry are struggling to fill hourly craft positions, according out work remotely, as well as having a network of local partners on to a September 2020 Associated General Contractors the ground, have both proven valuable over the last year of America survey. When looking specifically at Utility Infrastructure contractors, the rate is 60%. So called ‘Baby Boomers’, who predominantly perform these skilled trades roles, are retiring at an increasing rate, and the western world’s emphasis on college educations is not producing enough laborers to replace them 146 Derek Jones, Renewable Energy Group Manager at Campbell Scientific, speaks to PES about their measurement systems. They use the latest, best technology, to provide the most accurate data to the solar industry. They have a full range of solutions which can be tailor made for clients and cover an extreme range of temperature Solar Power Events is pleased to return to in-person gatherings with 6 Solar Power International (SPI), Energy Storage International (ESI), and Smart Energy Week 2021 this September 20th through 23rd. The event will be held at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA PES is thrilled to introduce both Norwegian Crystals AS, a new 16 contributor to the solar value chain and Gøran Bye, a familiar name and the company’s CEO. With over 20 years of executive management and leadership experience within the PV industry in Europe, Asia, the US and the Middle East, he has now moved back home to Norway, to take the reins of a re-emerging monocrystalline ingot manufacturer. Gøran and his team have high ambitions for Norwegian Crystals. Ask the experts 30 E turnity’s CEO Matthias Wiget, was 124 PES had a great exchange with 10 CEO & Founder, Simon Meijer, gave optimistic about the future when he Tynan Coles, CEO at Soltaro. Did you spoke to PES recently. This company know there are now smart batteries? PES a thought-provoking introduction provides two very specialized digital It seems that we are in a period where to COOLBACK. Their aim is to keep tools to both installers / utilities and software can be added to anything to modules cooler, adding strength with property owners. These automated improve performance. We heard today less materials, whilst keeping an eye solutions save time and addresses the about the built in possibilities, which on their carbon footprint. What could customers’ needs at the same time, allow the user to control the output be better than an R&D oriented providing a fast and cost effective service of the batteries. Read on to find out company to lead the way in curbing to both the client and the installer more about this revolution in the solar module degradation? battery world 50 Headquartered in the suburbs of 26 PES had a great interview with 90 Friedrich P Witek, Senior Manager Shanghai, APsystems was originally Steve Davies, PV Market Manager at founded in the Silicon Valley over 11 at SENTECH, took time out to bring DuPont Teijin Films and Alessandro years ago by Dr Zhi Min Ling, current PES up-to-date with the progress of Anderlini, Business Manager Chairman & CEO and Dr Yuhao Luo, this innovative company. Their quality responsible for the EMEA markets CTO of the company. Today PES Solar control (QC) solutions are second to in Coveme’s PV Solar and Specialty reports back from an interview with none, rolled out world-wide and their Films Divisions. This is a good example Olivier Jacques, President, Global market presence is rapidly expanding. of suppliers and manufacturers Executive VP of APsystems who draws They have come on leaps and bounds collaborating to provide the best a portrait of the company revealing since our last interview in 2016. product for their clients. Sustainability details of one of the major product is of paramount importance to both innovations scheduled for launch this companies, which gives them a strong summer, 2021, the 3rd generation of dual common ethos microinverters: the DS3 4 PES SOLAR

CONTENTS Corporate focus Talking point 130 LivEye GmbH talk us through securing 34 G ameChange Solar is an American 46 F lorian Chan, Managing Director, solar parks against theft and vandalism using video surveillance solar tracker and fixed tilt manufacturer Residential business line at FIMER, brings based in New York. With the main us the latest on how to stop shading 136 How EKO Instruments plan to mission of ‘repowering the planet by from impacting on solar performance reducing solar power production costs. support the next generation of It has grown exponentially from the 64 Creating added value through scientists, students and engineers; beginning and in only 6 years, it has young people, working to imagine, managed to reach almost 10GW sales, professional PV system monitoring for invent and create solutions to placing the company among Top 3 in the O&M. PES has the privilege to bring to seemingly impossible challenges USA and Top 6 globally this view from Solar-Log 152 Atonometrics was founded in Austin, 82 K ooi Security was founded in 2010 68 There are 4 common types of Texas, in 2007, with the mission by CEO Pieter Kooi. From their maintenance: corrective maintenance, to provide high-quality test and headquarters in Drachten, the preventive maintenance, risk-based measurement equipment to the small Netherlands, the company was one maintenance and condition-based but growing photovoltaics industry of the first to offer solutions using maintenance. The solar panel cleaning temporary mobile camera surveillance. robot from SolarCleano is one of the Think tank In the beginning the focus was mainly key elements of predictive maintenance on the wind industry, but this soon for solar power plants 42 Manz AG explain more to us about expanded into many other sectors. Today Kooi is active in 22 European 86 The power sector is undergoing a battery technology revolution, and how countries and has offices in the it is already underway Netherlands, Germany, France, the global transformation. Over the past United Kingdom, Denmark and Austria. decade, the costs of renewables have 56 We get some technical input from 150 employees work in these offices dropped substantially, solar power 24/7 to keep sites safe and make sure by as much as 80 percent. With the Pfeiffer Vacuum in regards to checking a customers can rest assured comprehensive knowledge and broad coating system for leak tightness. After experience, Stäubli makes an important installing a new system maintaining an PES Essential contribution to the PV industry and the existing one, leaks occur frequently. This vision of a more sustainable future is often due to joining errors, or forgotten 38 From drone to airplane: new method of defective seals. Correct handling of 96 There is no need to convince anyone helium leak detectors is crucial for finding conducting aerial thermography leading these leaks and controlling equipment towards predictive analysis. We are that the construction of a solar for tightness delighted to hear from Jessica Vitorelo, power plant is an investment in Marketing Strategist, Wesii the future, allowing us to become 74 Argon recycle delivers improved independent from energy grids, and 78 F TC Solar has been preparing for over with the perspective of large savings. An cost-base, reduced CO2 footprint and enlightening insight from IBC Solar increased sustainability a year for the arrival of next generation solar modules. That preparation is 104 The newly developed app from 100 Damian Koesters, Product Manager, now paying off with the release of the new Voyager+ solar tracker, a robustly ETU Software enables quick and precise h.a.l.m elektronik GmbH, talks us engineered, single-axis, two-in-portrait measurements of the building by taking through the challenges of measuring configuration that optimizes energy digital measurements based on a photo both IV and EL characteristics of solar yields and takes full advantage of the and target-oriented inputs to simulate modules in laboratories and production larger, more powerful modules. the photovoltaic system. This allows the user to document and provide initial 118 Cutting-edge technology is combining estimates while still on site with unmet demand in a now stagnant 108 After establishing a solid position solar PV market to progress clean energy transitions. A new disruptive bifacial within residential solar markets across p-PERT PV cell technology, with over 90% Europe, the commercial and utility bi-facility and higher stability, providing scale sector has begun to strike up n-type Si performance in p-type silicon quite a liking for Solis. With a robust is coming to Europe and the U.S. PES is financial position, a focus on quality delighted to hear from SolAround. and customer service, the brand is fast becoming the inverter of choice for many large-scale solar developers 114 B rad Dore, Director of Marketing at SMA America, looks at some actionable ways to use emerging technology in field service WWW.PESSOLAR.COM 5

CONFERENCE CALL 6 PES SOLAR

CONFERENCE CALL Smart Energy Week 2021 Solar Power Events is pleased to return to in-person gatherings with Solar Power International (SPI), Energy Storage International (ESI), and Smart Energy Week 2021 this September 20th through 23rd. The event will be held at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. Powered by North America’s leading clean energy industry associations, Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA), this portfolio of expo, education, and networking opportunities will be the first major in-person industry event of the year. All proceeds from the event go directly back to these organizations, supporting research and education for the clean energy industry, as well as SEIA’s advocacy work. In addition to Solar Power International, the Trade Show Executive ‘Gold 100’ event, the and made up over 30% of the show floor. By anchor event of Smart Energy Week, the only solar industry trade show to be capturing power and releasing it on-demand show has evolved with the expansion and recognized, and a distinction it has garnered where it is needed, whether on the grid or diversification of the industry to bring for the past ten years running. behind the meter, both utilities and project together leaders from across the spectrum developers can take advantage of declining of the clean energy landscape, this year’s This year, solar professionals will gather in energy costs. ESI recognizes energy events in New Orleans include the solar, New Orleans to discuss the latest trends, storage’s place as a key component of the storage, wind, EVs and EV infrastructure, showcase new product innovations and clean energy puzzle with an engaging show microgrids, and hydrogen and fuel cell technologies, and network with attendees floor, dedicated education programming, segments of the industry. across the clean energy spectrum. Solar and thousands of attendees focused on the Power International affords attendees the applications of energy storage technologies. The 2021 convention will include the major opportunity to connect with exhibiting hallmarks that past attendees have come to companies from the entire solar supply Some of the featured education expect, a full expo hall, multiple rooms for chain, including investors, installers, opportunities at ESI include the following conference education sessions, networking developers, contractors, utility companies, sessions: Cybersecurity Threats, Battery events such as the welcome reception and manufacturers, software, operations and Storage, and Securing the Power Grid, The Block Party, opportunities for new maintenance, and others. True Cost of Solar O&M, Opportunities for companies to gain visibility at Startup Alley, Long Duration Storage, and Domestic Clean the Technical Symposium, and more. The In addition to show floor networking and Energy Manufacturing for a Circular event boasts thousands of energy demonstrations, SPI presents thought- Economy. This is North America’s must- professionals from throughout the industry, leading education sessions guided by SEIA, attend energy storage event. and over 500 exhibitors on the show floor for SEPA, and this year’s diverse and forward- extensive networking opportunities and live thinking education committee. This year’s The Smart Energy Week umbrella also covers demonstration sessions of new education offerings feature discussions on Smart Energy Marketplace + Microgrid, technologies. This is the place to share topics such as Diversity and Equity in the Hydrogen + Fuel Cells International, Wind critical information with hundreds of Clean Energy Workforce, Aligning Clean Energy International, and Electric Vehicle education sessions led by the industry’s Energy Goals with Effective Transmission, International. The Smart Energy Marketplace leading minds, attendees will hear the latest Distribution & Interconnection Planning, + Microgrid demonstrates how multiple trends, forecasts, and deep dives into Equity in Financing Structures, and DER facets of the industry all tie together, from specific interests they can get nowhere else. Aggregation Implementation. storage to distributed resources to energy security. The marketplace features a Solar Power International (SPI), Smart Energy Energy Storage International (ESI) fully-functioning ‘live’ microgrid, power Week’s flagship event, is the premier solar conversion equipment, energy management industry gathering in North America, As a dominant part of the event, and a systems, building and home smart energy attracting thousands of attendees annually. growing industry, energy storage was a products, electric vehicle charging stations, In 2020, SPI was once again honored as a primary interest for a majority of attendees energy storage systems, and solar energy at the 2019 Smart Energy Week conference WWW.PESSOLAR.COM 7

CONFERENCE CALL ‘The clean energy industry is stronger and more effective when it works together for an integrated and modernized grid.’ products—ultimately making the connection Week offers academic, R&D, technical, and air and surfaces throughout the facilities. between solar, energy storage, hydrogen fuel scientific communities the opportunity to cells, distributed wind, and smart energy. come together and present innovative Additionally, the Global Biorisk Advisory research in photovoltaics, energy storage, Council (GBAC), which helps organizations Hydrogen + Fuel Cells International is the and other smart energy technologies to and businesses prepare for, respond to, and premier gathering for green hydrogen and business and policy leaders in the energy recover from biological threats and fuel cells technology professionals in North space. This is the best place for collaboration biohazard situations has designated both the America, showcasing the versatility of to move the industry forward by sharing the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center and the renewable hydrogen and fuel cell latest scientific research with the biggest Louis Armstrong New Orleans International applications for utilities, microgrids, business decision-makers in North America. Airport as accredited GBAC STAR Facilities, vehicles, and more. This event offers The symposium features two days of keeping to the industry’s highest standards exclusive show floor education from leading scientific content including poster and of cleanliness. For more information about companies in the space. keynote presentations. the Safely Connecting Initiative, current regulations put in place by the city of New Electric Vehicle International (EVI) is the Smart Energy Week’s Startup Alley on the Orleans, and updates about travel and newest addition to the Smart Energy Week expo floor is an exciting opportunity for in-person events, please visit www. portfolio. EVI explores the future of electric emerging companies in the clean energy solarpowerinternational.com/safely- vehicles and the integration of charging space. This program offers a chance for connecting-initiative. solutions and other EV technologies into the young start-ups to present their products, modern energy grid. Research compiled by technologies, and services to a large, For would-be attendees who are not yet able the Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA) established audience of attendees, media to travel to New Orleans, there will be a shows that EVs will be a critical part of the outlets, and other key players. supplementary Digital Education offering carbon-free conversation. DERs, vehicle-to- after the in-person event with both live grid integration, and managed charging will The city of New Orleans is open for business, sessions and on-demand content, on all be important technologies supporting the with no travel restrictions in and out of the September 28th and 29th. And attendees both sustainable growth of EVs as a part of the city, and the same thriving cultural landscape in-person and virtual can access a Digital Expo clean energy future. for which it is famous. For attendees eager to Hall to connect, chat with exhibitors, and view get back to business in person, SPI, ESI, and demonstrations at any time. Wind Energy International (WEI) is an Smart Energy Week offers multiple important part of Smart Energy Week, networking events, including a welcome The clean energy industry is stronger and especially as the cost of wind and energy reception and the return of the Block Party, more effective when it works together for an storage technologies continues to fall and which will be held Tuesday evening, integrated and modernized grid. SPI, ESI, and more companies are adding these September 21st. This event is a yearly Smart Energy Week is the only event where technologies to their portfolio to meet highlight where attendees can come attendees can see each of the technologies customer demand for clean energy. WEI together to connect and talk all things clean comprising the clean energy industry showcases leading companies on the expo energy in a fun, upbeat atmosphere. working together to create a sustainable floor who are providing these types of hybrid future. This integration is what makes Smart energy solutions to their customers. The entire week of events is bolstered by Energy Week a can’t-miss event. SPI, ESI, and Additionally, education sessions focused on Solar Power Events’ Safely Connecting Smart Energy Week 2021 takes place at the wind energy include: Climate Change, Initiative, crafted with guidance from local New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Weather, and Force Majeure Events, The health authorities and recommendations Center from September 20th through 23rd. Evolving Needs for Bulk Connected DER, from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control For registration and housing information, a Ensuring Grid Reliability, and Raising the Bar and Prevention (CDC) for large group list of exhibitors, education session for Responsible Land Use and Justice- meetings and events. Key pillars of this information, a full conference schedule, and Centered Siting Decisions. initiative include touchless registration, more, visit www.smartenergyweek.com. more space and fewer touchpoints at The Technical Symposium at Smart Energy exhibitor booths, and an emphasis on clean 8 PES SOLAR

This year, we’re ready to host the renewable energy community safely and in-person. SPI, ESI, and Smart Energy Week in-person & online 20-23 September | New Orleans, LA, USA (with virtual session & exhibition options) Registration now open www.smartenergyweek.com

ASK THE EXPERTS Overcoming module degradation CEO & Founder, Simon Meijer, gave PES a thought-provoking introduction to COOLBACK. Their aim is to keep modules cooler, adding strength with less materials, whilst keeping an eye on their carbon footprint. What could be better than an R&D oriented company to lead the way in curbing module degradation? PES: Thank you for taking some time out to followed up by developing related products SM: Indeed! Temperature changes and talk to us Simon, it’s lovely to have you with for PV manufacturing, including a completely humidity significantly affect degradation, us. I’m sure many of our readers will be automated assembly station. particularly with the backsheet, but the familiar with COOLBACK already, but it impacts can also be seen in the cells and would be good to begin with a brief In addition to the cooling solutions, other materials. introduction to the company and the COOLBACK strengthens modules and system. reduces degradation. This is enhanced by our PES: Are certain countries and climates more custom designed and patented mounting prone to such degradation than others? Simon Meijer: It’s great to have the clamps that we also sell and produce. opportunity. I started the company with the SM: The more extreme the climate, the goal of improving module technology. We are PES: Module degradation is obviously a big quicker degradation accelerates. High a Dutch R&D-based company and we issue in terms of lifespan and performance, radiation input obviously is the best for designed a new frame/backsheet solution what do you see as the biggest causes of production, but it also has a detrimental that cools PV modules. After the that degradation, are temperature and effect on degradation. introduction of the product, COOLBACK, we humidity mostly to blame? Floating installations bring new challenges, as 10 PES SOLAR

ASK THE EXPERTS well. The proximity to water, sometimes even output over time. Simon Meijer salt water, create bigger temperature differences between the laminate and backside PES: How can COOLBACK guard against installing frameless modules is easier, I have of modules, resulting in additional degradation. this, where perhaps other solutions are not to admit they do need to be installed with a able to? bit more caution. This is why we supply PES: Is it arguable then that the materials corner guards to protect the modules used in module production ideally should SM: The 3 root causes of degradation are: during transport and mounting. differ depending on where the module is to temperature, UV light and bending of be sited? Do you think this would make a the module. PES: Are there any other parts of difference to its longevity? COOLBACK’s construction that make it UV light has an effect, especially on plastics. particularly advantageous, perhaps in SM: This is already the case but, simply said, COOLBACK uses aluminum in the backsheet relation to common concerns such as cell it also adds a lot to the cost. Think of heavy to create a full water vapor and UV barrier. cracking, and the stackable design, as a and thick (double) glass modules in locations The structure of the COOLBACK profiles is couple of examples? with heavy snow, wind loads, or the extra designed to increase cooling through sealant for floating situations. Smaller convection and to lower the maximum SM: The rectangular shape of the profiles batches are produced at higher material temperature in the temperature cycle. adds strength that pretty much eliminates costs and limits production scale. bending, thus helping to prevent cell cracking. The shape of COOLBACK gives the module Generally speaking, modules produced for extreme strength that reduces bending to This same shape makes back-to-back these harsh conditions can extend module virtually zero. By preventing bending, cell stacking possible to save space! Our modules lifetime, but the warranties don’t always cover cracking is greatly reduced, even at high wind take up only about half the space in a shipping certain locations, or situations. In some or snow loads. These features cannot be container, which lowers transport costs and desert locations the module temperatures found in any conventional frame or backsheet. results in a lower CO2 footprint. run above 80°C, so bye-bye warranty. PES: Can you explain a little bit about PES: Can you explain how a lower operating COOLBACK, on the other hand, is produced how COOLBACK works and the format of temperature increases energy yield and without adding costs or location-specific the system? what that means for your customers in treatments. It performs perfectly in all relation to return on investment? these locations. SM: The COOLBACK system is based on a backsheet with an aluminum outer layer, with SM: At higher temperatures, the standard PV PES: What are some of the negative profiles attached to it. The backsheet and solar cell loses yield at around 0,4% per outcomes of module degradation and is it profiles can fit any sized module since it’s a degree Celsius. So contrary to the ‘labeled’ possible to calculate this in terms of the modular system that is easily made to size. power, for instance 400Wp, which is percentage of power likely to be lost and The module is frameless and is mounted via measured at 25°C cell temperature. An reduction in lifespan? the back profiles at several points that average cell temperature of 65°C easily loses optimize the load distribution. 16% output. And a cell temperature of 65°C is SM: We see the rate of degradation quite normal in a European situation. substantially increase when there are errors PES: COOLBACK is a frameless design, in production or materials. Then the module what advantages does this have? The losses are even more evident in a desert collapses. But most of the time, the environment, where cell temperatures reach degradation is around 1% per year. This is SM: Yes: frames tend to collect dust and 80°C, reducing output by 22%. These are peak why manufacturers give a warranty on dirt, especially on low inclination angles. levels at noon, of course. With average daily energy output that is based on 20% decline They also tend to collect humidity that irradiance and temperatures, taking seasonal in 25 years. allows moisture to creep into the module. A changes into account, we can guarantee an frameless module minimizes soiling and extra 3-5% output. This translates to Simply said, degradation is visible in lower prevents moisture build-up. And although immediate extra return on a project. PES: Do these benefits come at a cost? Presumably this is a more expensive option than a traditional frame? SM: Fortunately, no. Costs remain the same. WWW.PESSOLAR.COM 11

ASK THE EXPERTS Both COOLBACK and a framed module use you a global company or are there markets We also see Europe is getting warmer: wine the same amount of aluminum, COOLBACK you would still like to break into? harvesting in The Netherlands and the is just designed for better functionality. And installation of air conditioning are both we also developed our production in a way SM: The demand for PV is worldwide and we booming. These higher temperatures and that does not add costs. are in contact with end customers all over the more extreme weather patterns will cause globe. Our location in The Netherlands is increased degradation, in general. To defend PES: Is COOLBACK a universal solution for beneficial when it comes to language, against this we have to be careful with our all solar modules? logistics and R&D. resources and utilize them in the best possible way. Smart design and material use SM: We can fit all monofacial modules. And The module manufacturing is done mainly in are most relevant. On top of that we should because of its modularity, it is perfectly China. We have a foothold there and will be be aware of our own footprint, of course! suited for the growing cell sizes. The only expanding to serve B2B sales. modules we do not fit are the bifacial PES: Are there any new technologies you are modules since COOLBACK would block the PES: It has been very interesting to find out seeing or would like to see coming through in backside irradiance too much to be beneficial more about how the problem of module the future to help with these issues? in that setup. degradation can be overcome. Before we sign off, we’d like to focus on the future for a SM: Definitely! We are currently working on PES: Can the system be installed moment if that’s okay? How do you think several projects and will introduce them retrospectively, or does this only take place global warming and subsequent during the next few years. A key element during the module’s manufacture? environmental changes are impacting encompasses smart production with less use degradation of mechanisms and what do you of materials. To give a sneak preview: SM: High-speed and automated production see as the best form of defence against this? COOLBACK gives so much extra strength to a are key to assembly at reasonable costs. solar module that glass thickness can be We deliver directly to the manufacturer for SM: We are in interesting times. A lawsuit was reduced. This impacts the amount of material that reason. recently won against the Royal Dutch SHELL used and allows for lighter-weight modules, group, forcing them to do more to prevent reducing production costs. Steps to lower the PES: Your headquarters are in the global warming. Solar energy will continue to cost of energy per unit are ongoing! Netherlands, which presumably means you grow, motivated in part by the general public, are able to reach customers worldwide; are no doubt. www.coolback.com 12 PES SOLAR





Catch the Wave! Join Norwegian Crystals as we accelerate the renaissance of the solar industry in Europe. We are Hiring! Norwegian Crystal has operations located in We are currently hiring for a number of Northern Norway, a region that has access to positions including Project Manager, clean hydro-power, a skilled workforce, a Project Controller, Production rich tradition rooted in the solar industry and Manager, Control System Engineers, … great waves. At Norwegian Crystals we and Production Operators. Join us to dare to dream big. We are aggressively ride the wave and make a difference in growing with the intention of remaining one our world. Contact us at: of the leading producers of monocrystalline [email protected] or visit our silicon for solar power. www.crystals.no for more Information.

ASK THE EXPERTS High ambition with low carbon footprints Crucible pulling process 16 PES SOLAR

ASK THE EXPERTS PES is thrilled to introduce both Norwegian Crystals AS, a new contributor to the solar value chain and Gøran Bye, a familiar name and the company’s CEO. With over 20 years of executive management and leadership experience within the PV industry in Europe, Asia, the US and the Middle East, he has now moved back home to Norway, to take the reins of a re-emerging monocrystalline ingot manufacturer. Gøran and his team have high ambitions for Norwegian Crystals. PES: Welcome to PES Solar Gøran, it’s In addition to the global interest in our Gøran Bye wonderful to have you with us and to have products we see a general growth in the PV the opportunity to learn more about industry and a re-emergence of the solar customers are now shifting to a larger form Norwegian Crystals. With that in mind, value chain in Europe. The growing demand factor, called M6, and are introducing gallium perhaps you would like to begin with a brief for our ingots and wafers and the increased dopant to change the electrical properties. introduction to the company, for those less interest from the industry have prompted us Both of these shifts aim to enhance the familiar with it? to accelerate our significant expansions. financial returns over the lifetime of the solar Gøran Bye: Certainly! Norwegian Crystal AS panels thus creating better value for the end (NCR) has operations located in Northern PES: Can you briefly explain where user but also increasing the sustainability Norway, a region that has access to clean Norwegian Crystals is situated in the solar profile of solar. hydropower, a skilled workforce and a rich supply chain? tradition rooted in the solar industry. It is We believe that Norwegian Crystals is actively there where we specialize in making high GB: Our position is squarely in the middle… shaping the future of energy where solar, and quality and cost-efficient monocrystalline no pun intended. We consume virgin specifically PV, is expected to supply over silicon products with an ultra-low carbon polysilicon and use that to produce perfect 50% of electricity consumption globally. footprint. We have gone so far as to silicon crystals, specifically trademark that as ULCF-Si. monocrystalline silicon. PES: How do your high purity silicon ingots There has been monocrystalline silicon contribute to ultra-low carbon solar cells production in the town of Glomfjord, where Then we process those cylindrical crystals and modules; can you give us a little detail we are located, for the last 25 years. Simply (ingots) into rectangular bricks or if our on this? put, there is a lot of knowledge and customers so prefer, we will also provide competency in the area. With this extensive wafers (sliced from the bricks) through GB: Our extreme focus on keeping the carbon industry experience, we have navigated the certified contracting partners. These bricks footprint as low as possible in all aspects of company through significant changes and (or wafers) are then delivered downstream the production is important for the total successfully prepared the company to and serve as the substrates for solar cells, carbon footprint of solar panels. become one of the most sought-after which eventually become solar modules, sources for monocrystalline silicon which then find themselves installed on roof We source our feed stock exclusively from materials, worldwide. tops or as a part of a solar power facility. We producers who also have a certified low strive to be completely customer focused carbon footprint. We offer our customers a Silicon ingots and market driven. certified life-cycle analysis where they can see the low global warming potential of our PES: In what way are your company products. They share this information with ‘customer focused, and market driven’? Do their customers located in the jurisdictions you have any examples? which have increased focus on a low carbon footprint in addition to high quality products. GB: We aim to disrupt conventional energy generation paradigms by leading the de- carbonization revolution, contributing to meet the less than 2°C climate target and paving the way towards a cleaner and more sustainable world, one ingot at a time. To do that, we must position our products to meet not only the needs of our customer, but our customer’s customer, the end user. They are demanding low-carbon footprint solutions, and we are uniquely positioned to deliver on that promise. Further, with that customer focus we respond and react based on our customers’ requirements. If the customer requires a different form factor or different specifications or properties to improve their products, then we engage with them to deliver what they are looking for. A specific example is that many of our WWW.PESSOLAR.COM 17

ASK THE EXPERTS Black ice glacier PES: Where in particular is Norwegian Norwegian Crystals is using hydropower for stability while contributing to increasing Crystals seeing growing market interest in our production and sourcing materials from green electricity, energy independence its ingots because of ultra-low carbon carbon-efficient suppliers. That’s how we and security. footprint silicon? keep our carbon footprint down. We are fortunate to be located next to one of the Transition to a low carbon future has started GB: Currently, there are two main markets, largest glaciers in Norway, The Black Ice and is inevitable. The critical climate change France and South Korea, which have specific Glacier, from where we get the natural issues have gone beyond awareness to demands, regulations and premiums when it cooling water and the hydropower. action. People, scientists, businesses, comes to the carbon footprint of solar international agencies, local states and panels. We strongly believe that more The focus on keeping our energy governments are progressively coming markets will follow in the near future. consumption throughout the production onboard and engaging in the dialogue. process as low as possible, is non-stop, and We see a generally growing concern we are always looking for improvement Harnessing and transforming natural worldwide around all traded goods (not just potential. We are currently looking at resources to improve the quality of peoples’ silicon) and its carbon footprint. We are, of innovative energy control systems and lives and society overall are at the core of course, benefiting from that current focus as emerging ‘applied solar solutions’ to help us our heritage. we are known in the industry for having further optimize our energy consumption. amongst the lowest carbon footprint ingots PES: It is no secret that Norwegian Crystals in the world. Furthermore, we are participating in various has also been going through an evolution. programs to help us continuously improve Can you tell us a bit about that journey? That said, we are also well positioned energy consumption, chemical consumption because of the profile of our products. and recycling. We are for example recycling GB: I have personally been part of the solar Monocrystalline Silicon (mono-Si) is the clear the natural cooling water by sending it on to a industry for many years, and it has never platform of choice to drive further PV local fish hatchery after we have warmed it stopped fascinating me. It’s gone through growth. We don’t see any near-term up in our process. All of these focus areas are boom-and-bust cycles which have alternatives or logical replacements for part of our sustainability DNA. contributed to the industry’s current position mono-Si based PV. where half of the growth in electricity PES: What kind of priority do you place on generating assets globally, is PV! I think many PES: It is a very interesting concept, focusing ESG and particularly the context of of my peers would agree, being a player in this on creating renewable energy using sustainability? industry has been extremely tough at times – renewable energy, can you tell us a little bit often painful, but never boring. about your production processes? GB: Well, in doing what we do best we are actively working to improve the quality of life Prices have gone down intensively. In 2018 GB: Norway is eminently suited for energy for many by reducing carbon emissions. alone, prices went down by over 40%. It intensive production, as we are leveraging And hopefully improving energy system actually dropped 30% in the scope of 6 weeks. the forces of nature available around us. That did, of course, affect the company. We 18 PES SOLAR

ASK THE EXPERTS Long silicon ingot over the past decade. Their participation in the value chain has been crucial in the world’s had already cut our costs with over 70%, but This journey of turning the company around is achievement of the magic cost level we call even that wasn’t enough to keep up with the something that we have accomplished ‘grid parity.’ However, China produces about price decline in the market. together, and there is a certain pride in that. 95% of the solar products used globally – so we would like to see complements to and The choices we faced was to give up or dig in PES: The solar industry is fast-changing, collaboration with the Chinese PV industry and adapt to the new reality of the PV industry. but what further changes would you like to where it all started, in Europe and in the US. We chose the latter and we have completely see happen in the next decade? turned around the company since then. Our In order for that to happen we need a system focus on chasing costs and efficiencies has GB: I would like to see a more diversified which is committed to investing and putting enabled us to make Norwegian Crystals both geographical footprint of the PV growth capital into the manufacturing profitable and competitive. manufacturing chain. It would be great to get process of solar panels, and not just into more support and more growth capital for deploying and the use of solar panels. We have new owners on board who believe in the manufacturing parts of the PV industry us, and who are helping us expand our outside of China. PES: And finally, for the solar industry as a production capacity. We are also lucky to have whole what would your predictions be for devoted employees who have been standing Don’t misunderstand me, the industry must the next 12 months, as well as for the by us through it all. It’s thanks to them that we give a nod to the cost and efficiency longer term? have a company today. improvements and progress made in China GB: In the next 12 to 18 months, I think we will see an acceleration toward low-carbon manufacturing practices, continued PV market growth, and I hope we will see the evolution of what some call ‘applied solar’ which is the use of solar for specific applications like industrial power- consumption off-sets and EV support, and even better: off-grid cooling / refrigeration that can be deployed for instance to minimize the waste of produce at point of harvest or to enable in-field clinics to preserve medicines needed to alleviate pain and suffering. We are riding the next PV wave … and it is an exciting time to be a part of the industry. www.crystals.no NCR in Glomfjord WWW.PESSOLAR.COM 19

ASK THE EXPERTS How much sun will you harvest today? Solar project Germany PES was delighted to catch up with Birk Kraas, Commercial Head of Meteorological Services at CSP Services. He leads a team with experience in highly specialized and customized measurement equipment. Between them, they have built up a large bank of knowledge and know-how over many years. Being able to carry out work remotely, as well as having a network of local partners on the ground, have both proven valuable over the last year. 20 PES SOLAR

ASK THE EXPERTS PES: Thank you for taking the time to talk that offers highly specialized and customized fairly large. For example, we supply large with us Birk, it’s lovely to welcome you to measurement equipment and services. As a scale geometric measurement systems for PES Solar. For those not familiar with CSP privately founded spin-off of the German solar concentrators of up to 200 m² size Services, could you give us a brief Aerospace Center (DLR) we establish bridges requiring sub-millimeters assembly introduction to the company and what between science and industrial ventures. Our accuracies. We perform prototype testing you do? mission is to advance sustainable projects and look for possibilities to optimize the solar around the world: efficient, economical, field operation, by flying with drones Birk Kraas: Our name is our program, in CSP durable and environmentally friendly, always equipped with highly specific optical Services we concentrate on solar power with an open mind towards new approaches. measurement technology. services, historically for concentrating solar power (CSP) projects, but for several years PES: Broadly speaking, what products and In solar resource assessment we install and now also for photovoltaic plants. services do you offer? maintain customized automatic weather stations for solar projects worldwide. The We are an independent consulting company BK: Our spectrum of products and services is data is then processed by us to provide WWW.PESSOLAR.COM 21

ASK THE EXPERTS bankable solar resource reports, ranging PES: Can you give us further details of its Birk Kraas from single sites to complete country or functions and the type of projects it can be regional studies. Due to our extensive used for? Additionally, averages of defined areas, e.g., knowledge about solar plants and their a complete solar field or subfields, can be energy source, the sun, we then developed BK: It’s delivered with a minimum of two sky generated. Q4cast serves all large-scale an advanced now- and forecasting system. cameras, an integrated weather station and solar projects who require short-term solar This was the birth of ‘Q4cast’. our stand-alone evaluation software. As the resource prediction. This can be used to name says, the sky camera records images of optimize the performance of the plant itself, PES: We’d be interested to learn more about the sky, which are segmented to detect cloud the storage operation or the power your irradiance now- and forecasting and non-cloud pixels. interchange with the grid. system, Q4cast. How does it work and what’s its purpose? Since multiple cameras allow stereoscopic PES: It’s a compelling concept; what are the vision, a three-dimensional analysis main benefits of Q4cast for the end user? BK: Q4cast gives answer to the question: determines individual clouds and cloud how much solar irradiance will I get in the heights. Their movement over ground is BK: The main benefit is fairly obvious: You next minutes, and where exactly? It provides derived from subsequent images. You can can improve your power output reliable information about the varying solar imagine that this may be rather easy for a irradiance, typically caused by cloud clearly limited and shaped cloud, but imagine movement. interlacing clouds that move in different heights in diverse directions. The unique feature is that the irradiance forecast is not just one value but spatially This puzzle is solved by intelligent algorithms resolved. It provides high-resolution maps of in our software that was developed together the expected solar irradiance for multiple time with the DLR. Knowledge of cloud location steps desired by the client. Starting with a live allows to calculate the position of cloud view, the system integrates multiple sky shadows on the ground, also considering the cameras and weather stations for the most terrain profile. Subsequently local irradiance accurate prediction over the next 20 minutes. data is fed in from the weather stations and cloud transmittances and movements are The results can be further combined with being determined. satellite data and numerical weather prediction for mid- and long-term irradiance The resulting irradiance map (beam, global and weather forecasts. This makes Q4cast horizontal or tilted irradiance) can cover an the perfect irradiance prediction tool for area of up to 10 x 10 km² with up to 5 x 5 m² operators of solar power plants of all types spatial resolution. Several systems can be and for electricity grid operators. combined, so there is no limit in upscaling and covering a bigger area according to needs. Solar project Spain 22 PES SOLAR

ASK THE EXPERTS Solar plant for 3D imaging 3D cloud image predictions, taking into account that advice on how to make practical use of it. With all of this said, let me summarize our especially in cloudy situations, the PES: How innovative and competitive would advantages: we get higher accuracies, we available solar irradiance is not evenly you say Q4cast is, in terms of technology forecast for an area instead of a point and the distributed. Q4cast enables PV-plant already available. What makes it different? spatially resolved forecasts allow operators to predict the power output and BK: What is the advantage of two-eyed improvements in the modeling of the to minimize production ramps. It supports creatures over one-eyed cyclops? The vision electricity output. a smooth plant operation and assists to is not just doubled, it is 3-dimensional instead. avoid penalizations by the grid operator, Other sky camera-based systems utilize one Q4cast is extensively validated and has five and helps the plant operator to select the single sky camera. With two cameras or more, years of data experience. To look ahead of most efficient storage operation strategy. our Q4cast allows a stereo view of the sky, the 20-minute nowcasting horizon, it can be which is the base to detect cloud heights combined with other satellite and NWP In another use, grid operators who have to accurately and to get the 3D-position of the forecasts from external providers. absorb the power from large or many cloud over the area of interest. distributed solar plants can get an overview The stereo view permits the computation of PES: Could you tell us about any other new of the solar power injected to their grid in the highly resolved solar radiation maps from real solutions you are working on or that CSP near future to optimize on-time measures for measured data. Of course, it is true that two Services has planned? its stabilization. eyes are more costly than one, but we found a way to take standard cameras and increase BK: CSP Services is constantly engaged in new Finally, a stable grid operation reduces other accuracy through customized calibration. technology to support its clients best. In grid infrastructure requirements and thus This is the part where our advanced image concentrating solar power plants, we are permits the reductions of electricity costs. It’s processing know-how comes in. implementing drones to ease plant a win-win-deal for power producers, grid installation, characterization and optimization. operators and power consumers. The benefit Cloud camera combined with other weather sensors for each plant or grid operator depends on the Like Q4cast, our QScan uses two eyes to take plant design and location, solar technology everything out from its two cameras. and the individual market environment. PES: Every project site and every client are different. What does your service look like? BK: During more than 500 successful projects for more than 200 clients worldwide we have gained vast experience in site and plant specific conditions. We design our products and services customized to the particular need of each client. We manufacture and supply hard- and software, installation, maintenance and further expert consulting. In regards to Q4cast: the system configuration, the data interface, the temporal and spatial resolution, with aggregation of specific areas, are customized and adaptable to individual requirements. If wished by the client, we deliver an automatic weather station, to operate Q4cast independently and with minimum downtime. CSP Services provides the complete system, including on-site implementation and expert WWW.PESSOLAR.COM 23

ASK THE EXPERTS Data analysis been impacted. Nobody anticipated such an technicians ‘in person’. Like you all, we hope event. However, we were quite well prepared. that this pandemic will end soon. Implementing the enhanced image detection Working remotely is not new for us. features for PV plants is only a small step. Measurement and maintenance could be PES: Finally, it would be great to learn a Our overall goal lies in quality assurance performed from distance, above the usual, little more about what might be next for during construction and in optimization of with the kind permission and assistance of CSP Services. plant operation and maintenance. ‘Detect our clients on site. We keep a positive what is coming’ drives us most. mindset and as the saying goes, ‘in every BK: We are constantly looking for new ideas, crisis also lies opportunity’: technologies and partnerships. Large PES: Where is CSP Services active? Are you Due to our digital approach, we were able to potential lies in ensuring that solar power predominantly working in mainland Europe not just keep going, but use the current plants are not only built, but keep a or is your reach more global? situation to introduce new and improve high-performance level or even improve existing remote solutions. We detected the over decades. BK: We are founded and headquartered, potential to switch quite a lot of our work close to the DLR, in Cologne (Germany). from the office to mobile working and we rely With the knowledge we have gathered over Our second office is located in the more on local partners to reduce traveling. many years, we are exploring new solutions Mediterranean city of Almería (Spain), next Some of this will certainly stay as ‘new and services enabled by artificial intelligence, to the PSA, the famous research lab for normal’. But we also realized that external supported by big data. Due to the capability thermal solar power. This gives us the processes and delivery chains were affected of carrying out our own research, we are in possibility to test and develop our products and obviously not everything can be solved the lucky position to be able to quickly under different conditions. remotely, for manufacturing we need our address upcoming challenges. However, our reach covers all continents. Solar furnace Uzbekistan PES: What trends are you seeing in solar Our projects are mainly located around the technology and why do you think that is? ‘sun-belt’, namely in the MENA region, China, South Africa, Chile and the United States, BK: Solar energy is here to stay. We finally just to name a few countries. achieved such low electricity generation costs that have never been imagined. PES: Are there any countries that you don’t Energy payback times are in the order of currently work in that you would like to in months. These low costs will spark many the future? new applications that have previously been unthinkable. BK: There is no particular country we are heading for. In order to be operative in The greatest challenge to successfully fight difficult times like now, we can rely on a climate change is energy storage and green strong network of local partners all around fuels, also for remote areas. In hybrid the globe. They are located close to the systems, photovoltaics and concentrating project sites, know the regional culture and solar power together may establish new ensure the personal contact to the client. methods to produce power 24/7 and as well as others, green hydrogen and green We are very excited about where our projects ammoniac may build the base for future will take us. One thing is certain: it will be a liquid fuels. place with plenty of sun… A significant investment will be needed in the PES: How have you been impacted by the beginning, but if you consider the cost pandemic over the last 12 months and how implications of unabated climate change, is do you think the industry as a whole will there any alternative? adapt as a result? www.cspservices.de BK: Of course, like everybody else we have 24 PES SOLAR

When it comes to halogen free backsheets, not all films are created equally Mylar® UVHPETTM based backsheets 50GW installed 200 million Zero in field capacity modules complaints

ASK THE EXPERTS Collaboration with sustainability at its core PES had a great interview with Steve Davies, PV Market Manager at DuPont Teijin Films and Alessandro Anderlini, Business Manager responsible for the EMEA markets in Coveme’s PV Solar and Specialty Films Divisions. This is a good example of suppliers and manufacturers collaborating to provide the best product for their clients. Sustainability is of paramount importance to both companies, which gives them a strong common ethos. 26 PES SOLAR

ASK THE EXPERTS PES: Welcome to PES Steve and Alessandro. Steve Davies Alessandro Anderlini It is lovely to have both DuPont Teijin Films and Coveme taking part in the interview to Can you describe these in some detail We are used to the challenges of providing the give a well-rounded perspective. If we can for us? optimum mechanical properties for high begin with DuPont Teijn Films first of all; speed and high temperature lamination can you give us a brief introduction to the SD: We have developed a range of clear processes with the required level of hydrolysis company for those who may not know? products for PV applications including clear protection and UV barrier, but with clear we core layer films as well as UVHPET™ outer have an equally important target to achieve Steve Davies: DuPont Teijin Films are one of films with different levels of hydrolysis with very high levels of light transmission. We the leading global suppliers of polyester resistance and UV barrier depending on the are confident that we have developed a range films, supplying multiple markets and requirements for the applications. We also of films with the right properties to allow applications. We see the solar industry as offer the film in different thicknesses to cover companies like Coveme to produce clear strategic for our company and are the leading 1000V and 1500V applications and to offer the halogen free backsheets with the same supplier of polyester film for front and flexibility to use one single layer of UVHPET™ confidence in performance that they have backsheet applications. or two layers for a clear PPE construction. with our other UVHPET™ products. There are over 50GW of installed capacity PES: These sound like something that could PES: What benefits do UVHPET™ based with backsheets using our Mylar® be challenging to develop, is that right? backsheets offer in the renewables sector? UVHPET™ products as the outer protective layer, and since launching these SD: Developing a product for an application as SD: Mylar® UVHPET™ range has a lower products in partnership with Coveme in demanding as the outer protective layer of a carbon foot print compared to fluorinated 2008 we have not had a single reported backsheet is never straightforward, but we alternatives or glass backsheets, and is field failure. already had some useful building blocks in halogen free which we believe is a significant place with our existing white and black benefit in terms of the overall sustainability PES: And Alessandro, tell us a little bit about UVHPET™ products as well as several decades of the module. Increasingly the negative Coveme and what you do? of experience of supplying clear UV barrier impact on future recycling processes caused films into equally challenging applications such by hazardous material in modules is being Alessandro Anderlini: Coveme is a world as GRP and greenhouse screens. focussed on as noted in the Fraunhofer ‘end leading converter of PET films thanks to 60 of life pathways for photovoltaic backsheets’ years of experience in transforming this report which concluded that the ‘use of extraordinary material. We treat, coat, fluoropolymers or halogenated compounds heat-stabilize, laminate and cut polyester should be avoided’. film for a wide range of applications, from PV to biomedical, graphic and industrial print, We believe UVHPET™ based backsheets offer microelectronics and automotive. module manufacturers a more sustainable backsheet without compromising product We have two production sites in Italy and performance, and have assessed our range of China accounting for over 15GW capacity and clear products to our full weathering protocol three research and development including IEC testing, sequential testing and laboratories, in Italy, China and Germany. perhaps most importantly our real life data With 20-year long experience in producing from front sheet installations. We now have backsheets we managed to supply to the over 3 years of data of 100% exposure to full photovoltaic industry over 350 Mil sqm of irradiance in Florida (correlating to 30 years of backsheet and frontsheet without reporting exposure as a backsheet if you assume a 10% any PV module failure. albedo) with the data showing excellent retention of mechanical properties and PES: We would be interested to find out minimal colour change over that period. more about your range of clear UVHPET™ products for bi-facial modules if we may? PES: Turning to Coveme now if we may; from a customer point of view, what are the reasons for producing UVHPET™ based backsheets over alternative solutions? WWW.PESSOLAR.COM 27

ASK THE EXPERTS What do you see as the main benefits of this Furthermore, using Halogen-free PES: Can you give us an example of how you particular product? backsheets instead of fluorinated material have used the product in a project? reduce the number of hazardous materials in AA: Mylar® UVHPET™ is a key component of PV modules, offer a significantly lower AA: Our transparent backsheets have been our dyMat® PYE polyester based range of carbon foot print, reduce end-of-life employed in three PV module installation backsheets with has proved over the last 13 waste-to-energy incineration costs and fields in USA dated back to 2015 in what was years to be a valid alternative to fluorinated enable closed loop recycling of both one of very first bifacial module installations based backsheet, bringing high UV and industrial as well as post-consumer waste. of glass/backsheet PV modules. These hydrolysis resistance features, coupled with installations feature a transitional humid the intrinsic characteristics of PET films: PES: What innovations do Coveme’s clear subtropical climate (Cfa), with very hot, long recyclability and much lower impact in CFP. backsheets offer that make them stand out and humid summers and mild to cool winters. from competitor products? dyMat® PYE backsheet has also been The inspection made in 2018, after 3 years in extensively tested and stressed over the AA: Coveme has designed, developed and service field, revealed that PV panels were years, by TIER 1 PV producers and marketed innovative new solutions to make working in optimum conditions without independent labs, showing excellent reliance polymer films the best option for protecting showing any signs of yellowing, cracking, and consistent quality being employed in not just the back part (backsheet), but also chalking or bubbles. The PV modules are, as various PV module applications, from the front part: frontsheet, of the new per today, after 6 years of operation, rooftop to BIPV to ground installations and in generation panels. These flexible ultralights running fine without any sign of degradation different climates from high humidity to hot can be installed on roofs with limited load or failure. and dry areas. capacity, or used for new integrated solutions (BIPV) and those compatible with In regards to frontsheet our materials are PES: Halogen-free backsheets are an thin film technologies (CIGS, OPV). being employed in several applications alternative to glass and fluorinated including Automotive and Nautical semi- materials, what makes these a better choice Thanks to a recent investment in a new flexible PV modules since more than 10 years in terms of their benefits? production line equipped with cutting-edge without recording any particular damage or UV coating technology, Coveme is able to extreme power drop. AA: First of all the use glass/transparent improve the film resistance to UV rays, backsheets instead of glass/glass in a PV abrasion and scratching thus ensuring the As evidence the CA above assumption it is bifacial module provides a number of guaranteed performance is achieved. worth to mention a Polymer vs Glass advantages like: notable reduction in the comparison analysis made by a PV module weight of the module with a consequent Also, this new type of innovative coating producer of flexible panels in ITALY. The test reduction in transport and installation costs, enables the coating itself to act as an started in 2013 and lasted 5 years using 4 improved productivity of the module itself anti-reflective surface and to increase the different PV panels, 3 standards made of for the same cost, less fractures of the cells amount of light that reaches the cells with glass/backsheet and 1 flexible made out of during production, exceptional thermal low angles of incidence. These new materials Coveme frontsheet and backsheet. The conductivity reducing the operating have been tested and validated internally energy production was measured along the temperature of the NOCT module and the using international standards. The tests years and the flexible PV panel was showing a use of the standard ALU frame which reduce include resistance to abrasion and resistance similar performance, in one case even better the cost of the BOS for the assembly system. to scratching to guarantee long life. than standard PV modules. However, the 28 PES SOLAR

ASK THE EXPERTS most interesting part was that standard PV SD: At DuPont Teijin Films we are increasingly AA: At Coveme sustainability is the core of panels glass/backsheet designed to work for seeing sustainability as central to our future our company goals to constantly improve 25 years presented a faster degradation business, and believe that the combination of behaviours, processes and products from compare to a flexible PV module using our heritage, scientific excellence and a treatment and cleaning of harmful fumes and polymers in front and back. focus on sustainability will enable us to water to self-powering production lines, develop future products that deliver from differentiation and recycling of PES: What changes are you both seeing in positively to the environment and the production waste to differentiation and terms of new technology coming through communities we serve. recycling of office waste, from a new product that might be of benefit? range made with recycled PET to EoL and Specifically in relation to PV, I expect a LCA assessment and certification of AA: I think we both agree on this. New cell significant and increasing focus on the products and processes. technologies are coming through like HJT, challenge of future PV waste and believe Perovskite and OPV cells. These are there will be a drive to reduce the use of www.dupontteijinfilms.com requiring backsheet and frontsheets with materials which represent an economic, different degrees of moisture barrier. For technical or safety barrier to future www.coveme.com this reason, we have already started recycling processes. expanding our product portfolio, which already includes aluminium based backsheet, with new products designed to provide several features according to the WVTR level required. SD: I agree with Alessandro about the fast evolving flexible PV technologies which have driven our involvement in R&D projects aimed at enabling cost effective ultra high barrier layers to provide protection in sensitive applications such as CIGS and OPV modules. These projects have focussed on the development of PET films with ultra clean and smooth surfaces for the deposition of mono layer barrier materials, and the performance has been proven at semi-industrial scale to deliver the barrier properties required for even the most sensitive flexible PV technology. PES: To sum up, how important is the issue of sustainability to DuPont Teijin Films and Coveme, and have you any predictions for how this might develop further still in the future? WWW.PESSOLAR.COM 29

ASK THE EXPERTS Ease and efficiency for the installer and the customer Eturnity’s CEO Matthias Wiget, was optimistic about the future when he spoke to PES recently. This company provides two very specialized digital tools to both installers / utilities and property owners. These automated solutions save time and address the customers’ needs, whilst simultaneously providing a fast and cost effective service to both the client and the installer. 30 PES SOLAR

ASK THE EXPERTS PES: Welcome to PES Solar, it’s good to talk same time sees who is only obtaining initial Matthias Wiget with you. Would you like to begin by giving information and who is planning a concrete us an overview of Eturnity? project. The data from the Solar Calculator is geographical reach and if you have plans to Matthias Wiget: Yes of course. At Eturnity, directly transferred and subsequently used expand into other areas? we specialise in digital consulting and sales to automate the remaining processes of the solutions for decentralised energy systems. offer and sales process. MW: We currently have clients from five Consulting and compiling a quotation by the different countries: Switzerland, Germany, installer are very time-consuming. However, In addition to the provision of analytics data, Austria, Sweden, and the UK. In the last few it’s only to be expected that those interested the Solar Expert software assesses the years, we have onboarded more than 200 in a PV system want a total service provider quality of all process steps and provides customers. This is what we are focusing on who can show them different variations, and information on performance indicators, such and planning further. Our goal is to support not just a pure sales pitch. as the conversion rate: sales. At the same the energy sector across Europe over the It’s possible to give automated yet precise time, it integrates customer management next four years. advice digitally, which addresses the needs of functions that provide an overview of the customers. This has long since ceased to be entire customer contact. PES: Do you have any interesting projects purely economic in nature. This philosophy in the pipeline that you are able to share was the basis of our Eturnity Solar Solution. As a result, there are fewer interfaces for the with us? This consists of two digital instruments: company and the time saved for our Solar Calculator and Solar Expert. The focus customers is up to 80%. Due to the MW: Our solution is not only available for is a customer-oriented and effective process customer-friendly reports that are the solar sector in the UK, the Eturnity from acquisition to sales. generated our customers also measured that Calculator and Expert are also available for PES: So, you are offering 2 main tools: Solar their conversion ratio increased by 30%. the heating sector. Calculator and Solar Expert, what are the primary differences in these tools, and how PES: Would it be fair to say that, in simple We are currently in the process of incorporating are they helping your customers? terms, the aim for Eturnity is to make life as additional steps that are directly related to the MW: The Solar Calculator supports the initial easy as possible for installers and/or consultation and sale of climate-friendly contact of energy service providers and technicians etc…? building technologies. For example, we installers. It is integrated directly on their recently added basic CRM functionalities. website and adapted to their design. MW: Yes, definitely! We would also go so far Thereby, the Solar Calculator takes on the as to say that we want to contribute to a fast, We have recognised that it is a challenge, role of being the first filter on both sides i.e. cost-effective, and customer-friendly especially for small and medium-sized for the customer as well as the installer. energy transition. installers without their own CRM system, to The end customer receives a simulation of keep up to date with the to-dos that are their personal energy system and then PES: Is research and development an relevant to the deal. obtains an overview according to their integral part of your business? criteria, such as CO2 reduction, and We are continually working on such compares providers, if necessary, as a total MW: Absolutely, we work closely with our enhancements in close cooperation with our solution, combined with various clients and advisors and conduct regular customers. This work always aims at making technologies, from heating to e-mobility. market surveys. Overall, we invest more than the overall process easier and more efficient. The installer uses the Solar Calculator to 30% of our yearly revenue in R&D. We are There are a few more in the pipeline and we generate their customer contacts and at the constantly expanding our network to include believe that we can reduce overall costs for new target groups, such as component renewable solutions by 5-10% with highly Eturnity component library manufacturers and suppliers. efficient IT systems that are tailored to the needs of our customers. For us, agile development is essential and we are continuously developing both new and PES: What makes your solutions stand out existing features. from the competition, what are the benefits to the end user? PES: We were wondering about your MW: There is software that offers similar parts of our solution and, accordingly, has similar interfaces. However, we are proud to say Eturnity has the only complete process coverage on the market. WWW.PESSOLAR.COM 31

ASK THE EXPERTS Eturnity profitability In order to differentiate this more precisely, digital customer experience. With our simplified information about complex here are some criteria that set us apart from solution, the end customer is picked up. At technical systems. the competition: the same time, the company’s appearance looks more professional and the company PES: What do you feel is the biggest Process optimization: in addition to our saves valuable time. challenge facing the industry today? functionalities, we are further exploiting The Solar Solution is particularly well suited the scaling potential by integrating to today’s market, as the combination of MW: Not only because of the pandemic, but additional upstream and downstream several technologies is possible also in general, digitalisation will gain process steps and are increasingly Secondly the homeowner. Property owners massively in importance, especially in the integrating new target groups. benefit from the easy-to-understand, energy sector. Independence: we are independent of PV module layout This should happen sooner rather than manufacturers and vendors. Individual customization options: compared to our competitors, we offer a large variety of standardization and customization options in the SaaS model. This combines company-specific design options and standardization advantages, such as error reduction and time savings. Digital network: our level of digitization and networking of stakeholders is unique. Plus, we are constantly expanding our network. Multi-technology: as the first sales-focused software solution on the market, Eturnity also enables the combination of different technologies such as PV and battery systems, heat pumps, and e-mobility. We have two types of users who benefit differently from our solution: The first is installer / utilities. The prospective PV system customer wants a 32 PES SOLAR

ASK THE EXPERTS Combination different technologies awareness of our stance in that the relevance and benefits of digitalised advisory processes later, because the pace of expansion is better integration of façades in buildings, have been more visible in the industry. For us, currently too slow, at least if we are striving because this will strengthen the support for this increased awareness is positive and could to achieve the European climate goals. photovoltaics in architecture in the future. prove to be an advantage in the future. Digitalisation is also conducive to further necessary cost reductions. PES: What sort of impact has the pandemic Apart from that, I think, as most industries, had on your company and do you see that we felt an increased reluctance of potential However, the legal framework conditions changing as you move forward in 2021? customers to make investments at the must also be adapted sooner rather than beginning of the pandemic, but have been later so they will not to stand in the way of MW: The year was particularly interesting for noticing a counter reaction since the expansion rates. us because we advise installers and energy beginning of 2021. suppliers to digitalise and automate their Another important point is the topic of sales processes. The past year, with its PES: Where do you see Eturnity in architecture, where solutions are needed for circumstances, has definitely raised 5 years’ time? MW: We want to be the number one choice of installation companies and energy service providers to sell and manage renewable energy systems, in major markets in Europe and have established open and standardised digital channels between all relevant stakeholders. We want to be able to reach the 5-10% overall cost reduction goal through smart software solutions that we lined out above. In order to achieve the necessary market coverage, we are currently looking for local partners in various countries to establish distribution partnerships, so please get in touch if you are interested. www.eturnity.co.uk Try out our Solar Calculator: https://solarcalculator.eturnity.io/example_ energy_ltd/ Eturnity activities WWW.PESSOLAR.COM 33

CORPORATE FOCUS Repowering the planet by reducing solar power production costs Words: Arturo Herrero, Chief BD Officer by GameChange Solar GameChange Solar is an American solar tracker and fixed tilt manufacturer based in New York, with the main mission of ‘repowering the planet by reducing solar power production costs’. It has grown exponentially from the beginning and in only 6 years, it has managed to reach almost 10GW sales, placing the company among Top 3 in the USA and Top 6 globally. 34 PES SOLAR

CORPORATE FOCUS We started in the solar business with big installed modules to produce energy. We also have snow and flood stow investments from our CEO’s IPP, and it positions available for sites that require clearly showed that the cost and efficiency 3. T he use of artificial intelligence (AI) to them. A sensor calculates the distance to of the installations had big improvement maximize generation with a company’s the ground, which decreases when there potential. So, there you have the origin of own algorithms used in GameChange is an important level of snow, or a flood the company, designing its own fixed property features: TopoSmart, water, so the tracker can avoid the full tilt structures and trackers, focusing on SmartStow and WeatherSmart. angle, preventing damage to the modules. maximizing energy production and reducing cost of installation goals for developers and TopoSmart is an in-house developed 4. Very easy and fast to install, reducing EPC companies respectively. software that analyzes the topography substantially EPC installation cost. and comes out with a 3D lay-out design. Nowadays, both cost of equipment and It gives exactly the different needed most parts come pre-assembled from installation are crucial to reduce CAPEX and lengths of piles depending on the factory and there´s no need for special OPEX and minimize LCOE. Developers and landscape, to overcome high slopes, high tools during installation. GameChange investors are sure to be competitive and peaks and low valleys, substantially Solar´s SpeedClamp, for 1P reach a good IRR, after all, every cent counts. reducing the need of move of ground and configurations, is the fastest mounting civil works. It reduces positively the total solution in the industry. That’s why GameChange Solar focus on cost of the EPC. optimizing the design of the fixed structures After the increase of energy and trackers to reduce the cost in SmartStow calculated via sophisticated production, our second important goal production without compromising quality algorithms, determines the absolute is to reduce LCOE as much as possible, and warranties. We offer up to 40 years moment to drive the tracker to stow improving design to make on site design life. position, depending on the measurement assembly and installation faster, of winds, differentiating between a combined with providing as many In addition, we are improving installation dangerous constant strong wind versus preassembly parts as possible. design and components to reduce timing and just a sudden gust of wind. Assuring installation manpower during EPC works. therefore the maximum time the 5. C ost efficient and the fastest to install modules are facing the sun in their right fixed tilt solutions. For projects and sites Our most important contribution aligned with position throughout the day. that are better suited for fixed tilt, investors and developers’ interest is to get GameChange Solar has created the most higher IRR of their investment in the project, The WeatherSmart concept is similar to cost effective solutions: MaxSpan-X Post StowSmart, but takes into account driven systems, for regular soil sites, and The company’s exponential growth is mainly cloudy moments during the day. On an Pour-In-Place Ballasted Ground System, thanks to the following 7 main differentiators: entirely cloudy day, the tracker will be to allow installation at sites where the sent to 0 degrees position to absorb complicated soil makes pile driving costs 1. V ery robust tracker design using high maximum indirect radiation, however if impossible to assume. Both products strength steel, supporting winds up to there are only sporadic moments of designs follow the same philosophy of 175 miles/hour (250 Km/hour), and clouds, the tracker will ‘intelligently’ our Genius Tracker System: robust avoiding the galloping effect by stowing decide to stay following the sun rather design, adaptability, cost efficiency and position at 35-45 degrees. than moving to the flat position. fast installation with Twistclamp, preassembly and integrated hardware. The galloping effect is produced by continuous vibration of modules fixed to the structure when stowing at 0 degrees, entering into resonance and increasing oscillations finally blowing the panels out of the tracker, as seen in several damaged projects few months ago. Stowing at 35-45 degrees requires strongly reinforcing the posts. The prestigious company CPP has provided continuous feedback on results on the aeroelastic and aerodynamic calculations from wind tunnel test studies conducted by GameChange Solar Genius Tracker, for both 1 Portrate (1P) and 2 Portrate (2P), very popular now with Bifacial modules. 2. Focused on single-line trackers, covering maximum lay-out surface, optimizing coverage ratio and production output. One of the most important goals for developers, promoters and investors, is to maximize solar production in terms of KWh/Year to be turned into $/Year and the highest possible IRR. One of the main advantages for the tracker is to optimize the land coverage, getting the most of lay-out limitations on the site of the photovoltaic project and assuring every single square meter has WWW.PESSOLAR.COM 35

CORPORATE FOCUS In the USA, GameChange Solar, with main headquarters in Connecticut, is currently Top #3. Besides the USA, Spain, Australia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia and UAE are expected to be the most attractive markets for solar trackers in the next coming 5 years. The global PV tracker market increased by over 42% in revenues up to $2.8 billion in 2019, according to IHS latest report. The global PV tracker market reached over $3 billion in 2020, equivalent to an estimated 40GW of shipped solar trackers. The company, with its great expectations of growing internationally, has opened offices and hired representatives in Switzerland, Ireland, Spain, Argentina, India, China, Middle East and Australia besides the USA. GameChange Solar’s goal internationally is to reach the top global positions in the coming years. Despite the Covid-19 impact, with the slowdown in the financial markets and in the economy in general, we are optimistic about our renewable energy sector and we see the commitment from private and institutional investors and even more support from governments, in most of the countries that are seeing a way to boost back the economy and employment in this Industry. www.gamechangesolar.com As module prices reduce more in the 7. Another important advantage from Bio coming years, highly packed fixed tilt for GameChange is the close relationship over 90% GCR as alternative to a higher with steel suppliers. The company Arturo Herrero joined GameChange total MWH production, on constrained obtained really competitive prices for raw Solar, one of the PV SolarTrackers terrain and extremely undulating sites, material thanks to the large economies of industry leaders as Chief Business will begin to make lot of sense. scale, together with long term Development Officer in October 2019. relationships, as GameChange Solar 6. Besides production in USA, in November founder and CEO, Andrew Worden, was Arturo has been Managing Director at 2019 GameChange Solar, inaugurated its trading and dealing with steel companies Alterpower AG, doing for last five years, factory in Wuxi, China, as part of its with the Barron Capital family office a consultancy for leading companies investment, becoming one of the most before starting investing in his own IPPs across Europe, LATAM, Asia and Africa. competitive manufacturers in the world. and later in GameChange Racking. Previously, Arturo played an integral Installed Capacity in China is over 12GW 8. T he high standard of know-how and role as Chief Strategy Officer and Chief annually with state-of-the-art brand new highly experienced employees, with over Marketing Officer at Jinko Solar and equipment. Together with this new twenty years of dedication to PV solar Trina Solar and led both companies to factory, GameChange can reach a technology, led by successful and proven reach top global positions in 2010 and capacity of over 20GW annually. department leaders in engineering, 2016, respectively. Production is provided globally from business development, sales and Wuxi’s factory in China, in every needed customer service give definitely the Also, thanks to Arturo’s contribution, geographical area outside of the USA. needed trust to GameChange’s high each company launched successful demanding clients. IPO’s in 2006 and 2010, respectively and We have clients such as NextEra, Moss, kept Top#1 and Top#2 global positions Cupertino... and outside the USA, we Geographical focus as solar PV module producers. have signed contracts with Total, Sterling&Wilson, Acciona, Tata, The United States has been the #1 market Arturo Herrero is originally from PowerChina, IBOX Energy, Canadian for solar trackers during the forecast Barcelona, living abroad since 2006, and Solar, Solaria, Enel, Iberdrola... and have accounting for one third of installations. currently resident in Switzerland. been qualified recently by Fotowatio, Risen, Repsol, SolarCentury, BP 8.5GW of solar trackers are estimated to He was hired as Chief BD Officer by Lightsource, OPDE, EDF, EDPR, Engie, have been shipped from H2 2019 to mid-April GameChange Solar to help the ACWA and MASDAR, amongst others. 2020, only in the United States. company to expand internationally, with the goal to became among the Top#3 tracker manufacturers. 36 PES SOLAR

OVER 10 GW SOLD Global Leader for Fixed Tilt Structures & Trackers GENIUS TRACKER™ World's Highest Power Producing & Fastest Installing Solar Tracker System MAXSPAN™ POUR IN PLACE™ Best Quality & Priced Post Driven Fixed Tilt Systems BALLASTED GROUND SYSTEM Landfill Leader & Best Solution for Rocky Sites BANKABLE QUALITY GameChange Solar is driven by its mission to repower the planet with clean solar energy. We do our part by driving fixed tilt racking and tracker equipment costs lower. With over 10 GW sold, GameChange VALUE PRICING systems combine fast install, bankable quality and unbeatable value through superior engineering, innovative design and high volume manufacturing. Best in Class Superior Engineering in Structural, In-House Logistics One Stop Solution for Geotech Customer Service Team Civil, Mechanical & Electrical for On Time Deliveries and Pull Test Services TOGETHER HEADQUARTERS EUROPE OFFICES ASIA OFFICES LET’S REPOWER 230 East Ave, Suite 100 Dublin, Ireland Wuxi, China THE PLANET Norwalk, CT, USA Zug, Switzerland Mumbai, India Phone: +1 (203) 769-3900 Madrid, Spain Dubai, UAE Fax: +1 (646) 607-2223 gamechangesolar.com SERVICE SUPERCENTER RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT CENTER media gamechangesolar.com Lakeland, FL, USA Brimfield, MA, USA Mesa, AZ, USA

PES ESSENTIAL From drone to airplane: new method of conducting aerial thermography leading towards predictive analysis Words: Jessica Vitorelo, Marketing Strategist, Wesii Thanks to the DigiSky SmartBay® technology, Wesii is able to capture high quality images to perform our AI driven analysis. 38 PES SOLAR

PES ESSENTIAL The world of photovoltaic aerial inspections is changing. Today the solar industry seems to have already gotten used to the new technologies that have taken over the market; inspections by drone and plant digitization. Plant owners and managers, if not already, are heading in this new direction, leaving manual inspections behind. Companies providing inspection and data analysis services, us included, are all providing the new industry norm. There is a reason for this, drones and the specific types of cameras used, produce top quality images that allow for exceptional data processing and clear results. The geometrical resolution is incomparable with other types of inspections, with drones you can reach previously unreachable plants and can detect anomalies within the plant that can only be seen from a bird’s eye view. Furthermore, drones, for obvious reasons, This table shows the radiometric advantages of inspecting solar PV plants by plane with a cooled camera. are quicker than conducting manual inspections and also much safer for the partnership with DigiSky and their SmartBay By collecting data with airplanes, we are able personnel involved. technology, is a cooled thermal camera which to eliminate these steps and requirements. has an accuracy that is 5x higher than the No HSE documents are required when flying That being said, we’ve now introduced an drone. Due to this high radiometric resolution, a plane, which previously could take a long even faster, more efficient and economical we are able to detect anomalies just as time depending on the location of the plant. way of conducting inspections: by plane: with accurately as with the drone from fewer pixels. Additionally, there doesn’t need to be a a cooled radiometric camera. technician in the field when operating the The fact that airplanes are able to produce plane, which cuts costs, time and of course Airplane vs. drone inspections quality results can completely change the way is safer by eliminating the amount of we do inspections in the solar industry. As you personnel involved. Previously airplanes have not been utilized can imagine, a lot of planning and preparation due to the fact that the spatial resolution is go into drone inspections, while airplane While drone inspections take multiple days, the lower than the drone. However, keeping a inspections require simplified planning, the airplane can cover vast distances and capture a height of flight of about 300m from the timing and process is more efficient. site of 100MW in less than an hour. For large ground level, we can still reach a spatial plant owners, this means receiving all their resolution in the range of 7cm/px in the To fly a plant by drone you need HSE data from the same day and weather infrared spectrum. Being less than the size of documents, a technician to open the gates conditions, and providing them with more the solar panel cells, the minimum unit and be in the field, while the pilot inspects consistent data. The same indeed goes for possibly affected by anomalies, that the plant, multiple days to conduct the small plant owners as there is less land to cover, resolution is more than enough to detect the inspections depending on the plant size and but we also have the opportunity to cover more shapes of all the types of anomalies that our limit your working time to secure high solar plants in a single day. This will cut out drive time Artificial Intelligence is used to classify from irradiance in order to get accurate results. between plants that was previously considered drone inspections. for price and timing for drone inspections. By securing the geometrical requirements of the collected data, we can then exploit the full potential of our new sensors. The camera we are using with the airplane, thanks to our Regarding solar irradiance, drone inspections require more than 600 W/m2 to deliver accurate results, meaning flights can easily be postponed due to external weather conditions. However, the cooled thermal cameras used with the airplane inspections allow data to be collected even with lower solar irradiance of up to 400 W/m2 without diminishing the quality. Drone capture vs. airplane capture. The results from the airplane inspections provide adequate data to perform Taking into consideration all of the the same analysis as done with drone inspections to detect the same anomalies. aforementioned factors, photovoltaic plant owners and managers can expect to see lower prices for aerial thermography and reduce the steps and attention it takes to plan plant surveys. An important thing to note is that with WWW.PESSOLAR.COM 39

PES ESSENTIAL Before After To maximize our flight efficiency and sustainability we are using sophisticated tools to produce proper flight plans, which has allowed us to inspect a high number of plants in a short period of time. A plant as big as 100MW can be inspected in approximately 1 hour. airplane inspections, owners will still be able occur and then to schedule maintenance This information is stored in our in-house to receive all of the same important activities at an optimal time, and finally to digital platform where you can view all information and deliverables. After the first allow the AI algorithm to use the feedback and statistics, data, predictions and flight, Wesii creates an orthomosaic for the spot when the plant is performing outside of comparisons, plus create custom reports client, providing a digital, thermal and visible its normal operating conditions. to see the data you’re interested in. overview of the plant. Furthermore, owners and managers can view the anomaly We can achieve this in 3 steps: 3. Predictive Analysis + Maintenance classified plant on the digital platform where they can create reports based on their needs. 1. D ata Collection: Wesii + Fly-It-Yourself The more inspections and data submitted, Inspections both by Wesii and the client, the more our Airplane to aid in the path to predictive machine model learns and quicker at that. analysis To understand the baselines of the photovoltaic system and to collect a sufficient Over time the predictions become more Airplane inspections will have an immediate amount of data, Wesii flies 1-2 yearly accurate and the machine model learns using effect on yearly inspections in terms of price, inspections using the plane plus gives the client the feedback cycle created by the data and accuracy and timing. However, we are also the tools to perform Fly-It-Yourself inspections maintenance activities performed. This is looking into the future for the long-term with EliosField Dronino and App. By conducting how the machine model can spot when the benefits. Wesii’s mission is to help asset the plane inspections, Wesii is able to digitize photovoltaic system is operating outside of owners and managers keep their plants the plants and create an orthomosaic, giving its normal operating conditions. functioning at full capacity by providing tools the owners a digital twin of their plans. for predictive maintenance. With the output from the algorithm, owners 2. AI and Machine Learning Powered Analytics and managers can get the most out of their The key to predictive maintenance is to equipment and plan maintenance at an establish the baselines of the operating Wesii adds each inspection into our database optimal time. system, collect a sufficient amount of data and where our Artificial Intelligence algorithm frequently, and apply a machine learning model detects and classifies each anomaly using The future of solar inspections that shows plant managers when the optimal the supervised learning approach, meaning operation has been compromised, what we have taught the model our specific As mentioned above, the world of solar happened, when these anomalies are likely to classification rules between certain inputs survey inspections is changing rapidly. We and outputs. watched as drones took over the niche, and now as airplanes disrupt the market once Multiannual analysis and predictive maintenance: with more time efficient flights we are able to make inspection again. The most important goal is to make comparisons and create statistical, spatial predictive models. the world a greener place. We aim to do so by achieving predictive analysis and giving our clients the tools they need, to keep their solar plants functioning at full capacity and make the smartest decisions for their businesses and our planet. Contact Wesii for more information at [email protected] www.wesii.com 40 PES SOLAR

THERMOGRAPHY NOW BY AIRPLANE ALL ACROSS EUROPE: 100 MW IN LESS THAN AN HOUR Wesii Srl via Davide Gagliardo 7 16043 Chiavari (GE), Italia [email protected] wesii.com

THINK TANK Visions full of energy The battery technology revolution starts now Every day the sun sends around 10,000 times more energy to earth than the world consumes in the same period of time. Only a fraction of it has been used so far. The decisive factor for a climate-friendly world of tomorrow is to use much more of this energy and, above all, to store it. Due to the natural fluctuations in yield when generating renewable energy, storage systems are the key to success, also for the breakthrough in electromobility. However, this can only be achieved if there are storage devices suitable for everyday use with sufficient capacity and fast charging cycles. Manz AG from Reutlingen, has over more than 30 years of experience in this field. 42 PES SOLAR

THINK TANK The global high-tech machine manufacturer joined in any other way can be welded with process can also be adapted to new with a comprehensive technology portfolio is high precision and quality using the bimetal requirements at a later point in time or the a leading supplier of production equipment laser welding process. housing can be converted. The BLS 500 thus for the manufacturing of powerful and The latest achievement for even more offers customers a basis with many options: efficient lithium-ion battery cells/-modules efficiency in the production of battery cells is BLS standard components can be configured and sets international standards. With its the latest laser technology ‘Laser Tab into a powerful laser system that is perfectly extensive expertise, the company helps key Welding’, which optimizes the welding tailored to individual customer needs and technologies achieve a breakthrough and, as process of cell arresters, the so-called tabs. process requirements. In this way, Manz AG a provider of turnkey solutions, continuously The innovative technology reduces the guarantees maximum flexibility, performance develops new production solutions and number of steps required by at least one and precision. processes across all industries, including in process, pre-welding, and thus significantly the field of laser processing. Whether as an reduces the overall cost per battery cell (total The innovative clamping system of the BLS independent ‘stand-alone’ system, or as part cost of ownership, TCO). The new laser tab 500, which replaces the previous fixed device of a fully integrated production line: laser welding process is an innovative alternative and enables tool-free clamping, is also processing systems from Manz are always to the ultrasonic technology that has been flexible. The system fits all applications with the right choice for customer-specific used up to now, ultra-sonic tab welding. The different product variants (one fits all), an applications or as a standard system. technology can also be integrated into exchange of the clamping device is no longer existing production solutions. necessary. The BSL 500 is part of the Competent, innovative and based on Central element of Manz’s laser expertise is established modular assembly platform partnership the modular Battery Laser System BLS 500, LightAssembly. which has proven itself in numerous customer In order to remain marketable as a battery processes and was developed for the various Outsourcing in process development manufacturer, flexibility and vision as well as laser processes involved in the manufacturing a strong partner are required. Numerous of lithium-ion batteries. A machine base that Continuous product developments ensure customer projects from a wide variety of combines the advantages of a standard the competitiveness of energy storage industries speak for Manz AG in this context. system with those of an individual solution providers in the highly dynamic market, but based on the modular principle. In just a few often require a high investment. Outsourcing For the pioneer in the development and steps, a scalable machine configuration that can help here to bring visionary ideas into manufacturing of production systems for fits the desired application is created. The BLS production as quickly and efficiently as lithium-ion battery cells and modules, the 500 can be used as a machine for short runs possible. Customers can hand this process customer always comes first. ‘We reliably and pilot projects, but can also be integrated step over to Manz. In Manz AG’s laser accompany our customers through a rapidly into an (existing) automation system as a laboratory, Manz engineers and developers changing world,’ emphasizes Andreas Schaal, system for mass production. By using research the latest laser machines and Sales Manager Energy Storage at Manz AG, standardized components, however, the laser develop solutions for customer-specific ‘individual machine or complete production processes and products. In addition, the first line, and are therefore a trustworthy Production process of lithium-ion battery cells samples are produced for customers in this development partner for innovative test environment. products in rapidly growing future markets. In addition, with fully integrated turnkey production solutions, we map the entire value chain, right up to our own new software platform for monitoring production systems, the smartPRODUCTIONKIT. ‘ The turnkey supplier approach and extensive process experience enable Manz to develop processes from the idea to series production in the shortest possible time. The degree of integration, i.e. the close interlinking of the technologies for each process step such as coating, lamination, laser welding, forming, stacking or winding, is of particular importance. An integrated approach that can be decisive for the competitiveness of customers with regard to the efficiency, performance and safety of their battery cells and modules. Newest laser technologies for even more efficiency in battery production Laser technologies from Manz can be found in numerous process steps in the assembly of cells and modules. Thanks to decades of experience with a wide variety of requirements for laser machining processes, the technology leader can offer numerous processes in this field: lap welding, laser marking, laser cutting, partial removal of materials and coatings or drilling. Likewise, zero-gap welding and micro- welding. Even materials that cannot be WWW.PESSOLAR.COM 43

THINK TANK Manz AG’s early involvement in the The lithium battery factory of the future The manufacturing processes and the customer’s development process begins associated systems are based on a new, with checking the feasibility of an idea and Manz received a very special confirmation of digitized and cost-effective business model. leads to concrete production planning with its importance to the further development of Manz will thus make an effective contribution preliminary tests on product behavior lithium-ion battery technology at the end of to building a sustainable and competitive through to the pilot product or a small series. April 2021: The Federal Ministry for Economic battery industry in Europe. In this way, the customer not only receives Affairs and Energy (BMWi) and the Baden- the production equipment itself, but also the Württemberg State Ministry of Economics Key player in global competition entire process development as a consulting presented the mechanical engineering service from Manz. This is an invaluable company with the official notification for Two key findings from a current study by advantage for automobile manufacturers, funding of around 70 million EUR. The award management consultant Roland Berger for example, because the change to took place within the framework of the together with the PEM of RWTH Aachen e-mobility must take place in parallel with important project of common European University on the global development of ongoing operations, with a minimum of interest (‘IPCEI’) to promote research and lithium-ion battery production: Through friction losses. innovation in the battery value chain. In total, optimization processes, the production projects from eleven German companies are costs of energy storage devices can be E-mobility as a motor for battery cell supported, with Manz AG playing a central reduced by over 40 percent by 2025, which is production in Europe role as a mechanical engineering company. almost even more important. If the European With the project known as ‘European Battery producers manage to come on par with other The complexity of building an electric car is Innovation’ (EuBatIn), twelve EU member manufacturers worldwide in terms of costs significantly less than that of manufacturing states will provide a total of up to EUR 2.9 and technology, including the Far East. a combustion engine. The battery alone still billion in funding for companies in the accounts for a third of the purchase price; It respective countries in the coming years. The current announcements by German and is therefore crucial to improve the battery Manz Italy is also being funded with a European OEMs to invest in production cells of the e-car quickly and significantly and mid-double-digit million-euro amount. capacities for battery cells in order to reduce to reduce their production costs. the dependency on Asian memory producers The Reutlingen-based mechanical and to build up their own know-how in the Manz works on this as a competent engineering company entered the race for field of memory technology also fit this. technology and process expert for the the funding millions with the ‘Lithium battery automotive industry and bundles its factory of the future’ project. The project As a pacemaker for e-mobility, companies competencies from all areas into tailor- aims to develop highly efficient machines like Manz also make an important made and customer-specific production and processes for the fully automated contribution to the economic success of solutions. Over 500 engineers, a large production of next-generation lithium-ion European automobile production. In an number of patents, numerous batteries. These are urgently needed, unprecedented race to catch up, the collaborations with renowned research especially for e-mobility. manufacturers are now banning the institutions and strategic partnerships combustion engine from the engine stand for Manz’s innovative strength on the According to a current analysis by the Boston compartment in series at breathtaking one hand and ensure the innovative Consulting Group (BCG), vehicles with speed. And the time pressure sits on their strength of its customers on the other. electric or hybrid drives, will already account necks like never before. Only one for more than half of the cars sold worldwide development cycle time to reinvent the car, A strategic cooperation with GROB-WERKE by 2026. The potential for the lithium-ion so far just four years and that is only possible GmbH & Co.KG. was recently concluded. As batteries required for this is correspondingly with strong innovation drivers like Manz. The part of the partnership, the companies plan huge. Manz AG is in an outstanding position world of tomorrow needs a lot of sustainable to set innovative machine standards ‘Made with the processes and machines required energy and know-how for a future in which in Europe’. The common goal of Manz and for this: ‘All of our know-how from the last the Reutlingen-based pioneers in the GROB is to establish themselves as a three decades can be found in our production development of battery technology have leading European provider of production solutions,’ says Andreas Schaal, Sales been at home for over 30 years. solutions in the field of lithium-ion battery Manager Energy Storage at Manz, confirming systems with a clear focus on the upcoming the position of battery production pioneer. www.manz.com needs of e-mobility. 44 PES SOLAR

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TALKING POINT How to stop shading impacting solar performance Words: F lorian Chan, Managing Director, Residential business line at FIMER Over the past 10 years, solar PV has become one of the most popular sources of renewable energy generation across many global markets. Figures from the International Energy Agency (IEA) showed an 18-fold increase in the amount of installed solar PV capacity between 2010 and 2020, and IEA executive director Fatih Birol recently stated that ‘I see solar becoming the new king of the world’s electricity markets’. 46 PES SOLAR

TALKING POINT With this growth has come innovation across that energy output is reduced when the sun impact the output of the panels, for example, all applications, from residential through to does not shine, solar technology companies scientists in the Netherlands are conducting commercial & industrial and utility-scale. such as FIMER have been focussed on a new study to assess how hybrid wind-solar Exciting installations, including bifacial developing solutions to help optimize the projects may be impacted by the shade modules, floating solar parks, and integration performance of solar even when the panels produced by the wind tower and wind turbine with other low-carbon technologies such as do not always receive constant irradiation. blades on the PV facility. electric vehicles, mean that solar is becoming a key tool for many governments keen to One example is shading, it is almost Clearly, shading is not something new, and meet ambitious decarbonization targets. impossible to avoid instances of shading, while the best solution is to avoid it which can be caused by temporary factors completely, in reality this is often just not That said, using the infinite resources the sun such as clouds, snow or falling leaves or possible. While some elements, to a certain provides does offer its own set of challenges. nearby permanent structures such as other degree, can be controlled at the outset of a Often referred to as ‘intermittent’, meaning buildings, trees or chimneys. These can project, such as ensuring the array is not placed in direct sight of a fixed object like another building, chimney or structure, some more temporary elements, including clouds, snow and air pollution, are out of the installer’s control. Using MPPT Up until now, using an inverter with Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) capability has helped to mitigate some of the challenges when it comes to maintaining an optimal power output. MPPT is now often fitted as standard in the latest inverters and increases energy yield as well maximizing optimization, as energy within the solar array constantly modulates and changes. Optimization is dependent on several factors, including shading, as well as solar radiation levels, ambient temperatures, PV plants that are built with varying degrees of topology and/or strings exposed to different angles of irradiation, right through to the condition of the PV module itself. Tackling the shading issue However, even MPPT has some limitations. In normal operating conditions, with no shading effect, a standard MPPT is easily able to detect and convert the maximum amount of power. However, in shaded conditions, when some panels do not receive the same irradiation as the others, the power curve changes and a standard inverter could continue to track the previous power point, meaning that it is not providing the maximum power point. As a result, the energy yield from the panel is reduced. In order to mitigate the negative impact of shading, one option that is often considered is installing additional devices, such as DC optimizers, at module level to enhance the energy production of that specific PV module when it is shaded. However, this approach requires several additional components to be installed underneath the panels, increasing the installation cost. These can also be exposed to humidity and temperature changes, increasing the possibility of failure. A new algorithm to maximize output in shaded conditions In response to these challenges, FIMER has developed a smart scanning algorithm, FIMER WWW.PESSOLAR.COM 47

TALKING POINT Analysis of energy system inverters with the in-built solution, versus Developing Safety Concepts for Risk both standard inverters installed in PV Minimization’, each additional component PowerGain that periodically checks if the PV systems without DC optimizers at module involves a higher risk of causing faults and, system is able to produce more energy. The level and PV systems with DC optimizers. potentially, a higher risk of fire. FIMER PowerGain function is built in as For each optimizer which is added to a PV standard to all FIMER’s string inverter The results were compelling. They showed system, four connectors are also added, portfolio, including its recently launched PVS that the FIMER PowerGain solution allowed exponentially increasing the numbers of 10/33 series, meaning that no additional cost up to 10 percent higher yields when elements such as cables and contacts which is incurred as no extra components, such as compared to PV systems using traditional can cause faults and even fire emergencies. optimizers, are required. inverters, and it performed significantly Conclusion better than optimizers in both unshaded and As the rise of solar continues, in its World As a result, it is able to provide the same slightly shaded conditions. Energy Outlook report at the end of 2020, the mitigation of the shading condition as panel International Energy Agency (IEA) said solar optimizer solutions without the need for In addition, over a longer time period, PV, driven by continued cost reductions, will additional mechanisms. Importantly, this which included several days of varying become the main driver of renewables also reduces the risk of possible failure due to degrees of shaded conditions, FIMER growth, setting new records for deployment changes in temperature or other conditions. PowerGain performed better than the in each year from 2022 until 2040 – the traditional optimizers. requirement for more innovative solutions in a So, how does FIMER PowerGain work? variety of conditions will also grow. And, while the study showed that optimizers While PV systems are generally designed and The smart algorithm means that the inverter performed slightly better than FIMER placed to guarantee a constant sun rapidly scans the input voltage and, within PowerGain in a temporary and moderate irradiation, it is not possible to completely milliseconds, is able to identify the absolute shaded environment, such as clouds, the avoid shading situations. The inverter – maximum power point. This means it can additional risk factors when installing which is often referred to as ‘the brain’ of the avoid chasing relative maximum power optimizers outweigh the marginal PV system - is central to ensuring the points, i.e. lower peaks in the curve, which performance gains in a few shading conditions. installation performs in the most optimal would result in less power being produced. way, even where shading is a regular feature. These included an increased likelihood of With clear benefits over other technologies, As a result, the working point is moved on failure due to the additional components such as optimizers and standard MPPT, a the curve, allowing the system to handle required, as well as the exposure to moisture smart, in-built scanning algorithm will help the maximum available power even in and thermal cycling as a result of where the increase energy yield and return on shading conditions. optimizers are installed (in tight enclosures investment, and in turn, help support the underneath the PV modules). Extra future growth of solar. It is also possible to schedule the interval components also mean additional cost, between scans, allowing up to 60 scans an complexity and greater ongoing www.fimer.com hour, based on the project requirements. maintenance, all of which can be avoided with Therefore, the solution is able to meet the a smart in-built algorithm. Bio requirements of any project, from residential Florian Chan is Managing Director, to commercial & industrial that may be Another potential risk with an optimizer is Residential Business Line at FIMER. He impacted by shading. fire hazard. In a study into fire hazard related has a wide international solar sector to PV systems carried out by the experience, and has held different roles The benefits of an in-built solution over international safety certification body TÜV throughout his career including Business optimizers Rheinland, in cooperation with the research Development Executive and Director of institute Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Distribution Europe, achieving As well as the need for no additional Energy Systems, which was published by the impressive results in terms of Business components, FIMER also wanted to fully U.S. Department of Energy: ‘Assessing Fire and Team growth, with a particular assess the performance benefits of FIMER Risks in Photovoltaic Systems and specialism in the residential segment. PowerGain in a comparative study. This monitored power production using our 48 PES SOLAR

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