On Tuesday, President Barack Obama promoted the smart grid and renewable energy at the opening of Florida Power & Light's DeSoto Next Generation Solar Energy Center (shown). The facility consists of more than 90,500 solar panels, making it the largest solar-photovoltaic plant in the country and, according to FPL, its annual estimated generation is about 42,000 megawatt hours.
The president outlined how the federal government is making a $3.4 billion investment from Recovery Act funds to modernize the country's electric grid with a goal of creating a more-reliable, more-efficient system. "But getting there will take a few more days like this one and more projects like this one," said the president. "And I have often said that the creation of such an economy is going to require nothing less than the sustained effort of an entire nation—an all-hands-on-deck approach similar to the mobilization that preceded World War II or the Apollo Project."
If you're interested in using solar power at your home, read our report on solar water heaters from the October 2009 issue of Consumer Reports and look for ongoing coverage of these devices on this blog, such as this testing update from earlier this month.—Daniel DiClerico | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook
Essential information: The president referred to World War II the other day, and it was during this era that George Löf undertook his first experiments with solar power. Löf, a solar innovator who died earlier this month at the age of 95, is credited with creating one of the earliest solar-heated homes in this country, according to his obituary in The Wall Street Journal. Löf's system consisted of a large glass roof panel that heated a pile of gravel in the basement, which in turn warmed the house.
Monday, November 23, 2009
AIG Solar boilers
AGI supports humanitarian and environmental causes with the donation(s) you make in the name of relatives, colleagues, family, etc. Oxfam America is a large relief organization and it’s Unwrapped program has a wide array of charitable gifts. I love these services because there’s nothing that says Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa, or Happy Hanukkah like giving a solar boiler or manure or a flock of ducks. It’s serious fun to give these gifts to loved ones and it makes a huge impact on the communities the gifts go to.
When it comes to Thanksgiving celebration, I usually try to fast if I don’t have plans with friends. This year I’ll likely be observing a day of fasting and reflection. The Boston Globe ran an article on how these actions might more closely reflect the original Thanksgiving celebrations. Fasting is not something to take lightly, so talk to your doctor before attempting this, and research articles on how to enter and break a fast. For me, fasting and reflecting definitely simplify the holidays and make me more, well, thankful. And isn’t that the point of this week?
When it comes to Thanksgiving celebration, I usually try to fast if I don’t have plans with friends. This year I’ll likely be observing a day of fasting and reflection. The Boston Globe ran an article on how these actions might more closely reflect the original Thanksgiving celebrations. Fasting is not something to take lightly, so talk to your doctor before attempting this, and research articles on how to enter and break a fast. For me, fasting and reflecting definitely simplify the holidays and make me more, well, thankful. And isn’t that the point of this week?
Solarion’s solar cell system passes damp-heat test
German solar developer Solarion’s flexible encapsulation system for thin-film solar cells on plastic has passed a damp-heat test of achieving 1,000 hours at 85 per cent humidity and 85°C, for performance and durability of thin-film solar modules.
‘A flexible packaging of large area photovoltaic devices with efficiencies of about 10 per cent represents a real bright spot for new photovoltaic applications. We are seeing a strong demand for highly efficient, flexible and lightweight solar modules,’ said Karsten Otte, CEO at Solarion.
‘The availability of such photovoltaic products enables completely new product solutions for example in the field of solar roofing materials for buildings or for implementing these products into automotive lightweight constructions which will become more and more important with completely electric powered vehicles,’ Otte added.
Volkswagen has presented the concept car E-Up, with a curved solar module roof incorporating solar technology developed by Solarion.
Solarion, which was founded in 2000, develops and produces thin-film solar modules using copper-indium-gallium-diselenide (CIGS), establishing the first European pilot-line for CIGS thin-film cells on a flexible polymer in 2002. Mass-manufacturing of CIGS modules is planned for the year 2010.
‘A flexible packaging of large area photovoltaic devices with efficiencies of about 10 per cent represents a real bright spot for new photovoltaic applications. We are seeing a strong demand for highly efficient, flexible and lightweight solar modules,’ said Karsten Otte, CEO at Solarion.
‘The availability of such photovoltaic products enables completely new product solutions for example in the field of solar roofing materials for buildings or for implementing these products into automotive lightweight constructions which will become more and more important with completely electric powered vehicles,’ Otte added.
Volkswagen has presented the concept car E-Up, with a curved solar module roof incorporating solar technology developed by Solarion.
Solarion, which was founded in 2000, develops and produces thin-film solar modules using copper-indium-gallium-diselenide (CIGS), establishing the first European pilot-line for CIGS thin-film cells on a flexible polymer in 2002. Mass-manufacturing of CIGS modules is planned for the year 2010.
Buildings and Energy Efficiency
Heat loss through walls, windows, floors and the roof is wasted energy and anything that can be done to prevent this will be advantageous to your pocket as well as to the environment. Insulation in these areas is of prime importance when constructing a new property or renovating and older one. Also heating, cooling and lighting methods must be considered.
One method of efficient heating is passive heating and this is where heat from the sun and external warm air is used to back up the property’s heating system thus reducing its work load. Passive cooling techniques can also be used such as constructing shades for windows and the growing of ever green trees to provide shade.
Passive lighting in the form of sky lights and light tubes that direct natural light into the property reducing the need of electrically derived illumination.
Other considerations that will add to a building’s efficiency is to use solar air heaters and photo voltaic solar panels to provide green electricity and reduce the necessity of generating power using fossil fuels.
In summary it can be gathered that taking all these things into consideration that although initial costs may be high, in the long term it is in the interest of all of us not only in financial terms but in environmental terms to be aware of our home’s energy efficiency.
One method of efficient heating is passive heating and this is where heat from the sun and external warm air is used to back up the property’s heating system thus reducing its work load. Passive cooling techniques can also be used such as constructing shades for windows and the growing of ever green trees to provide shade.
Passive lighting in the form of sky lights and light tubes that direct natural light into the property reducing the need of electrically derived illumination.
Other considerations that will add to a building’s efficiency is to use solar air heaters and photo voltaic solar panels to provide green electricity and reduce the necessity of generating power using fossil fuels.
In summary it can be gathered that taking all these things into consideration that although initial costs may be high, in the long term it is in the interest of all of us not only in financial terms but in environmental terms to be aware of our home’s energy efficiency.
Sun Catalytix receives seed financing from Polaris Venture Partners
Sun Catalytix Corp., a distributed energy storage company, today announced it has received a third seed tranche from Polaris Venture Partners.
The company has also exclusively licensed a portfolio of water-splitting catalysis patents from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The licensed patents, developed in the MIT laboratories of Professor and Sun Catalytix Co-Founder Daniel G. Nocera, are central to Sun Catalytix energy storage breakthroughs.
Sun Catalytix technology readily and inexpensively stores renewable energy in the form of chemical bonds to enable distributed, round-the-clock use of solar- and wind-derived energy.
"Polaris has a long history of working successfully with entrepreneurial professors at MIT and other research universities around the world, and the addition of Sun Catalytix is an excellent fit with our growing portfolio of energy technology companies," said Bob Metcalfe, Sun Catalytix director as well as Ethernet inventor, 3Com founder and a general partner at Polaris leading the firm's energy investments.
"This investment supports the development of technology that will make affordable, renewable energy a reality," said Amir Nashat, general partner at Polaris and Sun Catalytix founding CEO. "The company has been briskly meeting its seed milestones, and we're now recruiting key members of the start-up team, including our next CEO."
In addition to Nocera, Metcalfe and Nashat, the Sun Catalytix team includes Co-Founder and Chairman Arthur L. Goldstein, former CEO of Ionix.
Sun Catalytix is developing inexpensive, safe, non-toxic, efficient catalyst technologies for storing solar energy to make it available when the sun is not shining.
The catalysts mimic photosynthesis by using energy, captured from a photovoltaic cell or other source, to split water (H2O) into Hydrogen (H2) and Oxygen (O2). The company's electrolyzers are different from conventional technology in that they can use a broad range of water sources - including unpurified fresh or salt water - in benign conditions and at transformatively low costs.
According to Nocera, "Sun Catalytix opportunities are in proliferating high-volume, low-cost electrolyzers in a decentralized fashion, rather than in improving today's expensive, large-scale electrolyzers."
The company has also exclusively licensed a portfolio of water-splitting catalysis patents from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The licensed patents, developed in the MIT laboratories of Professor and Sun Catalytix Co-Founder Daniel G. Nocera, are central to Sun Catalytix energy storage breakthroughs.
Sun Catalytix technology readily and inexpensively stores renewable energy in the form of chemical bonds to enable distributed, round-the-clock use of solar- and wind-derived energy.
"Polaris has a long history of working successfully with entrepreneurial professors at MIT and other research universities around the world, and the addition of Sun Catalytix is an excellent fit with our growing portfolio of energy technology companies," said Bob Metcalfe, Sun Catalytix director as well as Ethernet inventor, 3Com founder and a general partner at Polaris leading the firm's energy investments.
"This investment supports the development of technology that will make affordable, renewable energy a reality," said Amir Nashat, general partner at Polaris and Sun Catalytix founding CEO. "The company has been briskly meeting its seed milestones, and we're now recruiting key members of the start-up team, including our next CEO."
In addition to Nocera, Metcalfe and Nashat, the Sun Catalytix team includes Co-Founder and Chairman Arthur L. Goldstein, former CEO of Ionix.
Sun Catalytix is developing inexpensive, safe, non-toxic, efficient catalyst technologies for storing solar energy to make it available when the sun is not shining.
The catalysts mimic photosynthesis by using energy, captured from a photovoltaic cell or other source, to split water (H2O) into Hydrogen (H2) and Oxygen (O2). The company's electrolyzers are different from conventional technology in that they can use a broad range of water sources - including unpurified fresh or salt water - in benign conditions and at transformatively low costs.
According to Nocera, "Sun Catalytix opportunities are in proliferating high-volume, low-cost electrolyzers in a decentralized fashion, rather than in improving today's expensive, large-scale electrolyzers."
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Solar power execs bullish on 2010 despite earnings
Executives from solar power companies see clearer skies in 2010 for the beleaguered industry, even as quarterly reports from heavyweights like First Solar and SunPower have disappointed investors and dragged down shares.
The industry has struggled to emerge this year from tight credit markets, a global glut of panels, and falling prices.
"I think we're already in the middle of a turnaround. We've kind of gone through the low point of the recent past," said Steven Chan, Suntech Power Holdings' chief strategy officer, in an interview with Reuters.
Executives from Sharp, BP's solar unit, and other solar power players shared similar optimism about the sector's outlook in 2010 at the Solar Power International conference being held here this week.
The industry, which grew at a clip of more than 40 percent for several years, has suffered in the recession, but solar companies kept a bullish attitude on growth next year.
Executives cited various forces that could drive growth in 2010, including U.S. stimulus funds for green projects, extended tax incentives and new financing.
"I call it a warming up," said Ron Kenedi, vice president of Sharp Solar Energy Solutions Group, in an interview at the conference.
Kenedi said work on government projects has been a "bright spot," while BP Solar Chief Executive Reyad Fezzani said new subsidies in markets like India will spur industry growth and that Italy has built up a lot of momentum.
Fezzani predicted the sector could grow globally 50 percent next year and warned that pent-up demand could even spark fresh supply issues.
"It may be that the supply chain may get tight again...Quite frankly the way this market can shift from long to short and back remains the biggest challenge," Fezzani said during a panel discussion at the conference.
He cited reports that companies that make inverters are running short on inventory, and Suntech's Chan said his company was juggling how to allocate panels among its customers amid good signs for sales for the first quarter of 2010.
Inverters convert the direct current produced by solar cells into alternating current compatible with the U.S. electrical grid.
While panel prices have tumbled about 50 percent over the last year, companies said that the decline is slowing or has even stalled.
Chan said panel prices have been stable in the fourth quarter and they will decline about 8 percent to 10 percent in 2010.
The industry has struggled to emerge this year from tight credit markets, a global glut of panels, and falling prices.
"I think we're already in the middle of a turnaround. We've kind of gone through the low point of the recent past," said Steven Chan, Suntech Power Holdings' chief strategy officer, in an interview with Reuters.
Executives from Sharp, BP's solar unit, and other solar power players shared similar optimism about the sector's outlook in 2010 at the Solar Power International conference being held here this week.
The industry, which grew at a clip of more than 40 percent for several years, has suffered in the recession, but solar companies kept a bullish attitude on growth next year.
Executives cited various forces that could drive growth in 2010, including U.S. stimulus funds for green projects, extended tax incentives and new financing.
"I call it a warming up," said Ron Kenedi, vice president of Sharp Solar Energy Solutions Group, in an interview at the conference.
Kenedi said work on government projects has been a "bright spot," while BP Solar Chief Executive Reyad Fezzani said new subsidies in markets like India will spur industry growth and that Italy has built up a lot of momentum.
Fezzani predicted the sector could grow globally 50 percent next year and warned that pent-up demand could even spark fresh supply issues.
"It may be that the supply chain may get tight again...Quite frankly the way this market can shift from long to short and back remains the biggest challenge," Fezzani said during a panel discussion at the conference.
He cited reports that companies that make inverters are running short on inventory, and Suntech's Chan said his company was juggling how to allocate panels among its customers amid good signs for sales for the first quarter of 2010.
Inverters convert the direct current produced by solar cells into alternating current compatible with the U.S. electrical grid.
While panel prices have tumbled about 50 percent over the last year, companies said that the decline is slowing or has even stalled.
Chan said panel prices have been stable in the fourth quarter and they will decline about 8 percent to 10 percent in 2010.
Solar Energy comes to Crete
Solar energy in Crete still remains unused, excluding the numerous solar boiler on the tops of the houses. This fact is about to change soon though, with the creation of the largest thermosolar plant in Europe, at the southeastern corner of Crete, at the Municipality of Lefki.
Municipality of Lefki is one of the smallest municipalities in Crete, with limited income, as the tourism is low and the landscape doesn’t allow much of agricultural exploitation. It is located at the most remote area of the southeastern Crete, south of Zakros, and east from Makry Gialos. The municipality consists of areas such as Xerokambos, Ziros, Goudouras and other small villages.
This remote area in Crete was chosen for the largest investment on solar energy so far, with the creation of a thermosolar plant that will be established in Agia Triada, covering a total area of 100 hectares, generating energy of 20MW.
The international company NUR-MOH won the contest held by the Municipality of Lefki. The company will provide the Cretan network with the produced electricity and will be paying 796,000 Euros on an annual basis to the Municipality.
Except for the rent, the Municipality will be receiving the 3% of the gross income, as the law suggests. A great number of new working positions will be open, while several landscape projects are to be launched. The thermosolar plant will also operate as a park open to the public. The Mayor of Lefki suggests that this is an investment of significant importance for the Municipality that will boost the development and utilization of natural resources. It is an investment that will enhance and make the area known, encouraging the use of eco-friendly technological solutions.
According to the signed agreement, the contractor will build and administrate the thermosolar station that will provide the area with at least 20 to 25MW. The plant will be able to concentrate the solar energy with the help of mirrors, will heat the water and will produce steam that will set in an electric generator/ tourbine in motion. The electricity will be sent to the existing network of DEI (public power corporation of Greece), who will be buying the generated energy.
Municipality of Lefki is one of the smallest municipalities in Crete, with limited income, as the tourism is low and the landscape doesn’t allow much of agricultural exploitation. It is located at the most remote area of the southeastern Crete, south of Zakros, and east from Makry Gialos. The municipality consists of areas such as Xerokambos, Ziros, Goudouras and other small villages.
This remote area in Crete was chosen for the largest investment on solar energy so far, with the creation of a thermosolar plant that will be established in Agia Triada, covering a total area of 100 hectares, generating energy of 20MW.
The international company NUR-MOH won the contest held by the Municipality of Lefki. The company will provide the Cretan network with the produced electricity and will be paying 796,000 Euros on an annual basis to the Municipality.
Except for the rent, the Municipality will be receiving the 3% of the gross income, as the law suggests. A great number of new working positions will be open, while several landscape projects are to be launched. The thermosolar plant will also operate as a park open to the public. The Mayor of Lefki suggests that this is an investment of significant importance for the Municipality that will boost the development and utilization of natural resources. It is an investment that will enhance and make the area known, encouraging the use of eco-friendly technological solutions.
According to the signed agreement, the contractor will build and administrate the thermosolar station that will provide the area with at least 20 to 25MW. The plant will be able to concentrate the solar energy with the help of mirrors, will heat the water and will produce steam that will set in an electric generator/ tourbine in motion. The electricity will be sent to the existing network of DEI (public power corporation of Greece), who will be buying the generated energy.
Happy solar-cell scientists
A series of joint sub-projects and work-packages has enabled the scientists to develop a new, less expensive grade of raw material for solar cells. And the best news is that the new modules are just as efficient as current solar cells.
The EU’s three-year FoXy programme has come to an end. The research group is very satisfied, and the EU Commission is handing out praise.
SINTEF has coordinated this major programme that rejoices in the long name: “Development of solar-grade silicon feedstock for crystalline wafers and cells by purification and crystallisation”, which has been simplified to “FoXy”. Together with ten other participants from various European nations, the scientists have been developing a “good enough” grade of silicon for solar cell production.
And there has been no lack of results: a series of joint sub-projects and work-packages has enabled the scientists to develop a new, less expensive grade of raw material for solar cells. And the best news is that the new modules are just as efficient as current solar cells.
Less pollution
“We are very proud of what we have done,” says Marisa Di Sabatino of SINTEF Materials and Chemistry. “Many people before us have been working on solar energy, but our results are actually quite important.”
The ambition of the programme has always been to develop a new material that would make future solar cells both at least as efficient as those of today and cheaper than them.
“We started out from metallic silicon that contains around 1% impurities – which is not good enough for use in solar cells. We attempted both to reduce the impurities in the metallic silicon and to cut down the amount of impurities that are already in the raw material by means of heat treatment, for example,” explains Di Sabatino.
Direct route
The research group managed to shorten the long production process currently employed by most solar cell manufacturers by adopting a simpler, more direct route. They managed this by using a special smelter and a kiln that removes trace of carbon.
The scientists used pure carbon that contaminates the silicon far less than coke or coal, as well as ultrapure quartz from the Norwegian County of Nordland.
This process is much less costly and energy-intensive than the conventional chemical process.
“With today’s solar cells, the energy used to produce them is paid off in the course of two years:. With the new materials, the payback time could be as little as six months,” says Di Sabatino.
Understanding the relationships
Impurities in silicon cause problems. For example, silicon recycled from industry contains boron and/or phosphorus that can alter the electrical characteristics of the material. Other contaminants can, for example, lead to the formation of poor-quality particles that in turn mean less efficient solar panels installed on our roofs.
However, the project group concluded that even if contaminants are present, we can still produce good-quality material with the aid of special procedures that reduce or eliminate them. It is just a matter of understanding how things fit together, so that things can be done in a better way; and the results of FoXy have helped the researchers towards a better understanding of what takes place in the process.
For example, the FoXy scientists have patented a new, more stable, passivation process – a high-temperature treatment process that protects the surface of the solar cells, making them more efficient and resistant to temperature changes.
The EU’s three-year FoXy programme has come to an end. The research group is very satisfied, and the EU Commission is handing out praise.
SINTEF has coordinated this major programme that rejoices in the long name: “Development of solar-grade silicon feedstock for crystalline wafers and cells by purification and crystallisation”, which has been simplified to “FoXy”. Together with ten other participants from various European nations, the scientists have been developing a “good enough” grade of silicon for solar cell production.
And there has been no lack of results: a series of joint sub-projects and work-packages has enabled the scientists to develop a new, less expensive grade of raw material for solar cells. And the best news is that the new modules are just as efficient as current solar cells.
Less pollution
“We are very proud of what we have done,” says Marisa Di Sabatino of SINTEF Materials and Chemistry. “Many people before us have been working on solar energy, but our results are actually quite important.”
The ambition of the programme has always been to develop a new material that would make future solar cells both at least as efficient as those of today and cheaper than them.
“We started out from metallic silicon that contains around 1% impurities – which is not good enough for use in solar cells. We attempted both to reduce the impurities in the metallic silicon and to cut down the amount of impurities that are already in the raw material by means of heat treatment, for example,” explains Di Sabatino.
Direct route
The research group managed to shorten the long production process currently employed by most solar cell manufacturers by adopting a simpler, more direct route. They managed this by using a special smelter and a kiln that removes trace of carbon.
The scientists used pure carbon that contaminates the silicon far less than coke or coal, as well as ultrapure quartz from the Norwegian County of Nordland.
This process is much less costly and energy-intensive than the conventional chemical process.
“With today’s solar cells, the energy used to produce them is paid off in the course of two years:. With the new materials, the payback time could be as little as six months,” says Di Sabatino.
Understanding the relationships
Impurities in silicon cause problems. For example, silicon recycled from industry contains boron and/or phosphorus that can alter the electrical characteristics of the material. Other contaminants can, for example, lead to the formation of poor-quality particles that in turn mean less efficient solar panels installed on our roofs.
However, the project group concluded that even if contaminants are present, we can still produce good-quality material with the aid of special procedures that reduce or eliminate them. It is just a matter of understanding how things fit together, so that things can be done in a better way; and the results of FoXy have helped the researchers towards a better understanding of what takes place in the process.
For example, the FoXy scientists have patented a new, more stable, passivation process – a high-temperature treatment process that protects the surface of the solar cells, making them more efficient and resistant to temperature changes.
Solar air heater
Just as is the case in solar water heating systems, solar air heater systems can be passive, active, or a combination of these two methods. The simpler the system, the easier and cheaper the system will be. However, in colder temperatures or when retrofitting a building, you may be forced into using more active systems. Passive systems either directly absorb the sun’s heat, or uses materials that store the heat then release it into the home. Active system use collectors, then circulators to get the heat throughout the desired space. Your geographical location, budget and uses of your heater will influence what kind of system you will purchase.
Solar power has grown in popularity as energy process continues to rise and the Earth’s natural resources continue to dwindle. In addition to purchasing the solar heating systems mentioned above, purchasing solar panels and hooking them either into an on- or off-grid electrical system with your utility provider is another options.
Money saved in the long run over these devices can be a huge draw to purchasing these devices; so don’t be dissuaded about the upfront price. Once the initial purchase is made, little maintenance is required, and the savings you will experience will pay off the device in the long run and could even make you money. In addition, there are many local, regional and government incentives out there that reward people who use solar power technologies.
Solar power has grown in popularity as energy process continues to rise and the Earth’s natural resources continue to dwindle. In addition to purchasing the solar heating systems mentioned above, purchasing solar panels and hooking them either into an on- or off-grid electrical system with your utility provider is another options.
Money saved in the long run over these devices can be a huge draw to purchasing these devices; so don’t be dissuaded about the upfront price. Once the initial purchase is made, little maintenance is required, and the savings you will experience will pay off the device in the long run and could even make you money. In addition, there are many local, regional and government incentives out there that reward people who use solar power technologies.
Optical Photovoltaic Cell Testing System from CRAIC Technologies
CRAIC Technologies, the leading manufacturer of UV-visible-NIR microscopes and microspectrometers, is pleased to announce the QDI 2010 PV™ microspectrophotometer. The QDI 2010 PV™ instrument is designed to measure the transmission and reflectance of photovoltaic cells whether they be the traditional crystalline silicon, one of the thin film variety or such components as super- and substrates. Even protective glass and concentrator modules can be analyzed.
The QDI 2010 PV™ also enables the user to determine thin film thickness of microscopic sampling areas on both transparent and opaque substrates. This powerful tool also has a host of other functions. It can be combined with CRAIC Technologies proprietary contamination imaging capabilities to locate and identify process contaminants. As such, the QDI 2010 PV™ represents a major step forward in metrology instrumentation available to the photovoltaic industry.
"Many of our customers want to test the quality of photovoltaic devices for rapid quality control of their products. The QDI 2010 PV™ microspectrophotometer was built in response to customer requests for a powerful, flexible metrology tool that can test a number of different aspects of many different photovoltaic devices" says Dr. Paul Martin, President.
The complete QDI 2010 PV™ solution combines advanced microspectroscopy with sophisticated software to enable the user to measure transmissivity, reflectivity, and luminescence. It will also be able to determine the thin film thickness by either transmission or reflectance of many types of materials and substrates. It can also be used to measure the transmissivity and reflectivity from many of the components used to manufacture PV cells such as concentrators. Due to the flexibility of the CRAIC Technologies design, sampling areas can range from over 100 microns across to less than a micron. Designed for the production environment, it incorporates a number of easily modified metrology recipes, the ability to measure new films and materials as well as sophisticated tools for analyzing data. Other features such as contamination analysis are easily added to this instrument.
The QDI 2010 PV™ also enables the user to determine thin film thickness of microscopic sampling areas on both transparent and opaque substrates. This powerful tool also has a host of other functions. It can be combined with CRAIC Technologies proprietary contamination imaging capabilities to locate and identify process contaminants. As such, the QDI 2010 PV™ represents a major step forward in metrology instrumentation available to the photovoltaic industry.
"Many of our customers want to test the quality of photovoltaic devices for rapid quality control of their products. The QDI 2010 PV™ microspectrophotometer was built in response to customer requests for a powerful, flexible metrology tool that can test a number of different aspects of many different photovoltaic devices" says Dr. Paul Martin, President.
The complete QDI 2010 PV™ solution combines advanced microspectroscopy with sophisticated software to enable the user to measure transmissivity, reflectivity, and luminescence. It will also be able to determine the thin film thickness by either transmission or reflectance of many types of materials and substrates. It can also be used to measure the transmissivity and reflectivity from many of the components used to manufacture PV cells such as concentrators. Due to the flexibility of the CRAIC Technologies design, sampling areas can range from over 100 microns across to less than a micron. Designed for the production environment, it incorporates a number of easily modified metrology recipes, the ability to measure new films and materials as well as sophisticated tools for analyzing data. Other features such as contamination analysis are easily added to this instrument.
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