The Magazine for Renewable energies ISSN 1861-2741 74714 www.sunwindenergy.com € 12.00 • international issue especia atenciГі l n 6/2014 AmГ©rica Latina The solar ediTion MIcroINverSoreS y optIMIzadoreS ВїDos tecnologГas fotovoltaicas innovadoras? eNergГa terMoSolar estГЎn llegando las instalaciones grandes MegaceNtraleS fotovoltaIcaS Oleada solar en AmГ©rica Latina Editorial Horse-drawn carriages as best practice example? P hotovoltaics are on a global triumphal march. From Asia – especially China and Japan – to North and South America, the new installation figures in the individual countries are breaking records on a quarterly basis. The inglorious exception is Europe, of all places, where the triumphal march of photovoltaics began. Currently, political support is crumbing there, however. The absurdity of the situation may be seen from the following comparison. The world’s first engine plant was set up in 1864 by Nicolaus August Otto in Cologne, Germany. His invention revolutionised our ideas on mobility. Now just imagine what would have happened if the politicians of the day had decided to limit the spread of motorised vehicles in order not to harm the business of horsedrawn carriage manufacturers. Roads would not have been improved to make use of the advantages of the new means of transport and we would now all still be travelling carriage to carriage at 10 km/h on bumpy roads. As I have said, that would be absurd. But unfortunately, European energy policies in numerous European states are following just such a pattern. The requirements of conventional power plants are being allowed to determine the shape of future energy systems. It is thus no surprise that other regions of the world have taken on the leading role in the expansion of renewable energy. The motives may be different in each case, but the result is that China, Japan and the USA are the leading photovoltaics markets today on the global stage. US President Obama’s announcement to cut CO2 emissions from coal-fired power plants by 30 % by 2030 has catapulted his country from being a long-term hinderer on the climate-protection front to the role of a climate-protection driver. Numerous Latin-American countries have also seen the advantages of expanding renewable energy use over an increased use Solar Edition of conventional power plants. Apart from the use of hydropower, it is mainly solar and wind farms on which hopes are being pinned. The national economic benefits are clear; conventional plants are often dependent on fossil fuel imports, but if these are replaced by wind and solar electricity, then the trade balance and the home economy are less strained, not to mention the creation of jobs. Mining companies in the sparsely populated north of Chile pay US$ 108 to 112 per megawatt hour of conventional electricity generation. A grid-independent electricity supply from their own solar farms is thus quickly becoming a lucrative alternative. It is hardly surprising that project developers from Spain and France are now preferring to build solar farms for industrial customers in South America than in their respective home countries. But also at the other end of the scale, that is supplying individual homes, photovoltaics is beginning to play to its particular strengths in South America and other parts of the world. Electricity from photovoltaics, which can replace expensive diesel fuel in PV-diesel hybrid plants, is meanwhile a real alternative. It is economic without any state aid at all and is being provided by companies in the solar sector as a technically mature solution. Photovoltaics and engine technology would then almost be meeting each other to forge part of the future together, but Otto’s engines alongside electricity generation from PV? No, the two are not quite compatible enough for that. And some day, in an age of electric mobility, combustion engines on the roads may become synonymous with horsedrawn carriages. Dr. Volker Buddensiek Editor-in-chief volker.buddensiek@sunwindenergy.com 3 Photo: solarklima Table of conTenTS Micro-inverters & optimizers: Two groundbreaking PV technologies? The sale of micro-inverters and DC optimizers on the American market is continuously growing. Some manufacturers have already left the niche market. They should soon be followed by others. Page 44 Photo: SMA AG Heat transfer fluids: Eating away at pipes – and investment In order to ensure a long service life for heat carrier media, the appropriate product needs to be selected for solar thermal power plants. However, maintenance and installation also play a major role. Operators who are stingy with fluids or negligent with maintenance risk ruining first the fluid and, eventually, the entire solar power plant. The Magazine for Renewable energies ISSN 1861-2741 7471 4 www.sunwindenergy.c om € 12.00 • international issue Focus on: The Page 38 6/2014 Ameri cAs The solar ediTion August 26th to 28th 2014 SГЈo Paul o, Braz il Booth A25 After some years of patient development efforts, the Mexican utility scale PV plants market is about to take off. Still, despite more than 1 GW of projects registered, most of these developments will have to wait at least until 2015 to see the light of day. The much-awaited legal reform is expected to trigger a sector with good perspectives. Page 28 4 MIcro-INverterS & opt IMISerS Two groundbreakin g PV technologies? Solar therMal The big systems are coming UtIlIty Scale pv A solar w av in Latin America e Photo: SunEdison Solar market Mexico: A solar wave in Latin America Sun & Wind Energy 6/2014 Residential growth will affect many U.S. manufacturers Photo: SolarWorld Americas The conditions for market growth in the renewable energy sector could not be more promising. Solar accounted for 74 % of all new U.S. electric capacity installed in Q1 2014. 6.6 GW of PV will be installed by the end of the year. Analysts predict more than 8 GW by the end of the year. The forecast also shows after years of the utility sector’s steady growth the residential market is now ready to seriously expand. Page 50 Focus on the Americas In this edition, we will focus on selected PV and solar thermal markets in North and South America. Additionally, there is a bound-in supplement at the end of the magazine with a translation of various articles into Spanish. Photo: SunEdison Pages 6 to 30 REViEw 6 10 14 18 20 24 28 Intersolar South America: Optimism in SГЈo Paulo U.S. solar market: On the way to being an established market USA / Canada: Great potential, minimal growth Solar thermal in Brazil: A long way to go PV companies in the USA: Signs of maturation through consolidation PV in Chile: The solar sector comes to life Solar market Mexico: A solar wave in sight SoLAR THERMAL 32 Large-scale systems: The big ones are coming 38 Heat transfer fluids: Eating away at pipes – and investment PHoToVoLTAicS 44 Micro-inverters & optimizers: Two groundbreaking PV technologies? 48 Tracking systems: The ugly duckling industry? 50 PV market segments: Growth in residential segment will affect many U.S. manufacturers 54 Thailand: Solar energy can mitigate impact of weather-related disasters DEPARTMEnT 57 Directory 64 International events 66 Preview and imprint Photo: AristonThermo The big ones are coming How is the market for large-scale solar thermal systems developing? SUN & WIND ENERGY has compiled and evaluated responses from companies around the world. Page 32 Solar Edition 5 Review inteRSolaR South ameRica At the year’s Intersolar South America there will be plenty of opportunities for industrious networking. Photos (3): Intersolar Optimism in SГЈo Paulo Intersolar Europe’s little sister just keeps growing and growing. This year will be the second time it takes place in SГЈo Paulo. From 26 to 28 August, when it opens its doors at the Expo Center Norte, its organisers expect bustling interest in their solar trade fair. T hey have plenty of reasons to be optimistic. After all, the South American photovoltaics market has been developing brilliantly for some time. The International Energy Agency (IEA) confirms this development. In terms of annual photovoltaic installations, the South American continent exceeded the 5 MW threshold for the first time ever in 2013. And the market is just getting started. What goes for the continent, goes for the host country of Intersolar South America as well. “2014 is an historic year for photovoltaics in Brazil,” says Tina Engelhard, the spokesperson for Intersolar South America. For the first time ever the national government has initiated tendering for solar projects. The national energy agency has also published targets for the development of solar power. By 2018, the government wants to see systems with a total capacity of 3.5 GW installed. “That makes the future of photovoltaics in Brazil look very bright, which is why Brazil is the perfect location for our second Intersolar South America.” 6 Bigger than last year Players in the solar market seem to share this view. “As early as three months ahead of the opening day, we knew that Intersolar 2014 was going to be bigger than the previous event,” said Engelhard. By that time the registrations already exceeded the number of participants that attended the last trade fair. Last year, representatives from 64 companies and eleven different countries found their way to SГЈo Paulo to exhibit at the solar trade fair. Their stands saw 2,288 visitors from 22 different countries. Most of them – 61.1 % to be exact – were interested mainly in photovoltaics. That is the result of a survey conducted by Intersolar South America’s organisers. Even so, 18.3 % of the visitors had an interest in solar thermal. “Although we are still at the very beginning with our event, the trade fair will present the entire value chain in the areas of photovoltaics and solar thermal.” Everything related to solar power storage will occupy more space this year than last. And the event is not just limited to Brazil. Of course, the positive development of the Chilean market will also be a hot topic at Intersolar South America. The same goes for Argentina and Uruguay, where interest in solar electricity and heating is taking off. And not to forget the small Carribean countries, where some large-scale ground-mounted systems are already in service. Sun & Wind Energy 6/2014 DISCOVER THE WORLD OF INTERSOLAR Intersolar Europe | Munich Intersolar North America | San Francisco Intersolar South America | SГЈo Paulo Intersolar India | Mumbai Intersolar China | Beijing Intersolar Summits | Worldwide Discover the world of Intersolar www.intersolarglobal.com Solar Edition 7 Review inteRSolaR South ameRica The organisers expect a record number of visitors in 2014. Still, there are far too few of such systems. As is appropriate for an Intersolar event, the organisers have also put together a large conference, which runs for three days parallel to the exhibition. The conference, too, is concerned with the topics of photovoltaics and solar thermal. Of course, the conference also sheds light on the Brazilian market and the various possibilities it offers. In addition to presenting the range of technologies, there will be a PV focus topic on off-grid and stand-alone solutions because the Latin American market is so well suited to such installations. In Chile, for instance, he mining industry is already using these systems on a grand scale. The implementation and financing of projects will be yet another topic of discussion. The Brazilian Congress of Solar Heating is embedded within the conference, in the solar thermal area, and is organised by the National Department of Solar Heating. The organisers of the congress want to open visitors’ eyes to the issue of solar thermal in Brazil and South America. They see enormous potential. Parallel events The three-day conference also promises to be an interesting forum, yet again. At the same time as Intersolar, SГЈo Paulo will also host the Electrical Installations Exhibition & Conference (ENIE). The simultaneous scheduling was carefully planned by the organisers of the two events. Engelhard speaks of synergy effects. That was revealed last year when both events also took place at the same time. People who visit Intersolar are also interested in ENIE and vice-versa. “For three decades ENIE has been a meeting place and magnet for people who are interested in electrical installations for buildings and industrial applications,” says Engelhard. “The visitors include engineers, wholesalers of related components, and end consumers from a range of industrial areas. In addition, there are representatives of energy providers and telecommunications companies.” The synergies are obvious. “Intersolar South America and its surroundings offer the ideal platform for networking, exchanging information, and the search for new projects and business partners,” says Engelhard. The organisers believe that Intersolar South America and ENIE will attract well over 10,000 visitors this August. Not long before these two trade fairs, Greenbuilding Brasil 2014 will also take place in SГЈo Paulo. This is yet another trade fair accompanied by a simultaneous conference. And in this case, the overlapping topics are obvious. After all, at Greenbuilding everything revolves around the topic of sustainable building. In addition to thermal insulation for buildings, there is a strong focus on efficient and environment-friendly methods of building cooling. That also goes for water harvesting technologies and especially ways to save water during daily use in South America. Thus, after the World Cup winds down in Brazil, it is worthwhile to keep an eye on the events in SГЈo Paulo, and perhaps even to pay the city a visit. After all, the little sister of Intersolar Europe is well on its way to growing up into the centre of the solar industry’s activities on the South American continent. At the same time, it offers a springboard for those who would like to be active there in the future. The trade fair at the Expo Center Norte in SГЈo Paulo will be open from 12 to 8 pm for its three days. The conference takes place on Tuesday, 26 August from 11 am until 5:30 pm, and on Wednesday and Thursday from 9 am until 1:30 pm. Markus Grunwald Further information: Intersolar South America: www.intersolar.net.br/en/intersolar.html 8 Sun & Wind Energy 6/2014 THE SUN KNOWS WHO TO TRUST WHEN SKIES ARE GREY — OUR PERFORMANCE SHINES IN ANY WEATHER. 98% efficiency in low light At as little as 200 W/mВІ, our modules still achieve 98% of their rated efficiency. MOD:27898 photon.info/laboratory Best polycrystalline solar module 2013 Q.PRO-G2 235 151 modules tested Few things in life are certain. But your investment in solar energy needs to be a sure thing. Hanwha Q CELLS delivers complete solutions, including everything from world-class modules to operations and maintenance. Whether it’s a roofmounted PV system or a solar power plant — with Q CELLS products, nothing is left to chance. Hanwha Q CELLS stands for quality engineered in Germany backed by the financial strength of the multinational Hanwha Group. We’re your reliable single source for the entire PV value chain. From solar cells to turnkey, utility-scale projects, Hanwha Q CELLS is where the sun is. www.q-cells.com Solar Edition 9 review U.S. Solar Market Photovoltaic systems are being installed on many flat roofs in the USA. Market researchers expect total installed capacity to be close to the 20 GW mark at the end of 2014. Photo: Paul Wiegman On the way to being an established market The United States of America is now the third-largest PV market in the world, and experts say that its potential has not been exhausted yet. The solar thermal market is also gradually gaining importance. A ccording to the latest report by GTM Research and the U.S. solar industry association SEIA, photovoltaic systems with a total rated power of 4.34 GW and solar thermal power (CSP) plants with 410 MW of overall capacity were installed in the USA in 2013. “That is a 41 % increase over 2012. Solar technology made up 29 % of the total expansion of power generation capacity in the USA, making it the second-largest contributor overall. At the end of the year, the USA had more than 440,000 solar plants. PV plants generated 12.1 GW and solar thermal power plants contributed 918 MW,” SEIA CEO Arno Harris said. The U.S. market research company NPD Solarbuzz expects the installed PV capacity in the USA to be close to 20 GW at the end of this year. This means the market has been growing at a rate of 50 % since 2006. The United States is the third-largest PV market 10 in the world, after China and Japan. PV and CSP systems with a total output of 2.1 GW were installed during the fourth quarter alone, including 1.4 GW of power-plant-sized systems. “More important than the numbers is perhaps the fact that the U.S. solar market took a step towards becoming a truly established market for the first time in 2013,” Shayle Kann of GTM Research commented. “Customers have embraced technologies quickly, they are receiving funding, financing opportunities have become better and market success has demonstrated the benefits of solar energy to investors as well as to the general public.” GTM Research has also taken a closer look at the structure of the market. California still in the lead With a newly installed capacity of 2.62 GW, California is the largest solar market in the U.S. “That is 55 % of the total expansion in capacity in the USA,” Kann said. Arizona comes next with 421 MW. “About half of this is accounted for by the 280 MW solar thermal power plant Solana, which went into operation in October 2013.” The biggest change was the emergence of new photovoltaic markets in the southeast Sun & Wind Energy 6/2014 of the United States. The market in North Carolina rapidly grew to a volume of 335 MW, where most of the newly built PV plants had up to 5 MW rated capacity. Texas and Georgia were also among the ten largest markets. The fourth and fifth-largest markets were Massachusetts and New Jersey, each of which had a newly installed capacity of around 200 MW. The five leading photovoltaic markets in the USA accounted for over 80 % of total PV expansion in 2013. In six states, including Arizona, Massachusetts and New Jersey, the only new power plants that were built in 2013 were solar. “Solar power plants once again accounted for the largest share of the U.S. solar market in 2013,” Kann said. The industry grew by 58 % and installed 2.85 GW of new capacity. This is more than half of overall growth. Large-scale systems are sought-after pieces of property in the USA. One example of this is the recent joint purchase of a 50 MW plant in New Mexico by the energy providers Southern Company and Turner Renewable Energy. This boosted the PV portfolio of the two companies in the USA to 290 MW. “Together, Southern Company and Turner Renewable Energy have accumulated one of the largest solar portfolios in the country,” said Thomas A. Fanning, Chairman, CEO and President of Southern Company. Large power plants, however, are not the only business area where there is notable activity. “Nonprivate systems with a total capacity of 1.11 GW were also installed,” Kann said. These include commercial and industrial installations as well as installations on public buildings. “The reason why this market segment only grew by 4 % during the course of the year was because the market in New Jersey took a nosedive.” Private solar power systems accounted for the smallest share of additional construction (792 MW) for the fourth year in a row, even though the segment grew by 60 %, mainly due to the success of solar leasing. Success stories and foreign competition Although the growth of the U.S. market is a positive sign, the situation also has a downside. Many U.S. solar companies have had to file for insolvency, even though the demand for solar products in their home market is constantly increasing. Among the companies that filed for insolvency are well-known names such as the module manufacturers Evergreen Solar and MX Solar USA, the cell manufacturer Solyndra and the inverter manufacturer Satcon, to name just a few examples. The reason for their downfall was, and still is, foreign-made solar products, which are available in the USA at prices that U.S. companies are unable to undercut with the cost of their domestic production lines. Foreign companies such as Sharp or Mage Solar, which used to manufacture components in the USA, have quit producing there. Nevertheless, the country remains interesting for foreign companies. “The U.S. market is more open to foreign module suppliers than, say, the Chinese or Japanese markets Solar Edition 11 review U.S. Solar Market are. The big U.S. companies still play a major role of course, but five out of the ten leading suppliers in 2013 were Chinese companies,” said Stefan de Haan, Principal Analyst at IHS – Solar Research. Low production costs have become extremely important to be able to compete in the USA. Sunpower, one of the largest solar companies in the USA, seems to have anticipated this development ahead of time. Early on, the vertically integrated company, which has its headquarters in San Jose, California, began to move its production facilities to foreign countries. This allowed Sunpower to present a good balance sheet for the first quarter of this year. It reported a profit of US$ 692.4 million and announced that it plans to expand its cell production in the Philippines. “Sunpower once again posted strong quarterly results, reflecting the power of our full value chain integration and diversified market footprint. We benefitted from strong demand in our distributed generation channels as well as solid execution in our global power plant business,” said Tom Werner, Sunpower President and CEO. “Construction of our new 350 MW solar cell manufacturing facility Fab 4 is on track with first silicon expected early next year. This new capacity will allow us to address the growing demand for our high efficiency solar systems.” The U.S. thin-film manufacturer First Solar cannot complain either. The company, which has its headquarters in Tempe, Arizona, announced that it increased its revenue in the first quarter to US$ 950 million. This is an increase of 180 million over the previous quarter. “In the first quarter we demonstrated significant progress towards achieving the financial and operational targets we outlined at our recent Analyst Day,” said Jim Hughes, CEO of First Solar. The company was also the largest project developer last year, due to the fact that it installs modules as an EPC contractor directly in large-scale projects. Finlay Colville, Vice President of Solarbuzz, expects that First Solar will continue to expand its production capacity for thin-film modules through 2017. SolarWorld is also benefiting from the demand in the USA. “We are picking up tremendous speed,” said CEO Frank Asbeck at the General Meeting in Bonn. There were as many new systems installed in the USA during the first quarter as the declining German market is expecting for the entire year 2014. SolarWorld is well prepared with its own production facilities in the USA, Asbeck said. The company has cell and module production facilities in the United States with capacities of 500 and 550 MW, respectively. The potential of solar thermal is not being fully exploited In general, the U.S. market has great potential for solar thermal systems. According to a study conducted by the Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA), 16 % of the approximately 110 million U.S. households could use solar thermal energy. Market potential is estimated at around US$ 123 billion. The northeast and the southwest are particularly well-suited, due to the high energy costs in those areas as well as the good natural conditions. Nevertheless, the solar thermal market is still relatively small. Only 30,000 solar heating systems are installed per year, corresponding to a turnover of US$ 435 million. With 9 GW of installed solar thermal power, the USA ranks 36 in the world in terms of per capita power output. The largest number of solar thermal systems are installed in China (152 GWth) and Europe (39.3 GWth). The existing potential is not being fully used. Nevertheless, the experts at SEIA have determined that interest in solar power is growing in the United States. Interest in alternative sources of energy rises along with rising costs. Heating and cooling account for 44 % of energy consumption in the USA. The association intends to leverage the momentum and has published a plan to increase the installed capacity of systems for solar heating and cooling in the USA to a total of 300 GWth by 2050. In order to achieve this, 100 million new solar collectors need to be installed. The planned investments would create 50,250 jobs and save more than 61 billion U.S. dollars in energy costs. In addition, this would enable the United States Solar energy systems can also be found in more and more wildlife parks in the USA, such as shown here in Yosemite National Park. Photo: SolarWorld 12 Sun & Wind Energy 6/2014 to cover 8 % of its heating and cooling requirements using solar energy. According to SEIA, solar thermal systems are the most efficient type of renewable energy to heat and cool with. The cost is only 0.06 US$/kWh. “We need to raise awareness with politicians about the considerable benefits solar thermal systems can provide for American consumers, businesses as well as the entire economy, at both state and federal levels,” said SEIA President and CEO Rhone Resch. “If we manage to achieve this, it will pay off significantly in jobs and energy savings.” Warning voices So the U.S. solar market is not in such bad shape after all. Nevertheless, some voices are advising caution in the area of PV, and they are coming from the market research company Solarbuzz. The analysts are warning that the industry is in danger because states are reducing the required minimum proportion of renewable energy in electricity generation and they also intend to scale back net-metering. The biggest threat, however, is the uncertainty resulting from the trade dispute over solar imports from China and Taiwan. “If states sharply reduce funding for solar or if the availability of photovoltaic modules becomes very limited, then this could reduce demand or drive prices up,” analyst Michael Barker said. Milan Nitzschke, spokesperson for SolarWorld, warns against dumping prices. “A healthy market can only develop on the basis of healthy competition. Dumping prices and market dominance have severely damaged the acceptance of solar energy in Europe. This must not be repeated in the USA. It is important that the USA retains its own PV industry, and that China does not deprive the next market of its domestic industry. Solar modules barely account for a quarter of system prices in the USA. A tariff on Chinese dumping imports would not slow down the growth, but would instead allow for fair and sustainable competition.” Interest in solar thermal energy is growing in the north and northeast of the USA, due to rising energy costs, according to Brian Ables from the energy consultancy company Energy Optimizer USA. Photo: Energy Optimizer USA Markus Grunwald The New CMP10 Pyranometer minimized maintenance • lowest cost of ownership • 5 year full warranty Accurately measuring solar radiation is the key to п¬Ѓnding optimal locations, helping investment decisions, maximising operating eп¬ѓciency, scheduling maintenance, monitoring performance and improving technology. As the experts, we develop high quality instruments for solar radiation measurements such as the well-known CMP series pyranometers, the CHP 1 pyrheliometer and the SOLYS 2 sun tracker. Our latest innovation is the CMP10 pyranometer. A new design that does not require regular change of desiccant and thus signiп¬Ѓcantly reduces maintenance. The CMP10 is the п¬Ѓrst pyranometer in the world supplied with a full manufacturer warranty of 5 years! Solar Edition The Netherlands • France • www.kippzonen.com/energy United States of America • S i n g a p o r e 13 Review USA / CAnAdA Great potential, minimal growth 55,000 ft2 SolarWall system at the Defence Logistics Agency (DLA) in New Cumberland, Pennsylvania/USA Lots of sun, plenty of space and interesting support mechanisms in many locations: the North American market offers excellent conditions for positive development of the solar thermal market. But low energy prices are still putting the brakes on the upward trend and are hindering consumers’ awareness of regenerative energy sources. T he solar thermal market in the US is still far below expectations”, said one of the main statements in the USA country report of the ISOL Navigators, published in December 2013. The business climate index for the international solar thermal industry is compiled annually by the Solrico agency. It is based on a points system, with the help of which the current and future market development can be evaluated on a scale from 0 to 100. With only 28 points, the Current Business ISOL Index 2013 for the USA was not only under the global average but also two points lower than the results for the years 2011 and 2012. According to the study, despite incentive programmes in many states and a current 14 Photo: Conserval federal tax credit of 30 % the US market is not developing satisfactorily. “The manufacturers are still having to develop the market, raise awareness among potential customers and inform them about support programmes”, reports Marlon Rechberger, CEO of the company Solpal, a Californian subsidiary of the Austrian firm KIOTO Clear Energy AG. “The people here connect solar primarily with photovoltaics. End customers are still largely unaware that solar thermal offers a much cheaper solution with which a large proportion of their utility costs could be covered.” For his company Solpal, Rechberger markets the tank collector of the same name on the US market. In addition, the solar thermal energy expert supplies well-known US manufacturers with flat absorbers in typical US sizes from the KIOTO production in Mexico. “I still regard the USA as a potential market: I see great potential but no real growth. I think that the total market for water-based glass-covered collectors over the last few years has been between 180,000 and 200,000 mВІ/a – not more and not less”, estimates Rechberger and follows up with an explanation for this stagnation: “The main reason is the low gas price. In California it is around 0.12 US$/kW and this is hardly noticeable for the end customer. In contrast, Sun & Wind Energy 6/2014 / Perfect Welding / Solar Energy / Perfect Charging MORE PROFIT IS POSSIBLE. NOW THAT WE HAVE DEVELOPED THE SNAPINVERTER GENERATION. Be impressed: snapinverter.com Solar Edition Efficiency equals profit! Working with inverter technology has never been as easy as it is with our SnapINverter generation: / In system design: maximum flexibility for use with all PV systems / In installation: extremely easy fitting due to intelligent design / In training: a standard mounting system for all devices / In service: easy interface access, easy PC board replacement, device replacement within minutes Already available: Fronius Symo, Fronius Galvo 15 Review USA / CAnAdA the gas price strengthens the Hawaiian solar market because Hawaii has three to four times higher energy prices due to its island location.” Furthermore, says Rechberger, the island state profits from its incentive programme. Incentive programmes drive market development Michael Arms Apartments is a 38 unit multi-family housing project in La Mesa, CA. Adroit designed and installed a solar hot water system, which included 40 KIOTO FP 1.20.0 flat plate collectors. Photo: Adroit Solar 16 Also in California, end customers can take advantage of a highly attractive programme: the California Solar Incentive (CSI). In combination with the federal tax credit it makes extremely short amortization times possible. At first, only commercial systems were supported with this programme but as the applications from this segment were insufficient to use up the available funds, private installations were also included. Now, commercial swimming pool systems are also being supported. This policy is reflected in the development of the individual segments. “We have noticed that because of the support, customers of ours who previously concentrated on glass-covered collectors for large projects now also specialize in hotels with pools, where they make more turnover than in the past”, observes Rechberger. When considering which segment is currently the best US-wide, one needs to differentiate between the regions. “If we only consider California, I would say that 75 % is a commercial and industrial market”, estimates the Solpal Managing Director. “Things are different on the East Coast, for example in the New England states, where private installations dominate. There, the percentages are reversed, with 75 % residential and 25 % commercial.” According to Rechberger, 75 to 80 % of the market in the USA is shared by the country’s own producers. “Some products from the Canadian manufacturer Enerworks are currently on the market. Collectors from Europe are becoming scarcer. And the competition from China is not as noticeable here in the USA as it is for our Latin American factory in Mexico.” The fact that many large European collector manufacturers have failed in the USA is due to their attempts to make the US market adopt European norms and collector sizes, says Rechberger. “80 % of the flat collectors on the American market are the typical 4 x 10 ft collectors”, he estimates. “And hardly anyone wants to substitute them for the typical European 2 mВІ collectors. The best reason for this was once explained to me by SunEarth boss Cully Judd: the load area of the Ford F 150 pickup has exactly enough space for the 4 x 10 ft collectors.” Conversely, there are currently very few exports to countries outside the USA and Canada. The reason for this is the costs. “A good collector costs around 85 €/mВІ in Europe. The American companies sell their 4 x 10 ft collectors for US$ 600 to 800. This represents a mВІ price of between US$ 150 and 200. If you add the transport costs, then the manufacturers can’t compete with our prices in Europe.” Air collector manufacturers are targeting Europe Things look different for the manufacturers of solar air collectors. These are competitive in Europe with their systems in terms of price and have only a small group of competitors there. The Canadian manufacturer Conserval Engineering, for example, with its faГ§ade system Solarwall, has been active in Europe for many years. The company Enerconcept, which is also based in Canada, started targeting Europe some years ago and its glazed Lubi collector has been approved for BAFA support in Germany since 2013. The fact that air collectors can now be certified in Europe and are therefore eligible for support is a result of the new collector norm EN 12975, which in its current version now includes air-based collectors for the first time. “Solar air heating has lacked the same visibility in Europe because it has been ineligible for government support mechanisms,” says Victoria Hollick, Vice President Operations at Conserval. “The new EN 12975 standard is a game changer in that solar air heating can now be tested to a European norm and should become eligible for existing and new programmes.” Hollick evaluates the development of the North American market positively: “The growth in the use of solar air heating in North America was driven by government support policies such as the ecoENERGY Program for Renewable Heat in Canada and the 30 % solar tax credit in the USA, as well as various state initiatives. These types of programme are essential because heating is often the largest consumer of energy in buildings and therefore any plan to reduce GHG emissions must target space heating.” Evidence that the air collector industry is progressing well is supported by a current press release from the US Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), which reports a total area of 5 million ft2 of building-integrated solar air collectors in North America. The figure was compiled by SEIA’s Solar Heating and Cooling Alliance and is based on statements made by their members in the USA and Canada. SEIA President Rhone Resch says these systems represent 250 MWth and save the emission of nearly 100,000 t of CO2 each year. “Building-integrated solar air heating systems are often overlooked in the discussion about renewable energy,” says Resch. “We need to change that mindset. These cost-effective, energy-efficient systems can reduce by 20 to 50 % the amount of conventional energy used for heating buildings – or for agricultural or process drying applications.” Stephanie Banse Sun & Wind Energy 6/2014 The power of is exponentially better. And we’re bringing that power to Las Vegas for Solar Power International 2014. And then some. SPI ’14 will unleash the power of the industry’s most innovative products and technologies most inspiring speakers, experts, and thought-leaders and most engaging networking events and opportunities. To exhibit or sponsor at SPI is to impact your bottom line exponentially. www.solarpowerinternational.com. Solar Power International October 20-23, 2014 Las Vegas Convention Center Las Vegas, Nevada P O W E R E D B Y: Solar Edition 17 Review The solar thermal sector has shown consisВ tent success and good prospects for expansion, but in the current challenging times and a cloudy economic climate caution is the order of the day. solaR theRmal maRket in bRazil A long way to go Brazil’s solar heating industry shows excellent expansion potential but still has a long way to go. Photo: dpa Brazilian solar heating market The domestic hot water sector comprises some 83 % of the Brazilian solar heating market, with industrial and commercial use making up the remaining 17 %. Source: ABRAVA 18 T he Brazilian solar thermal market is now approaching its 35th year. In that time, the technology has demonstrated its viability as a sustainable and independent energy source with perВ sistent growth. This is largely due to the country’s favourable climate, with its average solar radiation levels nearly double that of some European counВ tries. Furthermore, thanks to this wealth of sunshine as well as nicely compatible buildВ ing construction practices, it has been possible to develop simple and signifiВ cantly less expensive solutions without compromising functionality or efficiency. These factors – high solar radiaВ tion and low cost – coupled with the traditionally high prices of convenВ tional energy that rise continually, have produced an robust market capable of competing with other energy sources for heating water. Apart from environmental awareness and the increased comfort solar thermal offers, over time customers have come to see the technology as an opportunity for financial investment. In several regions of Brazil a solar water heater (SWH) pays for itself in less than two years without any subsidies through the savings it provides in electricity. An effective national labelВ ling programme has also brought the credibility needed for longВterm investment. The market has gelled and the country’s comВ bined solar farms have grown to the point where they generate as much energy as the “Angra 1” nuclear plant in the State of Rio de Janeiro. Potential not yet fully tapped If not for the highly restrictive factors in the macroВ economic environment, the reality could be even brighter for solar thermal. The Brazilian economy has struggled through elevated interest rates, a high tax burden and an uncomfortable inflation rate. The shortage of direct stimulus or specific credit schemes, along with low purchasing power, have helped create a framework that undermines the efforts of consumers to acquire solar water heating systems. So, what is the true potential of solar thermal energy in Brazil? There is vast potential for geographiВ cal expansion, reaching social classes with less purВ chasing power, and increased use in the industrial and commercial sectors. A nuanced analysis would go beyond the scope of this article, but we can address some key indicators: The domestic hot water sector comprises some 83 % of the Brazilian solar heating market, with industrial and commercial use making up the remainВ ing 17 %. However, industrial consumption of elecВ tricity is almost twice that of residential. Therefore, if the industrial sector were to grow to the level achieved in the residential one, the market could be nearly five Sun & Wind Energy 6/2014 times larger. Despite the oversimplification of this estimate, it demonstrates that there is a great potenВ tial yet to be explored, mainly in industrial processes with mediumВtemperature ranges (up to 90 ЛљC). Another means of evaluation is to compare Brazil with other countries. Germany, for example, has five times the solar collector concentration per resident than Brazil, but its per capita energy consumption rate is three times higher. Adjusting for its lower energy consumption, Brazil would have to grow its solar thermal capacity by 1.7 times to reach the same level as Germany. Here it is clear that, despite the adВ vantages in cost and efficiency, policies to stimulate use of the technology are still far short of what is needed to achieve its potential. A strong factor in the growth of the market and one which is still gaining momentum is the inclusion of solar water heating in social, federal and state resВ idential programmes. In the federally promoted Minha Casa Minha Vida (My House, My Life) proВ gramme alone, despite only partial support of solar water heating, projections show that some 350,000 devices could be installed in homes throughout the country over the course of three years. Once implemented, compulsory certification of solar thermal products in the Brazilian labelling scheme will also be an important factor in increasing quality in the industry, thereby improving the foundaВ tion for sustainable growth and providing a new outlook for the future. Obstacles and risks These rough estimates show that the potential is there but more than a few challenges also stand in the way of breaking through current limited use of solar thermal. The industrial processes segment, for instance, is at square one. Creation of a value chain, professional training, research and development, design references, awareness of usage, and more appropriate business models will all require time and effort. Some initiatives are already in progress, but as with the structuring of the first markets, unity and coordinated actions amongst the various players are fundamental to generating the necessary momentum. The government has an essential role to play in promoting market penetration in social classes with less purchasing power and in regions that are lessВdeveloped and, here too, there is an essential link to the macroВeconomic environment. Although a setback is unlikely in social housing policy, which is already considered a national success story, the risk associated with an industrial structure based on a segment that is highly dependent on government inВ centives could be high. Recent events in the European renewable energy industry have illustrated this danger all too clearly. In the shortВterm, we need to consider winding down economic policies aimed at stimulating conВ sumption adopted after the global crisis in 2008. With immediate but ephemeral results, they have Solar Edition come to be known as a kind of vГґo de galinha or “chicken flight”, a term used by Brazilians to describe shortВlived economic spurts. The consequences of these policies are falling economic growth accompanied by a resurgence of inflation, deteriorating public finances, an increase in key interest rates and a devalued currency. Together, these effects create a drag on the population’s purВ chasing power and redirection of the financial secВ tor’s productive investments. This has a clear impact on the civil construction sector, which is fundamental to the solar heating industry. On the other hand, we need to be aware of the current energy situation. The country is suffering from an unusually dry year. Because its electricity infrastructure is based mainly on hydro power, the consequences could be serious, resulting in energy rationing, surcharges and inevitable price hikes. Given this situation the use of solar water heating is even more attractive. On top of all this, a presidential election is slated for the end of the year. In the runВup to the election, voters will be thrown economic “treats” until the end of 2014 and the bitter pills will remain to be swallowed in 2015. In summary, the country’s solar heating industry shows excellent expansion potential but still has a long way to go. It can assuredly count on the security and soundness of its traditional, mature and viable residential market but the dynamic of the current macroeconomic environment requires close attention. Carlos Artur Alencar Carlos Artur Alencar is the Director of Enalter Eng. Ind. Com. Ltda., the former President and current advisor to the National Solar Heating Department – DASOL, of the Brazilian Association of Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Heating – ABRAVA. Brazilian electricity market Industrial consumption of electricity is almost twice that of residential. Source: The Electiric Company, El Paso Electric (EPE) 19 Review pv companies in the Usa A PV project developed by SolarCity Photos (2): SolarCity Signs of maturation through consolidation The solar industry – at least the upstream solar industry – was scarred by overproduction and quickly falling prices of PV modules, leading some to file for bankruptcy or to merge with competitors in an attempt to avoid that fate. But in the U.S. particularly where there are thousands of downstream players competing for market share, it allowed them an opportunity to grow. Now, as PV module price drops slow and incentives dry up, these companies are looking at other ways to reduce the costs of installing solar. A trend of consolidation in the downstream solar industry is emerging as companies acquire or merge with other companies to extend their capabilities. 20 T his consolidation is necessary, industry analysts insist. “While everything in solar tends to be segmented, the downstream part of the value chain – at least in North America – is in particular need of consolidation,” contends Raymond James Energy Analyst Pavel Molchanov. “There are so many hundreds and hundreds of small companies. Small installers, small financing providers, various specialty companies to squeeze out cost there need to be economies of scale, which means consolidation. So the larger players, the stronger players … are all playing consolidator,” he explains. “Given the extent to which module pricing has dropped the bulk of the cost savings required to achieve grid parity will have to come from balance of system costs,” Molchanov says. “Modules in 2008 were 4 US$/W. Today it’s 65 US$-ct/W and, for example, the all-in cost of a residential installation is about 4 US$/W.” “The low-hanging fruit is no longer the module,” Molchanov asserts. “It is everything other than the module … companies that are playing in the Sun & Wind Energy 6/2014 downstream of the value chain have to get bigger. They have to scale up to achieve economies and efficiencies of scale because that is what’s ultimately getting them to squeeze out as much cost as they can and ultimately lower pricing for the end user.” Likewise, Senior Research Analyst Dexter Gauntlett observes that the consolidation has gone on for some time now. “The story is still true and consistent over the last three years. The consolidation is underway as part of the normal maturing of solar,” he says. He adds that it’s similar to the maturation process of other industries, but cautions that there’s still quite a way to go before the industry matures. Large solar installers lead consolidation One of the most well-covered acquisitions in the downstream U.S. solar industry was SolarCity’s October 2013 purchase of Zep Solar for US$ 158 million. Other examples include purchases by Vivint Solar and Sunrun – both privately held companies – in 2014. Vivint Solar purchased Solmetric, a solar metrics and testing company, while Sunrun purchased Mainstream Energy, and its subsidiaries, including its residential solar installer, REC Solar. SolarCity’s acquisition of Zep Solar brought a technology the company was using, as was its competitors, in-house. Zep’s Solar’s hardware was integrated into roughly 30 % of residential solar modules. At the time of the purchase SolarCity said the equipment allowed the company to install residential PV arrays in one day rather than the two or three day period it took with other mounting and racking systems. “Zep Solar’s product allows each of our crews to install significantly more solar every day, and it looks better on the roof than any comparable product we’ve seen. By acquiring Zep Solar, we can deliver solar electricity at a lower cost than was previously possible,” Tanguy Serra, SolarCity’s Executive Vice OTDC switchdisconnectors. Simply optimal. Solar Edition President of Operations said in announcing the acquisition. He added: ”We plan to continue to offer the Zep compatible platform to international installers looking to increase their productivity. We will also continue to maintain the open nature of the Zep compatible platform and continue to support integration with module manufacturers and other vendors.” The company did not make it clear whether or not the technology would be available to other U.S.based residential installers. “Clearly SolarCity did that deal in part to keep other competitors from accessing what they thought was a very high-quality technology but it’s one small part,” Molchanov contends. “It’s by no means central to what they do.” Last year, with a little less media fanfare, SolarCity purchased Paramount Solar for US$ 120 million. Paramount Solar specialised in over-the-phone and virtual sales leads. That purchase was intended to help the company lower its customer acquisition costs, which can become expensive in particularly An example for residential systems built by Vivint Solar in Massachusetts ... OTDC’s design has been carefully optimized to provide you with reliability and simplicity, while minimizing the heat generation and power losses. The OTDC range includes two pole switches for 1000 VDC and three pole switches for 1500 VDC. OTDC has a modular design that makes it adaptable to a wide variety of installation requirements. www.abb.com/lowvoltage 21 Review ... and another one in sunny California. pv companies in the Usa competitive markets like California. That purchase shored up SolarCity’s sales capabilities as the company ramps efforts to install solar on 1 million U.S. Photos (2): Vivint Solar homes by 2018. Sunrun took another approach. The company had financed residential home solar systems and contracted with other companies to install the solar array. This year it started to change that with the purchase of Mainstream Energy and its subsidiaries. REC Solar is one of the larger residential solar installers in the country, giving Sunrun access to a full-fledged installer. It gained solar distributor AEE Solar. It also gained SnapNrack a racking equipment manufacturer that, like Zep Solar, designs equipment to reduce the time it takes to install rooftop solar. REC Solar was the big part of that transaction though. Gauntlett called that purchase a win-win. “It’s all about deal flow, generating deals. You’ve got to have customers in order to finance their systems and it makes perfect sense,” he says. “That’s a very large acquisition for them,” Molchanov adds. “That’s a great example of vertical integration. Sunrun was a pure financing provider. All of its installation was outsourced. By buying Mainstream it gets вЂ�the guys in trucks’ to vertically integrate … Sunrun clearly wanted to be a one-stop shop like SolarCity and like Vivint and with that in mind Sunrun bought Mainstream energy.” Speaking of Vivint Solar, that company announced earlier this year its purchase of Solmetrics, which makes tools for evaluating solar and solar equipment and evaluation. Unlike SolarCity, which has focussed on acquiring customers through direct marketing, phone and online sales, Vivint built its reputation through door-to-door sales in home security and automation. “The whole idea is you have a visit with Vivint,” Gauntlett says. “They’re already in millions of homes and you have that built-in customer base.” It’s easy for them to say: “Oh, you LIQUID want solar, too? We’re here,” he says. As such it CRYSTALS makes sense for the company to invest in a Thermometers product that enhances its in-person sales and Foils capabilities. www.spirig.com These are just examples from the largest Free samples on request celsi@spirig.com residential solar installers in the U.S. “Lots of 22 companies have been getting into the downstream of the value chain,” Molchanov explains. One interesting entrant is NRG Energy. It owns some of the largest solar projects in the world, including the 290 MW Agua Caliente Solar Project. But the company is also interested in installing solar on homes. To that end it purchased solar installer Roof Diagnostics in March. “This is an example of a company that had not historically played in the residential solar market obviously trying to get into that market,” Molchanov says. “They’re going everywhere,” Gauntlett says. “They have the contacts. They have the name recognition.” NRG’s focus is mainly on utility and commercial-scale projects – many sports arenas in the U.S. have solar on them through partnerships with NRG. But it may be harder for that company to establish itself in the residential market which already has a number of larger players like SolarCity. Gauntlett observes: “They’re not known by homeowners.” Other companies consolidate as well Meanwhile other companies, not as well known as SolarCity, Vivint Solar, Sunrun and Sungevity, are increasing their presence through acquisitions and mergers. Molchanov notes that Solar Universe, a solar installer, purchased Gen110, a consulting firm that, like Paramount, helps solar installers do customer acquisition. He also points to SunEdison’s purchase of EchoFirst in July 2013. That company developed a hybrid solar technology that uses both PV and solar thermal to power and heat and cool homes. Real Goods Solar, a publicly traded solar installer purchased two solar installers, Mercury Solar and Syndicated Solar, within the same week of August 2013. “That was more of an expansion play, it’s classic consolidation,” Molchanov says. It’s not limited to acquisitions, however. “Last October a company called Also Energy merged with DECK Monitoring,” Molchanov says. Both companies provided solar monitoring software and were leaders in the space, making the combined entity that much more of a leader in the industry. Sun & Wind Energy 6/2014 Similarly the maturation is creating new partnerships. Sunrun and Sungevity partnered to put solar on 10,000 rooftops in the U.S. – approximately 70 MW of PV. Under that partnership Sungevity is recruiting the customers while Sunrun is providing the financing and ownership. But Molchanov cautions not to anticipate a merger or acquisition, referring back to Sungevity’s purchase of Mainstream as evidence that it doesn’t have the appetite to acquire a direct competitor right now. Gauntlett contends that such partnerships are likely in the future, however, since there’s a more friendly atmosphere among downstream solar companies than the upstream PV manufacturers. “These guys will see each other all the time whether it’s out on the job or at the bars in the Bay area [and other hot solar markets]. It’s a very collegial environment and it’s easy for deals to get done in that respect,” he says. “They know that this consolidation has got to continue. They know the opportunity is big. They’re already the types who are wanting to go out there and who are thinking about scale all the time,” Gauntlett says. Going forward in this market, particularly in the third-party financing market where a lot of money is financing the projects, he anticipates that such partnerships will be key to moving forward. Both Molchanov and Gauntlett anticipate that consolidation will continue. “The big theme here in the trend is consolidation in the downstream of the value chain, including installers, project developers and various specialty companies,” Molchanov says. As such, anticipate a diverse mix of consolidation activity in the residential U.S. solar industry this year. “It will be a mix of everything,” Gauntlett says, “anything with monitoring and customer acquisition and those kinds of installers. Anything related that will streamline the installation process and reduce the amount of admin or overhead required and marketing required to get the customer.” Looking ahead, he anticipates another group of acquisitions and mergers that will focus on consolidating financing in the downstream solar market. Are you a specialist for batteries and energy storage technologies, an expert in the area of fuel cell and hydrogen technology or a pioneer in new mobility solutions? We offer you the right platform for presenting your solutions to a broad public. WORLD OF ENERGY SOLUTIONS is an international trade fair, conference, networking event, marketplace, industry monitor and think tank rolled into one. Join our network and present your research, products, technologies and applications at WORLD OF ENERGY SOLUTIONS пїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅ. Chris Meehan www.world-of-energy-solutions.com Solar Edition 23 pv in chile Review Chile comes to life Pozo Almonte 25 MW PV plant developed by Solarpack CorporaciГіn TecnolГіgica for Minera DoГ±a InГ©s de Collahuasi in TarapacГЎ, 1st Region Chile Photo: Enertis Solar The commissioning of the first large utility scale PV plants in combination with a new bidding process is boosting the Chilean solar sector. Despite the many barriers still existing, it is expected that some 600 MW of new PV capacity will be installed during the next year. T he year 2014 is about to become the turning point for the Chilean PV sector. After years of a discouraging discrepancy between almost 10 GW of projects under development and the actually installed capacity, the tenacity of solar developers to overcome barriers is starting to bear fruit. The installed PV capacity has already exceeded the 170 MW mark. By commissioning 4 new PV plants during the first quarter Chile has multiplied its PV park capacity twentyfold. According to the Renewable Energy Centre (CER) report from April, after the meagre 7 MW installed in 2013 there are meanwhile 178 MW in operation and another 170 MW under construction. If we accept the estimates of Chile’s Load Economic Dispatch Center (CDEC), the volume may more than double; the North Interconnected System (SING) expects to incorporate some 417 MW of new capacity this year and the Central Interconnected System (SIC) approximately 217 MW. In 2012, the Spanish developer Solarpack already demonstrated that the matrimony between mining and solar was a good marriage when it commissioned the 1 MW Calama 3 plant thanks to a PPA contract with the country’s largest mining firm Codelco. This plant partially covers the energy demand of Codelco’s mines. Also, it was a positive experience that seems to be fruitful for both partners. One year later, Solarpack was awarded the tender for a 25 MW plant in Pozo Almonte, TarapacГЎ Region, in a bidding process initiated by the Collahuasi mining company. Solarpack is currently completing this plant. The example set by Solarpack and Codelco was followed by the French company Solairedirect with a 1 MW PV plant (Solar Andacollo) for the mining company Dayton and also by the Chilean developer E-CL for the Quirobax mining company with a 2.2 MW plant (El ГЃguila). None of these plants exceed 3 MW, as plants smaller than 3 MW can benefit from a fasttrack approval procedure. Mining and solar: a marriage of convenience The attractiveness of PPA The fact that most of these projects are located close to a mining facility is not a mere coincidence. With electricity market prices at between 108 US$/MWh and 112 US$/MWh, the Chilean mining sector has one of the highest electricity prices in a miningdependent country globally. 24 With a larger capacity, and thus requiring more paperwork, is the 8.8 MW plant that the Swiss group Etrion wants to build during the next few months for Atacama Minerals Chile. However, this project is not as large as the 100 MW plant (Amanecer Solar) that SunEdison connected to the grid last April. It is not only the largest plant so far implemented in Latin Sun & Wind Energy 6/2014 America but also the biggest PPA signed between a mining company (CAP) and a solar company to date. It is an important milestone that marks a before and after in the Chilean PV sector. “The fear of constructing has been overcome,” says Myriam GarcГa, head of Grenergy Renovables, a company developing more than 100 MW in Chile, even though she acknowledges that there are still “many more projects under development than the real capacity of the system”. Despite these success stories, the difficulty to acquire the cherished PPAs is still one of the main barriers that PV developers have to face. “There is still not a mature market of direct PPA contracts between PV plant owners and end consumers,” says Amadeo HernГЎndez, Business Development Manager for the engineering and consultancy company Enertis. Besides, the exact amounts paid by the miners in their PPAs remain a secret. Notwithstanding, the Chilean Renewable Energy Association (ACERA) indicates in its last report that the prices may be below US$ 100/ MWh. Struggle for the land However, the problems don’t end in the PPA phase. In fact, they really start with the land use rights. Most of the on-going PV projects are developed on desert lands, mostly state-owned, and not only are the available sites scarce, but the procedure to achieve the rights to use the land is a lengthy and costly process. Besides, the economic securities required by the Ministry of National Assets are large and come at an early stage of the development process, which makes it harder for developers to complete the project. “As an example, for a project of 50 MW some US$ 750,000 may be required as a guarantee. This guarantee may be called in if the construction is not completed within a 2-year period. And there is no option of a refund even in the case of force majeure,” explains Manuel Castro from Nexer, a Spanish consulting firm with a presence in Chile. The next bidding round of public assets is set for June 2014 (after the S&WE editorial deadline). In this round there are sites available in the Antofagasta Region, with an overall area of 2,825 hectares. However, the challenges with the land issue don’t stop there. “The law ruling mining rights is an old one, and we consider that it should be modified since its nature sparks speculation,” says Manuel Castro from Nexer. Traditionally there have been frictions to claim the mining rights in a country with a huge dependency on the primary sector, especially in the northern regions where most of the PV plants are being planned. “The problem for us as developers is the speculators. The renewable energy developers are new to the business and we have become a threat for these people, who are trying to block the projects and even blackmail us,” says Jose Ignacio Escobar, head of Mainstream Renewable Power, with a portfolio of some 2,300 MW of wind and solar projects. The generally esteemed transparency of the Chilean sector and the SEIA environmental evalua- Solar Edition tion system allows an evaluation of where most of the plants will be located and what their main characteristics will be right from the early stages. Maybe that is why ACERA recommends its associates to cover all the arising problems and to have secured the mining rights before going public with the project. In fact, having those rights is a compulsory requisite in order to reach a financial agreement. Most banks are asking developers to have the mining rights agreed at the site where a plant is planned right from the early stages too. Financing and new models All the interviewees recognised that financing a PV project in Chile is a tough nut to crack. “Due to the lack of experience of local bankers with PV projects, they have developed conservative positions,” says HernГЎndez from Enertis, who explains that the most preferred model for banks is a PPA agreement with a creditworthy company. Even if there are some plants that have been financed mostly with private capital funds and thanks to a Spot Market approach, such as “Los Puquios” by Power Electronics, the truth is that, to date, the multilateral banks such as the Interamerican Development Bank IADB, Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) or International Finance Corporation (IFC) have been the most active players, financing a large part of the debt capital for those projects. PV*SOL , T*SOL and GeoT*SOL Plan More Eп¬ѓciently with Valentin Software В® В® NEW! PV*SOLВ® premium 7.0 A new dimension! 3D shading analysis Battery storage systems GeoT*SOLВ® 2.0 – The perfect partner for project planning! Geothermal collectors Air/water heat pumps Water/water heat pumps В® Photovoltaics, Solar Thermal and Heat Pumps - Dynamic simulation - Planning and design - Plausible yield forecast - Clear п¬Ѓnancial analysis - English, French, German, Italian, Spanish - 1 year software maintenance included - Free test versions, webinars and tutorials Dr. Valentin EnergieSoftware GmbH info@valentin-software.com В· www.valentin-software.com MIX_90x125-062014SWE_engl_RZ.indd 1 11.04.14 13:10 25 Review pv in chile Again one of the best examples is SunEdison. With 48 MW, the “San AndrГ©s” PV plant connected in March sells all of its output to the SIC Spot Market. In this case the fact of not having a PPA was not a barrier to obtaining financing. In November 2013 SunEdison announced that they had received US$ 100.4 million of debt financing from OPIC and IFC. Along with the debt capital the project received a credit line of US$ 25.6 million to finance a VAT line. This operation was highly praised by the sector and in March 2014 Euromoney Publication’s Project Finance Magazine awarded SunEdison the Financial Deal of the Year 2013 prize for Latin American solar projects. Equity investors are also entering the Chilean solar market. An example is the Dutch capital investments fund Rijn Capital, which cooperates with Element Power. Both have a portfolio of 15 solar projects totalling 450 MW, out of which 131 MW are expected to come online this year, all of them in the northern SING system. The northern grid operator CDEC-SING, which indicates in its reports that there are currently 31.8 MW of solar photovoltaics feeding to the grid, declares that it is aware of another 422 MW to be connected to the grid by 2016. Despite more than 5 GW of solar projects with granted environmental permits, CDECSING estimates that the current grid conditions won’t allow more than 450 MW of new capacity. Even the latest governmental energy agenda does not expect the connection of more than a further 700 MW by the year 2025 in the SING. Also, 85 mining companies operate in the northern desert areas, but barely 2 % of the country’s population live there. The SIC central system doesn’t paint a much better picture. The areas selected to develop new PV plants have important grid constraints and the network capacity is only expected to be enlarged in the years 2016 to 2018. Moreover, the current governmental energy agenda does not expect that the solar penetration will be higher than 2.4 % by the year 2025, which is to say a total of 451 MW. Without an improved interconnection between the SIC and SING systems it is difficult to expect a huge leap forward for Chilean PV. “The development of the electrical highway and the enlargement of the current infrastructures are necessary conditions to increase the solar capacity in a sustainable way,” says Hernandez from Enertis. That is why the Chilean solar sector eagerly awaits the new grid infrastructures promised by the government in its energy road map. PV in the government bids The PV sector is also waiting for the incorporation of solar projects into the public bidding process to supply electricity distributors. This was a part of the government’s commitment to obtain a 20 % share of RE sources by the year 2025. Enel Green Power has made a move here. The Italian consortium can boast of being the first winning tenderer in an electricity bid to be supplied partly by solar. At a price of 12.8 US$/KWh, Enel announced last December that they had been granted a supply agreement for 4,159 GWh within the SIC up to the year 2024. Enel indicates that this supply will be made thanks to a plant already in operation as well as three new plants (2 wind power and 1 solar). Even if the report only mentions an overall new installed capacity of 161 MW by 2015, everything seems to indicate that it refers to the Lalackama PV project totalling 129 MW (expected to come online at the end of 2014) in the Taltal Municipality and to the Diego de Almagro 36 MW PV plant (expected to come online in August 2014). Enel also expects to install another 300 MW in the northern SING system. With these huge plans being considered by the heavyweights of the sector – which by the way have more chances to reach financial agreements – the legitimate question is: is there enough room for anybody else? “Even making some reinforcement works, the maximum current extra capacity for both SIC and SING systems is approximately 2 GW,” says Myriam GarcГa from Grenergy Renovables, who sees the outlook with a mix of optimism and discomfort, adding: “There are too many MW concentrated in a confined geographical area and short time frame, which involves a likely saturation in certain grid areas.” Alejandro Diego Rosell The Amanecer Solar CAP plant was developed, built and interconnected by SunEdison under an energy purchase agreement with CAP Group. It has 100 MW of installed capacity and is located in the municipality of CopiapГі, in the middle of the Atacama Desert. Photo: SunEdison 26 Sun & Wind Energy 6/2014 New PV capacity expected in 2014 according to the Chilean grid operators Plant Capacity (MW) Grid connection Expected date Developer Off-taker Financing Amanecer Solar (Llano de Llampos) 93 SING connected in April SunEdison PPA CAP IFC/OPIC Arica Solar I 18 SING 1st half of 2014 Sky Solar spot CDB Arica Solar II 22 SING 1st half of 2014 Sky Solar spot CDB Calama Sur 30 SING November Element Power/Rjin Capital spot Rjin Capital Diego de Almagro 36 SIC August Enel spot private El Salvador 68 SIC October Solventus/ Total/ Etrion spot OPIC/private Selray/Seferay n/a IFC/DEG/Gov. Canada Enel spot private La Huayca (etapa2) 30 SING 1st half of 2014 Lalackama 55 SIC December Los Puquios 3 SING connected in February Power Electronics spot private MarГa Elena 71 SING September SunEdison spot IFC/OPIC Pozo Almonte 2 7.5 SING connected in April Solarpack PPA Collahuasi BID/C2F/Proparco Pozo Almonte 3 16 SING May Solarpack PPA Collahuasi BID/C2F/Proparco Quillagua I 23 SING December Parque eГіlico Quillagua spot n/a Salvador RTS 2.9 SING connectec in January RTS Energy PPA Codelco n/a San AndrГ©s 48 SIC connected in March SunEdison spot IFC/OPIC/Rabobank San Pedro 1 17 SING September Element Power/Rjin Capital spot Rjin Capital San Pedro 2 24 SING November Element Power/Rjin Capital spot Rjin Capital San Pedro 3 30 SING September Element Power/Rjin Capital spot Rjin Capital San Pedro 4 30 SING September Element Power/Rjin Capital spot Rjin Capital SING = North Interconnected System; SIC = Central Interconnected System Source: CDEC-SING, CDEC-SIC, SEIA costa Rica Solar Energy Association Promoting solar energy in Costa Rica T he small Central American country Costa Rica is celebrated for being the first country in the world to abolish its army forces back in 1949. But Costa Rica has also been at the forefront of environmental efforts having more than 25 % of its total area protected as national parks. This commitment with nature is also reflected on its electricity matrix, which has a share of 93.3 % renewable energy (hydro 75.8 %, geothermal 12.3 %, wind 3.7 %, biomass 1.5 %, and solar less than 1.0 %), meanwhile only 7 % of its electricity comes from fossil fuels. Even if the demand for electricity in Costa Rica has slowed down, there is a need to plan adequately for the foreseen increase in the near future. Moreover, in recent years the generation from hydro has declined due to a diminished amount of rain in the country, considered already as an impact of climate change. As well, the number of profitable sites for new hydro and geothermal power plants is decreasing, or the sites are available on protected areas. For this reason the use of diesel and heavy fuel oil has increased in recent years. Solar Edition Under this panorama there is a need for alternative solutions, where solar energy appears as one of the main sources of energy to provide part of this future demand. Irradiation values for Costa Rica range from 1,700 to 2,100 W/mВІ/year, which represent outstanding conditions for the profitability of solar PV. The Costa Rican Solar Energy Association’s (acesolar), created in 2012, main goal is to promote solar energy in Costa Rica and bring together industry, academia, government, NGOs and cooperation agencies to join forces, efforts, research and initiatives to trigger the use of solar technologies in the country. One of the first initiatives was the creation of a committee to work on the development of national standards and guidelines for solar thermal systems and photovoltaic panels, led by the National Institute of Standardization (INTECO). This year the priority topics for the association are the promotion of an adequate framework for solar PV, distributed generation, and triggering of financial options for investment in solar systems. Also in November of this year, acesolar is planning the first Solar Expo in Costa Rica. Katja Nicola Frick katja.frick@acesolar.org Phone: 00506/8550/3612 www.acesolar.org 27 review solar market mexico PV systems in net metering scheme are growing in Mexico such as this parking lot system in Acapulco, installed by Enerland Group. Photos (2): Enerland Group A solar wave in sight After some years of patient development efforts, the Mexican utility scale PV plants market is about to take off. Still, despite of more than 1 GW of projects registered, most of these developments will have to wait at least until 2015 to see the light of day. The muchawaited legal reform is expected to trigger a sector with good perspectives. T he Mexican PV sector is arousing great expectations within and outside its borders. On March 27th, President Enrique PeГ±a Nieto attended the inauguration of the largest PV plant in the country to date. With 39 MW, the Aura Solar I plant, developed by the local company Gauss EnergГa and constructed by the Portuguese Martifer Solar, had already achieved a 20 year PPA contract with the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE). Aura Solar, installed in the municipality of La Paz, Baja California, has been the symbol of the kick-off for the promising utility scale solar segment in Mexico. There are several reasons to remain optimistic. There is a growing electricity demand – the Energy Secretary expects a year on year increase in demand of 4.5 % and some 45 GW of new capacity to be installed by 2027, high irradiation levels average more than 5 kWh/m2/day – reaching 7 kWh in some areas, 28 and a regulatory framework allows PPAs and net metering contracts. Everything points toward a “sunny” forecast in the Aztec country. Additionally, the PeГ±a Nieto Government has set a target in its Climate Change Act to reach some 35 % of electricity generation through renewable energy sources by 2024. During the Aura Solar I inauguration, PeГ±a Nieto himself expressed confidence that this target will be met before the expected deadline. On May 19th the Secretary of Energy Pedro Joaquin Coldwell went even further and announced that a new target may be approved to reach 33 % by 2018. Currently the electricity generation share for renewables barely reaches 15 %. Multinational solar companies see Mexico as one of the most promising markets for PV technology. They are setting up branches in Mexico to be prepared for the on-coming “solar wave”. Such a “wave” is forecast by IvГЎn Michel DueГ±as, Sales Manager in Mexico for the Chinese Module producer Jinko Solar Co., Ltd. Some large players, such as Canadian Solar (who last December announced the supply of 8.7 MW of modules for the Tai-I project in Durango state to be developed by Eosol Group and the Spanish EPC contractor TSK Electronica y Electricidad S.A.) and Iberdrola IngenierГa y ConstrucciГіn (who finished a 5 MW plant in Baja California in 2012), are actively working in the Mexican market. “The battlefield is ready and the main players have started the war to achieve PPAs and business partners,” says DueГ±as. Sun & Wind Energy 6/2014 False start The energy reform promoted by PeГ±a Nieto, which aims to end the CFE monopoly, saw its general outlines approved last year. However, all the aspects regarding remuneration for RE projects and the possibility of a predictable income and revenues are still to be regulated in secondary legislation that is currently under discussion. Besides, there is no certainty about the date of approval and the detailed scope of the new ruling. In May, the Secretary of Energy Pedro JoaquГn Coldwell announced that the first regulation dealing with these aspects may be discussed by the Chamber of Deputies as early as in June. In fact, the government sent a first draft to the Senate for discussion in April. According to Krap, the whole regulatory approval process may take between 1 and 2 years. “It will take a while but we expect a positive outcome: there will be more certainty and some people are talking about a sort of “energy stock market” and the possibility to make a direct electricity sale to individuals and companies,” he says . Some other players, such as Juan Laso, VicePresident of Alten EnergГas Renovables, a Spanish developer which registered 4 PV projects with the CRE in May totalling 144 MW in Aguascalientes State, sees the glass as half full. “We believe that the energy reform will be ready by the end 2014. By then our Aguascalientes projects will have all the permits and we expect to obtain financing to start work in early 2015,” says Laso. According to Alten’s Manager, the legal uncertainty is hampering the closing of financial Despite the great hopes created by the new Aura Solar I project, the truth is that to date there are barely 130 MW of PV installed in Mexico, of which 27 MW are net metering systems and about 50 MW are off-grid systems. The new inauguration of utility scale projects is long overdue. Some players such as Michel DueГ±as expect that some 70 MW will be newly installed in 2014 and a substantial growth is only expected for 2015. Bearing in mind that the Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE) has already registered large projects amounting to 1.2 GW – most of them registered in the last year – the legitimate question is: what is hampering such growth? “The main barrier in Mexico is the lack of a regulated fixed price for renewable energy generation. The current generation price declared by the CFE has a high volatility,” explains Teodoro Krap, head of Intertec Solar Gmbh, a German-Mexican developer that is currently promoting some tens of MW of PV. The short-term electricity price declared by the CFE between September 2013 and March 2014 went down to levels of 400 to 600 MXN/MWh (between € 22.8 and 34.2) – prices hitherto unseen. “This was due to exceptional rainfalls that allowed a high hydroelectric generation. However, these figures are scaring away PV investors,” explains Krap. Most PV projects need to sign a PPA agreement with the CFE and these price levels could make it unfeasible to reach a financial deal. Oct. 22 - 24 , 2014 Taipei World Trade Center (TWTC) Taiwan Int’l Photovoltaic Exhibition World’s Top Purchasers Are Here to Source Taiwan Products! PV Taiwan 2014 Forum : PV Taiwan 2014 is where the industry sources and sells, where the deals drive progress. In brief it provides the perfect one-stop sourcing hub for components and technologies to build a complete PV system. Over 50+ invited speakers and experts to share the insights of technologies and market trends! в—Џ в—Џ Why Exhibit at PV Taiwan: в—Џ The world’s 2nd largest solar cell production region with equipment upgrade/replacement needs в—Џ Networking events connecting the world’s top PV supply chain providers To take the chance to capture the vision for PV industry! To explore more industrial business opportunities through the hot topics at PV Taiwan 2014 Forums! Highlight: Day PV Taiwan Theme Pavilions в—Џ Processing Equipment & Materials в—Џ PV System в—Џ HCPV в—Џ DSSC в—Џ Authentication / Certification в—Џ Energy Storage в—Џ Solar Thermal Sign Up Before May 20, 2014 for the Best Rate! Booth Type Rental Rates Early Bird Raw Space US $ 3,000 US $2,200 Shell Scheme US $ 3,500 US $2,700 1 Day Supervised by: Solar Edition в—Џ Executive Summit в—Џ Adanced Technology Symposium в—Џ Market Deployment New в—Џ PV Technology Forum New в—Џ New в—Џ 2 (3mx3m / Per Booth) (USD: TWD=1:30) Ms. Evonne Lee T: +886.2.2725.5200 ext. 2661 F: +886.2.2722.7324 E: pv@taitra.org.tw SEMI Organized by: Mr. Paxon Lee T: +886.3.560.1777 ext.203 F: +886.3.560.1555 E: paxonlee@semi.org PV System / Architecture / Financing Forum Low Carbon, Energy Storage & Smart Grid / House Forum Day TAITRA New 3 New в—Џ Solar Thermal New в—Џ Testing & Reliability Forum Co-organized by: 29 review This PV system was set up on a mall rooftop. solar market mexico deals. “We are making progress, but to date most financing players are awaiting the legal reforms,” he concludes. Barriers In fact, the barriers to be overcome for a large PV project in Mexico are considerable. All interviewees agreed on the lack of really clear and foreseeable procedures as well as a certain bureaucracy, together with the aforementioned energy price uncertainty and the distrust of financial institutions. According to Jinko’s Michel, obtaining permits means important costs in time and money. Achieving all the permits may take between 1 and 2 years. Besides, most of the country’s registered projects are in the northern areas, which also happen to be some of the most insecure and conflict-prone regions. Likewise, states such as Durango or Sonora face high crime and corruption rates, which can discourage foreign investors. According to Manuel Balet, head of the Enerland Group, a developer and EPC contractor which has already finished more than 100 small-scale systems in Mexico: “Developing projects in Mexico involves patience and a solid financial background to face all the administrative costs. It is also crucial to know the local legislation in detail.” Net metering on the rise While there are a large number of new large-scale developments (companies such as Baz Energy and Services or Costa Solar registered projects with the CRE in May for 26 and 20 MW, respectively), the truth is that the most steady and real market to date remains the net metering one. In 2008, Mexico approved a net metering regulation for projects up to 30 kW that was enlarged to 500 kW in 2010. These projects are most attractive since they don’t involve a lot of red tape except for the interconnection agreement with the CRE. This type of system has been most successful with consumers paying the highest electricity tariff, the so-called DAC 30 tariff. The DAC tariff is applied to some 500,000 users who pay between Mexican pesos (MXN) 3 and 3.7 (€-ct 17 - 21) per kWh. For those consumers, installing a PV system will pay off within 4 to 7 years. The small-scale segment seems to be booming. By the end of 2013 the systems under this scheme amounted to 26.5 MW according to the CRE, in total some 4,620 PV systems of up to 500 kW. The CRE itself declared that some 20 MW of new capacity could be added in 2014, reaching some 200 MW overall by 2020. In more detail, the most dynamic segment was the one with systems below 10 kW. Out of 4,620 net metering systems, some 4,249 were below the 10 kW threshold. According to Jinko’s Michel, “Mexico is a global model for the distributed generation market. This market is growing in a sustainable way, which is creating new jobs and PV companies.” For Balet from Enerland the segment below 10 kW has been the most dynamic but now there is a trend shift. “Larger rooftop systems up to 500 kW are increasing their market share. We expect this segment to grow faster, starting in 2015. Despite most of the end customers still mistrusting this technology, their perception is changing fast,” says Balet. According to Krap, this segment is growing, although it will still take a larger market volume to reduce the technology end prices. In fact, a fast look at the grid-tied kits available shows prices around US$ 3 per watt, installation not included. Prices are thus still higher than in the EU or the USA. Strategy With a dynamic economy and important growth perspectives, solar PV will surely play a key role in the Mexican energy market. Nevertheless, until a more stable framework is approved, solar developers and installers should choose the best market entering strategy. Manuel Balet believes that “there are many projects under development but very few really professional players. I would recommend identifying a reliable partner to form a local joint venture.” To Michel, “those companies with an existing stock already available in the country and a permanent network operating locally will gain a client’s preference.” Finally, according to Krap, it is crucial to maintain a close contact with the administrative institutions: “I would suggest working attentively with a local partner that would be in close contact with institutions such as the CFE, CRE or SENER.” For Krap, despite the incoming flood of new foreign developers and suppliers, there is still enough room for new projects. “It is still possible to find many good locations in places where grid infrastructure is favourable. Companies are doing their homework. We are only missing a last push coming from the authorities,” he concludes. Alejandro Diego Rosell Further information: CRE: www.cre.gob.mx CFE: www.cfe.gob.mx/ingles/Pages/Home.aspx SENER: http://sener.gob.mx/res/PE_y_DT/pub/2013/Prospectiva_ del_Sector_Electrico_2013-2027.pdf Sun & Wind Energy 6/2014 PRELIMINARY EVENT GUIDE NOW AVAILABLE REGISTER TODAY WITH THE EARLY BIRD Renewable Energy World Asia co-located with POWER-GEN Asia, and the POWER-GEN Asia Financial Forum, as part of ASEAN Power Week, is the region’s leading exhibition and conference dedicated to the power generation, renewable energy and transmission and distribution industries. Attracting over 7,500 delegates and attendees from 60 countries across South East Asia and around the world, nowhere else gives you the opportunity to reach and meet senior executives and industry professionals in one place at the same time, providing key networking and business opportunities. The Renewable Energy World Asia conference has become the major annual platform for the industry to discuss the topics and issues of today and is regularly contributed to with keynote speeches from Government Ministers and Governors of the region’s utility companies. TOPICS DISCUSSED AT THE CONFERENCE INCLUDE: • RenewableEnergy • RenewablesTechnology • Hydropower CONNECTING ASIA’S POWER PROFESSIONALS 10-12 SEPTEMBER 2014 KLCC, KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA WWW.RENEWABLEENERGYWORLD-ASIA.COM EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT – SAVE OVER 10% Register yourself and your colleagues by 12 August 2014 as conference delegates and benefit from the Early Bird Discount Rate, plus free entry to the exhibition. There is no better place to meet the key decision makers in the power generation industry. LEADING INDUSTRY EXHIBITION Discover new ideas, technologies and developments at the region’s foremost exhibition for the conventional power and renewable energy generation industries from leading companies and suppliers from around the world. Please visit www.renewableenergyworld-asia.com for further information on exhibitors and opening hours. REGISTER FOR ONE EVENT AND GAIN ACCESS TO ALL 3 CO-LOCATED EVENTS VIEW THE PRE EVENT GUIDE AT WWW.RENEWABLEENERGYWORLD-ASIA.COM OWNED AND PRODUCED BY: Solar Edition PRESENTED BY: SUPPORTING PUBLICATIONS: SUPPORTED BY: CO-LOCATED WITH: 31 Solar thermal large-Scale SyStemS The big ones are coming EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) Building Location Parma, Italy System built for Office and laboratory Type of system DHW Collector area 84 m2 Tank size 3 x 3,000 litres System costs (including installation) 215,000 € ROI 8 years Most utility scale solar thermal systems are on the roofs of multi-family homes and hotels and are smaller than 100 m2. H ow is the market for large-scale solar thermal systems developing? SUN & WIND ENERGY has compiled and evaluated responses from companies around the world. There are attractive regional markets worldwide for large solar systems. When asked what the five most important markets were, the respondents named 46 different countries. Germany was named most frequently, followed by Spain – then came Italy and the United Arab Emirates (see Fig. 1). The fact that so many companies do business successfully in Germany can be attributed to its large and relatively advanced solar thermal market. The large number of companies that identified Germany as their most important market can be chalked up, at least in part, to the fact that of the 31 companies taking part in the survey, six were German. In terms of incentives, however, Germany was far from the top of the list among the respondents. Austria and Switzerland were cited most frequently as the countries with the best government support programmes for large solar thermal systems. But Korea, Italy, and Lebanon are also considered countries with attractive incentive programmes. Just what exactly constitutes a large-scale system is not easy to define. This survey is based on the very 32 Photo: Ariston Thermo broad definition of a large-scale systems, which it characterises as any system with more than 20 m2 of collector area; that is, any system too large for a typical single-family home. Ernst Schweizer is a company that deviated from this definition, as its response to the survey did not include any systems smaller than 50 m2. The largest market segment belongs to the smallest large-scale systems, those that range from 20 to 100 m2. On average, the surveyed companies said that nearly three-fourths of the large-scale systems they sell were smaller than 100 m2 (Fig. 2). The 100 to 1,000 m2 range accounted for some 20 % of sales. Systems approaching the MW capacity level are rare. Nevertheless, 18 of the 31 participants have already sold systems with more than 1,000 m2 of surface area. As recently as a few years ago, many of solar thermal system providers still used their own personnel to install their systems. That has changed significantly. Only Modulo Solar of Mexico, Turkey’s EzinГ§ Metal, NUR Solar Systems in Jordan and Korea-based Jehin still handle their own installations. „We have our own installation team, but for the small capacity systems of less than 100 m2 we use subcontractors,” says Jehin’s Managing Director MannKwi Park. Numerous other companies also work together with subcontractors. However, system planning still very frequently handled by the solar companies themselves. Other companies offer planners support. “We support the planners in the dimensioning of systems,” says Marco Guatini, the Solar Thermal Product Manager at Sun & Wind Energy 6/2014 Solar Edition 33 Solar thermal large-Scale SyStemS The most important markets for solar thermal systems Fig. 1: Germany is mentioned most frequently as one of the most important markets. Every manufacturer was asked to name up to five countries. Source: company data Italy’s Ariston Thermo. Regional differences also come into play. In Central Europe, system providers generally have nothing to do with planning and installation, as independent planning offices and installation firms usually take care of this. But even in that market there are exceptions, such as Ritter XL Solar in Germany, which maintains a firm grip on system planning. Broad distribution of applications Distribution by system size 2 2 Fig. 2: Most large-scale systems are smaller than 100 m2. The percentages were calculated by company and were not weighted by absolute system size. Source: company data 34 Nearly half of all large-scale solar thermal systems provide heat for multifamily homes (Fig. 3). Most of those systems are designed to produce domestic hot water (31 %). Combi systems – systems that use energy harvested from the sun for space heating – comprise 16 % of the total. Other key applications are in the tourism industry (12 %) and the health sector (9 %). Swimming pool heating (9 %) is closely linked to the tourism sector. The process heat segment has much potential but it represents just 6 % of the total market. The remaining 10 % includes district heating, commercial applications and schools, as well as agricultural uses. Agriculture often requires heat for drying processes, an ideal application for air collector sys2 tems. This segment is the home turf of air collector specialists Sunsiaray of the USA and Cona Entwicklungs- und Handelsgesellschaft of Austria. Prisons and military housing facilities also have a high hot water demand. NUR Solar Systems equipped a Jordanian military housing complex with 1,500 m2 of collector area. “This system is the largest system in Jordan for residential use,” says the company’s Business Development Executive Laith Zatar. Currently, the biggest solar thermal systems are those that feed heat into district heating networks. For such applications 1,000 m2 does not go very far. The Danish company Arcon Solar is a specialist in this type of system. Arcon recently won a bid for the world’s largest solar thermal system with a collector area of 52,491 m2 for Vojens district heating. The huge installation in Vojens will be producing the majority of the energy consumed in the half-year of summer. Because demand is low in summertime, the energy will be stored in a water tank where 190 to 200 million litres of water will be heated up. This stored energy can be used in wintertime when people start to turn up their radiators again. An important factor affecting the demand for large-scale solar heating systems is the uncertainty with regard to the price development in the fossil fuels market. A solar heating installation has an expected lifetime of at least 25 years. In addition to the investment in the installation itself, the ordinary cost of operation and maintenance during this period has to be factored in, whereas the energy from the sun is, of course, free of charge. This locks in a guaranteed fixed energy price for 25 years and reduces dependency on fossil fuels. Security and minimal risk have become strong selling points. ”Danish district heating stations have revealed in recent years that largescale solar heating is not only a politically correct investment but also a sound business move. The longterm fixed cost level, in particular, is a key motivation driving demand. This insight is now also spreading internationally, and we expect that even this year we will see a major breakthrough in our exports,” says SГёren Elisiussen, Managing Director of Arcon. There are also huge regional differences in applications. In Europe, the multifamily home sector is particularly strong. The demand for heating energy drops off the farther south you go. Combi systems are thus more common in Central Europe. Hotels all over the world need plenty of hot water. Central European hoteliers have not yet caught on tar heating is ideally suited to that purpose, however. The tourism sector in the Mediterranean and the Arab world has shown a far greater interest in solar thermal. Process heat, on the other hand, is much more frequently cited by Asian companies as an important segment for solar thermal. Which sectors are in and which are out? The survey shows that solar process heat is no easy business. More so than in any other application, respondents said that the business was contracting. In contrast, many companies see strong growth ahead for domestic hot water systems in multifamily homes and the tourism sector. Overall, sceptics are in the minority, however. Generally, most of the companies see large-scale systems as up and coming. Nevertheless, process heat systems can be built in regions with even less intense solar radiation than in Germany. Ritter Xl Solar supplied a system for the public transport company in Cologne, Germany which provides heat to dry paint on a painting line. In the new painting hall, the transit company’s buses and trains get a new look. The system’s 237 mВІ of gross collector area delivers heat at a temperature of 70 В°C to a storage system comprising three 8,400 litre buffer tanks. “One special feature of these collectors Sun & Wind Energy 6/2014 SERIOUSLY HOT WATER Passive multi-family home Lodenareal Location Innsbruck, Austria System built for Multi-family home for 354 families Type of system Combi Collector area 854 m2 Tank size 80,000 litres System costs (including installation) 480,000 € Heat price 0.053 €/kWh (over 25 years) ROI 12 years Photo: Siko Solar is that they are available in a silicon-free design for use with painting equipment,” says Key Account Manager Martin Willige. Although the vacuum tubes could only be installed in a west-southwest orientation, the transit company can count on an annual yield of at least 80 MWh, which corresponds to a specific yield of at least 355 kWh/m2 a. Distribution by system sector SUMMER is all about quality. That's why we invest in ensuring all our products comply with Australian and European Technical Standards. Contact : (603) 6157 4888 Fax : (603) 6156 8988 Fig. 3: DHW for multi-family homes and hotels are the main sectors for large-scale solar thermal systems. The percentages were calculated by company and were not weighted by absolute system size. Source: company data Solar Edition www.solartech.com.my 35 Solar thermal Technical concepts vary System type Fig.4: Large-scale systems are mostly forced systems. The percentages were calculated by company and were not weighted by absolute system size. Source: company data 36 large-Scale SyStemS In most large solar thermal systems, pumps in the solar circuit ensure that heat from the collectors ends up in the storage tank (Fig. 4). On average, 58 % of the surveyed manufacturers’ systems used this method. The drainback concept is a special case among the pumped systems in which the solar circuit drains fully when idle (13 %). Thermosiphonic systems do not use a pump at all. Instead, gravity circulation alone transports the heat. This technique is used in 21 % of the systems of the surveyed manufacturers. Air collectors are a special case in which fans circulate air, which serves as the heat transfer medium. There are also different approaches to production and storage of domestic hot water. In the simplest and cheapest systems, the drinking water flows directly through the collectors. The level of hygiene in the water of such systems is not for those with high standards. This type of system is used in 19 % of the products surveyed (Fig. 5). Drinking water in the solar circuit is not an option in climates with freezing temperatures in winter. For such climates, the best choice is a system that uses a heat medium with antifreeze; however drainback systems and Ritter’s AquaSystem are exceptions to this rule. Thus, the vast majority of large-scale systems are equipped with a hot water storage tank which is separated from the solar circuit by a heat exchanger (64 %). These systems also have to store large quantities of domestic hot water. In unfavourable conditions, dangerous legionella bacteria can propagate. Lime scale deposits provide a fertile breeding ground for the bacteria. Such systems should therefore be heated regularly to at least 70 В°C in order to safely kill germs. All of this can be avoided if a buffer tank is used which only heats water as it is needed. Fresh water modules are increasingly being used for that purpose. These modules draw buffer water from the hot water tank and use it to heat drinking water via a plate heat exchanger. Fresh water modules can be used centrally for an entire building or in a distributedfashion for individual residential units. Central fresh water modules are becoming increas- ingly important. These much sought-after systems are gaining traction at the expense of systems that store hot drinking water. Europe’s largest passive multi-family home, in which Siko Solar of Austria installed a solar thermal system, uses this fresh water technology. But this, too, is subject to regional differences. Although there is a recognisable trend toward fresh water systems in the USA and Europe, in other parts of the world inexpensive systems that heat drinking water directly in the collectors are still in high demand. How much do large scale systems cost? Vladimir Tsintsiper, Chief of Technology for German manufacturer Alpha-InnoTec Sun estimates specific system costs in Central Europe at 500 to 600 €/m2. The Siko Solar system for the multifamily passive-house residential building is also in this range. Some systems can run double that cost or more, however. Arcon offers its system, including a seasonal storage tank, for 300 €/m2. Systems that heat up water directly in the collectors are even cheaper. Himin Solar of North Korea installed a system in a hotel complex for just 200 €/m2. NUR Solar Systems supplied its system to the military residential complex at the unbeatable price of just 43 €/m2. The return on investment for that system is a mere 20 months. That is an amortisation period Central European system providers can only dream of. At Siko Solar the amortisation time is 12 years. Even at that rate, however, a kWh of solar heat costs just 5.3 €-ct. That is clearly less than what Central Europeans pay for heat from natural gas. Jens-Peter Meyer Sun & Wind Energy 6/2014 DHW production Reliable Innovative Customized www.ritter-xl-solar.com Fig. 5: Most of the systems include a hot water tank. Hot water production with fresh water stations is becoming increasingly important, however. Many of the respondents said that domestic hot water produced directly in collectors was becoming outdated. The percentages were calculated by company and were not weighted by absolute system size. Source: company data Largest residential system in Jordan Location Al Azraq, Jordan System built for Military dorms Type of system DHW Collector area 1,500 m2 Tank size 70,000 litres System costs (including installation) 65,000 € ROI 1.75 years Large scale solar thermal systems District heating Process heat Buildings Hot water applications Photo: NUR Solar Systems Solar Edition 37 Solar thermal heat tranSfer fluidS Eating away at pipes – and investment A rare sight: an acidic antifreeze fluid has truly eaten away at the corrugated pipe. Photo: solarklima In order to ensure a long service life for heat transfer fluid, the appropriate product needs to be selected for solar thermal power plants. However, maintenance and installation also play a major role. Operators who are stingy with fluids or negligent with maintenance risk ruining first the fluid and, eventually, the entire solar power plant. W hen a pungent, somewhat sweet odour wafts up the basement stairs, it is often alВ ready too late. At that point, the heat has already affected the antifreeze fluid in the solar collector so much that it is destroyed. If things are going particularly badly, the decomposition products may have already settled as a layer on the tube walls or accumulated in corners as a sticky sludge. In exВ treme cases, solar fluid that has turned acidic can even erode the pipe work. Once things have deteriorated to this point, not only do the panels need to be replaced, but so do all pipes and the heat storage tank, where the decompoВ sition products can easily accumulate in the pipes. “In other words, the whole system is a complete writeВoff,” explains Keilholz, technical expert and owner of solarklima. In unfavourable circumstances, it may take only a few months for the decomposing heat transfer fluid to ruin a solar thermal plant worth several thousand Euros. Once the degradation starts, after all, it progresses at an increasingly rapid pace. 38 Time and again, Keilholz comes across this type of case, which irritates him because the damage can easily be avoided. “Word gets round and puts off potential customers.” Proper installation and maintenance helps It comes as quite a shock to solar energy customers when some installers make money from such damВ age. Keilholz reports a case where the cost for replacВ ing the fluid amounted to some € 1,000. Another inВ staller explained to his customers that it was perfectВ ly normal to replace the fluid every year. “They are both extreme cases. Still, a few installers who cash in on their customers’ problems harm the solar thermal industry’s reputation and, as a result, their colВ leagues,” the solar expert points out. In a wellВdesigned and carefully installed solar thermal system, a highВquality solar fluid can be used for quite a while, in some cases maybe even for more than ten years. Of course, the quality still needs to be Sun & Wind Energy 6/2014 checked every year. Test sets are available from fluid suppliers (such as SolarUS), and samples can be sent in to be checked at inВhouse laboratories. The advanВ tage of the laboratories is that they can test not only the pH value but also the remaining reserve alkaliniВ ty (buffer effect) to draw conclusions about how much longer the fluid will last. If the fluid is murky or no longer meets the manuВ facturer’s specifications (e.g. the pH value is below 7.5 or 7), it needs to be replaced. Even if the fluid acВ tually only needs to be topped up, but it is not known which heat transfer is inside the solar thermal plant, it must be completely removed – only fluids that have been specifically tested together can be mixed. It is therefore very important not to lose the label stating the heat transfer type, antifreeze protection and replacement date. If the fluid is already very cloudy, has a high amount of particulate matter or has fallen below the minimum pH value, simple replacement will no longer be sufficient. Thorough removal is also required if the heat transfer is found to not actually be suitable for the system in question. In order to prevent spoilt fluid residue from makВ ing the fresh heat transfer medium age in an instant, the system needs to be flushed thoroughly; in obstiВ nate cases, a cleansing fluid may be necessary, such as Antifrogen SOL Clean from Clariant or Solarclin from Tyforop. Before rinsing, as much of the old fluid as possible needs to be removed. The cleansing agent should circulate through the system for up to two hours at about 60 В°C. If the plant is badly contamiВ nated, the cleansing fluid needs to be exchanged several times. Finally, it must be thoroughly removed from the system, using compressed air if possible. To make sure this procedure is only rarely necesВ sary, the heat transfer medium must evaporate as completely as possible and be pressed out of the colВ lector during standstills. On the one hand, this is an issue of collector design and correct installation – no medium residue should be “caught” in the collector – but also of the proper product, especially concernВ ing vacuum tube collectors. Only in the case of heat Solar Edition transfer media that are especially designed for high temperatures do the additives evaporate together with the fluid. “No residue can remain in the tube colВ lectors in the case of a standstill,” Keilholz emphasises, adding that he encounters many cases of damage in tube collector systems due to destroyed solar fluids. “Often, heat transfer media were used that were not suitable for the collector types in question.” How hot can it get? It is well known that heat negatively affects solar fluids, but, in practice, stagnation cannot be avoided. GГјtegemeinschaft Solarenergieanlagen (RAL Solar) of Germany have therefore stipulated in their quality and test regulations that heat transfers must be able to endure at least 160 В°C. The American way looks difВ ferent: “We make sure that temperatures do not get that high in the solar power system,” explains Ben D. Kaplan, Chief Financial Officer at SolarUS. The SolarUS systems are equipped with a heat dissipaВ tion system. Should it get too hot, a cross valve switches over from storage to a heat sink. In Europe, however, more and more customers are asking for fluids that can withstand high temperВ atures, according to companies such as Staub & Co. – Silbermann, Sunex, Clariant, BioChem and AquaВConcept. On datasheets and in the S&WE market survey, manufacturers therefore outdo each other in terms of specifications for temperature resistance. However, the product with the highest figure is not necessarily the most stable, since for many companies, the data comes from autoclave tests in the lab. While propylene glycol does not yet crack in the autoclave at temperatures of 170 to 200 В°C, for example, it reacts considerably quicker with oxygen from the air than at ambient temperature. If there is already corroded metal in the collector circuit, moreover, the metal oxides act as catalysts. Minimising oxygen as a stress factor is, again, a job for the installer. Keilholz, for example, strongly 39 Solar thermal heat tranSfer fluidS Overview of heat transfer fluids for solar thermal power systems Manufacturer Product Antifreeze Delivery form Suitable collector types Suitable materials Colour Minimum temperature [В°C] Maximum temperature [В°C] (steady/ short term) Density [g/cm3] 1 Aqua-Concept Coracon Sol 5 propylene glycol conc FPC, VTC (HP) Al/Cu/SS almost colourless - 59 180 (200) 1.045 Coracon Sol 5F propylene glycol ready FPC, VTC (HP) Al/Cu/SS red - 28 180 (200) 1.036 Coracon Sol 5 HF propylene glycol ready FPC, VTC (HP, DF) Al/Cu/SS almost colourless - 24 230 (260) 1.030 Coracon Sol EKO 1.3-propanediol conc FPC, VTC (HP, DF) Al/Cu/SS almost colourless - 52 214 (220) 1.055 Coracon Sol EKO F 1.3-propanediol ready FPC, VTC (HP, DF) Al/Cu/SS almost colourless - 23 214 (220) 1.050 Innova-Therm P propylene glycol ready FPC, VTC Al/Cu/SS red - 35 160 (200) 1.030 Innova-Therm P alu propylene glycol ready VPC, VTC Al (additional protection)/ Cu/SS red - 35 180 (200) 1.030 Antifrogen Sol HT high boiling glycols ready FPC, VTC Al/Cu/SS slightly yellowish - 28 200 (260, 30 hours) 4 appr. 1.082 Antifrogen Sol HT Conc. high boiling glycols conc FPC, VTC Al/Cu/SS yellowish - 53 200 (260) 4 appr. 1.130 Zitrec LC propylene glycol conc FPC Al/Cu/SS blue-green - 50 180 (200) 1.050 Zitrec L-25 propylene glycol ready FPC Al/Cu/SS blue-green - 25 180 (200) 1.036 Fragoltherm W-PGA propylene glycol conc FPC Al/Cu/SS colourless - 50 170 (180) 1.050 Fragoltherm W-VR propylene glycol ready VTC Cu/SS red - 28 180 (180) 1.034 Osterwalder St. Gallen Coolant SOL high boiling glycols ready FPC, VTC Al/Cu/SS green - 28 230 (280) 1.030 pro KГјhlsole PEKASOLar 100 propylene glycol conc FPC, VTC Al/Cu/SS spec - 50 170 (200) 1.046 Pekasolar 50 propylene glycol ready FPC, VTC Al/Cu/SS spec - 28 170 (200) 1.040 SolarUS So-blu 1.3-propanediol ready FPC, VTC Al/Cu/SS blue -7 В°C (- 20 F) 108 В°C (226 F) 180 В°C (356 F) 1.041 8 Staub & Co. – Silbermann Solarliquid L concentrate propylene glycol conc FPC, VTC Al/Cu/SS slightly yellowish (conc) 200 (200) appr. 1.045 Solarliquid L ready - 28В°C propylene glycol ready FPC, VTC Al/Cu/SS purple -2 8/- 38 200 (200) appr. 1.040 Solarliquid L ready - 22В°C propylene glycol ready FPC, VTC Al/Cu/SS purple - 22/-28 200 (200) appr. 1.037 Solarliquid HT ready high boiling glycols ready FPC, VTC Cu/SS slightly yellowish - 24/- 27 260 (260) appr. 1.030 SL n/a n/a FPC, VTC Al/Cu/SS spec - 59 189 (300) 1.040 GL n/a n/a FPC, VTC Al/Cu/SS spec - 46 116 (300) 1.190 SL AL n/a ready FPC Al spec - 64 180 1.040 Tyfocor L propylene glycol conc (40) 6 FPC Al/Cu/SS spec (usually colourless) - 50 170 (200) 1.039 2 Tyfocor L-eco propylene glycol (organic) conc (40) 6 FPC Al/Cu/SS spec (usually . slightly yellowish) - 50 170 (200) 1.039 2 Tyfocor HTL propylene glycol and high boiling glycols ready VTC (FPC) 7 Al/Cu/SS blue-green - 35 170 (200) 1.054 Tyfocor LS propylene glycol ready VTC (FPC) 7 Cu/SS red fluorescent - 28 170 (200) 1.034 Tyfocor LS Arctic propylene glycol ready VTC (FPC) 7 Cu/SS red fluorescent - 47 170 (200) 1.039 Tyfocor LS Mediterraneo propylene glycol ready VTC (FPC) 7 Cu/SS red fluorescent - 12 170 (200) 1.020 Tyfocor G-LS propylene glycol ready VTC (FPC) 7 Cu/SS purple - 28 170 (200) 1.034 Glysofor Solar propylene glycol and high boiling glycols conc (20) 6 FPC, VTC Al/Cu/SS green - 50 180 (210) 1.040 Glysofor Solar AF propylene glycol and high boiling glycols ready FPC, VTC Al/Cu/SS yellow - 28 180 (210) 1.020 BioChem Clariant Fragol Sunex Tyforop Wittig Umweltchemie 40 Sun & Wind Energy 6/2014 Buffer alkalinity [ml 0.1 N HCl] Mixable appr. 0.400 n/a appr. 8 appr. 9 (50 % water) MPG/n.r. appr. 0.400 n/a appr. 8 appr. 9 MPG/ n.r. appr. 0.400 n/a appr. 8 appr. 9 no appr. 0.400 n/a appr. 8 appr. 2 n/a appr. 0.400 n/a appr. 8 appr. 2 n/a 0.400 appr. 1.3890 8.0 - 9.5 min. 8.0 MPG 0.400 appr. 1.3890 8.0 - 9.5 min. 8.0 MPG appr. 0.360 appr. 1.401 appr. 9 appr. 3 - 4 yes 3 n/a appr. 1.460 appr. 9 mind. 8.5 yes 3 0.400 5 1.389 7.5 - 8.5 n/a MPG/ n.e. 0.400 1.378 appr. 8 n/a MPG/ n.e. 0.400 1.378 7.5 - 9.5 n/a n.r. 0.410 1.382 9 > 20 n.r. 0.360 1.401 n/a appr. 8.0 n/a 0.220 1.431 9 4 yes 0.400 1.,384 9 2 yes 0.372 (0.258 BTU/ h*ft2* F/ft) 1.382 8.4 1.8 MPG appr. 0.220 appr. 1.435 7.5 - 8.5 appr. 19 MPG appr. 0.400 appr. 1.445 appr. 8 appr. 9.5 MPG appr. 0.430 appr. 1.383 appr. 8 appr. 9.5 MPG n/a appr. 1.400 7.5 - 8.5 appr. 9.5 no n/a n/a 7.5 - 9.5 n/a no n/a n/a 9 18 no n/a n/a 7.5 - 9.5 n/a no 0.387 2 1.3792 2 7.5 - 8.5 2 >52 Tyfocor L-eco, others: n.r. 0.387 2 1.3792 2 7.5 - 8.5 2 >42 Tyfocor L, others: n.r. 0.385 1.394 7.5 - 8.5 >9 no 0.413 1.382 9.0 - 10.5 > 20 LS Arctic LS Mediterraneo Tyfocor G-LS 0.344 1.393 9.0 - 10.5 > 25 TyfocorLS LS Mediterraneo Tyfocor G-LS 0.468 1.361 9.0 - 10.5 > 12 Tyfocor LS, LS Arctic Tyfocor G-LS 0.413 1.382 9.0 - 10.5 > 20 Tyfocor LS, LS Arctic, LS Mediterraneo 0.365 n/a n/a 3 MPG 0.385 n/a n/a 3 MPG Solar Edition FPC = flat plate collector; VTC = vacuum tube collector; HP = heat pipe; Al = aluminium; Cu = copper; SS = stainless steel; spec = customer specific; conc / ready = concentrate / ready to use mixture; n.r. = not recommended; MPG = monopropylene glycol 1 at 20 В°C; 2 at used concentration of 40 Vol. %; 3 tested only for Tyforop L and LS %; 4 tested in laboratory autoclave; 5 mix ratio 50 %; 6 in brackets: minimum concentration [Vol. %]; 7 developed for VTC; 8 at 16 В°C (60 F) TYFOROP - Your Specialist for Heat Transfer Fluids - Solar Fluids for all Thermal Installations TYFOCORВ® BRANDS environmentally friendly & biodegradable rs pH-value 1 ye a Refraction index ce sin www.tyfo.de • info@tyfo.de m or e th an 30 Thermal conductivity [W/mK] 1 Unfortunately, there are still no standardised conditions for determining specified temperatures, so this value actually says little about a product’s durability. Aqua-Concept and SolarUS, for example, use the same base material but specify dramatically different values. 41 Solar thermal Metal samples after the ASTM1384 was conducted. While the test does not reflect the conditions in a solar thermal power system, it is currently the only suitable, standardised procedure for comparing the durability and aggressiveness of antifreeze agents for different metals. Photo: Tyforop heat tranSfer fluidS advises against the use of not closed automatic exhaust fans. “With this type of vent valves oxygen inВ take can not be avoided. If this occurs in a vacuum tube system under thermal stress, even the best fluid cannot endure it for long,” he reports. “It may take just a few years for a solar thermal system to be ruined in this way.” While propylene glycol does not yet crack in the autoclave at 150 В°C, for example, it reacts considerably quicker with oxygen from the air or from oxidised metal than at ambient temperature. The ASTM1384 test, originally used in the autoВ motive industry, therefore examines a combination of precisely defined stress factors. It checks what hapВ pens to standardised samples of various metals when they bathe for a fortnight in a heat transfer solution with air bubbles that are diluted in saline water and kept at 88 В°C. “Conditions do not get this extreme in a solar thermal plant,” Marco Bergemann of Tyforop concedes. “But this is the only way to truly differentiВ ate the materials.” However, results are no longer comparable as soon as individual manufacturers modify the test. Most products fare well with reduced air supply, desalinated water and higher fluid concentraВ tions. When comparing the outcomes of ASTM1384 tests, the fine print therefore deserves attention. AquaВConcept and SolarUS show exactly to what extent various comВ panies can interpret the test differently. They both use the same 1.3Вpropanediol (see below) as a basic material for their heat transfer meВ dia. According to manufacturer DuPont Tate & Lyle, this basic material is more heat resistant (with less thermal degradation) than propylene glycol. HowВ ever, while AquaВConcept specifies the maximum perВ manent heat resistance to be 214 В°C (which is also the boiling point of pure 1.3Вpropanediol at atmoВ spheric pressure), SolarUS has determined it to be just 108 В°C – the boiling point of a 40 % solution with water. The company explains that higher temperaВ tures would lead to cavitation in pressureless sysВ tems. SolarUS specifies 180 В°C as a maximum tempoВ rary temperature. According to manufacturer specifiВ cations, the shortВterm exposure temperature was determined by assessing flash steaming of residual fluid in collectors. No testing standardisation in sight Dirk Wittig, CEO of Wittig, observes that customers lately have been attaching more value to quality. “Clients are showing increasing interest in how long products have already proven their worth and how much experience has been gained with the prodВ ucts,” he explains. However, a standardized test esВ pecially for solar fluids does not yet exist. The appliВ cation for a preВstandard that originated from a joint project of the fluid manufacturers Clariant, pro KГјhlsole, Sentinel and Tyforop at the FQZ OderbrГјcke research centre in Germany has been on hold since FQZ filed for bankruptcy in the spring of 2013. Outside company labs, a defined test especially for solar fluids is available at the Institut fГјr Solartechnik SPF in Rapperswil, Switzerland. Researchers also use the test structure, which tries to emulate a genuine solar circuit including collectors in material, form, temperature and flow rate, to conduct the fluid tests which aluminium manufacturer Hydro uses to determine approval for its absorbers. The SEIDO Line of Evacuated Tubes Affordable Aerospace Technology for--- Beijing Sunda Solar Energy Technology Co., Ltd. Tel:+86-10-57930205/57930251 Fax:+86-10-57930220 www.sundasolar.com/www.solarproductmaker.com info@sundasolar.com 42 Sun & Wind Energy 6/2014 Last year, the Swiss institute enlarged its test rig somewhat so that, for example, the pH value can be tracked throughout the test. They are currently planВ ning a test that reproduces a mixed installation with pipes made of copper and other metals in the solar circuit. So far, however, the test is not set up to be a general comparison test for solar fluids. Heat transfer fluids that are compatible with aluВ minium are increasingly in demand, according to Tyforop, Clariant, BioChem and Sunex. AquaВConcept did not state that there had been any changes, and the remaining manufacturers did not answer this question. Aluminium manufacturer Hydro has apВ proved pro KГјhlsole’s Pekasolar fluid, while BioChem is currently waiting for certification. Sunex recently added the SL AL fluid to its product line. Glycol remains costly, high pricing pressure in the solar industry The prices for heat transfer fluids once again dropped slightly last year, by as much as 10 % for some manuВ facturers, as a result of pricing pressure in the solar thermal energy industry. According to some companies, the fluid manufacturers have also noticed the market downturn. At the same time, prices for glycol, the most important raw material, have been high since the cold winter of 2010В2011. Margins are getting tighter for the fluid manufacturers. But this hardly presents a major emergency for the companies themselves, because soВ lar fluids usually are only a fraction of their business. One supplier, who combines fluids for solar energy sysВ tems, heating and cooling equipment and heat pumps in its statistics, even states a positive total amount. Corn instead of crude oil One alternative to glycol is antifreeze agents based on 1.3Вpropylenediol, which is produced from corn. DuPont Tate & Lyle sells it under the name Susterra В® to solar fluid manufacturers in various countries, who then add their own inhibitors, buffers and dyestuffs. In the US, the product is turned into SoВblu, available from system provider SolarUS starting this summer. In the GermanВspeaking countries, the biofluid is called CORACON SOL EKO F and was recently brought to the market by AquaВConcept; in France, it has been available as Greenway since 2012, although its vendor, Climalife, has not participated in the market survey for the last two years. According to DuPont Tate & Lyle, the corn antifreeze requires 40 % less energy and reduces greenhouse gas emissions by more than 40 % compared to petroleumВbased 1.3Вpropanediol and propylene glycol. Staub & Co is now represented as Staub & Co – Silbermann in the market survey. Staub & Co. Chemiehandelsgesellschaft, part of the Stockmeier Group, acquired F.B. Silbermann in June 2013 after approval from the German Cartel Office, retroactively applied to January 2013. The two companies have operated jointly as Staub & Co. – Silbermann since December 2013. Eva Augsten This corrugated pipe is contaminated with black sludge from decomposed antifreeze fluid. Photo: solarklima GRANDIS 600 ONE GENERATION AHEAD! Now compatible with: conexio 200 de in Ge Ma lsheim go any, Eg rm 10 0% Flawless visualization and remote control over the internet flexbox 400 I/O extension module – In der BГјg 5 – D-91330 Eggolsheim – Tel: +49 (91 91) 61 66 0 – www.prozeda.de – E-Mail: sales@prozeda.de Prozeda Solar Gmbh Edition 43 Photovoltaics micro-inverters & oPtimizers Two groundbreaking PV technologies? Market leaders show lots of optimism According to the company, the Sunny Boy 240 was developed mainly for the North American market, but can be used worldwide. Photo: SMA Solar Technology AG The sale of micro-inverters and DC optimizers on the American market is continuously growing. Some manufacturers have already left the niche market. They should soon be followed by others. T he year 2014 launched the next chapter of the success story of micro-inverters and DC optimizers for PV systems. At any rate, the Canadian market research firm and publishing company Electronics.ca Publications firmly believes this and thus relies on a new study of GTM Research. The market researchers of Navigant Research report a similar story and make the industry hope for a dynamic development. Navigant thus predicts growth to a production volume of 52.7 GW between 2013 and 2020. The MLPE industry – MLPE stands for modulelevel power electronics; this term summarizes optimizers and micro-inverters – is developing very fast, with a growing number of module manufacturers which integrate these products into their modules. Furthermore, there are many established companies that enter into partnerships with producers of power electronics or buy them up, Navigant adds. This trend is expected to accelerate even further in the next few years. The drivers of this development are technical progress, cost reduction and political factors. 44 The industry is dominated by only a few companies. According to Electronics.ca Publications, Enphase Energy with its micro-inverters and SolarEdge Technologies, as well as Tigo Energy with its optimizers shared almost 90 % of the global MLPE market in 2013. Like the research institutes, they are quite optimistic about the future of their industry. “The MLPE market is amongst the fastest growing segments of the global solar industry,” the marketing department of SolarEdge Technologies, for example, writes on request. “In the past, MLPE technologies have demonstrated notable success in residential applications – last year, for example, according to GTM, approximately two out of every three new residential systems in the United States featured an MLPE solution. However, in the case of power optimizers, we are also seeing increased demand from the commercial sector. Globally, the MLPE market is expected to grow considerably in the next few years, achieving 5 GW installed by 2017.” All of this shows that this technology has left its niche existence behind, says the leading manufacturer of optimizers. The DC optimizers from Tigo Energy, Inc. have in the meantime also reached the universal market. Proof for this is the fact, the company says, that leading module and inverter manufacturers now also integrate this technology into their products. The “smart market” is currently growing faster than the overall market, and thus the day when the MLPE products are becoming the standard should not be far away. “We at Tigo believe that smart modules are the future of the optimizer and micro-inverter industry”, says Tigo’s Marketing Manager James Bickford. The expectations are primarily based on the advantage to be able to communicate with the module, Bickford continues because communication enables amonst others advanced safety functions, as well as larger energy harvests, longer strings, lower system costs, as well as improved and easier maintenance. Like his competitors, Senior Vice President Paul Barlock of the micro-inverter manufacturer APS America is optimistic with regard to market opportunities: “Our success in the global market demonstrates that micro-inverters are the new paradigm for PV power inversion. They are the technology of the future. As for the optimizers, the success of the microinverters lies in the advantages of the technology, explained Barlock: “Micro-inverters are the best solution for all rooftop solar applications because they offer greater energy harvest than string inverters; simplify PV system design and installation; reduce installation costs, including balance of system components; offer monitoring and control of individual solar panels in an array; and offer the increased safety of distributed current and rapid shutdown. According Sun & Wind Energy 6/2014 DC optimizer, string inverter and monitor of SolarEdge The reliable way To increase your yield Photo: SolarEdge to GTM Research, the US company is market leader in China and Australia for the micro-inverters, and it is the second biggest player on the North American market. But APS America is also successful in South America and Europe. Power conversion at module level It is widely believed that Enphase Energy is market leader for the manufacturing and marketing of micro-inverters. However, the Californian company does strictly not talk about individual units, but about a complete microsolution. It consists of an Enphase micro-inverter, an Envoy Communications Gateway, a monitoring system with Enlighten monitoring software and plug&play cabling. The service is also expressly included. The latest product, the micro-inverter M250, is the “the world’s most advanced micro-inverter”, the latest press release states. It improves the solar yield and simplifies the installation and management of solar power systems. According to Enphase, the unit is based on the inverters of the third generation and forms a new standard for the micro-inverters with a reduced number of parts. “Optimized for high-power solar modules, our fourth-generation technology delivers reliable, high-performing systems at great value,” summarises Anna Valeria Porta, PR Manager (EMEA). German SMA already presented a module inverter at the Intersolar Europe 2012: the Sunny Boy 240. According to the company, it was developed primarily for the North American market, but can be used worldwide. The unit is particularly suited to small photovoltaic systems with complicated shading situations and photovoltaics integrated into buildings, it is stated further. It provides high flexibility when planning systems in the power range below two kilowatt. “During market launch, the focus for us was first of all on the USA as the largest market for module inverters,” says Susanne Henkel, Manager of Corporate Press at SMA, on request. “Since February 2014, we have now been offering the Sunny Boy 240 in many Solar Edition Only with the right quality assurance during planning, construction and operation your PV System can reach the optimum yield. Boost your returns with our services: Yield Reports, Technical Due Diligence, Technical Acceptance, System Rating. We are your independent consultant for every phase of your project! International Quality Assurance More than 30 years of experience Investments of over 12 bn EUR secured Assistance specific to your project needs Reliable reports Quality that pays! Your contact: Mr. Tobias Knoblauch sales@meteocontrol.com +49 821 34 666 80 www.meteocontrol.com 45 Photovoltaics micro-inverters & oPtimizers Micro-inverter M250 from Enphase Photo: Enphase Energy 46 European markets”. The smallest of the family can be combined with the monitoring solution Sunny Multigate. Another advantage – which not always immediately springs to mind – is provided by the associated data sheet: Due to their modular structure, systems with the Sunny Boy 240 and the Sunny Multigate can be restructured and upgraded at any time, which might become necessary in case of structural changes or in case of an extension of performance, for example. The Chinese manufacturer LeadSolar Energy Co., Ltd. supplies the solar markets in the USA and Mexico and Brazil with its micro-inverters LeadSolar LS250 and LeadSolar LS600. The easy-to-handle units are designed for module voltages of a maximum of 60 V, the MPPT voltage ranges from 27 to 45V. The maximum output power is specified as 250W or 600W, respectively. In addition to the inverter, the complete system includes the communication gateway LeadSolar Link and the monitoring platform LeadSolar Management. LeadSolar Link monitors the safe function and the performance of the module and can be supplied as Utility, Residential Superior and Residential Basic versions. LeadSolar Management provides customers with the option to visually represent the module or PV system. The Californian Chilicon Power, LLC. claims to have developed the most efficient micro-inverter worldwide, with built-in long-term reliability. This is owing to the usage of highly reliable capacitors – while some competitors use electrolyte capacitors, who are known to fail at an early stage. According to Chilicon Power, the micro-inverter CP-250 produces an AC output power of 250W, the recommended input power is specified as 300 W. Efficiency is 96 % (CEC) or 96.6 %, respectively (peak). Micro-inverters are usually combined into one system with a gateway technology and a web-based software. The gateway networks with each micro-inverter and represents the information on a 7” LCD display. It also transmits performance information to the internet for ubiquitous access. According to co-founder Alexandre Kral, Chilicon Power is currently only selling its microinverters in North America, but is planning to extend the sale to South America at some stage. As with the competition, APS America’s microinverter system also consists of three key compo- nents: a micro-inverter, a communication unit (APS Communicator), and a monitoring software (APS Monitor). Amongst the inverters supplied by the company so far, the APS YC500A is the flagship, which is able to handle two solar modules simultaneously. APS America announced the impending introduction of the worldwide “first true 3-phase, 4-panel microinverter” named APS YC1000-3. “It is designed to work with 3 or 4 PV modules (up to 310W each) and provides 208V-480V 3-phase grid voltages – all at a price competitive with regular string inverters,” APS America claims on its website. The next manufacturer intending to introduce his product here is SolarBridge Technologies from Austin in Texas. It designs, develops and produces a microinverter series named Pantheon. “But SolarBridge does not sell micro-inverters directly to the open inverter market; instead the SolarBridge Pantheon and Pantheon II micro-inverter products are exclusively sold to module companies who incorporate the SolarBridge Pantheon and Pantheon II micro- inverters into their own products,” the company wrote on request. The Pantheon II micro-inverters are certified and approved for installation not only in the United States of America and Canada, but also in Australia. According to Solarbridge, partners integrating Pantheon micro-inverters into their products are module manufacturers SunPower, ET Solar and BenQ. The micro-inverter system from ABB comprises an inverter of the “micro” family and a Concentrator Data Device (CDD). Available for selection are inverters with capacities of 250W and 300W with a maximum DC input voltage of 65V, which enables connection of 96-cell modules. The ABB Concentrator Data Device forms the communication interface between the inverter system and the system operator. It shows the current system status via an integrated display. For a complete and detailed status report, the integrated web server can be used at local level. ABB provides the Aurora Vision Plant Management platform for complete recording of the system data. “The ABB micro family is available in North America and selected South American countries,” wrote Chavonne Yee, Director of Product Management North America, Power Conversion, Product Group Solar. And how does she assess the market potential? Yee: “The micro-inverter will remain as one approach to the DC to AC conversion with particular use for complex sites. The simplification of site design using microinverters makes it attractive to growth markets with relatively inexperienced solar installation and design resources. As markets mature and look for cost optimisation, the market will utilise micro-inverters for energy production in the part of the market with sub-optimal site shading.” DC optimizer instead of junction box Power optimizers are DC/DC converters, which are either embedded by module manufacturers into their modules, thus replacing the function of the junction Sun & Wind Energy 6/2014 box, or which are connected as an add-on by installers. Tigo Energy puts the first option into practice, with great success: “Tigo currently has over 10 PV module manufacturers shipping products with its embedded technology,“ says James Bickford, Tigo’s Marketing Manager. The design of such an optimisation system is such that each module receives an electronic Module Maximizer (MM), which is responsible for MPP tracking together with the Maximizer Management Unit (MMU). The maximizers are equipped with communication components, analog sensors as well as a switching technology for DC performance control, and communicate with the MMU, either via cable or radio. This device combination then determines and adjusts the MPP of the individual modules based on module and string information. The MMU also serves as internet access, so that the performance data can be transmitted to the Tigo analytical unit. One special feature: While the majority of the MPP trackers used today detect the MPP step by step (iterative procedure), Tigo Energy focuses on the patented procedure of the so-called “impedance adaptation” and with this expects the highest average efficiency on the module (“statistically 99.5 %”) with minor changes to the existing PV system. The leading manufacturer SolarEdge probably has the most comprehensive programme in the optimizer sector (as we cannot mention all of them here, we have selected the Module Embedded Power Optimizer OPJ300-LV and the Commercial Power Optimizer OP600-96V). The rated input DC power of the OPJ300-LV is specified as 300W, the maximum input voltage as 55V and the MPPT range as 5 to 55V. The add-on optimizer OP600-96V is designed for two 60-cell modules connected in series. Due to the higher voltage and performance values, this unit is ideally suited to commercial use. According to the data sheet, the peak efficiency for both optimizers is specified as 99.5 %. SolarEdge has by its own account delivered a total of 3.3 million optimizers to more than 60 countries worldwide, that is to North, Central and South America, as well as the Caribbean, Europe and Asia and the Middle East. Trina Solar, Ltd. sells modules with integrated power electronics from Tigo Energy, which is housed in the junction box. This solution called “TrinaSmart” works with a patented feature called “SmartCurve”. It enables up to 30 % longer strings and thus decreases installation costs, the company reported. Furthermore, Trinasmart boosts system performance by up to 20 %, for example in case of clouding and different module capacities within one string, and increases safety for the whole system. Communication between the modules and the system monitoring is radio-based via a gateway to the monitoring and management unit MMU, which is also supplied by Tigo. According to the data sheet, a maximum of 120 modules can be assigned to each gateway, and up to seven gateways can be assigned to each MMU. The MMU calculates and controls the operating points of the modules in real-time, and transmits all data to a monitoring portal, from where the system operator can then request and use them internet-based, that is via smartphone or laptop. “We sell this product worldwide, but have had some success recently in the Americas markets,” wrote Trina’s Philip Dawsey, Product Marketing Manager. Furthermore, he revealed that TrinaSolar is considering an integrated AC module, but currently has no commercially available product. PV Monitoring Wilhelm Wilming TrinaSmart modules with integrated power electronics in the junction box Photo: Trina Solar Further information: www.electronics-ca.com www.greentechmedia.com www.navigantresearch.com www.sma.de www.enphase.com www.leadsolarenergy.com/ www.chiliconpower.com www.apsamerica.com www.solarbridgetech.com www.trinasolar.com www.tigoenergy.com www.abb.com www.solaredge.com Intelligent in so many ways Reduce costs up to 25 % Solar-Logв„ў – the new standard for intelligent energy management with professional management of photovoltaic plants, from monitoring to control. Energy Management No matter what kind of inverter you use, we have you covered. And did we mention our sleek and informative user interface? Come see the leading PV energy management system for yourself at Intersolar in San Francisco. San Francisco July 8 - 10, 2014 Booth. 8233 Feed-In Management Solare Datensysteme GmbH • Germany• info@solar-log.com • www.solar-log.com Solar Edition 47 Photovoltaics tracking systems The ugly duckling industry? For years things were quiet around the tracking system market. But as trackers become less costly and innovative systems are being developed, leading manufacturers think that the ugly duckling might soon turn into a swan. The SolBot on its way to turn the trackers. Photo: QBotix 48 I n the last few years the tracking market has changed rapidly. During the Spanish boom in 2007 and 2008 about 50 to 100 modules were needed for a plant with a capacity of 1 MW, today just 40 to 80 modules achieve the same capacity. Technological developments have also led to a drop in tracker prices, which means that the systems are now becoming competitive. Of course there are different approaches for surviving within a struggling market. Either a company finds its niche or it offers a wide range of services. Nuevosol, for example, only sells horizontal axis trackers for use in regions close to the equatorial belt. As Himamsu Popuri, CEO and Managing Director of Nuevosol, told Sun & Wind Energy, his company regards other tracking systems as too costly and not viable. In comparison to this, Romain Buisine, Business Development Manager at Jusheng Solar, says that they do not want to narrow down their possible target markets and that they are ready to deliver their systems anywhere in the world. Their product portfolio includes horizontal, tilted, azimuth and even concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) trackers. When asked about future markets, tracking expert Deger Energy also sees several potential markets all over the world. Among them are the Southwest of the US, Canada, Chile, Ghana and South Africa, Jordan and Israel, the European countries Sweden and Turkey, as well as Malaysia and Australia. Wind is not an issue “Some people think that trackers are more vulnerable towards wind damage. But although the systems have more movable connection points, trackers can go into a safety position, whereas conventional ground mounted systems cannot,” points out Maria Lahuerta, Marketing Director at Exosun. At wind speeds of 70 km/h the Exosun trackers go into a horizontal safety position to provide less wind resistance. But wind tunnel tests have shown that trackers mounted with three piles can withstand wind speeds of around 200 km/h before taking some damage and with six piles a system can even endure up to 240 km/h winds. But these wind speeds only occur during a very strong storm or a hurricane, which means that the modules themselves will very likely be damaged some time before those speeds are reached. But while there is a safety regulation for fixed systems in the US, there are no definite safety regulations for tracking systems right now. There is only a Eurocode for grounding and the CE-mark, which the companies can assign themselves. Lahuerta would be glad if there were more standards: “Honestly, it would be great if we had a clear set of rules for construction and resistance. This is because if someone installs a badly constructed tracker and it breaks, all the other companies making trackers Sun & Wind Energy 6/2014 are also affected. We consider it a key point to certify with independent engineering companies.” Exosun certifies its systems with UL 3703 and 2703 compliancy and wind tunnel tests. Deger also deals with the issue of wind resistance. Its new two-axis tracker D60H was especially created for regions with high wind loads. With the maximum area of modules (40 mВІ) it can withstand up to 170 km/h wind speeds; with fewer modules, it can defy wind speeds of up to 300 km/h. Its durability was tested by the University of Stuttgart and Deger filed a patent for the mechanics behind the tracker’s high wind resistance, in which both axes are integrated within a swivel head unit. The systems are also certified for the US and Canada in accordance with UL/CSA standards. Another advantage of the new system is that Deger simplified the installation by pre-assembling some components. Maria Lahuerta of Exosun also emphasises how important it is to reduce the complexity of the installation: “We need a fast and easy installation process, which is as simple as building an IKEA shelf. This means that no cranes or specialised workmanship are needed.” Exosun wants to adapt to fixed ground mounted systems, especially in the large-scale sector, so that the same EPC contractors can work with them. In contrast to the other companies mentioned in this article, Deger uses its Maximum Light Detection Sensor (MLD) instead of astronomical tracking via algorithms. High concentration PV For concentrated photovoltaics a highprecision alignment with a deviation below 0.1В° is required. This means CPV trackers have to be constantly adjusted and use more energy than conventional PV trackers, which only move for approximately 30 min per day. Additionally, the strict alignment means that if the tracker motor is broken, there will be no electricity production at all. To limit the risks accompanying CPV, Exosun mixes normal PV trackers with CPV trackers in bigger solar plants. For example, three quarters of the plant can be normal PV trackers and one quarter will be concentrated PV trackers. If the CPV works, it will increase the overall yield of the plant, but if the CPV trackers malfunction, the conventional horizontal tracking systems will still work. Discover В® The lowest life-cycle cost utility solar tracker Robotic tracking At the Intersolar Europe in Munich, robotics expert QBotix presented their innovative tracking system, which uses a unique approach. Their robotic tracking system (or RTS) consists of around 210 photovoltaic trackers with 6 modules each and the trackers are installed on a rail. The innovative part about this is that the trackers themselves do not have motors. Instead, two small robots move along the rail and turn the modules according to the sun’s path. With this, tilt and azimuth tracking is possible. To correct for the 40 minutes it takes the SolBots to adjust all panels, they turn the trackers 5В° ahead of the sun’s position, explained Matt Lugar, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at QBotix. Amidst such interesting developments Deger also looks positively into the future. “We see a rising interest in our tracking systems worldwide. By now a lot of investors have adapted their business models so that solar energy pays off without state subsidies. […] The cost-effectiveness of photovoltaic systems is becoming more and more independent of state subsidies. The market for solar energy is accelerating again,” says Artur Deger, founder and CEO of Deger. Optimizes Utility-Scale Solar Plants for Maximum Output • Up to 20 years product warranty • UL 3703 compliant • Third party certified • Unparalleled customer support Tanja Peschel www.exosun.net The horizontal single-axis tracker Exotrack HZ only needs 6 motors per MW capacity due to its centralised control system. Photo: Exosun Solar Edition 49 Photovoltaics Pv MaRKEt sEGMENts Growth in residential segment will affect many U.S. manufacturers Large PV installation at Rancho Santa Fe Photo: SolarWorld Americas The conditions for market growth in the renewable energy sector could not be more promising. Solar accounted for 74 % of all new U.S. electric capacity installed in Q1 2014. 6.6 GW of PV will be installed by the end of the year. Analysts predict more than 8 GW by the end of the year. The forecast also shows after years of the utility sector’s steady growth the residential market is now ready to seriously expand. W hen it comes to PV manufacturing for the U.S. Greentech Media reports in its 2013 year-end analysis “after two years of overcapacity-induced price declines and heavy financial losses, 2013 marked a turnaround. The bestpositioned U.S. suppliers, particularly downstreamintegrated firms, enjoyed healthy profits and sales growth in 2H 2013, and 2014 promises to be the most profitable and stable year for PV manufacturing since the heady days of 2010. However, U.S. solar manufacturing growth in 2013 still lagged behind the rest of the world. Consequently, 2013 also witnessed some notable historical producers such as REC, SolarWorld and Sharp announce layoffs and plant shutdowns, a reminder that consolidation in the manufacturing landscape will still continue despite improving business conditions and overall market growth.” For the first quarter of 2014 GTM states polysilicon production in the U.S. was reduced to three major facilities: Hemlock, SunEdison and REC, 50 which in total produced 10,318 MT solar polysilicon with the bulk of the output being consumed in China, according to GTM. Wafer production in the last quarter has been gone down to 11 MW of wafers by the only remaining U.S. wafer production line at SunEdison in Oregon, a 180 MW monocrystalline plant. SolarWorld’s ingot and wafer production line (250 MW also in Oregon) was discontinued. Cell production only remained in Oregon (SolarWorld) and Georgia (Suniva) with a slight increase in the first quarter from 103 to 132 MW. Good news came from the inverter sector. “Yearover-year, the U.S. inverter industry saw an increase of 62 % as large utility projects and the commercial sector continue to be dominated by domestically produced inverters. In the residential sector, deployment of U.S. inverters continues to be weak as foreignmanufactured module-level power electronics companies continue to control the majority share,” stated Sun & Wind Energy 6/2014 Solar Edition 51 Photovoltaics Pv MaRKEt sEGMENts GTM. The total reported production capacity in the U.S. remained stagnant at 1.9 GW “although the continued growth of the U.S. market and expansion of domestic players has resulted in plans to build new capacity,” according to GTM. “It is my belief that the US will soon become a major player internationally and have an important role in the PV market,” said Frank Rosenkranz from TE Connectivity. Regarding the growth on the residential market, which has experienced big growth in the previous quarters, Rosenkranz wonders about “a lack of marketing to the end customer, to further inform them of the initiatives they could be benefitting from. For the end customer looking to install PV arrays on their house, there is little to no information at all.” Thanks to the federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) and several state incentive programmes, Ron Corio, Founder & CEO of Array Technologies, Inc. (ATI), said the U.S. has “created relatively stable primary drivers for growth of the U.S. solar energy industry. A federal renewable energy standard applied to all states would drive growth further and more uniformly across the country.” Corio has seen “an вЂ�air pocket’ in utility scale growth in Q1 of 2014, momentum is building as we progress into 2014 however. We believe that the Q1 hiccup was primarily due to lower PPA prices that did not anticipate stable or higher module prices.” Array Technologies, a manufacturer of solar tracking and racking systems for utilities, businesses and homeowners is headquartered in Albuquerque, NM. ATI’s 120 employees primarily deliver to the utility and commercial-scale sectors of the U.S. market. “However, we are focusing on specific international markets and look to these markets for long-term growth.” SolarMax USA, with inverter production in Switzerland, has seen a lot of the predicted growth for the U.S. market, “with residential growth being the most steady, commercial irregular but growing quickly, and utility business the largest but flattening due to fewer extremely large solar plants like we have seen in the past,” said Alan G. Beale, General Manager and President. “To support the growth in the U.S., we have made a substantial investment in R&D and product development in our Atlanta headquarters.” According to Beale, “utilities have become a driving force, like we see in Georgia with the Georgia Power Advanced Solar Initiative (GPASI).” Despite the record growth in solar deployments manufacturing related businesses are not experiencing such a Dean Middleton, Director Renewable Energy burst. Still, Frank Rosenkranz, from TE Sales for Trojan Battery is seeing a “growing Connectivity, sees a “tremendous potenconsumer demand for energy storage solutial and opportunity for smaller compations to serve the rapidly growing residennies to open their doors; companies that tial grid-tied with battery backup market in develop niche products and serve the U.S.” specific markets with tailored soluPhoto: Trojan Battery 52 Alan G. Beale, General Manager and President of SolarMax USA, Inc. expects a lot of growth for the U.S. market, “with residential growth being the most steady, commercial irregular but growing quickly, and utility business the largest but flattening. Photo: SolarMax USA tions.“ Rosenkranz also sees a trend for bifacial modules and thin-film modules in building designs gaining popularity, where TE Connectivity sees themselves to better serve the market. Another side effect of the residential market getting momentum has been seen by Dean Middleton, Director of Renewable Energy Sales for Trojan Battery, a leading manufacturer of deep-cycle batteries. The company with its headquarter in Santa Fe Springs, CA, with 600 employees, usually focuses on the offgrid market which is less affected by the uncertainty of subsidies. Although, Middleton wished that storage solutions would be included in the state or federal subsidy programmes to shorten the payback period for solar systems with battery back-up. “Incentivizing on-site energy storage will create new opportunities for growth in the solar market in the U.S. while giving consumers the energy independence they demand.” Despite pending policies to support that, Middleton is already seeing a “growing consumer demand for energy storage solutions to serve the rapidly growing residential grid-tied with battery backup market in the U.S.” The east coast has been experiencing many power outages, often lasting days or weeks, after floods and hurricanes became almost common during the summers. But grid-tied solar panels can’t deliver electricity to the home owner when the grid is down, due to the system setup. This development is still not backed up by many state policies. According to Middleton, until recently, utility companies in California have “essentially blocked the integration of energy storage into solar projects […] by way of excessive fees and permitting bureaucracy that have stalled the progress of over 10 MW of energy storage projects in the state.” Just last month a ruling by the California Public Utilities Commission will now “require these utilities to simplify the process and remove many of the barriers that have held these projects back in the past, essentially paving the way for a new solar market in the U.S.” Anja Limperis Sun & Wind Energy 6/2014 EVERY CONNECTION COUNTS TE Connectivity’s next-generation interconnectivity solutions for intelligent buildings empower design engineers to develop building system products to their fullest potential. With TE technology driving your product, you can simplify design, manufacturing, and installation while optimizing speed, power and performance. The possibilities are endless. Tour our 3D Intelligent Building at te.com/3D-Building. В©2014 TE Connectivity Ltd. All Rights Reserved. EVERY CONNECTION COUNTS, TE Connectivity and the TE connectivity (logo) are trademarks of the TE Connectivity Ltd. family of companies. Solar Edition 53 Photovoltaics thailand Solar energy can mitigate impact of weather-related disasters The pictures show some effects of the flood crisis for people and energy production in Thailand. Photos: Suntech The benefits of renewable energy, including solar energy, in helping reduce global greenhouse gas emissions are well known and well documented. For example, the recent report by the United Nation’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 2014: Mitigation of climate change once again demonstrates the benefits associated with nations increasing the share of renewable energy in their energy mix. However, what is not as well studied – and what is missing from this most recent report – is an analysis of the benefits that solar fields provide as a robust and resilient energy supply enabling countries to lessen the impact of the growing number of extreme weather-related disasters. S tudies have shown that extreme weatherrelated disasters are on the rise, and that these disasters are disproportionally affecting Asian cities and countries. According to the Asian Development Bank, Asia accounts for half of the world’s estimated economic losses from extreme weather events over the past 20 years. The region is also estimated to experience US$ 53.8 billion in losses annually from disasters, with scientists predicting that the frequency and severity of extreme weather events is set to accelerate. Businesses, 54 governments and citizens are facing both expected and unexpected challenges, such as the rising cost of power, long-term environmental impact and scarcity of resources, as they seek to confront these extreme weather conditions. Many Southeast Asian countries have responded to the changing landscape by implementing progressive policies to build more sustainable energy sources. For example, Thailand, which suffers from frequent catastrophes, particularly floods, has set an ambitious goal of achieving 25 % of its total energy Sun & Wind Energy 6/2014 from renewable sources by 2021. Thanks to Thailand’s geographic advantage, located near the Equator and with an average solar radiation of 5.05 kWh/m2 per day, the country has invested significantly in solar power projects and is expected to generate nearly 2,000 MW in cumulated installed capacity from solar fields by 2021. Suntech is proud to support Thailand’s ambitious plan. In 2010, Suntech provided the solar panels used to build, one of South East Asia’s largest silicon photovoltaic power plants, a 45 MW project called “Sunny Bangchak”. The project, located in Bang Pa-in, Ayutthaya, 60 kilometres outside Bangkok, was led by Bangchak Petroleum PLC, and utilizes 157,200 PV modules. The solar power plant is estimated to reduce nearly 30,000 tons of coal equivalent and to mitigate 75,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions — the equivalent of planting 3,000,000 trees or removing 9,000 cars from the roads. Sunny Bangchak’s ground breaking took place in August 2010 and its 8 MW plant started commercial operation on August 5, 2011. But Sunny Bangchak has done more than diversify Thailand’s energy sources: it is contributing to Thailand’s resiliency, as demonstrated by its rapid return to use following the Great Flood of 2011, whose 3-year anniversary is approaching. In October 2011, after only a few months of operation, Sunny Bangchak was completely submerged in fresh water for nearly two months during the nation’s flooding. Although the solar field suffered damages during this period, it quickly bounced back producing 8 MW of output 6 months after the flood receded and resuming full production on July 16, 2012. The field’s operator praised the quick turn around with Watcharapong Saisuk, Managing Director of Bangchak Solar Energy (BSE), calling the highly resilient solar field a landmark for green environment and sustainable business in Thailand. But the high quality and resiliency of the solar panels used in the Sunny Bangchak project also created opportunities to expand the use of solar energy in Thailand beyond the solar field. Following the flood, the original panels used in the Bang Pa-in solar field were replaced with new Suntech modules. However, a review of Suntech’s original solar panels found that the vast majority were not only fully functioning, but in “excellent” condition. The replaced panels were then Solar Edition purchased by World Machine Centre Co., Ltd (WMC) who rehabilitated the panels and sold the panels to families, farmers, temples and companies throughout the country. According to Amphol Kovadhana, Managing Director of WMC, the company has resold more than 80 % of the panels, thanks to the high quality and strength of the products. “I am thrilled that the Energy. Anytime. Anywhere. rescued panels can be reused and that we are able to help Thailand’s citizen to get access to cheap and reliable electricity.” The short timeline to return to full operation and reuse of the panels is a unique quality for solar fields and a true benefit to solar energy. According to the report assessing the impact of the Thailand flooding developed by the Ministry of Finance, Royal Thai Government and The World Bank, severe damages were experienced to the power generation plants in Ayutthaya province as well as to distribution networks and Victron Energy property and assets. These damages, inverters, chargers, inverter/chargers, which totaled Thai Baht (THB) 3,185 solar charge controllers, battery monitors, billion (US$ 98 million), were estimated batteries, solar panels and more. to take 18 months to rehabilitate. W: www.victronenergy.com Other nations have faced similar reE: sales@victronenergy.com habilitation challenges as well as substantial environmental disruption following natural disasters. In June last year, following a devastating flood in the Northern Indian state of Uttarakhand, ten Advert_SWW Africa_June2014.indd 1 19-6-2014 major hydropower projects in operation and under construction were severely damaged. Many were so badly impaired that they may never be built. Another 19 smaller hydropower projects were completely destroyed. Nations are facing increasing challenges to adapt and respond to the changing climate conditions. Adopting renewable solar energy offers a way to not only help mitigate the impact of the climate changes by reducing our global carbon footprint, but also helps build resilience into our energy systems. Suntech’s experience with Sunny Bangchak tells us that solar fields and solar can offer needed resilience for countries that suffer from ongoing threats from natural disasters. Solar energy can mitigate unexpected risks as Solarpeace Corp.(Korea) well as drive growth in a more sustainTel:+86-186 8809 7799 able way. Email:sales01@solarfennel.com Eric Luo Website: www.solarpeace.net SOLARFENNEL, Corp.(USA) Eric Luo is the CEO of Wuxi Suntech. Prior to this role, he served as the Senior Vice President of Sales & Operations, where he was responsible for Suntech’s worldwide sales and marketing activities. Tel:+1-909-393-1866 Email:info@77solar.com Website: www.solarfennel.com 55 9:56:24 inteRnational events Review When we send our weekly newsletters to 25,000 recipients, we are able to measure the response immediately. Starting from 300 € you can do that, too. Make use of the opportunity: to draw attention to current offers, products or topics to support the search engine marketing for your company website Information on advertising possibilities in our newsletter: Phone: +49 (0)521 595 572 or contact@sunwindenergy.com www.sunwindenergy.com Solar Edition 65 Director > Directory Biomass / Biogas aUSTrIa Co-generation plants Germany SOLarFOCUS GmbH Research, development, production and distribution of high quality solar thermal collectors (sealed CPC), biomass boilers, storage technology and fresh water technology A-4451 St. Ulrich/Steyr, Werkstr. 1 Tel. +43/7252/50002-0 www.solarfocus.eu, office@solarfocus.eu SeVa energie aG Block-Type Thermal Power Stations Biogas Plants, Vegatable Oil Plants D-49685 Emstek, Europa-Allee 14 Tel. +49 4473 9281 0, Fax +49 4473 9281 10 www.seva.de, info@seva.de pellets – heating systems Measurement Technology aUSTrIa Biotech energietechnik GmBH Pellet and wood chips heating facilities, feeding systems and autom. feeding systems for pellet stoves A-5101 Bergheim, FurtmГјhlstr. 32 Tel. +43/662/454072-0, Fax 454072-50 www.pelletsword.com, office@pelletsworld.com Germany ammonit measurement GmbH Data loggers, measurement systems for wind and solar resource assessment, online monitoring software D-10997 Berlin, Wrangelstrasse 100 Tel. + 49/30/6003188-0, Fax -10 www.ammonit.com, info@ammonit.com Photovoltaics Germany aXITeC GmbH High quality german solar company. In the market since 2001. Pioneer in 10 years product warranty and plus tolerances. D-71034 BГ¶blingen, Otto-Lilienthal-StraГџe 5 Tel. +49/7031/6288-5186, Fax +49/7031/6289-5187 www.axitecsolar.com, info@axitecsolar.com Heraeus materials Technology Thin Film Materials Division Heraeus TMD supplies the complete package of sputtering targets for various types of solar cells. D-63450 Hanau, Wilhelm-Rohn-Str. 25 Tel. +49/6181/35-2229, Fax 35-2220 www.heraeus-targets.com, targets@heraeus.com Krannich Solar GmbH & Co.KG System provider for pv installers D-71263 Weil der Stadt (Hausen), Heimsheimer Str. 65/1 Tel. +49/7033/3042-0, Fax +49/7033/3042-222 www.krannich-solar.com info@krannich-solar.com Lebherz und Partner Ingeniere int. Qualitiy assurance, Manage analyses areal Inspection with Copters, EL, Thermographie Jakobstrasse 218, D-52064 Aachen Tel. +49 241 477074 0 info@ib-lup.de, www.ib-lup.de/en mounting Systems GmbH Manufacturer of mounting systems and components for Photovoltaic and SolarThermal D-15834 Rangsdorf, Mittenwalder Str. 9a Tel. +49/33708/529-0, Fax 529-199 www.mounting-systems.de Phaesun GmbH The Off-Grid Experts Phaesun is the leading system integrator for Off-Grid solar systems D-87700 Memmingen, BrГјhlweg 9 Tel. +49/8331/990420, Fax 9904212 www.phaesun.com, info@phaesun.com renusol GmbH Solar Mounting Systems D-51063 KГ¶ln, Piccoloministrasse 2 Tel. +49/221/788707-0, Fax -99 www.renusol.com, info@renusol.com rOBUST HaBICHT & HeUSer GmbH & Co. KG Cutting Machines for Tedlar, EVA and many more Winding Machines for Tedlar, EVA and many more Friction Winding Shafts D-42899 Remscheid, Garschager Heide 41 Tel. +49/2191/56118-0, Fax -75 www.robust.de, info@robust.de SCHmID Group|Gebr. SCHmID GmbH Process equipment and turnkey lines For the production of wafer, cells, modules and thin film application. D-72250 Freudenstadt, Robert-Bosch-Str. 32-36 Tel. +49/7441/538-0, Fax 538-121 www.schmid-group.com, info@schmid-group.com Solar Edition 57 Directory skytronВ® energy GmbH Complete Monitoring, Control and Supervision System for utility-scale photovoltaic installations D-12489 Berlin, Ernst-Augustin-StraГџe 12 Tel. +49/30/6883159-0, Fax +49/30/6883159-99 www.skytron-energy.com, info@skytron-energy.com SOLar23 GmbH D-89073 Ulm, Zeitblomstr. 7 Tel. +49 (0) 731/708099-0, Fax 708099-99 www.solar23.com, info@solar23.com Solarc Innovative Solarprodukte GmbH Customized solar systems from very small up to large PV power, including electronics development D-10999 Berlin, Glogauer Str. 21 Tel. +49/30/3198554-00, Fax -99 www.solarc.de, service@solarc.de Solar-Fabrik aG Aktiengesellschaft fГјr Produktion und Vertrieb von solartechnischen Produkten D-79111 Freiburg, Munzinger Str. 10 Tel. +49/761/4000-0, Fax 4000-199 www.solar-fabrik.de SolarWorld aG SolarWorldВ® construction kits SolarWorld Energy RoofВ® Solar Power Plants SolarWorldВ® Modules D-53175 Bonn, Martin-Luther-King-Str. 24 Tel. +49/228/55920-0, Fax 55920-99 www.solarworld.de, service@solarworld.de Sunways aG Photovoltaic Technology Manufacturer of solar cells and solar inverters D-78467 Konstanz, Macairestr. 3-5 +49/7531/99677-0, Fax 99677-444 www.sunways.de, info@sunways.de Steca electronik GmbH German manufacturer of controllers and inverters; sectors: PV- On- and Off-Grid, Solar thermal D-87700 Memmingen, Mammostr. 1 Tel. +49-(0)8331-8558-0, Fax +49-(0)8331-8558-132 www.stecasolar.com, info@stecasolar.com Talesun Solar Germany GmbH 80339 MГјnchen, Landsberger Str. 110 Tel. +49/89/1891770, Fax +49/89/189177499 www.talesun-eu.com, sales.eu@talesun.com Universal energy engineering GmbH Modules, Inverters, Customized Packages, Development Roof and Greenland D-09119 Chemnitz, Neefestr. 82 Tel. +49 371 9098590, Fax +49 371 90985919 www.universal-energy.de, info@universal-energy.de ITaLy elettronica Santerno Leader in the production of inverters for industrial automation, renewable energies and hybrid drive I-40026 Imola (BO), Strada Statale Selice 47 Tel. +39/0542/489711, Fax 489722 www.santerno.com, info@santerno.com ISTar SOLar SrL Italian manufacturer of PV modules, lamps, components and complete systems I-85050 Tito (PZ), Area Industriale Tito Scalo Tel. +39/0971/485157, Fax 651970 www.istarsolar.com, info@istarsolar.com SUnerG SOLar Srl Producer PV MODULES / SOLAR THERMAL COLLECTORS and complete systems distribution from 1978. I-06012, CittГЎ di Castello (PG), via D.Donini 51 Tel. +39/075/8540018, Fax +39/075/8648105 www.sunergsolar.com, export@sunergsolar.com POLanD SVGe Sp. z o.o. Canadian Solar Authorized Reseller. System integrator for photovoltaics. Provider of high quality components. PL-02-963 Warszawa, ul. Z. Vogla 8 Tel. +48223782000 Fax +48223782001 www.svge.eu, info@svge.eu www.svge.pl, kontakt@svge.pl SWITZerLanD Sputnik engineering aG CH-2502 Biel, HГ¶heweg 85 Tel. +41/32/3465600, Fax 3465609 www.solarmax.com, info-de@solarmax.com TaIWan rITeK Solar An expert manufacturer of PV-Modules from Polycrystalline, Mono-crystalline, to BIPV certificated by TГњV, UL, CEC, and MCS. No 42, Kuan-Fu N. Rd., Hsin Chu Industrial Park, 30351, Hsinchu, Taiwan Tel. +886-03-598-7298 #4013 Fax +886-03-599-8449 www.riteksolar.com, ritsolar@ritek.com USa Te Connectivity - Intelligent Buildings TE is a full-service innovation partner, leveraging cross-industry engineering expertise to provide connection products so building systems connect more intelligently. PO Box 3608 Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, UNITED STATES 17105 Phone: 1-800-522-6752, www.te.com/ib morningstar Corporation The World’s Leading Solar Controllers and Inverters 8 Pheasant Run Newtown, PA 18940 Tel. +1/215-321-4457, Fax 4458 www.morningstarcorp.com info@morningstarcorp.com pV-ConneCtor systems CHIna QC Solar Leader in manufacturing and marketing Solar PV junction boxes, cables, connectors and solar distributing systems. TГњV and UL approved. CN-215123 Suzhou, SIP, Xinfa Road No. 31 Tel. 0086/512/62603392; market@qc-solar.com.cn SWITZerLanD multi-Contact aG PV connector systems manufacturer: connectors MC3 & MC4, cables, junction boxes, custom solutions CH-4123 Allschwil, Stockbrunnenrain 8 Tel. +41/61/306 55 55, Fax +41/61/306 55 56 www.multi-contact.com, basel@multi-contact.com pV – inVerters aUSTraLIa Selectronic australia Pty Ltd Designer and manufacturer of high quality interactive inverter chargers Off Grid, Grid Support, Grid Backup 3kW-54kW Chirnside Park VIC 3116, Suite 5, 20 Fletcher Rd Tel. +61/3/9727/6600, Fax +61/3/9727/6601 www.selectronic.com.au, lhart@selectronic.com.au Wagner & Co Solartechnik GmbH Solaranlagen fГјr WW und Heizung PV-Systeme fГјr Netzeinspeisung & Inselbetrieb Pelletheiztechnik D-35091 CГ¶lbe, Zimmermannstr. 12 Tel. +49/6421/8007-0, Fax 8007-22 www.wagner-solar.com, info@wagner-solar.com GreaT BrITaIn Hi-Bond Tapes Ltd. High Performance Tapes for frame bonding, junction box mounting cell fixing and conductive tapes UK-NN17 5TS, Corby, Northamptonshire 1, Crucible Road Phoenix Parkway Tel. 0044/1536/260022, Fax 0044/1536/260044 www.hi-bondtapes.com, sales@hi-bondtapes.co.uk GreeCe IBC SOLar a.e. GR-15125 Marousi - Athens 29 Paradeisou & Zagoras str. Tel.: +30 21 06 855090, Fax: +30 21 06 80 17 23 www.ibc-solar.gr, info@ibc-solar.gr 58 Sun & Wind Energy 6/2014 aUSTrIa Fronius International GmbH International quality leader and manufacturer of grid-connected inverters for PV-Systems. A-4600 Wels, Froniusplatz 1 Tel. +43/7242/241-0 www.fronius.com, contact@fronius.com CZeCH rePUBLIC Frankensolar CZ s.r.o. Solar thermal systems Phone +420 2747 76744 info@frankensolar.cz, www. frankensolar.cz DenmarK Danfoss Solar Inverters a/S DK-6300, Graasten, Ulsnaes 1 Tel. +45/7488/1300, Fax +45/7488/1301 www.danfoss.com/solar, solar-inverters@danfoss.com Germany Delta energy Systems (Germany) GmbH Delta Energy Systems has been investing in the research and development of solar inverter products at its German location since 1999. The result of this is something to be proud of reliable solar inverters with high efficiencies and state-of-the-art high-frequency topology. D-79331 Teningen, Tscheulinstr. 21 Tel. +49 7641 455 0, Fax +49 7641 455 318 www.solar-inverter.com, sales@solar-inverter.com GreaT BrITaIn Frankensolar UK Ltd. Solar thermal systems Phone +44 1903 477 980 Mobile +44 (0) 75 40 80 40 39 info@frankensolar.co.uk, www.frankensolar.co.uk ITaLy SielSpa SIEL is one of the world leaders in the production and maintenance of PV solar inverters. I-20060 TREZZANO, VIA 1В° MAGGIO, 25 Tel. +39/02/909861, Fax +39/02/90968490 www.sielups.com, info@sielups.com SPaIn HeLIOS SySTemS E-08840 Viladecans, Barcelona Carrer del' Enginy, nave7 Tel. +34/93/633 44 16, Fax +34/93/633 44 19 www.helios-systems.net jh.decalf@helios-systems.net USa Frankensolar americas Inc. Tracking Systems Phone +1/416/822/7983 pV – modules aUSTrIa KIOTO Photovoltaics GmbH Since 2004 KIOTO is producing high efficient pv-modules on the world’s most modern production unit in Austria. A-9300, Sankt Veit/Glan,SolarstraГџe 1,Industriepark Tel. 0043/4212-28300-0 www.kiotosolar.com, office@kioto-pv.com Solar Edition CZeCH rePUBLIC Frankensolar CZ s.r.o. Solar thermal systems Phone +420 2747 76744 info@frankensolar.cz, www. frankensolar.cz Germany BayWa r.e. Solarsysteme GmbH Provider of high quality photovoltaic components from sales to service including modules, inverters, pv-storage solutions and mounting systems D-72072 TГјbingen, Eisenbahnstr. 150 Tel. +49/7071/989870, Fax 9898710 http://solarsysteme.baywa-re.com solarsysteme@baywa-re.com Talesun Solar Germany GmbH 80339 MuМ€nchen, Landsberger Str. 110 Tel. +49/89/1891770, Fax +49/89/189177499 www.talesun-eu.com, sales.eu@talesun.com GreaT BrITaIn Frankensolar UK Ltd. Solar thermal systems Phone +44 1903 477 980 Mobile +44 (0) 75 40 80 40 39 info@frankensolar.co.uk www.frankensolar.co.uk JOrDan Philadelphia Solar Clean Renewable Energy Solution The FIRST Photovoltaic Modules Producer in JORDAN JO-11814, Amman, Airport St.-Al Qastal Industr.Area Tel. +962/6/471/6601, Fax +962/6/471/6602 www.philadelphia-solar.com, info@philadelphia-solar.com POLanD SVGe Sp. z o.o. Canadian Solar Authorized Reseller. System integrator for photovoltaics. Provider of high quality components. PL-02-963 Warszawa, ul. Z. Vogla 8 Tel. +48223782000 Fax +48223782001 www.svge.eu, info@svge.eu www.svge.pl, kontakt@svge.pl USa Frankensolar americas Inc. Tracking Systems Phone +1/416/822/7983 pV– modules – thin film modules CZeCH rePUBLIC Frankensolar CZ s.r.o. Solar thermal systems Phone +420 2747 76744 info@frankensolar.cz, www. frankensolar.cz GreaT BrITaIn Frankensolar UK Ltd. Solar thermal systems Phone +44 1903 477 980 Mobile +44 (0) 75 40 80 40 39 info@frankensolar.co.uk www.frankensolar.co.uk USa Frankensolar americas Inc. Tracking Systems Phone +1/416/822/7983 pV – Crystalline modules CZeCH rePUBLIC Frankensolar CZ s.r.o. Solar thermal systems Phone +420 2747 76744 info@frankensolar.cz, www. frankensolar.cz Germany Talesun Solar Germany GmbH 80339 MuМ€nchen, Landsberger Str. 110 Tel. +49/89/1891770, Fax +49/89/189177499 www.talesun-eu.com, sales.eu@talesun.com GreaT BrITaIn Frankensolar UK Ltd. Solar thermal systems Phone +44 1903 477 980 Mobile +44 (0) 75 40 80 40 39 info@frankensolar.co.uk www.frankensolar.co.uk InDIa evergreen Solar Systems India Pvt Ltd Manufacturer of high efficiency Solar Photovoltaic Modules and EPC contractor of Solar Power Projects IND-641017 Coimbatore Sulochana Mills Campus, Mettupalayam Road, Vadamadurai, Tel. +91422/2642564, Fax +91422/2642830 www.evergreensolar.in USa Frankensolar americas Inc. Tracking Systems Phone +1/416/822/7983 pV – monitoring BeLGIUm 3e (SynaptiQ) SynaptiQ is a universal PV monitoring and reporting software platform, developed by the technical consultancy: 3E Offices in Belgium, France, UK, Italy, South Africa and China Phone +32 2 217 58 68, www.3E.eu/synaptiq FranCe QOS energy QOS Energy is a leading renewable energy performance management solution. 100 % Hardware independent and flexible. 16 rue de Bretagne F 44240 LA CHAPELLE SUR ERDRE & GebГ¤ude 4 office 356 Landshuterstrasse 26 D 85716 UnterschleiГџheim Phone France +33 2 51 89 46 00 Phone Germany + 49 8136-4077785 www.qosenergy.com pV– mounting systems BeLGIUm Sadef nV Design and manufacturing of steel structures for PV B-8830 Gits, Bruggesteenweg 60 Tel. +32/51/261211, Fax +32/51/261301 www.sadef.be, sales@sadef.be 59 Directory CZeCH rePUBLIC Frankensolar CZ s.r.o. Solar thermal systems Phone +420 2747 76744 info@frankensolar.cz, www. frankensolar.cz eXOSUn Exosun designs, develops and supplies a range of innovative solar tracking systems for utility-scale ground mounted solar plants, delivered with associated engineering services 33650 Martillac, Technopole Bordeaux Montesquieu, rue Jacques Monod Tel. +33 (0)5 56 64 09 24 www.exosun.net, info@exosun.net Germany BayWa r.e. Solarsysteme GmbH Provider of high quality photovoltaic components from sales to service including modules, inverters, pv-storage solutions and mounting systems D-72072 TГјbingen, Eisenbahnstr. 150 Tel. +49/7071/989870, Fax 9898710 http://solarsysteme.baywa-re.com solarsysteme@baywa-re.com GreaT BrITaIn Frankensolar UK Ltd. Solar thermal systems Phone +44 1903 477 980 Mobile +44 (0) 75 40 80 40 39 info@frankensolar.co.uk www.frankensolar.co.uk Hi-Bond Tapes Ltd. High Performance Tapes for frame bonding, junction box mounting cell fixing and conductive tapes UK-NN17 5TS, Corby, Northamptonshire 1, Crucible Road Phoenix Parkway Tel. 0044/1536/260022, Fax 0044/1536/260044 www.hi-bondtapes.com, sales@hi-bondtapes.co.uk USa Frankensolar americas Inc. Tracking Systems Phone +1/416/822/7983 Johnson Bros. metal Forming Co. Custom shapes for Solar Panels USA-60163 Berkeley IL, 5520 McDermott Drive Tel. +1/708/449-7050, Fax +1/708/449-0042 www.JohnsonRollForming.com, info@jobroco.com pV – suppliers Germany KremPeL-GrOUP AKASOLВ® Weather-resistant backsheet for PV modules. With fluoropolymer films KYNARВ® or TEDLARВ® D-71665 Vaihingen/Enz, Papierfabrikstr. 4 Tel. +49/7042/915-0, Fax +49/7042/15985 www.krempel-group.com, info@krempel-group.com pV – wire + Cable CZeCH rePUBLIC Frankensolar CZ s.r.o. Solar thermal systems Phone +420 2747 76744 info@frankensolar.cz, www. frankensolar.cz Germany HeLUKaBeL GmbH Cable & Accessories for photovoltaic installations and for Wind Turbines D-71282 Hemmingen, Dieselstr. 8-12 Tel. +49/7150/9209-0, Fax +49/7150/81786 www.helukabel.de, info@helukabel.de GreaT BrITaIn Frankensolar UK Ltd. Solar thermal systems Phone +44 1903 477 980 Mobile +44 (0) 75 40 80 40 39 info@frankensolar.co.uk www.frankensolar.co.uk USa Frankensolar americas Inc. Tracking Systems Phone +1/416/822/7983 Solar thermal systems aUSTrIa SOLarFOCUS GmbH Research, development, production and distribution of high quality solar thermal collectors (sealed CPC), biomass boilers, storage technology and fresh water technology A-4451 St. Ulrich/Steyr, Werkstr. 1 Tel. +43/7252/50002-0 www.solarfocus.eu, office@solarfocus.eu Technische alternative Elektron. SteuerungsgerГ¤te GmbH Solar-, Heizungs- und Wintergartenregler A-3872 Amaliendorf, Langestr. 124 Tel. +43/2862/53635, Fax 536357 www.ta.co.at, mail@ta.co.at TiSUnВ® Development + production of solar-collectors (in-roof, on-roof, facade-integrated, free-setting up), storage tanks, solar-boiler, solar fittings A-6306 SГ¶ll Tel. +43/5333/201-0, Fax 201-100 www.tisun.com, office@tisun.com Germany aLanOD GmbH & Co. KG sunselectВ® (copper) and mirothermВ® (aluminium) with a selective PVD absorptive layer. mirosolВ® TS with a selective absorptive lacquer. MIRO-SUNВ® for weatherproof solar applications. D-58256 Ennepetal, Egerstr. 12 Tel. +49/2333/986-500, Fax 986-525 www.alanod-solar.com, info@alanod-solar.com almeco GmbH TiNOX energyВ® Selective absorber surfaces – vega energyВ® Reflective surfaces for solar energy concentration systems D-06406 Bernburg, Claude Breda Strasse 3 Tel. +49/3471/34655 00, Fax +49/3471/34655 09 www.almecosolar.com, info@almecosolar.com BlueTec GmbH & Co. KG our highly selective surfaces on copper + aluminium substrat: eta plus a new generation of absorber coating D-34388 Trendelburg, In der Bau 17 Tel. +49/5671/7797-0, Fax -199 www.bluetec.eu, info@bluetec.eu CitrinSolar GmbH Energie- und Umwelttechnik D-85368 Moosburg, BГ¶hmerwaldstr. 32 Tel. +49/8761/3340-0, Fax 334040 www.citrinsolar.com, info@citrinsolar.de Consolar GmbH Hocheffiziente Solaranlagen, Solare WГ¤rmepumpen, RГ¶hrenkollektoren, Kombisysteme, Internet-Systemregler D-79539 LГ¶rrach, Gewerbestrasse 7 Tel. +49/7621/42228-30, Fax 42228-31 www.consolar.de, info@consolar.de Grammer Solar GmbH Ihr Projektpartner beim Bauen mit der Sonne D-92224 Amberg, Oskar-von-Miller-Str. 8 Tel. +49/9621/30857-0, Fax 30857-10 www.grammer-solar.de, info@grammer-solar.de KBB Kollektorbau GmbH Flat plate collectors and full surface absorbers (copper and aluminium) D-12439 Berlin, Bruno-BГјrgel-Weg 142-144 Tel. +49/30/6781789-10, Fax 6781789-55 www.kbb-solar.com, info@kbb-solar.com OVenTrOP GmbH & Co. KG Valves, controls and systems Solar Thermal Energy D-59939 Olsberg, Paul-Oventrop-StraГџe 1 Tel. +49/2962/82-0, Fax -400 www.oventrop.de, mail@oventrop.de proKГјhlsole GmbH Solar Thermal Systems, Solarfluids, Liquid Heat Carrier, D-52353 DГјren, Am Langen Graben 37 Tel. +49/2421/59196-0, Fax +49/2421/59196-10 www.pekasolar.de, info@prokuehlsole.de PrOZeDa GmbH Manufacturer of controllers for solar thermal, freshwater, heating, heating pumps and air handling systems 91330 Eggolsheim, In der BГјg 5 Tel. 09191/6166-0, Fax 6166-22 www.prozeda.de, info@prozeda.de 60 Sun & Wind Energy 6/2014 ritter energie und Umwelttechnik GmbH & Co. KG Development, production and distributing of ecological energy systems D-72135 Dettenhausen, KuchenГ¤cker 2 Tel. +49/7157/5359-1200, Fax 5359-1209 www.ritter-gruppe.com, info@ritter-gruppe.com SOreL GmbH mikroelektronik Manufacturer of Solar and Heating Controllers and Pump Groups with integrated TDC-Controller D-45549 SprockhГ¶vel, Jahnstr. 36 Tel. +49/2339/6024, Fax 6025 www.sorel.de, info@sorel.de Steca electronik GmbH German manufacturer of controllers and inverters; sectors: PV- On- and Off-Grid, Solar thermal D-87700 Memmingen, Mammostr. 1 Tel. +49-(0)8331-8558-0, Fax +49-(0)8331-8558-132 www.stecasolar.com, info@stecasolar.com TyFOrOP Chemie GmbH Heat-Transfer Fluids D-20537 Hamburg, Anton-RГ©e-Weg 7 Tel. +49/40/209497-0, Fax 209497-20 www.tyfo.de, info@tyfo.de Wagner & Co Solartechnik GmbH Solaranlagen fГјr WW und Heizung PV-Systeme fГјr Netzeinspeisung & Inselbetrieb Pelletheiztechnik D-35091 CГ¶lbe, Zimmermannstr. 12 Tel. +49/6421/8007-0, Fax 8007-22 www.wagner-solar.com, info@wagner-solar.com WaTer Way engineering GmbH Pipework systems for solar installations with flexible stainless steel or copper tubes / collector connectors D-47441 Moers, Baerler Str. 100 Tel. +49/2481/88320-0, Fax 88320-20 www.waterwaygmbh.de, info@waterwaygmbh.de GreeCe CaLPaK-CICerO HeLLaS Sa Producer of flat plate collectors, vacuum tube collectors, hot water tanks and complete solar thermal systems GR-11743 Athens, Sygrou Avenue 9 Tel. +30/210/9247250, Fax 9231616 www.calpak.gr, export@calpak.gr nOBeL XILInaKIS D. & Co. Solar & electric water heating systems industry G-14231 Nea Ionia, Athens, 69-71 Ag. Vasileiou & 59 Karaoli Str. Tel./Fax +30/210/2478677, 2405388, 2753912 www.nobel.gr, info@nobel.gr SOLe S.a. Solar Water Heaters and Collectors Manufacturers GR-13671 Acharnai - Athens Lefktron Str. and Laikon Agonon Str. Tel. +30/210/2389500, Fax 2389502 www.eurostar-solar.com, export@sole.gr ISraeL DaGan maCHIne enGIneerInG Manufacture of machines for complete absorber production line. Tube punching and customized machines IL-53211 Givatayim, 20, K.Joseph st. Tel. +972/544/324418 www.dagan-machine.com ITaLy CmG Solari Srl PATENTED special solar thermal system with condensation heat transfering. Manufacturer of absorbers, flat plate collectors and complete systems. I-73040 Melissano (LE), C. da Vore – Zona Ind.le Tel. 0039/0833581428, Fax 0039/0833581428 www.cmgsolari.it, info@cmgsolari.it Solar Edition JOrDan HANANIA В® Solar Systems Manufacturer of Solar Thermal Systems Elia Abu Madi St. #26, Shmeisani, P.O. Box 2858 11181 Amman, Jordan Tel. +962/65663355, Fax +962/65683777 www.hanania.jo, info@hanania.jo POLanD HeWaLeX Flat plate, vacuum tube collectors and solar systems production PL-43-502 Czechowice-Dziedzice, Slowackiego 33 Tel. 0048/32/214-1710, Fax 0048/32/214-5004 www.hewalex.pl, hewalex@hewalex.pl WaTT Manufacturer of solar systems PL-41-208 Sosnowiec, ul. Watta 6 Tel. +48/32/28766-80, Fax 28766-84 www.kolektory.pl, www.watt.pl, info@watt.pl SPaIn SOnDer reGULaCIГ“n S.a. E-08191 Rubi, Avda. La Llana, 93; P.I. La Llana Tel. +34/935884211, Fax 4994 www.sonder.es SWITZerLanD Clariant Produkte (Deutschland) GmbH Antifrogen-Heat Transfer Fluids for Solar Thermal Systems D-84504 Burgkirchen, Werk Gendorf Tel. +49/8679/7-2272, Fax +49/8679/7-5085 www.antifrogen.com TaCOnOVa GrOUP aG TACONOVA GROUP AG produces quality valves and systems for balancing, regulating, mixing, venting, underfloor and solar heating systems CH-8902 Urdorf, Steinackerstr. 6 Tel. +41/447355555, Fax 447355502 www.taconova.com, info@taconova.com TUrKey ezinc metal San. tic. a.S. Manufacturer of Solar Collectors, Thermosiphon Solar Water Heaters, Storage Tanks, Boilers and related accessories for Solar Thermal Systems. TR-38070 Kayseri, 1. O.S.B. 23. Cad. No: 31 Tel. +90/352/3211776, Fax 3211325 www.ezinc.com.tr, sales@ezinc.com.tr OUraSeT SOLar OURASET is a manufacturer of solar thermal systems, solar panels and solar tanks recognized in over 20 countries Tansug Makina Ltd. Adana-Ceyhan Yolu 10. KM TR-01340 Incirlik Adana Tel. +90/322346/4900, Fax -5008 www.ouraset.com, info@ouraset.com sts – absorbers JOrDan HANANIA В® Solar Systems Manufacturer of Solar Thermal Systems Elia Abu Madi St. #26, Shmeisani, P.O. Box 2858 11181 Amman, Jordan Tel. +962/65663355, Fax +962/65683777 www.hanania.jo, info@hanania.jo sts – flat plate ColleCtors JOrDan HANANIA В® Solar Systems Manufacturer of Solar Thermal Systems Elia Abu Madi St. #26, Shmeisani, P.O. Box 2858 11181 Amman, Jordan Tel. +962/65663355, Fax +962/65683777 www.hanania.jo, info@hanania.jo SWITZerLanD Helvetic energy SOLAR HEAT + SOLAR POWER CH-8247 Flurlingen, Winterthurerstrasse Tel. +41 52 647 46 70, Fax: +41 52 647 46 79 www.helvetic-energy.ch, info@helvetic-energy.ch TUrKey Baymak BDr Thermea Manufacturer of laser welded solar thermal forced darf systems, Solar thermo-siphon water heaters, Storage tanks, Biomass/Oil/Gas Boilers and Expansion tanks. Exporting over 50 countries. Tepeoren Mevkii Orhanli Beldesi, Akdeniz Sokak No 8 TR-34989 Istanbul Tel. +90/216/5816500, Fax 3041964 www.baymak.com, export@baymak.com ezinc metal San. tic. a.S. Manufacturer of Solar Collectors, Thermosiphon Solar Water Heaters, Storage Tanks, Boilers and related accessories for Solar Thermal Systems TR-38070 Kayseri, 1. O.S.B. 23. Cad. No: 31 Tel. + 90/352/3211776, Fax 3211325 www.ezinc.com.tr, sales@ezinc.com.tr USa apricus Inc. Apricus is a global company focused on providing simple and effective solar hot water solutions for families and businesses. All Apricus products are designed and manufactured in compliance with IS09001:2008 management and international production standards. USA-06405 Branford CT, 6 Sycamore Way, Unit 2, Tel. +1 203 488 8215, Fax +1 203 488 8572 www.apricus.com, service@apricus.com sts – pool heating JOrDan HANANIA В® Solar Systems Manufacturer of Solar Thermal Systems Elia Abu Madi St. #26, Shmeisani, P.O. Box 2858 11181 Amman, Jordan Tel. +962/65663355, Fax +962/65683777 www.hanania.jo, info@hanania.jo USa aquatherm Industries, Inc. Largest U.S. manufacturer of polymer solar pool heating collectors. Aquatherm manufactures the solar pool heating industry`s most trusted brands, including the latest breakthrough in solar pool heating, Ecolite 1940 Rutgers University Blvd. USA, 08701, Lakewood, New Jersey Tel. +1/7329059002, Fax 7329059899 www.livegreenswimwarm.com, info@warmwater.com sts – solartanks & boilers JOrDan HANANIA В® Solar Systems Manufacturer of Solar Thermal Systems Elia Abu Madi St. #26, Shmeisani, P.O. Box 2858 11181 Amman, Jordan Tel. +962/65663355, Fax +962/65683777 www.hanania.jo, info@hanania.jo 61 Directory TUrKey CHIna ezinc metal San. tic. a.S. Manufacturer of Solar Collectors, Thermosiphon Solar Water Heaters, Storage Tanks, Boilers and related accessories for Solar Thermal Systems TR-38070 Kayseri, 1. O.S.B. 23. Cad. No: 31 Tel. + 90/352/3211776, Fax 3211325 www.ezinc.com.tr, sales@ezinc.com.tr Ge Wind energy China 6/F West Wing, Hanwei Plaza No. 7 Guang Hua Road, Chaoyang District Beijing 100004, China Tel. +86/10/65611166-294, Fax 65611536 sts – thermosiphon Ge Wind energy Denmark Niels Jernes Vej 10 DK-9220 Aalborg Tel. +45/96354207, Fax 96354206 windenergy.denmark@ps.ge.com TUrKey ezinc metal San. tic. a.S. Manufacturer of Solar Collectors, Thermosiphon Solar Water Heaters, Storage Tanks, Boilers and related accessories for Solar Thermal Systems TR-38070 Kayseri, 1. O.S.B. 23. Cad. No: 31 Tel. + 90/352/3211776, Fax 3211325 www.ezinc.com.tr, sales@ezinc.com.tr sts – VaCuum tube ColleCtors USa apricus Inc. Apricus is a global company focused on providing simple and effective solar hot water solutions for families and businesses. All Apricus products are designed and manufactured in compliance with ISO9001:2008 management and international production standards. USA-06405 Branford CT, 6 Sycamore Way, Unit 2, Tel. +1 203 488 8215 Fax +1 203 488 8572 www.apricus.com, service@apricus.com Wind energy aUSTraLIa Ge Wind energy australia Level 5, 379 Collins Street AUS-Melbourne, Victoria 3000 Tel. +61/3/96147444, Fax 96147555 windenergy.australia@ps.ge.com CanaDa Ge Wind energy 555 Boul. Frederick Philipps, 3rd. Floor H4M 2X4 Montreal-Quebec CANADA Tel. +1/905/858/5110, Fax 858/5390 62 DenmarK FranCe Ge Wind energy France Immeuble Le Bayard Part-Dieu 3, Place Renaudel F-69003 Lyon Cedex Tel. +33/437/483500, Fax 483501 windenergy.France@ps.ge.com Germany aBO Wind aG Planning and turnkey construction of wind farms and biogas projects, structured financing, operational management D-65195 Wiesbaden, Unter den Eichen 7 Tel. +49/611/26765-0, Fax 26765-99 www.abo-wind.com, global@abo-wind.de Bachmann monitoring GmbH Bachmann Monitoring offers certified Condition Monitoring Systems (CMS) for early fault detection on the main components (main bearing, gearbox, generator) in the drive train of wind turbines D-07407 Rudolstadt, Weimarische Str. 10 Tel. +49/3672/3186-0, Fax, 3186-200 www.bachmann.info, vertrieb-monitoring@bachmann.info Gamesa energie Deutschland GmbH D-26122 Oldenburg, Staulinie 14-17 Tel. +49/441/925400, Fax 92540325 www.gamesacorp.com, Germany-wind@gamesacorp.com Ge Wind energy GmbH Manufacturer/Sales Wind turbines from 900 kW to 3.6 MW D-48499 Salzbergen, Holsterfeld 16 Tel. +49/5971/980-0, Fax 980-1999 www.gewindenergy.com windenergy.germany@ps.ge.com KGW Schweriner maschinen- u. anlagenbau GmbH Manufacturer of steel-tube towers for wind turbines D-19055 Schwerin, Wismarsche Str. 380 Tel. +49/385/5731-0, Fax 565126 www.kgw-schwerin.de, info@kgw-schwerin.de nordex Se 22419 Hamburg, Langenhorner Chaussee 600 Tel. 040/300 30 1000, Fax 040/30030 1101 www.nordex.de, info@nordex-online.com Phaesun GmbH The Off-Grid Experts Phaesun is the leading system integrator for Off-Grid solar systems. D-87700 Memmingen, Luitpoldstrasse 28 Tel. +49/8331/90420, Fax 9964212 www.phaesun.com, info@phaesun.com James Walker Deutschland GmbH Der Spezialist fГјr geschlitzte Wellendichtungen D-22767 Hamburg, MГ¶rkenstr. 7 Tel. +49/40/3860810, Fax 3893230 www.jameswalker.de WeserWind GmbH Offshore Construction GeorgsmarienhГјtte Fertigung von Offshore-Fundament-GrГјndungsstrukturen sowie Komponentenlieferung fГјr die Windenergieanlagenindustrie D-27572 Bremerhaven, Riedemannstr. 1 Tel. +49/471/809310, Fax 80931100 www.weserwind.de, info@weserwind.de CUBe engineering GmbH Management Consulting, Wind Site Assessment, Project Planning and Management, Environmental Assessment, Electrical Grid Assessment, Decentralized Energy Systems D-34119 Kassel, Breitscheidstr. 6 Tel. +49/561/288573-0, Fax 288573-19 kassel@cube-engineering.com WInDTeST Grevenbroich GmbH Consulting- and Measuring Institut for WEC D-41517 Grevenbroich, Frimmersdorfer Str. 73 Tel. +49/2181/2278-0, Fax 2278-11 www.windtest-nrw.de, info@windtest-nrw.de info@wka-service-fehmarn.de eOL energy –online.de GmbH Data and Services for Wind Energy Projects, online shop D-34119 Kassel, BreitscheidstraГџe 6 Tel. +49/ 561 / 288 573-70 Fax: -71 www.eol-shop.com, info@energie-online.de WKn aG Development, Construction, Financing D-25813 Husum, Otto-Hahn-Str. 12-16 Tel. +49/4841/8944100, Fax 8944225 www.wkn-ag.de, info@wkn-ag.de Sun & Wind Energy 6/2014 SPaIn Ge Wind energy Spain (Sales Office) Juan Bravo 3C, 8В° Planta E-28006 Madrid Tel. +34/91/5870500, Fax 5870665 USa Ge Wind energy USa 13000 Jameson Road USA-Tehachapi, CA 93561 Tel. +1/661/8236700, Fax 8227880 windenergy.usa@ps.ge.com GreaT BrITaIn Ge Wind energy UK Prince Consort House 27-29; Albert Embankment GB-London SE1 7TJ Tel. +44/207/7932800, Fax8203401 e-mail: windenergy.uk@ps.ge.com InDIa Ge Wind energy India Third Floor, A1 Golden Enclave Corporate Towers; Airport Road Bangalore 560017 Tel. +91/80/5263496, Fax 5203860 ITaLy Ge Wind energy Italy Via Felice Matteucci, 2 I-50127 Florence Tel. +39/055/4233333, Fax 055/4232963 JaPan Ge Wind energy Japan 35 Kowa Bldg. 1-14-14 Akasaka, Minato-ku; J-Tokyo 107-8453 Tel. +81/3/3588-5175, Fax 3589-3372 windenergy.japan@ps.ge.com wind energy – suppliers Germany amphenol-Tuchel electronics GmbH Connectors, Cable Assemblies & System Solutions for Wind Power as well as other Applications and Technologies D-74080 Heilbronn, August-Haeusser-Str.10 Tel. +49/7131/929-0, Fax +49/7131/929-486 www.industrial-amphenol.de, info@industrial-amphenol.de SOUTH KOrea Ge Wind energy Korea 18th, Mirae-Wa-Saram Bldg 942-1, Daechi-dong, Kangnam-ku ROK-Seol 135-280 Tel. +82/2/5280083, Fax 5610430 windenergy.korea@ps.ge.com HeLUKaBeL GmbH SInGaPOre Cable & Accessories for photovoltaic installations and for Wind Turbines D-71282 Hemmingen, Dieselstr. 8-12 Tel. +49/7150/9209-0, Fax +49/7150/81786 www.helukabel.de, info@helukabel.de Ge Wind energy asia 240 Tanjong Pagar Road, GE Tower 88540 Singapore Tel. +65/6326/3492, Fax 3522 C O M P A N Y D I R E C T O R Y SUN & WIND ENERGY y included online entr denergy.com I would like you to enter our company in the directory of My Entry: in SUn & WInD enerGy. I will get the entry in one category for www.sunw only € 190. It includes eight lines with each 36 characters: one line for the company name, up to three lines for the company description and four lines for the address. Each additional line costs € 30. If the entry is to be highlighted with a coloured background, this costs an additional € 95. For another € 65 you can also publish your logo online. The order is valid for ten issues of SUn & WInD enerGy. If I order supplementary entries, e.g. for international subsidiaries or different categories, I will get the following discounts: 2 to 5 entries: 10% discount, 6 or more entries: 20% discount All orders are invoiced in Euros. The order is automatically extended for further ten issues if no written cancellation is received by BVA – Bielefelder Verlag. вќ‘ I would like my entry to be highlighted with a coloured background. вќ‘ I would like to subscribe SUN & WIND ENERGY with 50% discount for directory-clients (€ 54 instead of € 108 plus shipping costs) Our company should be listed in the following categories: вќ‘ Biomass/Biogas вќ‘ Biofuels вќ‘ Biogas вќ‘ Pellets вќ‘ Production вќ‘ Heating systems вќ‘ Co-generation Plants вќ‘ Financing Institutions вќ‘ Photovoltaics вќ‘ BIPV вќ‘ Connector systems вќ‘ International project developers вќ‘ Inverters вќ‘ Modules вќ‘ Crystalline modules вќ‘ Thin-film modules вќ‘ Mounting systems Company name: ______________________________________________ Description: _______________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ Address (Country, Zip-Code ____________________________________________ City, State, Street): ____________________________________________ Phone, Fax: __________________________________________________ E-mail, Web: вќ‘ Process & Quality вќ‘ Silicon, ingots, wafers and cells вќ‘ Solar glass вќ‘ Suppliers вќ‘ Tracking systems вќ‘ Wholesalers вќ‘ Wire + cable вќ‘ Solar Thermal Systems вќ‘ Absorbers вќ‘ Coatings вќ‘ Control units вќ‘ Flat plate collectors вќ‘ International project developers вќ‘ Pool heating вќ‘ Pre-insulated pipe systems вќ‘ Solar cooling вќ‘ Solar glass вќ‘ Solar liquids вќ‘ Solar tanks and boilers Date: ___________________________________ Signature: _______________________________ VAT ID number: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ (for EU-companies) вњѓ вќ‘ Thermosiphon вќ‘ Vacuum tubes вќ‘ Vacuum tube collectors вќ‘ Wholesalers вќ‘ Wind Energy вќ‘ Banks & Insurance companies вќ‘ Engineering offices вќ‘ International project developers вќ‘ Measurement technology вќ‘ Offshore вќ‘ Operation management вќ‘ Research & Development вќ‘ Service & Maintenance вќ‘ Suppliers вќ‘ Turbine manufacturers вќ‘ General вќ‘ Manufacturing Equipment Please send your order to: BVA – Bielefelder Verlag GmbH & Co. KG, SUN & WIND ENERGY, Kerstin Haase-Darlath, Advertising Department, Niederwall 53, 33602 Bielefeld, Germany, phone +49/521/595591, fax +49/521/595556, kerstin.haase@sunwindenergy.com, www.sunwindenergy.com International EvEnts Building Solar China 2014 September 04, 2014 Shanghai, China вЂ�Smart Solar Building Solutions’ and вЂ�Building Integrated Photovoltaic Systems’ will be the two major discussion themes at BSC 2014. Highlighted topics include smart solar building solutions, solar building energy infrastructure, market analysis, government policy as well as various case studies. Additionally, some of the latest products on display at the 2014 event will include building-integrated photovoltaic systems (BIPV), specialised solar facade and curtain wall products for buildings, innovative energy-saving and energy renewal solutions. Contact: WIP, Philipp Arnold, Munich, Germany, Phone 0049/8972012735, Fax 0049/8972012791, bsc@wip-munich.de, www.buildingsolarchina.com uri r we Po ec ing yS inin rM fo ty Fina g nce Contact: Solarplaza International BV, Rotterdam, Netherlands, Phone 0031/102809198, t.vandorp@solarplaza.com, www.pvtrademissionsaudiarabia.com BIT’s 4th Annual New Energy Forum-2014 September 21 – 23, 2014 Qingdao, China New Energy Forum 2014 aims to provide opportunities for industry peers for knowledge exchange and capital attracting. It will continue to offer professionals in the new energy related fields a multidisciplinary informative platform. In addition to the general new energy area (solar, wind, nuclear etc.), NEF-2014 will also get new energy economy, materials, energy efficiency, safety and several novel new energy technologies involved. Contact: BIT Congress Inc., Allison Wang, China, Phone 0086/41184799609 ext. 827, allison@bitlifesciences.com, www.bitcongress.com/nef2014/ erg erg Em En stakeholders and get connected to potential partners and clients during the Desert Solar conference on the last two days of the event. Over 200 local participants and a variety of exhibitors will join the event. ission Transm licy gy Po Ener erg En ge tora yS В® CIREC 2014 September 09 – 10, 2014 Santiago, Chile CIREC 2014 brings together key senior stakeholders from the wind and solar industries to discuss the developments taking place in the Chilean market. With over 350 delegates last September, the event is a chance to hear updates from the people and organisations responsible for key renewable energy projects in Chile and Latin America. Contact: Green Power Conferences, London, England, Phone 0044/2033554219, Fax 0044/2079001853, cirec@greenpowerconferences.com, hollie.lundgren@greenpowerconferences.com, www.cirec2014.com The GREEN Expo Mexico September 24 – 26, 2014 Mexico City, Mexico The Green Expo is an event in the environmental, energy, water, and sustainable cities (green construction) industries. It serves as a multinational business forum, hosting both national and international companies offering cutting-edge technology and solutions for ALL industries paving the way for great savings and profitability in the industrial, private, and governmental sectors. Contact: EJKrause de Mexico, AngГ©lica RodrГguez Dufau, Mexico City, Mexico, Phone 0052/5510871650, angelica@ejkrause. com, www.thegreenexpo.com.mx 2nd edition SOLARPVTRADEMISSION SAUDI ARABIA Solar Trade Mission: Saudi Arabia September 14 – 18, 2014 Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Solar PV Trade Mission: Saudi Arabia is a 5-day trade mission to discover, evaluate and enter the emerging Saudi Arabian solar PV market. Participants meet the key 64 10th Renewable Energy Sri Lanka 2014 International Expo September 25 – 27, 2014 Colombo, Sri Lanka The 10th Renewable Energy Sri Lanka 2014 International Expo will offer renewable energy solutions and showcase the latest green energy products, technologies, services, and information related to Energy and the Environment, including everything associated in the new and renewable energy fields. The aim of this exhibition is to contribute to the promotion of Renewable Energy business, spread information related to Energy and the Environment in Sri Lanka, and encourage the transition to a new sustainable society by creating an opportunity for exhibitors involved in a wide variety of fields to communicate with visitors. Contact: Conference & Exhibition Management Services Ltd., New York City, USA, Phone 001/2126344833, Fax 001/2126344835, contact@re-expo.net, www.cems-reexpo.com PV Taiwan October 22 – 24, 2014 Taipei, China PV Taiwan is an international PV exhibition and a sourcing hub for the world market. It fields the R&D breakthroughs and products that shape the future. This year, PV Taiwan 2014 comes with several activities packed with tips and info that are led by the Executive Summit, Advanced Technology Symposium and the Market Deployment Forum. The event showcases PV materials, silicon wafers/ ingots, solar cells/ HCPV, PV modules/ BIPV, power generator systems, processing equipment, evaluation/ testing /analysis, storage batteries/ systems, solar application products and solar thermal products/systems. Contact: Taitra, Evonne Lee, Tapei, China, Phone 00886/227255200 ext. -2661, pv@taitra.org.tw, www.pvtaiwan.com Announce your events SUN & WIND ENERGY offers you the announcement of your fairs and conferences – up to date and free of charge. Just feel free to send us your conference information regularly. In return we would appreciate to provide you with free copies of our international magazine for distribution at your event. Please contact: Natalie Bieding, e-mail: events@sunwindenergy.com Sun & Wind Energy 6/2014 Preview IMPRINT Publishing company: BVA Bielefelder Verlag GmbH & Co. KG Richard Kaselowsky Niederwall 53, 33602 Bielefeld, Germany S&WE 7/2014 Solar Edition Publisher: Prof. Dr. Bernhard von Schubert The upcoming S&WE Solar Edition will be focusing on the Turkish solar energy market. There will be a bound-in supplement at the end of the magazine with a translation of various articles into Turkish. Publishing Manager: Lutz Bandte Editors: Dr. Volker Buddensiek (responsible), Silke Funke, Katharina Garus, Jan Gesthuizen, Ralf Ossenbrink, Jennifer Mettenborg, Tanja Peschel Patrizia Solito (office), Phone: +49/521/59 55 72 , E-mail: info@sunwindenergy.com International market overview solar collectors Photo: IBC Solar Photo: British Photovoltaic Association (BPVA) Photovoltaics The selection of vacuum tube collectors and flat-plate collectors is huge. S&WE presents the latest models from key international manufacturers. World map of cell and module manufacturers Demand for PV systems is rising worldwide, and the industry is more professional than ever. Our world map shows the locations for manufacturers of cells, crystalline modules, and thin-film panels. Solar Thermal Graphic : Eilers Media Photovoltaics Sun & Wind Energy explains how the new heat incentive system works and offers a rundown of some initial experiences with the new programme. Since the United Kingdom has become the hottest photovoltaics market in Europe this year, S&WE also zooms in on who is buying solar panels there. Electrification for everyone, everywhere: off-grid systems An overview of clever solutions beyond the power grid, featuring new developments in special inverters, charge controllers, and batteries. Freelance authors: In China: Sven Tetzlaff, Zhengua Weng In Germany: Joachim Berner, Johannes Bernreuter, Martin Frey, Claudia Hilgers, JГ¶rn Iken, Jens-Peter Meyer, Ina RГ¶pcke, Torsten Thomas In Great Britain: Elizabeth Block In India: Jaideep N. Malaviya In Italy: Cristina Barbero In the USA: Lisa Cohn, Reid Smith, Anja Limperis, Chris Meehan Advertising: International contact: Stefanie Schwarz, Phone: +49/5 21/59 55 75 E-mail: stefanie.schwarz@sunwindenergy.com Yvonne Fedeler, Phone: +49/521/59 55 81 E-mail: yvonne.fedeler@sunwindenergy.com Martin Haase, Phone: +49/5 21/59 55 90 E-mail: martin.haase@sunwindenergy.com German contact: Christine Michalsky, Phone: +49/5 21/59 55 25 E-mail: christine.michalsky@sunwindenergy.com Christiane Diekmann, Phone: +49/5 21/59 55 47 E-mail: christiane.diekmann@sunwindenergy.com Uta Haffert, Phone: +49/521/59 55 91 E-mail: uta.haffert@sunwindenergy.com Fax: +49/5 21/59 55 56 Advertising sales China: Sven Tetzlaff Phone: +86/13777476258, Fax: +86/571/87044210 E-mail: sven@sunwindenergy.asia Advertising sales Italy: Quaini PubblicitГ , Graziella Quaini Phone: +39/02/39216180; Fax: + 39/02/39217082 E-mail: grquaini@tin.it Advertising sales USA: Avani Media, Inc., Leslie Hallanan Phone: +1/415/3312150 ; Fax: + 1/415/3312151 E-mail: leslie@avanimedia.com Customer Service: Imen Boudemagh (subscription) Phone: +49/221/2587242, Fax: +49/221/2587249 E-mail: service@sunwindenergy.com Photo: Viessmann UK: EPCs and the new heat incentive United Kingdom S&WE Solar Edition 7/2014 will be published on Aug 19th Layout: Bernd Schulte zur WiГџen, Virginie BГ©clu, Kristin Iven, DSV Deutscher Sportverlag GmbH, Cologne, Germany Print: Dierichs Druck + Media GmbH & Co. KG, Frankfurter Str. 168, 34121 Kassel, Germany SUN & WIND ENERGY is an independent journal published ten times a year. Subscription costs € 108 per year plus shipping costs (printed edition). Period of cancellation: six weeks before the end of the respective subscription period. Otherwise the subscription will automatically be extended by another year. Material in this publication may not be reproduced, reprinted or stored in any form without the publisher’s written permission. Translation: Translationes (Berlin), Jeremy Heighway (Leipzig), Mark Wigfall (Bad Harzburg), Timothy Hanes (Erlangen), ГњbersetzungsbГјro Hartmann (Chemnitz), Frank Esser (Bonn), Thomas Schickling (Hamburg), Raymond Culp (Bad Oeynhausen) Websites: www.sunwindenergy.com; www.sunwindenergy.asia S&WE Wind Edition 8/2014 will be published on Sept 12th 66 Sun & Wind Energy 6/2014 Be found in the SUN & WIND ENERGY company directory – print & online Rates – print and online: Entry in company directory 8 lines Г 36 characters, 1 category EUR 190,- Additional category EUR 190,- Additional line EUR 30,- Coloured background EUR 95,- Logo online EUR 65,- The order applies to 10 issues of SUN & WIND ENERGY and is valid until further notice. You will find an order form for your entry in the middle of the company directory of this issue. Or send your entry to Kerstin Haase-Darlath: kerstin.haase@sunwindenergy.com 56 Sun & Wind Energy 6/2014 The Magazine for Renewable energies ISSN 1861-2741 74714 www.sunwindenergy.com € 12.00 • international issue especia atenciГі l n 6/2014 AmГ©rica Latina The solar ediTion MIcroINverSoreS y optIMIzadoreS ВїDos tecnologГas fotovoltaicas innovadoras? eNergГa terMoSolar estГЎn llegando las instalaciones grandes MegaceNtraleS fotovoltaIcaS Oleada solar en AmГ©rica Latina contenido Optimismo en SГЈo Paulo Foto: Intersolar Es la pequeГ±a hermana de la Intersolar Europe. Pero crece y crece, la Intersolar South America. Entretanto, tiene lugar por segunda vez en la ciudad brasileГ±a SГЈo Paulo. Y para el tiempo del 26 hasta el 28 de agosto, cuando abre sus puertas en el centro de exposiciones Center Norte, sus organizadores esperan un vivo interГ©s en su feria solar. PГЎgina 3 Fotovoltaica: Chile sale del letargo Foto: Enertis Solar La puesta en marcha de megacentrales comerciales y la adjudicaciГіn de la primera licitaciГіn de energГa anima el sector solar chileno. A pesar de las muchas barreras todavГa existentes, este aГ±o se espera la incorporaciГіn a red mГЎs de 600 nuevos megavatios fotovoltaicos. PГЎgina 5 Microinversores y optimizadores: ВїDos tecnologГas fotovoltaicas innovadoras? El Гndice de ventas de microinversores y optimizadores DC en el mercado americano aumenta de forma constante. Algunos fabricantes ya han desaparecido de este nicho de mercado. Seguramente, pronto les seguirГЎn otros. Foto: SMA PГЎgina 8 EnergГa termosolar: EstГЎn llegando las grandes Foto: AristonThermo La mayorГa de las instalaciones termosolares de gran escala se encuentran en los techos de edificios multifamiliares u hoteles y ocupan un ГЎrea de menos de 100 m2. PГЎgina 11 EnergГa termosolar en Brasil: Falta mucho aГєn Foto: dpa El sector termosolar ha tenido un Г©xito consistente y muestra buenas prospectivas para la expansiГіn, sin embargo, en el clima econГіmico nublado de hoy y los tiempos difГciles actuales, el lema del dГa es la precauciГіn. PГЎgina 15 2 Sun & Wind Energy 6/2014 Intersolar south amerIca En la Intersolar de este aГ±o el trabajo en red estarГЎ de boga otra vez. Fotos (2): Intersolar Optimismo en SГЈo Paulo Es la pequeГ±a hermana de la Intersolar Europe. Pero crece y crece, la Intersolar South America. Entretanto, tiene lugar por segunda vez en la ciudad brasileГ±a SГЈo Paulo. Y para el tiempo del 26 hasta el 28 de agosto, cuando abre sus puertas en el centro de exposiciones Center Norte, sus organizadores esperan un vivo interГ©s en su feria solar. Y tienen buenos motivos para sentirse optimistas. Ya que el mercado sudamericano de fotovoltaica se estГЎ desarrollando de forma maravillosa desde hace algГєn tiempo. La Agencia Internacional de la EnergГa AIE confirma este desarrollo. En 2013, el continente sudamericano ha traspasado por primera vez el umbral de 5 GW en el desarrollo anual de construcciГіn. Y esto aunque el mercado estГЎ solo al principio de su desarrollo. Lo que vale para el continente vale tambiГ©n para el paГs anfitriГіn de la Intersolar South America. ”el 2014 es un aГ±o histГіrico para la fotovoltaica en Brasil”, opina Tina Engelhard, portavoz de la Intersolar South America. Por primera vez, el gobierno del paГs ha lanzado ofertas pГєblicas para proyectos solares. Al mismo tiempo, la Autoridad Nacional de la EnergГa ha publicado metas para el desarrol- Solar Edition 3 Intersolar south amerIca lo de la energГa solar. Hasta el 2018, se prevГ© la instalaciГіn de plantas con un rendimiento de 3,5 GW. ”Con esto, el futuro para la fo fotovoltaica en Brasil se muestra brillante. Por eso, Brasil es el lugar perfecto para nunu estra segunda Intersolar South America.” MГЎs grande que el aГ±o anterior Y parece que los players del mercado solar lo ven de esta forma tambiГ©n. ”Ya tres meses antes de su inauguraciГіn, sabГamos que la Intersolar 2014 serГa mГЎs grande que la vez anterior.”, dice Engelhard. Ya en ese entonces, las cifras de registro eran mГЎs altas que el nГєmero de participantes de la Гєltima feria. El Гєltimo aГ±o, representantes de 64 empresas de once paГses diferentes encontraron el camino a SГЈo Paulo para presentarse en la feria solar. Asistieron 2.288 visitantes de 22 paГses diferentes. Con un 61.1 %, la mayorГa de ellos estaba interesada sobre todo en la fotovoltaica. Esto es el resultado de una encuesta realizada por los organizadores de la Intersolar South America. De todos modos, aГєn el 18.3 % de los visitantes estaba interesado en la energГa solar tГ©rmica. ”Aunque nos hallamos todavГa en la fase inicial con nuestro evento, la feria representarГЎ la cadena completa de generaciГіn de valor agregado en las ГЎreas fotovoltaica y energГa solar tГ©rmica.” Sobre todo la oferta alrededor del tema acumuladores de energГa para sistemas solares ocuparГЎ mucho mГЎs espacio en comparaciГіn con el aГ±o anterior. Y esto no gira solo en torno a Brasil. Por supuesto, tambiГ©n el desarrollo positivo del mercado chileno serГЎ un tema en la Intersolar South America. Lo mismo vale para los paГses Argentina y Uruguay, donde el interГ©s en la producciГіn de elec- tricidad y calor con energГa solar estГЎ aumentando fuertemente. Y no olvidar los pequeГ±os estados caribeГ±os, donde ya algunas grandes instalaciones al aire libre estГЎn prestando su servicio. Pero esto no termina ahГ todavГa. Como se debe para una Intersolar, los organizadores tambiГ©n han concertado una gran conferencia que tiene lugar paralelamente a la feria durante tres dГas. La conferencia trata tambiГ©n las temГЎticas de fotovoltaica y energГa solar tГ©rmica. Por supuesto, en esto tambiГ©n se dilucida el mercado brasileГ±o y se presentan las diferentes posibilidades. Aparte de la presentaciГіn de diferentes tecnologГas, un punto fundamental en el ГЎmbito de la fotovoltaica es el tema Off-grid y las soluciones de tipo isla, ya que el mercado latinoamericano se presta especialmente para instalaciones de este tipo. Como por ejemplo en Chile, donde tales instalaciones ya son usadas a gran escala por la industria minera. Pero tambiГ©n la realizaciГіn y el financiamiento de proyectos serГЎn tratados. En el marco de la conferencia estГЎ incluido el Congreso BrasileГ±o de Calentamiento Solar en el ГЎmbito de la energГa solar tГ©rmica, organizado por el Departamento Nacional de Calentamiento Solar. Los representantes de Г©ste quieren abrirles los ojos a los visitantes sobre el tema energГa solar tГ©rmica en Brasil y en SudamГ©rica. Ellos opinan que el potencial es enorme. Eventos paralelos Al mismo tiempo tiene lugar en SГЈo Paulo tambiГ©n la Conferencia de Exposiciones y Conferencias de Instalaciones ElГ©ctricas (ENIE). Y esto ha sido planeado exactamente asГ por ambos organizadores. Hay efectos de sinergia, dice Engelhard. Esto se demostrГі el aГ±o pasado, en el que los dos eventos tambiГ©n tuvieron lugar al mismo tiempo. Personas que visitan la Intersolar tambiГ©n se interesan por la ENIE y viceversa. ”Desde hace tres dГ©cadas, la ENIE es el polo de atenciГіn y lugar de encuentro para personas que se ocupan del tema de la instalaciГіn elГ©ctrica en el campo de edificios e industria”, dice Engelhard. ”Entre los visitantes estГЎn, entre otros, ingenieros, mayoristas de componentes correspondientes o consumidores finales de los mГЎs diversos campos industriales. A esto se aГ±aden representantes de proveedores de energГa y empresas de telecomunicaciГіn.” Las sinergias son evidentes. ”Con esto, la Intersolar South America ofrece con su ambiente la plataforma ideal a todos los profesionales de la energГa solar para interrelacionarse, para el intercambio de informaciones o para la bГєsqueda de nuevos proyectos y socios comerciales”, opina Engelhard. Los organizadores presuponen que la Intersolar South America y la ENIE atraerГЎn a mГЎs de 10.000 visitantes en agosto de este aГ±o. Pronto tendrГЎ lugar tambiГ©n en Sao Paulo el evento Greenbuilding Brasil 2014. вЂ�Se trata tambiГ©n de una feria que va acompaГ±ada por una conferencia que tiene lugar al mismo tiempo. Y tambiГ©n aquГ, las interrelaciones de temas son obvias. Ya que en la feria Greenbuilding todo gira en torno al tema de la construcciГіn sostenible. Aparte del aislamiento calorifugado de edificios, aquГ sobre todo el enfriamiento eficaz y favorable al medio ambiente estГЎ en el centro de atenciГіn. Por supuesto, esto tambiГ©n vale para las tГ©cnicas de captaciГіn de agua y sobre todo para el ahorro de agua en el consumo diario de SudamГ©rica. De modo que despuГ©s del Mundial 2014 vale la pena echar el ojo tambiГ©n en Brasil a los eventos en SГЈo Paulo y hasta viajar hasta allГЎ. Ya que la pequeГ±a hermana de la Intersolar Europe estГЎ en el mejor camino de hacerse mayor y convertirse en el centro de actividades del sector solar en el continente sudamericano. Al mismo tiempo, se ofrece como trampolГn para todos aquellos que quieren estar activos allГЎ tambiГ©n en el futuro. El horario en la Expo Center Norte, SГЈo Paulo, es diariamente de las 12 a las 20 horas durante los tres dГas. La conferencia tiene lugar el martes, 26 de agosto, desde las 11 hasta las 17:30 horas, el miГ©rcoles y jueves respectivamente desde las 9 hasta las 13:30 horas. Markus Grunwald MГЎs informaciones: Intersolar South America: www.intersolar.net.br/en/ intersolar.html Para el 2014 los organizadores esperan un nuevo rГ©cord de visitantes. 4 Sun & Wind Energy 6/2014 fotovoltaica En chilE Chile sale del letargo La puesta en marcha de megacentrales comerciales y la adjudicaciГіn de la primera licitaciГіn de energГa anima el sector solar chileno. A pesar de las muchas barreras todavГa existentes, este aГ±o se espera la incorporaciГіn a red mГЎs de 600 nuevos megavatios fotovoltaicos. E l aГ±o 2014 va camino de convertirse en el punto de inflexiГіn de la fotovoltaica chilena. Tras aГ±os de un negativo balance entre la casi decena de gigavatios de potencia pretendida y la anecdГіtica capacidad realmente instalada, la tenacidad del sector solar por superar barreras parece que da fruto y el parque fotovoltaico chileno ya supera los 170 megavatios instalados. Con la simple puesta en marcha en los tres primeros meses de este aГ±o de cuatro instalaciones solares, Chile ha conseguido multiplicar por veinte su parque fotovoltaico. De los escasos siete megavatios que en 2013 estaban conectados a red se ha pasado a contar con 178 megavatios solares en operaciГіn y otros 170 en fase de construcciГіn, segГєn indica el Гєltimo reporte del Centro de EnergГas Renovables (CER) del mes de abril. De hacer caso a las estimaciones de los Centros de Despachos EconГіmico de Carga (CDEC), el volumen se duplica: el Sistema Interconectado del Norte Grande (SING) tiene previsto este aГ±o incorporar 417 Solar Edition nuevos megavatios y el Sistema Interconectado Central (SIC) 207 megavatios. MinerГa y solar, matrimonio de conveniencia El que la mayorГa de esos proyectos se encuentren ubicados localizados en las inmediaciones de una explotaciГіn minera no es mera casualidad. Con unos precios medios de mercado en 2013 que rondaban los 112 y 108 dГіlares el megavatio hora en el SIC y SING, respectivamente, la minerГa chilena se enfrenta al segundo precio mГЎs alto con respecto a los paГses mineros a nivel mundial. La espaГ±ola Solapack ya demostrГі en 2012 que el matrimonio minerГa-solar tenГa posibilidades al poner en operaciГіn la central Calama 3 de 1 MW bajo un contrato PPA con la minera Codelco. Un sistema aislado que satisface las demandas energГ©ticas de la minera y una experiencia que parece haber resultado satisfactoria: Solarpack se adjudicГі un aГ±o mГЎs tarde una licitaciГіn de la minera Collahuasi, para quien ahora es- Planta de 25 MW Pozo Almonte desarrollada or Solarpack CorporaciГіn TecnolГіgica para la CompaГ±Гa Minera DoГ±a InГ©s de Collahuasi en TarapacГЎ, Primera RegiГіn, Chile. Foto: Enertis Solar tГЎ ultimando un parque de 25 megavatios en Pozo Almonte, regiГіn de TarapacГЎ. El ejemplo que dieran en su dГa Solarpack y Codelco ha sido seguido por la francesa Solair direct en 2013 con una central de 1 megavatio (Solar Andacollo) para la minera Dayton y tambiГ©n por la elГ©ctrica chilena E-CL para Quirobax con una instalaciГіn de 2,2 megavatios (El ГЃguila). Todas centrales menores de tres megavatios, las cuales disfrutan de un proceso de tramitaciГіn abreviado. El atractivo de los PPA De mayor potencia, y con ella sujeta a todo el papeleo, es la planta de 8,8 megavatios que la suiza Etrion va a construir el prГіximo aГ±o para Atacama Minerals Chile. No obstante, nada que ver con los 93 megavatios nominales y 100 pico de la central “Amanecer Solar” que SunEdison conectГі el pasado mes de abril a la red. Esta no solamente es la hasta ahora mayor central fotovoltaica de AmГ©rica Latina, sino tambiГ©n el mayor acuerdo PPA firmado entre una minera, en este caso CAP, y una empresa solar. Todo un hito que marca un antes y 5 fotovoltaica En chilE un despuГ©s en la fotovoltaica chilena. “Se ha roto el miedo a construir”, afirma Myriam GarcГa, gerente de Grenergy Reno Renodesarrolvables, empresa que estГЎ desarrol meglando proyectos por mГЎs de 100 meg avatios en Chile, aunque reconoce que sigue habiendo “muchos mГЎs proyectos en tramitaciГіn de los que puedan ser ejecutados”. A pesar de esos casos de Г©xito, la dificultad para la obtenciГіn de los ansiados PPA sigue siendo una de las grandes barreras “AГєn no se ha desarrollado una tendencia a la firma de contratos de venta directa con plantas de generaciГіn FV”, indica Amadeo HernГЎndez, director de desarrollo de negocio de Enertis, empresa espaГ±ola de asesorГa tГ©cnica y consultorГa para proyectos solares en Chile. AdemГЎs, la cuantГa exacta de los pocos contratos PPA firmados entre mineras y empresas solares se ha quedado como secreto de alcoba. No obstante, la AsociaciГіn Chilena de EnergГas Renovables (ACERA) indica en su Гєltimo reporte que estos estarГan por debajo de los 100 dГіlares por megavatio hora. Pugna por el suelo Sin embargo los problemas no solo estГЎn en conseguir firmar un PPA. Empiezan ya con la obtenciГіn del terreno. La mayorГa de los proyectos solares se desarrollan en zonas desГ©rticas, principalmente propiedad del Estado. Los buenos terrenos no abundan y el proceso de licitaciГіn para acceder a ellos es largo y costoso. AdemГЎs, las garantГas que exige el Ministerio de Bienes, organismo encargado de su administraciГіn, son elevadas y demasiado adelantadas en tiempo. “A modo de ejemplo, por un proyecto de 50 megavatios te pueden estar exigiendo unas garantГas de 750.000 dГіlares, las cuales se ejecutan si no has construido en dos aГ±os y no hay posibilidad de devoluciГіn, aunque las causas sean motivadas por eventos de fuerza mayor”, explica Manuel Castro de Nexer, otra consultora de proyectos espaГ±ola con presencia local. La prГіxima licitaciГіn de terrenos del Ministerio de Bienes para la implantaciГіn de centrales eГіlicas o solares estГЎ convocada para el mes de junio. En esta ocasiГіn se ofrecen trece terrenos en la regiГіn de Antofagasta con una superficie conjunta de cerca 2.825 hectГЎreas. Y los problemas con los terrenos no se acaban ahГ. “La ley que regula los derechos mineros es antigua y debe ser modificada porque da pie a la especulaciГіn por 6 Planta “Amanecer Solar CAP” fue desarrollada, construida e interconectada por la empresa SunEdison bajo un acuerdo de compra de energГa con Grupo CAP. Tiene una capacidad instalada de 100MW y estГЎ ubicada en la comuna de CopiapГі, en pleno Desierto de Atacama. Foto: SunEdison parte de terceros”, indica Manuel Castro de Nexer Renovables. Roces ha habido muchos por reclamar los derechos mineros en un paГs con confesa vocaciГіn minera, especialmente en el norte del paГs, zona que acapara la mayorГa de los megaproyectos solares. “El problema para nosotros son los especuladores. Los desarrolladores de ERNC somos los nuevos en la casa y nos hemos transformado en un ГЎrea de negocios para estas personas, que buscan bloquear proyectos y chantajean”, declaraba al portal quepasamineria.cl JosГ© Ignacio Escobar, gerente general de Mainstream Renewable Power, firma que participa tanto en generaciГіn eГіlica como solar con un portafolio de 2.300 megavatios. La muy alabada transparencia del sistema chileno permite vislumbrar desde un principio dГіnde se pretenden ubicar las centrales energГ©ticas en la pГЎgina web del Servicio de EvaluaciГіn Ambiental (SEIA). Por ello, desde la asociaciГіn renovable ACERA recomiendan a sus socios cubrir todos los aspectos y tener clara la servidumbre minera antes de figurar pГєblico en un proyecto. Un requisito que es imprescindible para poder acceder a la financiaciГіn, puesto que los bancos han incorporado a las exigencias de su modelo de project finance la obtenciГіn de la concesiГіn minera del terreno donde se piense ubicar cualquier planta de energГa. FinanciaciГіn y nuevos modelos Todos los entrevistados estГЎn de acuerdo en que la financiaciГіn es uno de los huesos duros por roer en el mercado chileno. “La inexperiencia de la banca local en la financiaciГіn de este tipo de proyectos ha deriva- do en posiciones mГЎs bien conservadoras”, indica HernГЎndez de Enertis, que explica que el modelo preferido por los bancos es casi siempre un PPA. Aunque sГ que existen centrales que van a mercado spot y que se han construido con capital privado, como “Los Puquios” de Power Electronic, lo cierto es que de momento son los bancos multilaterales como el Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo (BID), Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) o International Finance Corporation (IFC) los que estГЎn participando en la financiaciГіn de buena parte de los proyectos. El mejor ejemplo de ello lo da de nuevo SunEdison, que en marzo de este aГ±o conectГі a la red su proyecto “San AndrГ©s” con 48 MW de potencia. San AndrГ©s vende toda su energГa al mercado spot del SIC. El no tener un PPA no ha sido inconveniente alguno para que la empresa estadounidense accediera a la financiaciГіn. En noviembre de 2013, SunEdison comunicaba haber recibido 100,4 millones de dГіlares en financiamiento de deuda sin recurso de OPIC, la instituciГіn financiera de desarrollo del gobierno de Estados Unidos, y de IFC. AdemГЎs del financiamiento de deuda provisto por la OPIC y el IFC, el proyecto recibiГі una facilidad de IVA con Rabobank equivalente a 25,6 millones de dГіlares. Una transacciГіn modГ©lica que hizo que SunEdison recibiera en marzo de este aГ±o el premio al Acuerdo Financiero del AГ±o para Proyectos Solares Latinoamericanos 2013, otorgado por la revista Project Finance de Euromoney. Con buenos ojos ve tambiГ©n el sector solar la introducciГіn fondos inversores en la parte del “Equity” de los proyectos. Un ejemplo de ello Rjin Capital, una firma holandesa que invierte en proyectos de en- Sun & Wind Energy 6/2014 ergГa renovable y que trabaja conjuntamente con Element Power. El tГЎndem tiene en cartera 15 proyectos solares por una potencia total de 450 megavatios, de los cuales 131 estГЎ previstos que se conecten a la red este mismo aГ±o, todos ellos previstos para el mercado spot del SING. SING y SIC: el atore de las redes El operador del sistema CDEC-SING, que indica en sus reportes que actualmente tiene 31,8 megavatios solares inyectando en su red, afirma tener constancia de que se estuvieran construyendo otros 422 megavatios, que se incorporarГЎn hasta 2016. Lamentablemente para los mГЎs de cinco gigavatios solares que cuentan con permiso medioambiental para construirse en sus dominios, CDEC-SING estima que sus condiciones actuales de operaciГіn no permitirГan mГЎs que incorporar 450 megavatios solares. E incluso la reciГ©n publicada Agenda de EnergГa del gobierno no espera que en el SING se cuente con mГЎs de 700 megavatios en el aГ±o 2025. Mientras que las zonas desГ©rticas por las que trascurre son muy pretendidas por los promotores solares, especialmente porque aglutinan al 85 por ciento de la minerГa del paГs, lo cierto es que en los dominios del SING no habita mГЎs que el dos por ciento de la poblaciГіn del paГs andino. Y el SIC no pinta mucho mejor para los promotores solares. La zona de interГ©s para el desarrollo de proyectos solares se encuentra con capacidades de inyecciГіn bastante reducidas, escenario que debiera modificarse a partir de la ejecuciГіn de obras de ampliaciГіn del sistema que debieran hacerse entre los aГ±os 2016 y 2018. No obstante, la actual Agenda de EnergГa del gobierno chileno no prevГ© que la aportaciГіn de la solar al mix energГ©tico del SIC sea superior al 2,4 por ciento en el aГ±o 2025, o lo que es lo mismo, 451 megavatios. Sin la interconexiГіn entre el SING y el SIC es difГcil que la fotovoltaica pueda realmente dar un salto cualitativo. “El desarrollo de la carretera elГ©ctrica y la ampliaciГіn de las infraestructuras existentes serГЎ una condiciГіn necesaria para un aumento de la capacidad sostenible en el tiempo y para poder planificar el desarrollo de la energГa solar fotovoltaica a medio y largo plazo”, indica HernГЎndez de Enertis. Por ello, el sector solar chileno espera impaciente a que el gobierno acometa las obras de infraestructura a las que se ha comprometido en su hoja de ruta energГ©tica. Solar Edition Fotovoltaica en las licitaciones estatales Como tambiГ©n espera impaciente a la incorporaciГіn de la solar en el proceso de licitaciones para el abastecimiento de las distribuidoras, que forman parte del compromiso del gobierno para obtener un 20 por ciento de energГas renovables en la matriz energГ©tica con cara al aГ±o 2025. Enel Green Power ya ha movido ficha en ese terreno. El consorcio energГ©tico de origen italiano puede presumir de ser el primer adjudicatario en una licitaciГіn de energГa del mercado elГ©ctrico regulado chileno que va a satisfacer la demanda contratada parcialmente con centrales solares. A un precio de 12,8 dГіlares por kilovatio hora, Enel comunicaba en diciembre del pasado aГ±o el haber resultado adjudicataria para suministrar 4.159 gigavatios hora hasta el aГ±o 2024 en el SIC. El consorcio indica que el suministro serГЎ cubierto parcialmente por una planta que ya estГЎ en operaciГіn asГ como por tres nuevas centrales, una planta eГіlica y dos plantas solares. Aunque solamente hace menciГіn a un total de potencia conjunta por instalar de 161 megavatios en el primer semestre de 2015, todo parece indicar que se refiere la central Lackalama de 129 megavatios de potencia en la comuna de Taltal, cuyos primeros 55 megavatios deberГan estar listos en diciembre de 2014 segГєn las estimaciones del operador del SIC, y posiblemente a la central Diego de Almagro de 36 megavatios de potencia, que se espera estГ© ya terminada este mismo mes de agosto y cuyo propГіsito es ir al mercado spot. Enel tambiГ©n tiene puesto el punto de mira en el SING, donde pretende instalar mГЎs de 300 megavatios. Con los planes gigantescos que barajan los pesos pesados del sector – que obviamente tienen mГЎs recursos para acceder a financiaciГіn–, la pregunta legГtima que se plantea es si va a quedar sitio para alguien mГЎs. “Lo mГЎximo que admiten los dos sistemas es dos gigavatios si se acometen importantes obras de refuerzo”, dice Myriam GarcГa de Grenergy Renovables, quien ve el panorama con una mezcla de optimismo y desazГіn: “son muchos megavatios concentrados en un espacio corto de tiempo y en la misma zona geogrГЎfica y eso implica saturaciГіn casi inmediata de ciertos sectores de la red”. Alejandro Diego Rosell EnergГa, en cualquier momento, en cualquier lugar. Victron Energy Inversores, cargadores, inversores/cargadores, monitores de baterГa, controladores de carga, baterГas, paneles solares y mГЎs. W: www.victronenergy.com E: sales@victronenergy.com 7 Fotovoltaica – microinversores y optimizadores ВїDos tecnologГas fotovoltaicas innovadoras? El Гndice de ventas de microinversores y optimizadores DC en el mercado americano aumenta de forma constante. Algunos fabricantes ya han desaparecido de este nicho de mercado. Seguramente, pronto les seguirГЎn otros. C on el aГ±o 2014 ha comenzado un nuevo capГtulo en la historia de Г©xitos de microinversores y optimizadores DC para instalaciones fotovoltaicas. De ello estГЎ firmemente convencida la empresa canadiense de investigaciГіn de mercados y editora Electronics.ca Publications, tomando como base un nuevo estudio de GTM Research. Los analistas de mercados de Navigant Research informan de forma similar, dejando prever un enГ©rgico desarrollo del sector. AsГ, Navigant profetiza un crecimiento a un volumen de producciГіn de 52,7 gigavatios entre los aГ±os 2013 y 2020. “La industria de MLPE (MLPE significa “modul-level power electronics”, tГ©rmino que abarca tanto optimizadores como microinversores) seguirГЎ manteniendo su muy rГЎpido desarrollo con un nГєmero creciente de fabricantes de mГіdulos que integrarГЎn estos productos en sus mГіdulos. AdemГЎs, habrГЎ muchas empresas ya establecidas que entablen marcos de asociaciГіn o que absorban empresas fabricantes de sistemas electrГіnicos de potencia”, sigue seГ±alando Navigant. “Esta tendencia se acelerarГЎ en los prГіximos aГ±os. Los impulsores de este desarrollo serГЎn el avance tГ©cnico, la reducciГіn de los costes y tambiГ©n factores polГticos”. Los lГderes del mercado muestran un gran optimismo El sector estГЎ dominado por unas pocas empresas. SegГєn Electronics.ca Publications, Enphase Energy con sus microinversores y SolarEdge Technologies asГ como Tigo Energy con sus optimizadores, se repartieron en el aГ±o 2013 casi un 90 % del mercado global de MLPE. Al igual que los analistas de mercados, tambiГ©n ellos mismos ven de forma muy optimista el futuro de su industria. “El mercado de MLPE es uno de los segmentos de mГЎs rГЎpido crecimiento de la industria solar global“, escribe, por ejemplo, el departamento de marketing de SolarEdge Technologies. ”Las tecnologГas de MLPE han venido mostrando un Г©xito notable en aplicaciones residenciales. Por ejemplo, segГєn GTM, el pasado aГ±o aproximadamente dos de cada tres nuevos sistemas residenciales en los Estados Unidos incorporaron una soluciГіn MLPE. Por otro lado, en el caso de los opti- El Sunny Boy 240, segГєn informaciГіn de la empresa, fue desarrollado en primer tГ©rmino para el mercado norteamericano, pero puede utilizare en todo el mundo. Foto: SMA 8 mizadores, tambiГ©n vemos una creciente demanda del sector comercial. A nivel mundial se espera que el mercado de MLPE crezca de forma considerable en los prГіximos aГ±os, alcanzando en el aГ±o 2017 5 gigavatios instalados. De esta forma se demostrarГa que esta tecnologГa ha dejado ya de ser un nicho de mercado“. Los optimizadores DC de Tigo Energy, Inc. tambiГ©n han llegado entre tanto al mercado global. SegГєn indican fuentes de la empresa, una prueba de ello es el hecho de que ahora tambiГ©n los fabricantes lГderes de mГіdulos e inversores integran esta tecnologГa. El “mercado inteligente” crece actualmente de forma mГЎs rГЎpida que el mercado global y, por ello, cada vez estГЎ mГЎs cerca el dГa en el que los productos MLPE sean norma. “En Tigo creemos que los mГіdulos inteligentes son el futuro de la industria de optimizadores y microinversores“, indica James Bickford, director de marketing de Tigo. “Esta expectativa se basa principalmente en la ventaja de que es posible la comunicaciГіn con el mГіdulo. La comunicaciГіn hace posible, entre otras cosas, una ampliaciГіn de las funciones de seguridad, una mayor captaciГіn de energГa, cadenas mГЎs largas, menores costes de los sistemas y un mejor y mГЎs sencillo mantenimiento”, continГєa diciendo Bickford. Paul Barlock, vicepresidente del fabricante de microinversores APS America es, al igual que sus competidores, optimista en lo que respecta a las posibilidades de mercado: “Nuestro Г©xito en el mercado global demuestra que los microinversores son el nuevo paradigma para la inversiГіn en energГa fotovoltaica. Son la tecnologГa del futuro“. Como en el caso de los optimizadores, el Г©xito de los microinversores radica en las ventajas de la tecnologГa, como explica el Sr. Barlock: “Los microinversores son la mejor soluciГіn para todas las aplicaciones solares instaladas en tejados, dado que ofrecen una mayor captaciГіn de energГa que los inversores de cadena, simplifican el diseГ±o y la instalaciГіn del sistema fotovoltaico, reducen los costes de instalaciГіn, incluyendo todo el balance de componentes del sistema, ofrecen la posibilidad del monitoreo y control de paneles solares individuales en una red y una mayor Sun & Wind Energy 6/2014 seguridad de la corriente distribuida y una desconexiГіn rГЎpida.” SegГєn GTM Research, la empresa norteamericana es lГder de microinversores en China y Australia y ocupa la segunda posiciГіn en el mercado norteamericano. APS tambiГ©n goza de gran Г©xito en SudamГ©rica y Europa. ConversiГіn de energГa en base modular SegГєn la opiniГіn generalizada, Enphase Energy es lГder del mercado en la fabricaciГіn y comercializaciГіn de microinversores. La empresa californiana no habla de forma consecuente de aparatos individuales, sino de una microsoluciГіn completa formada por el microinversor Enphase, una pasarela de comunicaciones Envoy, un sistema de monitoreo con software Enlighten y un cableado “plug & play”. TambiГ©n se incluye de forma expresa el mantenimiento. El Гєltimo producto, el microinversor M250, es “el microinversor mГЎs avanzado del mundo”, segГєn se indica en el Гєltimo comunicado de prensa. SegГєn Enphase “mejora el rendimiento solar y simplifica la instalaciГіn y la gestiГіn de los sistemas solares. El aparato se basa en los inversores de tercera generaciГіn y conforma con un nГєmero reducido de componentes un nuevo estГЎndar en los microinversores”. “Optimizada para mГіdulos solares de alta potencia, nuestra tecnologГa de cuarta generaciГіn proporciona sistemas fiables, de alto rendimiento con un alto valor”, resume Anna Valeria Porta, directora de relaciones pГєblicas (Europa, Oriente Medio y ГЃfrica). La empresa alemana SMA AG presentГі ya en la feria Intersolar Europe 2012 un inversor modular: el Sunny Boy 240. SegГєn informaciГіn de la empresa fue desarrollado en primer tГ©rmino para el mercado norteamericano, pero puede utilizarse en todo el mundo. Este aparato es especialmente apto para pequeГ±as instalaciones fotovoltaicas con situaciones complicadas de sombra y sistema fotovoltaico integrado en el edificio. Ofrece una alta flexibilidad en la planificaciГіn de instalaciones en un rango de potencia inferior a dos kilovatios. “En el lanzamiento al mercado nos centramos en un primer momento en Estados Unidos como el mayor mercado para inversores modulares“, indica Susanne Henkel, directora de prensa corporativa en SMA. “Desde febrero de 2014 ofrecemos el Sunny Boy 240 tambiГ©n en muchos mercados europeos“. El mГЎs pequeГ±o de la familia puede combinarse con la soluciГіn de supervisiГіn Sunny Multigate. En la ficha tГ©cnica, que no siempre se tiene a la vista, aparece otra ventaja: Solar Edition Optimizador DC, inversor de cadena y monitor de SolarEdge Foto: SolarEdge dada su estructura modular, las instalaciones con el Sunny Boy 240 y el Sunny Multigate pueden redisponerse y reequiparse, algo que, por ejemplo, puede ser necesario en caso de cambios estructurales o de necesidad de un aumento de potencia. El fabricante chino LeadSolar Energy Co., Ltd. abastece con sus microinversores LeadSolar LS250 y LeadSolar LS600 los mercados solares en Estados Unidos, MГ©jico y Brasil. Estos manejables aparatos se diseГ±aron para tensiones modulares de mГЎximo 60 V, el rango de tensiГіn MPPT va de 27 a 45 V. Como potencias mГЎximas de salida se indican 250 W y 600 W respectivamente. Dentro del sistema completo se encuentran ademГЎs del inversor, la pasarela de comunicaciones LeadSolar Link y la plataforma de monitoreo LeadSolar Management. LeadSolar Link supervisa la funciГіn segura y el rendimiento del mГіdulo y estГЎ disponible en las versiones Utility, Residential Superior y Residential Basic. La plataforma LeadSolar Management proporciona al cliente la posibilidad de tener una representaciГіn visual del mГіdulo y/o la instalaciГіn fotovoltaica. La empresa californiana Chilicon Power, LLC. reivindica para sГ el haber desarrollado el microinversor mГЎs eficiente del mundo, con una fiabilidad a largo plazo integrada (“built-in long-term reliability”). SegГєn su informaciГіn “esto se debe a la utilizaciГіn de condensadores mГЎs fiables que los condensadores de electrolitos utilizados por algunos competidores que, como es sabido, fallan pronto”. SegГєn Chilicon Power, el microinversor CP-250 tiene una potencia de salida AC de 250 W, la potencia de entrada recomendada aparece indicada en 300 W. La eficiencia se encuentra en el 96 % (CEC) y/o 96,6 % (mГЎximo nivel). Normalmente, los microinversores se encuentran recogidos en un sistema con tecnologГa de pasarela (gateway) y software basado en la red. La pasarela se conecta con cada microinversor y representa la informaciГіn en una pantalla LCD de 7”. Igualmente proporciona informaciГіn de rendimiento a internet posibilitando el acceso desde cualquier lugar. SegГєn informaciГіn del cofundador Alexandre Kral, Chilicon Power vende en la actualidad sus microinversores Гєnicamente en NorteamГ©rica, pero tiene previsto expandir la distribuciГіn a SudamГ©rica en el futuro. Como en el caso de sus competidores, el sistema que ofrece APS America estГЎ formado por tres componentes clave: un microinversor, una unidad de comunicaciГіn (APS Communicator) y un software de monitoreo (APS Monitor). Entre los inversores ofrecidos hasta ahora por las empresas, el APS YC500A es el buque bandera que puede manejar simultГЎneamente dos mГіdulos solares. APS America anunciГі la pronta introducciГіn del “primer autГ©ntico microinversor trifГЎsico de cuatro paneles” en el mundo, con el nombre APS YC1000-3. “EstГЎ diseГ±ado para trabajar con 3 o 4 mГіdulos fotovoltaicos (de hasta 310 W Microinversor M250 de Enphase Foto: Enphase Energy 9 Fotovoltaica – microinversores y optimizadores respectivamente) y proporcionar tensiones trifГЎsicas de red de 208 V - 480 V a un precio competitivo con inversores de caca dena corrientes”, escribe APS AmerAmer ica en su pГЎgina web. tamEl siguiente fabricante que tam biГ©n quiere presentar aquГ su producto es SolarBridge Technologies de Austin, Texas. DiseГ±a, desarrolla y produce una serie de microinversores con el nombre Pantheon. “SolarBridge no vende microinversores directamente en el mercado de inversores, los microinversores SolarBridge Pantheon y Pantheon II se venden exclusivamente a empresas de mГіdulos que incorporan dichos microinversores en sus propios productos”, respondiГі la empresa a nuestra pregunta. Los microinversores Pantheon II han sido certificados y aprobados para su instalaciГіn no solo en Estados Unidos y CanadГЎ, tambiГ©n en Australia. SegГєn SolarBridge, “entre las empresas que integran los microinversores Pantheon en sus productos se encuentran los fabricantes de mГіdulos SunPower, ET Solar y BenQ”. El sistema de microinversores de ABB estГЎ formado por un inversor de la familia “micro” y un dispositivo concentrador de datos (CDD). Puede elegirse entre inversores con potencias de 250 W y 300 W con una tensiГіn mГЎxima DC de entrada de 65 V que permite la conexiГіn de mГіdulos de 96 cГ©lulas. El dispositivo concentrador de datos (CDD) de ABB conforma la interfaz de comunicaciГіn entre la instalaciГіn del inversor y el operador de la instalaciГіn. El estatus de la instalaciГіn se muestra en un display integrado. El servidor de red integrado puede utilizarse a nivel local para obtener un informe de estatus completo y detallado. Para un registro completo de los datos de la instalaciГіn, ABB pone a disposiciГіn la plataforma Aurora Vision Plant Management. “La familia “micro” de ABB estГЎ disponible en NorteamГ©rica y algunos paГses de SudamГ©rica”, escribe Chavonne Yee, directora de gestiГіn de productos, ConversiГіn de potencia NorteamГ©rica, Grupo de productos solares. “¿Y cГіmo valora el potencial de mercado?” Yee: “El microinversor seguirГЎ siendo un enfoque para la conversiГіn de DC a AC con un uso particular en lugares complejos. La simplificaciГіn del diseГ±o del lugar utilizando microinversores lo hace atractivo a mercados en crecimiento con instalaciones y recursos de diseГ±o con relativamente poca experiencia. Dado que los mercados se desarrollan y buscan optimizar los costes, el mercado utilizarГЎ microinversores para la 10 producciГіn de energГa en la parte del mercado con zonas de sombra no Гіptimas.” Optimizadores DC en lugar de caja de conexiones Los optimizadores de potencia son convertidores DC/DC que o bien los integran los fabricantes de mГіdulos en sus mГіdulos y sustituyen asГ la funciГіn de la caja de conexiones o bien se conectan de forma complementaria. Tigo Energy lleva a cabo la primera posibilidad con gran Г©xito: “Tigo tiene actualmente mГЎs de 10 fabricantes de mГіdulos fotovoltaicos con su tecnologГa integrada“, indica James Bickford, director de marketing de Tigo. “El montaje de un sistema de optimizaciГіn tal se realiza de forma que cada mГіdulo recibe un maximizador electrГіnico modular (MM) que, conjuntamente con la unidad de gestiГіn del maximizador (MMU), se encarga del seguimiento del punto mГЎximo de potencia (“MPP-Tracking”). Los maximizadores estГЎn equipados con componentes de comunicaciГіn, sensores analГіgicos asГ como sistemas tГ©cnicos de conmutaciГіn para el control de potencia DC y se comunican con la MMU, bien por cable o bien de forma inalГЎmbrica. Esta combinaciГіn de aparatos calcula y ajusta el MPP de los diferentes mГіdulos de forma conjunta tomando como base informaciones de mГіdulo y cadena. La MMU sirve ademГЎs como acceso a internet para poder transmitir los datos de rendimiento a la unidad de anГЎlisis de Tigo. Una particularidad: mientras la mayorГa de los seguimientos “MPP-Tracker” utilizados hoy calculan el MPP de forma progresiva (procedimiento iterativo), en Tigo Energy se apuesta por el procedimiento patentado llamado ajuste de impedancia, prometiГ©ndose la eficiencia media mГЎs alta en el mГіdulo (“a nivel estadГstico 99,5 por cien“) con mГnimas modificaciones en la instalaciГіn existente. El programa seguramente mГЎs amplio en el sector de optimizadores lo tiene el fabricante lГder SolarEdge (como aquГ no podemos tratar todos, hemos elegido el optimizador modular embebido OPJ300-LV y el optimizador comercial OP600-96V). La potencia de entrada nominal del OPJ300-LV aparece indicada con 300 W, la tensiГіn mГЎxima de entrada con 55 V y el rango de MPPT con 5 - 55 V. El optimizador complementario OP600-96V estГЎ diseГ±ado para dos mГіdulos de 60 cГ©lulas conectados en serie. Con sus valores mГЎs altos de tensiГіn y potencia, este aparato es ideal para un uso comercial. SegГєn la ficha tГ©cnica, el pico de rendimiento de ambos optimiza- MГіdulos TrinaSmart con sistema electrГіnico integrado en la caja de conexiones Foto: Trina Solar dores alcanza el 99,5 %. SolarEdge, segГєn propia informaciГіn, ha suministrado hasta la fecha un total de mГЎs de 3,3 millones de optimizadores a mГЎs de 60 paГses del mundo, tanto de NorteamГ©rica, AmГ©rica Central y SudamГ©rica como del Caribe, Europa y Asia asГ como del Oriente Medio. Trina Solar, Ltd. vende mГіdulos con sistema electrГіnico de potencia integrado de Tigo Energy, alojado en la caja de conexiones. Esta soluciГіn, llamada “TrinaSmart” trabaja con una funciГіn patentada denominada “Smart Curve”. SegГєn comunican en la empresa “hace posible hasta un 30 % de cadenas mГЎs largas, reduciendo asГ los costes de instalaciГіn. AdemГЎs, Trinasmart aumenta la potencia del sistema, por ejemplo, en caso de zonas sombreadas y diferentes potencias modulares dentro de una cuerda en hasta un 20 % y aumenta la seguridad de toda la instalaciГіn”. La comunicaciГіn entre los mГіdulos y la supervisiГіn de la instalaciГіn tiene lugar de forma inalГЎmbrica a travГ©s de una pasarela a la unidad de monitoreo y gestiГіn MMU, que tambiГ©n es de Tigo. SegГєn la ficha tГ©cnica, a cada pasarela (gateway) pueden asignarse mГЎximo 120 mГіdulos y a cada MMU hasta siete pasarelas. La MMU calcula y regula en tiempo real los puntos de funcionamiento de los mГіdulos y transmite todos los datos a un portal de monitoreo desde donde el operador de la instalaciГіn puede verlos y utilizarlos, por ejemplo, con el smartphone o el portГЎtil. “Vendemos este producto en todo el mundo, pero nuestro Г©xito ha llegado recientemente en los mercados americanos”, escribe Philip Dawsey, gerente industrial para AmГ©rica de Trina. AdemГЎs aГ±adiГі que Trina Solar estГЎ considerando un mГіdulo integrado AC, pero actualmente todavГa no hay un producto comercializado. Wilhelm Wilming Sun & Wind Energy 6/2014 EnErgГЌa TErmoSolar ErmoSolar EnErgГЌa TErmoSolar – SiSTEmaS DE gran EScala EstГЎn llegando las grandes Edificio de la Autoridad Europea de Seguridad Alimentaria AESA UbicaciГіn de la planta Parma, Italia Sistema construido para oficina y laboratorio Tipo de sistema Agua Caliente DomГ©stica Superficie de colector 84 m2 TamaГ±o del tanque 3 x 3.000 litros Costes del sistema (incluida la instalaciГіn) 215.000 € Rentabilidad de la inversiГіn 8 aГ±os Foto: AristonThermo La mayorГa de las instalaciones termosolares de gran escala se encuentran en los techos de edificios multifamiliares u hoteles y ocupan un ГЎrea de menos de 100 m2. C Гіmo estГЎn evolucionando los mercados para las instalaciones termosolares de gran escala? SUN AND WIND ENERGY ha recopilado y evaluado las respuestas de empresarios de todo el mundo. Alrededor de todo el globo hay regiones interesantes para la venta de instalaciones de gran escala. A la pregunta de ВїcuГЎles son los cinco mercados mГЎs importantes?, los encuestados contestaron con los nombres de 46 paГses distintos. En la mayorГa de las respuestas, venГa Alemania antes que EspaГ±a. DespuГ©s seguГan Italia y los Emiratos ГЃrabes Unidos (vea ilustraciГіn 1). El Г©xito que tantas compaГ±Гas tienen en Alemania tiene que ver con el grande y comparativamente desarrollado mercado termosolar en el paГs. La preeminencia de Alemania tambiГ©n se debe al hecho de que de las 31 compaГ±Гas que participaron en la encuesta, seis de ellas son alemanas. Con respecto a la producciГіn, segГєn los encuestados Alemania no estГЎ de ninguna manera entre los primeros. Sobre todo Aus- Solar Edition tria y Suiza se mencionaron como paГses con una fuerte promociГіn estatal para instalaciones termosolares de gran escala. AdemГЎs se nombraron Corea, Italia, y el LГbano como paГses con programas de promociГіn estatal especialmente atractivos. No es fГЎcil definir exactamente quГ© es una instalaciГіn termosolar de gran escala. Para la encuesta se utilizГі una amplia definiciГіn, designГЎndoles de gran escala a las instalaciones que tengan colectores con un ГЎrea de mГЎs de 20 m2. Es decir, cuando el conjunto de colectores es mГЎs grande que lo que se necesitarГa para la instalaciГіn tГpica de una casa unifamiliar. A diferencia de esta definiciГіn, la empresa Ernst Schweizer AG considerГі para la encuesta como instalaciones de gran escala aquellas con mГЎs de 50 m2 de tamaГ±o. Las instalaciones de gran escala de menor extensiГіn, con un ГЎrea de colectores entre 20 y 100 m2 representan el segmento mГЎs grande del mercado. Las empresas dieron a conocer que casi dos tercios de las instalaciones de gran escala vendidas mi- den menos de 100 m2 (vea ilustraciГіn 2). Las instalaciones de entre 100 y 1.000 m2 son aproximadamente un 20 por ciento. Hay muy pocas instalaciones con un rendimiento nominal que alcance la gama de megavatios. Sin embargo, 18 de las 31 empresas participantes han vendido instalaciones con un ГЎrea de colectores de mГЎs de 1.000 m2. Hace pocos aГ±os, muchos fabricantes de instalaciones termosolares las instalaban con su propio personal. Eso ha cambiado bastante. Hoy sГіlo siguen MГіdulo Solar SA de CV de MГ©xico, EzinГ§ Metal San. Ve Tic. A.S. de TurquГa, NUR Solar Systems de Jordania y Jehin Co. Ltd. de Corea utilizando sus propios instaladores. ”Tenemos nuestro propio equipo, pero para las instalaciones de menos de 100 m2 usamos subcontratistas,” nos dice el director gerente de Jehin, MannKwi Park. Muchas otras empresas trabajan tambiГ©n con subcontratistas. La planificaciГіn de las instalaciones aГєn la siguen haciendo frecuentemente las propias empresas solares. En otros casos, se ofrece asistencia a los planificadores . ”Apoyamos a los planificadores con el dimensionamiento de sistemas,” dice Marco Guatini, gerente de productos solares tГ©rmicos de Aristonthermo SPA de Italia. Diferencias regionales juegan tambiГ©n un papel 11 EnErgГЌa TErmoSolar – SiSTEmaS DE gran EScala En Los mercados mГЎs importantes para las instalaciones de gran escala Francia Grecia Jordania Corea Austria USA Suiza Italia Emiratos ГЃrabes Unidos EspaГ±a Alemania IlustraciГіn 1: Se menВ cionГі Alemania sobre todo. Cada empresa podГa nombrar hasta cinco paГses. importante. En Europa central los fabricantes de sistemas no tienen nada que ver ni con el planeamiento ni con la instalaciГіn, ya que de esto se encargan agencias de planificaciГіn y empresas de instalaciГіn independientes. Pero existen tambiГ©n excepciones como Ritter XL Solar GmbH de Alemania, que no encarga el planeamiento de sus instalaciones a nadie. Fuente: Encuesta de los fabricantes Amplia distribuciГіn de las zonas de aplicaciГіn ClasificaciГіn de instalaciones segГєn tamaГ±o 2 2 2 IlustraciГіn 2: La mayorГa de las instalaВ ciones de gran escala ocupan menos de 100 m2. Se calculГі los porcentajes segГєn las respuestas de los encuestados, sin tomar en cuenta la cantidad absoluta de las instalaciones. Fuente: Encuesta de los fabricantes 12 La mitad de las instalaciones termosolares de gran escala proveen calefacciГіn para casas multifamiliares (vea ilustraciГіn 3). De ellas, la mayorГa son para la producciГіn de agua caliente domГ©stica (31 %). Las instalaciones combinadas, que tambiГ©n utilizan la energГa calefactora del sol, representan el 16 por ciento de ellas. Otros campos significativos son el turismo (12 %) y el sector de la salud (9 %). Estrechamente vinculado con el turismo estГЎ la calefacciГіn de piscinas (9 %). Sistemas industriales de calentamiento tienen mucho potencial, sin embargo hasta la fecha representan solo 6 por ciento del total. El 10 por ciento que queda incluye calefacciГіn de distritos, comercial y de escuelas, asГ como la agricultura. Precisamente la agricultura necesita muchas veces el calor para procesos de secado, para los cuales se prestan de forma ideal los sistemas de colectores de aire. Para este campo de aplicaciГіn se dispone de los especialistas de colectores de aire Sunsiaray Inc. de Estados Unidos y Cona Entwicklungs- und Handels GmbH de Austria. TambiГ©n cГЎrce- les e instalaciones militares tienen mucha necesidad de agua caliente. NUR Solar Systems instalГі un equipo de colectores de 1.500 m2 en un alojamiento militar en Jordania. ”Es el sistema solar de uso residencial mГЎs grande de Jordania” dio a conocer el oficial de desarrollo de negocios Laith Zatar. Instalaciones solares para la alimentaciГіn de redes de calefacciГіn urbana son las mГЎs grandes que existen hoy en dГa. 1.000 m2 son muy poco en este contexto. Un especialista en este campo es la empresa danesa Arco Solar A/S. Hace poco Arcon ganГі el contrato para construir la instalaciГіn solar mГЎs grande del mundo, con un ГЎrea de colectores de 52,491 m2. La instalaciГіn enorme, situada en el distrito de Vojens, producirГЎ la mayorГa de energГa durante el medio aГ±o de verano. Como la demanda es baja durante el verano, la energГa se almacenarГЎ en una presa de agua en la que se calentarГЎn entre 190 y 200 millones de litros de agua. De esta manera la energГa se podrГЎ utilizar en el invierno, cuando la gente prenda su calefacciГіn de nuevo. Un aspecto importante de la demanda para los sistemas de calefacciГіn solares grandes es la inseguridad con respecto a la evoluciГіn de los precios en el mercado de los combustibles fГіsiles. Una instalaciГіn solar de calefacciГіn tiene una vida Гєtil prevista de por lo menos 25 aГ±os. AdemГЎs de la inversiГіn en la instalaciГіn misma hay que sumar los gastos para el mantenimiento y operaciГіn durante este periodo, mientras la energГa del sol es gratis. Eso significa que durante 25 aГ±os, usted tiene gastos fijos garantizados para energГa, ademГЎs de reducir su dependencia de combustibles fГіsiles. Seguridad y un riesgo mГnimo se han convertido en un fuerte argumento de compra. ”Las estaciones de calefacciГіn de distrito daneses han descubierto en los Гєltimos aГ±os que la calefacciГіn solar de gran escala no es solamente una inversiГіn correcta, sino tambiГ©n un gestiГіn de negocio muy astuta. Especialmente los costos fijos a largo plazo son una motivaciГіn importante que impulsa la demanda. Este conocimiento se estГЎ difundiendo internacionalmente y esperamos ya para este aГ±o un gran avance para nuestras exportaciones,” asegura SГёren Elisiussen, director general de Arcon. TambiГ©n en el campo de las aplicaciones existen bastantes diferencias regionales. En Europa el sector para casas multifamiliares es especialmente fuerte. Mientras mГЎs al sur vaya uno, mГЎs se reduce la demanda para calefacciГіn. Por con- Sun & Wind Energy 6/2014 EnErgГЌa TErmoSolar siguiente, en Europa central se utilizan mГЎs las instalaciones combinadas. Los hoteles en todo el mundo tienen una alta demanda de agua caliente, pero el hecho de que el calentamiento solar es la mejor opciГіn todavГa sigue sin ser de conocimiento general para el sector hotelero de Europa central. El sector de turismo del MediterrГЎneo y del Medio Oriente se interesa mucho mГЎs por el calentamiento solar. En cambio, el sector de procesos industriales es mencionado por las empresas en Asia como un campo importantede aplicaciГіn. Entonces, ВїcuГЎles sectores estГЎn ahora de moda y cuГЎles no? AquГ se ve que el campo de procesos industriales solares no es un negocio fГЎcil. En ningГєn otro sector indicaron tantos encuestados que la demanda se estГЎ reduciendo. En cambio, muchas empresas ven un fuerte aumento en la calefacciГіn de agua para casas multifamiliares y en el sector de turismo. En total, los escГ©pticos representan la minorГa. En general la mayorГa de las empresas ven las instalaciones de gran escala con optimismo. Sin embargo, las instalaciones de procesos industriales se pueden utilizar tambiГ©n en regiones con radiaciГіn solar de menos intensidad, como Alemania. Ritter XL Solar instalГі para el transporte pГєblico de Colonia un sistema que proporciona calor para el secado de pintura en el taller de pintura. AllГ los autobuses y tranvГas de la red pГєblica reciben un nuevo aspecto. Un ГЎrea total de 237 m2 proporciona calor a una temperatura nominal de 70 В°C a un sistema de almacenamiento de 3 depГіsitos intermedios de 8,400 litros cada uno. ”Una particularidad de estos colectores es que se pueden suministrar en ejecuciГіn libre de silicona para el uso en talleres de pintura,” dijo el director de clientes claves Martin Willige. Aunque solo se pudo realizar una orientaciГіn oeste-suroeste de los tubos de vacГo, la red de transporte puede contar con un rendimiento anual de por lo menos 80 MWh, que implica un rendimiento especГfico de por lo menos 355 kWh/mВІ/a. para la transferenClasificaciГіn segГєn sector cia del calor. Esta tГ©cnica se encuentra en el 21 % de las instalaciones. El caso especial de los colectores de aire utiliza ventiladores para la circulaciГіn del medio de la transferencia tГ©rmica: el aire. La producciГіn y el almacenamiento del agua caliente tambiГ©n tienen varias modalidades. El sistema mГЎs sencillo y mГЎs barato deja el agua destinada al uso domГ©stico fluir directamente por los colectores. La importanIlustraciГіn 3: La calefacciГіn de agua para casas cia de la higiene es imprescindible en tales multifamiliares y los hoteles son los sectores sistemas. Este tipo se usa en el 19 % de las mГЎs importantes de las instalaciones de gran instalaciones (vea ilustraciГіn 5). El uso del escala. Se calculГі los porcentajes segГєn las agua domГ©stica en el sistema de circurespuestas de los encuestados, sin tomar en laciГіn se imposibilita en lugares donde Г©scuenta la cantidad absoluta de las instalaВ ta se puede congelar en el invierno. En tales ciones. Fuente: Encuesta de los fabricantes Conceptos tГ©cnicos varГan En la mayorГa de las instalaciones de gran escala solares hay bombas que transfieren calor de los colectores hacia el depГіsito (vea ilustraciГіn 4). En promedio entre todas las empresas, las bombas se utilizan en el 58 por ciento de las instalaciones. Un caso especial entre los sistemas con bombas es el concepto вЂ�drainback’, en el cual el sistema se vacГa cuando estГЎ fuera de uso (13 %). Los sistemas de termosifГіn que funcionan sin bombas utilizan la gravedad Solar Edition 13 EnErgГЌa TErmoSolar – SiSTEmaS DE gran EScala En Tipos de instalaciones IlustraciГіn 4: Las instalaciones de gran escala son por lo general sistemas forzВ ados. Se calculГі los porcentajes segГєn las respuestas de los encuestados, sin tomar en cuenta la cantidad absoluta de las instalaciones. Fuente: Encuesta de los fabricantes ProducciГіn de agua domГ©stica caliente IlustraciГіn 5: Las instalaciones incluyen mayormente un depГіsito para el agua domГ©stica. La generaciГіn de agua de consumo mediante estaciones de agua fresca estГЎ cobrando importancia. El calentamiento del agua directamente en los colectores se considera regresivo segГєn los encuestados. Se calculГі los porcentajes segГєn las respuestas de los encuestados, sin tomar en cuenta la cantiВ dad absoluta de las instalaciones. Fuente: Encuesta de los fabricantes 14 casos se utilizan anticongelantes para la fuerte tendencia hacia los sistemas de transferencia de calor, aunque existen las agua dulce, en otras partes del mundo se excepciones como el sistema drainback o utilizan sobre todo los medios mГЎs el Aqua-system de Ritter. La mayorГa de econГіmicos que calientan el agua en los las instalaciones de gran escala colectores mismos. cuentan por tanto con un depГіsiВїCuГЎnto cuesta una instalaciГіn de gran to para el agua domГ©stica, que escala? Vladimir Tsintsiper, el director tГ©cse separa del sistema de cirnico del fabricante de colectores Alpha-InculaciГіn solar por medio de notec Sun GmbH estima el costo especГfico un termocambiador (64 de tales sistemas en Europa de 500 a 600 €/ %). TambiГ©n en estos sism2. Г‰ste es el costo tambiГ©n de la instatemas se tienen que almalaciГіn de Siko Solar para la casa multifamilcenar grandes cantidades iar pasiva. Pero, algunas instalaciones de agua caliente para el pueden costar hasta el doble o aГєn mГЎs. uso domГ©stico. AllГ es donArcon puede ofertar sus instalaciones de se puede establecer la incluyendo el depГіsito estacional por solo peligrosa bacteria legionela 300 €/m2. AГєn mГЎs baratas son las instabajo las condiciones propicias. laciones que producen el agua caliente en Se forman depГіsitos de lechadas los colectores mismos. En una instalaciГіn de cal, que pueden servir como un para un hotel en Corea del Norte, Himin Sosuelo alimentario para las bacterias. Por lar alcanzГі el precio de 200 €/m2. El precio eso, estos sistemas se tienen que calentar mГЎs econГіmico fue la instalaciГіn para el regularmente a temperaturas de por lo alojamiento militar con justo 43 €/m2. A menos 70 В°C para eliminar los gГ©rmenes este precio, se recuperarГa la inversiГіn en con seguridad. tan solo 20 meses. Las empresas centroeuSe puede evitar todo eso utilizando los ropeas sГіlo pueden soГ±ar con plazos de depГіsitos intermedios, produciendo el amortizaciГіn tan cortos. Con Siko Solar el agua caliente sГіlo entonces cuando se la plazo es de 12 aГ±os. Pero de todos modos usa. TambiГ©n se estГЎn usando cada vez el kilovatio hora de calefacciГіn solar cuesmГЎs los mГіdulos de agua dulce, que utilita solamente 5,3 cГ©ntimo de euro. Eso es zan el agua caliente del depГіsito intermemucho menos de lo que se tiene que pagar dio para calentar el agua domГ©stica sobre en Europa para el gas natural. las placas de calefacciГіn. Jens-Peter Meyer Los mГіdulos de agua dulce se pueden utilizar o con una instalaciГіn central para un edificio entero, o con instalaciГіn descentralizada en apartamentos individuales. Especialmente las instalaciones centrales estГЎn cobrando importancia. Muchos de los encuestados las ven en ascenso sobre los sistemas que almacenan el agua Vivienda multifamiliar pasiva Lodenareal caliente. En la casa multifaUbicaciГіn de la planta Innsbruck, Austria miliar mГЎs grande en que Sistema construido para Vivienda multifamiliar para 354 familias Siko Solar GmbH de Austria Tipo de sistema Combinado ha instalado un conjunto Superficie de colector 854 m2 solar, tambiГ©n se utiliza la TamaГ±o del tanque 80.000 litros tГ©cnica de agua dulce. Pero Costes del sistema 480.000 € aquГ tambiГ©n se pueden (incluida la instalaciГіn) notar diferencias regionalPrecio calentamiento 0,053 €/kWh (por 25 aГ±os) es. Mientras en Estados UnRentabilidad de la inversiГіn 12 aГ±os idos y Europa se nota una Sun & Wind Energy 6/2014 EnErgГa tErmosolar En Brasil Foto: dpa Falta mucho aГєn El sector termosolar ha tenido un Г©xito consistente y muestra buenas prospectivas para la expansiГіn, sin embargo, en el clima econГіmico nublado de hoy y los tiempos difГciles actuales, el lema del dГa es la precauciГіn. E l mercado termosolar brasileГ±o estГЎ cumpliendo 35 aГ±os. Durante este tiempo, la tecnologГa ha mostrado su viabilidad como una fuente indepenВ diente y sostenible de energГa con un crecimiento persistente. Eso se debe sobre todo al clima favorable, con un nivel de radiaciГіn solar de casi el doble que en algunos paГses europeos. AdemГЎs, gracias a esta riqueza solar junto con las normas de construcciГіn muy compatibles, ha sido posible desarrollar soluciones sencillas y significativamente menos costosas, aunque sin sacrificar ni la funcionalidad ni la eficacia. Estos factores: alta radiaciГіn solar y bajo costo, conjuntamente con precios de energГa convencional cada vez mГЎs altos, han creado un mercado robusto capaz de hacer competencia con otras fuentes de energГa para la calefacciГіn del agua domГ©stica. Aparte de la conciencia sobre el medio ambiente y el aumento en el conВ fort que brinda la energГa termosolar, con el tiempo, los clientes han comenzado a considerar la energГa solar tambiГ©n como una buena oportunidad para la inversiГіn financiera. En algunas regiones de Brasil, un calentador de agua solar recupera su costo en menos de dos aГ±os sin ninguna Solar Edition AZISSA2014_SWE_90x125_Spanisch_Layout 1 11.06.14 10:16 Seite 1 15 EnErgГa tErmosolar En Brasil EnE subvenciГіn, solamente mediante los ahorros en la electricidad. Y ahora un prograВ ma de etiquetado nacional muy eficaz ha aportado la credibilidad necesaria para las inversiones de largo plazo. El mercado se ha estabiВ lizado y las empresas solares del paГs han crecido tanto, que hoy en dГa generВ an tanta energГa como la planta nuclear Angra 1 en el estado de RГo de Janeiro. Potencial aГєn no explotado Sin los factores restrictivos que se encuenВ tran en la macroeconomГa, la realidad poВ drГa ser aГєn mГЎs propicia para la energГa termosolar. La economГa brasileГ±a ha sufВ rido tasas de interГ©s elevadas, una eleВ vada presiГіn fiscal y una inflaciГіn incГіmoВ da. La escasez de estГmulo directo o esВ quemas de crГ©dito junto con el bajo poder adquisitivo de los consumidores han creaВ do un matiz que inhibe la adquisiciГіn de calentadores de agua domГ©stica por parte del consumidor. Entonces, ВїcuГЎl es el potencial verdaВ dero de la energГa termosolar en Brasil? Existe un potencial geogrГЎfico vasto, alВ canzando las clases sociales con un poder adquisitivo mГЎs bajo y con un incremento del uso en los sectores industriales y comВ erciales. Un anГЎlisis detallado estarГa mГЎs allГЎ del alcance de este artГculo, pero sГ podemos tratar unos de los indicadores claves. El mercado para el agua caliente domГ©stica representa el 83 por ciento del mercado del calentamiento solar braВ sileГ±o con el 17 por ciento que queda ocupando el uso industrial y comercial. Sin embargo, el consumo industrial de la electricidad es como dos veces mГЎs grande que el consumo residencial. AsГ que con un crecimiento del sector indusВ trial alcanzando el nivel del sector resiВ dencial, el mercado serГa cinco veces mГЎs grande. A pesar de la sencillez de esta esВ timaciГіn, todavГa demuestra la existencia de un potencial bastante grande por alВ canzar, sobre todo en los procesos indusВ triales con rangos de temperatura media (hasta 90В° C). Otra manera de evaluar el mercado serГa comparГЎndolo con otros paГses. AleВ mania por ejemplo tiene una concenВ traciГіn de colectores solares por persona cinco veces mГЎs grande que Brasil, aunque su consumo de electricidad per cГЎpita es tres veces mГЎs grande. TomanВ do en cuenta su consumo de energГa total mГЎs bajo, Brasil tendrГa que aumentar su 16 capacidad 1,7 veces para alcanzar el misВ mo nivel de Alemania. Se ve claramente que a pesar de las ventajas en costo y efiВ cacia, a las estrategias para estimular el uso de la tecnologГa todavГa les falta muВ cho para alcanzar el potencialen el uso de la tecnologГa. Un factor clave para el crecimiento del mercado que todavГa estГЎ tomando impulВ so es la inclusiГіn del calentamiento del agua domГ©stica en los programas residenВ ciales federales y estatales. Tan solo en el programa de promociГіn federal Minha Casa Minha Vida (Mi Casa Mi Vida), con solo el apoyo parcial del calentamiento solar del agua domГ©stica, se estima que se instaВ larГЎn unos 350 mil aparatos durante el tranВ scurso de tres aГ±os. Una vez implementada, la certificaciГіn obligatoria de productos termosolares en el esquema brasileГ±o de etiquetado serГЎ tambiГ©n un factor importante para el crecВ imiento de la calidad en la industria ademГЎs de mejorar el fundamento para el crecВ imiento sostenible y proveer nuevas perВ spectivas para el futuro. ObstГЎculos y riesgos Estas estimaciones aproximadas demВ uestran el potencial, pero sin embargo existen mГЎs de un obstГЎculo para expandir el uso limitado de la energГa terВ mosolar en la actualidad. El sector de los procesos industriales, por ejemplo, se encuentra aГєn en la fase inicial. La creaciГіn de una cadena de valor, entreВ namiento profesional, investigaciГіn y desarrollo, referencias de diseГ±o, conocimiento del uso y modelos de negoВ cio apropiados necesitarГЎn tiempo y esfuerzo. Existen actualmente unos proВ gramas, pero igual que la formaciГіn del primer mercado, la unidad y coordinaciГіn de las diversas partesinvolucradas son fundamentales para generar el impulso necesario. El gobierno tiene un papel imВ prescindible para promover la peneВ traciГіn del mercado entre las clases soВ ciales con menos poder adquisitivo y en las regiones menos desarrolladas y aquГ tambiГ©n se nota un enlace clave con la situaciГіn macroeconГіmica. Aunque es poco posible el surgimiento de dificultaВ des en la polГtica de vivienda social, que ya es considerada como un Г©xito, el riesgo de una estructura industrial basada en un segmento muy dependiente de incentivos gubernamentales podrГa ser considerable. Eventos recientes en la industria de energГa renovable europea demuestran claramente la existencia de este peligro. A corto plazo es necesario considerar la terminaciГіn de programas econГіmicos destinados a la estimulaciГіn del consumo adoptados despuГ©s de la crisis global en 2008. Con resultados inmediatos pero efГmeros, se conocen ahora como una especie de vГґo de galinha, o pelea de gallinas, tГ©rmino usado por los brasileГ±os para designar las rachas econГіmicas de poca duraciГіn. Las consecuencias de esta polГtica es la disminuciГіn del crecimienВ to econГіmico acompaГ±ada por un resurgimiento de la inflaciГіn, el deterioro de las finanzas pГєblicas, el incremento de las tasas claves de interГ©s y la devaluaciГіn de la moneda nacional. El conjunto de estos efectos crea una reducВ ciГіn en el poder adquisitivo de la pobВ laciГіn y una desviaciГіn de las inversiones productivas del sector financiero. Eso tiene un impacto evidente en el sector de la construcciГіn civil, que es fundaВ mental para la industria de la calefacciГіn solar. De un lado, tenemos que estar conВ scientes de la situaciГіn actual con reВ specto a la energГa. El paГs padece ahora de una sequГa bastante grave. Como la infraestructura elГ©ctrica estГЎ basada principalmente en la energГa hidroelГ©ctriВ ca, las consecuencias podrГЎn ser serias, resultando en el racionamiento de enВ ergГa, cargos adicionales en las tarifas e incrementos de costo inevitables. En una situaciГіn como esta, el calentamiento soВ lar del agua domГ©stica es aГєn mГЎs atracВ tivo. AdemГЎs, como habrГЎ una elecciГіn presidencial este aГ±o, al electorado se le obsequiarГЎn los regalitos econГіmicos hasta el fin de 2014, mientras las deciВ siones polГticas necesarias menos popuВ lares serГЎn postergadas hasta el 2015. En resumen, la industria de calentaВ miento industrial demuestra un exceВ lente potencial de expansiГіn, pero aГєn le falta mucho para alcanzarlo. Se puede contar definitivamente con la seguridad e integridad del mercado residencial, por su madurez, tradiciГіn y viabilidad; pero la dinГЎmica de la situaciГіn macroeconГіmica actual exige mucha precauciГіn. Carlos Artur Alencar* * Carlos Artur Alencar es el director del Enalter Eng. Ind. Com. Ltda., ex presidente y actual asesor al departamento nacional de calefacciГіn solar, DASOL, de la asociaciГіn brasileГ±a de aire acondicionado, ventilaciГіn, y calefacciГіn, ABRAVA. Sun & Wind Energy 6/2014 The Magazine for Renewable energies ISSN 1861-2741 74714 www.sunwindenergy.com € 12.00 • international issue Focus o n: The 6/2014 AmericA s The solar ediTion MIcro-INverterS & optIMISerS Two groundbreaking PV technologies? Solar therMal August 26th to 28th 2014 SГЈo Paulo, Brazil Booth A25 The big systems are coming UtIlIty Scale pv A solar wave in Latin America
© Copyright 2024 Paperzz
