The second generation solar-powered aircraft to fly China next year

Over 6000 chemical components using innovative materials and technologies the world's largest solar-powered aircraft, the second generation of Solar Impulse (No. Solar Impulse 2) by driving two Swiss explorer arrived in China in March next year. Michelin will be over on November 11 to 14 in Chengdu, Gordon Challenge held a news conference during the Solvay company, senior vice president of the Solvay company, Solar Impulse co total charge ClaudeMichel announced the news.


ClaudeMichel said Solar Impulse solar-powered aircraft on the 2nd departure from the Gulf region, the Arabian Sea, India, Burma into China after the first stop to stay in Chongqing, and then to Nanjing. Nanjing stay a week later, across the Pacific to the United States, and finally back to the end of Europe, completed the first flight around the world.

He told China Chemical Industry News exclusive interview revealed that this aircraft wingspan as big as Airbus, as heavy as a car, motorcycle power as a small plane can fly day and night solar airplane truly no consumption, no emissions, no pollution. The aircraft in four areas, more than 6000 members Solvay's innovative use of materials and techniques.

In terms of lightweight, high-performance polyurethane foam tip spar using high-performance honeycomb composite materials, dashboard shell, fasteners and hardware, brackets shock group, throttle box assembly, cylinder, LED lamp cup etc. achieve a metal replacement. In power system efficiency, the propeller bearing grease has excellent chemical and thermal resistance to withstand temperatures ranging from -80 ℃ to 250 ℃, viscosity stability, long life, compatible with metals and plastics. In electrification, before obtaining solar photovoltaic panels, backplanes are used fluorinated film materials, solar panels assembled without delamination can withstand high and low temperature stress. In terms of energy storage, visor replace conventional adhesives can improve the specific energy of at least 10% of static and dynamic longer battery life, using the new lithium battery electrolyte stability and the energy density of the battery performance improved, the same weight of the electrolyte will Solar Impulse battery energy density increased to 260Wh / kg. The cockpit fairing, engine compartment insulation measures are used in high-performance thermal insulation polyurethane foam.

When people are discussing Beijing APEC Blue can continue going down, the Michelin Challenge Bibendum renowned experts focused on global sustainable transport sector, to discuss how to make cars per kilometer of carbon emissions to 50 grams or less. ClaudeMichel said Solvay for weight reduction on the 2nd sun power, electrification, power system efficiency, green and clean four aspects of innovative technologies, materials and solutions in the field of sustainable transport applications, can reduce vehicle weight, extend the life of lithium battery electric vehicles and improve performance, reduce fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions.

Solar industry on both sides of pond cheer US-Chinese CO2 emissions deal

The international PV industry on both sides of the Atlantic has applauded Wednesday's announcement by U.S. President Barack Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping to increase the countries' efforts to cut carbon dioxide emissions and improve trade in green goods and clean energy technologies.

James Watson, CEO of the Brussels-based European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA), told pv magazine that the organization supported and welcomed the move from the world’s biggest polluters and expressed hope that the announcement would indeed inspire other countries and increase momentum in global climate negotiations.

"A few weeks after the announcement of EU ambitions for 2030, this commitment from the world’s two largest carbon emitters is a strong signal ahead of the UN Climate Summit next year in Paris," Watson said. "EPIA supports the initiative and welcomes this timely development. We now hope that this will drive the consensus that is needed for an ambitious global climate agreement.

"The news is good for the solar industry, as solar is an obvious solution to fight climate change and stimulate local economies while bringing green, sustainable and affordable energy to the world."

Watson pointed out that solar energy would "be key to meeting the ambition of China to have 20% of energy from zero-emission sources by 2030."

U.K. Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Davey likewise welcomed the news. "These climate announcements from the U.S. and China are a clear sign that major economies are serious about getting a global deal in Paris next year.

"The U.K. led the drive to achieve an ambitious new EU target, and others are now following the EU's lead and putting targets on the table. I'm looking forward to discussing with the U.S. and China how we can achieve our shared goal of keeping the global temperature rise under 2 degrees, and avoid the most dangerous effects of climate change."

On the other side of the pond, the U.S. Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) hailed the U.S.-Chinese greenhouse gas emissions deal as an “historic, breakthrough agreement."

The bilateral pact sends a clear signal to private investors and political leaders here at home and around the world that solving climate change is a top priority on both sides of the globe, according to SEIA President and CEO Rhone Resch.

"This historic, breakthrough agreement represents a huge step forward when it comes to fighting climate change, and we're prepared to do our part," Resch said. "This year, solar is expected to offset an estimated 20 million metric tons of harmful CO2 emissions, which is the equivalent of taking 4 million cars off U.S. highways, saving 2.1 billion gallons of gasoline or shuttering half a dozen coal-fired power plants -- and we're just scratching the surface of our capabilities.

"Simply put, when looking at America’s energy future, solar can be a real game changer, providing more and more homes, businesses, schools and government entities across the United States with clean, reliable and affordable electricity, while also helping states to meet proposed new obligations under Section 111(d) of the Clean Air Act, as well as helping America to meet its carbon reduction goals under this agreement."

The White House followed up on Thursday with a statement from Obama counselor John Podesta, who said the new emission reduction target announced by the president “will roughly double the pace of our carbon pollution reduction -- from 1.2% per year from 2005 to 2020, to 2.3-2.8% from 2020 to 2025.

"This target keeps us on track to reduce our carbon pollution on the order of 80% by 2050, and means the U.S. is doing our part to keep global temperatures from rising more than 2 degrees Celsius."

Groundbreaking Ceremony Held for Japan’s Largest PV Power Plant with 230MW

On November 7, Jin Hai Yantian construction site “Setouchi megawatt-scale PV power plant project” groundbreaking ceremony was held Okayama Prefecture in Seto, Japan. The project is in Seto City, and has approximately 500 hectares of salt. It is about 260 ha site in the ground, construction output power of about 230MW of megawatt-scale PV power plants. It was completed megawatt-scale PV power plant in the largest one in Japan.

From the popularity of renewable energy and local innovation perspective, the project has great significance. Under the leadership of the local government, just two years since construction, “the owner of the site in the Yantian Seto City, Mayor Takehisa Cheng said this is significant.” He hopes to take advantage of megawatt-scale PV power plants to take care of the children left behind. “We will explore how to promote us this renewable energy legislation’s city.”

Megawatt-scale PV power plant generating facility is scheduled to begin in 2019 in the second quarter business operation. The whole project consists of three elements, namely, the “megawatt-scale PV power plant generating business’ as the core investment of about 3 billion yen reinforced embankments, drainage pumps and other "secure and safe business” and the maintenance of salt and other natural wetlands site. At the same time the environment can stimulate local economic vitality “urban construction and environmental protection work.” On the same day, Takehisa Setouchi City mayor announced the “Solar City Project”, showing the concept of the 25-year total of about 10 billion yen of the rent income is used to activate the local economy.

Planning and coordination of construction projects and megawatt-scale PV power plant-related facilities by Toyo Engineering Corporation, enhance dams and other infrastructure-related construction undertaken by Shimizu Construction Company. The generated electricity will be sold to all power companies in Japan and China. After the start of commercial operations, maintaining operations of power generation equipment to the Electrical Company predetermined is centered.

As a megawatt-scale PV power plant equipment, it will be under the consideration of the protection of ecosystems. Yantian site has the setting of about 920,000 solar panels. The solar Inverter (PCS) used by the US General Electric Company (GE) and Toshiba Mitsubishi Electric Industrial Systems Corporation (TMEIC) manufactured products. Corresponding to the construction of the land below sea level soft foundation, set up panels of the stand according to the characteristics foundations were used to pile foundation and the concrete foundation. Ease of accumulating rainwater connected to the ground, and this sets the height at one meter or more.

BNEF: global solar to grow to close to 60 GW in 2015

While the global PV market remains a difficult beast to predict, with a wide array of public policy variables impacting on demand across a host of countries, BNEF expects annual installed capacity to increase by more than 20% in 2015. BNEF forecasts that by the end of 2014 an additional 48.4 GW of solar generating capacity will have been added to global grids.

The key drivers for global growth, on a national level, remains to be China and Japan with BNEF expecting  13 GW to 14 GW and 9 GW to 11 GW to installed respectively in 2014. China, in particular, is seeing an end-of-year boom with BNEF expecting a whopping 8 PW to 9 GW of PV to commissioned in China in Q4 2014 alone.

“There was a 6 GW quota given to what [the Chinese government] called ‘transmission grid connected projects,’ at the beginning of the year – and those were going ahead without any problem,” said BNEF’s head of solar analysis Chase. “The big question was all about the 8 GW quota for ‘distribution grid connected PV projects’ – and for those the economics didn’t really make sense until early September when the government changed the rules.”

BNEF’s Chase reports that many Chinese project developers were waiting for such a rule change and were ready to go with projects planned and designed.

“There were a large number of projects that were in project planning that were waiting for this [rule change to ‘distribution grid connected projects’] to happen. So I am pretty optimistic that something like 8 or 9 GW of projects can be commissioned in the Q4,”

BNEF analysis indicates that supplying these projects remains profitable for Chinese module producers.

“I think it is still marginally profitable for the low cost suppliers,” said Chase. “We are hearing prices in the low $0.60/W, which in big enough volumes is still worth doing.” Such prices work with volumes above 10 MW, according to BNEF analysis.

Elsewhere European markets remain slow, and BNEF is less bullish than some other analysts on the UK market in 2014. It expects between 2.5 GW and 2.8 GW to be installed in 2014. Chase reports that it is still uncertain as to whether the “Contracts for Difference” (CfD) scheme, which is replacing ROCs in May 2015, will deliver any significant volume to PV developers.

Looking towards emerging PV markets, Chile looks set to approach GW-market status in 2015. BNEF forecasts between 470 MW and 570 MW to go into Chile in 2014, growing to between 800 MW and 975 MW in 2015.

The Indian market too will grow, according to the BNEF forecasts. From 892 MW to 1.1 GW in 2014, the Indian market looks set to double in size in 2015 – to 2.6 GW to 3.2 GW. Power generation for onsite use, in India, is a particularly interesting emerging market in India, says Chase.

“Even though the typical grid price for electricity in India is not particularly high, a lot of companies have these ‘captive power plants’ for reliability and because in India some commercial enterprises subsidizes the residential sector,” said Chase. “And this provides an incentive for companies to sign PPA with a solar plant.”

Largest African PV plant begins operation

Africa's largest PV plant has gone online in South Africa's Northern Cape.

Developed by California-based SolarReserve, the 96 MW Jasper solar project has completed construction and is fully operational, almost two months ahead of schedule.

Jasper is located in a solar park that also includes the 75 MW Lesedi solar power project, which came online in May, and the proposed 100 MW Redstone concentrated solar thermal power (CSP) plant featuring SolarReserve's CSP technology with integrated energy storage.

As part of the South African Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Program (REIPPPP), Jasper will set aside a percentage of total project revenues for Enterprise Development and Socio-Economic Development for the benefit of the local communities.

"In addition to helping South Africa meet its critical electricity needs, the Jasper Project will bring long lasting economic benefits to the region," said SolarReserve CEO Kevin Smith, adding that the company would continuing its positive momentum in the country through collaboration on further endeavors, including upcoming CSP projects.

With more than 325,000 PV modules, the Jasper project will deliver 180,000 megawatt hours of electricity annually for South Africa residents – enough to supply some 80,000 households through a 20-year power purchase agreement with Eskom, the South African power utility company.

Selected by the South Africa Department of Energy (DOE) in the second round of bids under the REIPPPP, the project also marked Google's first renewable energy investment in Africa.

SolarReserve developed the project as part of a consortium that also included South African empowerment investment player Kensani Group and South African renewable energy project developer Intikon Energy. Investors inlcuded South Africa's Public Investment Corporation (PIC), Intikon, Kensani Capital Investments, Google, the PEACE Humansrus Community Trust and SolarReserve with Rand Merchant Bank providing preference share equity.

TBEA 500KW PV inverter with UL certification

Recently, the international authoritative testing and certification organization UL to independent research and the North American version 500KW inverter TBEA New Energy Company awarded UL certification, which is the Asia-Pacific region's first high-power inverters are UL certified, marked "Made in China "elevate the status of the world in the photovoltaic industry.

It is understood that TBEA new disposable inverter products certified by UL, UL approved earlier by the first laboratory was completed. UL side, said: "This collaboration with TBEA very happy, hope for the future to have more opportunities for cooperation, and strive for the global PV industry to bring the best products."

UL is a very experienced international authority on testing and certification organization, the one-time effectively promote the company's products quality improvement and overseas markets through the UL certification. Currently TBEA inverter steady growth in market share at home and abroad, TBEA New Energy Company will take the UL certification to provide more differentiated products and services to the world, to strengthen the manufacturing China in the international arena of new energy status, access to world industry recognition.

Container inverter solutions become mainstream trend

The inverter is a key component of photovoltaic power plants, photovoltaic power plants in the outbreak of the global growth in recent years, container type inverter solutions quickly become the market mainstream applications. So the question is, why is containerized inverter solution?

First, the cost efficiency is king, market selection is the first standard

Early large-scale power plants commonly used self-built cement room in the form of built-in inverter. Although the strength of the cement room and meet the requirements of life, but a long construction period, the project takes up a lot of time; large-scale photovoltaic power plants are mostly located in the desert plateau, high labor costs, difficult construction, building materials, transportation difficulties, resulting in cement room the overall construction costs are generally higher. Long construction period, high construction costs, in order to ensure construction quality and progress of the project, the owners of units had to arrange to hire professionals for guidance or supervision of the company on behalf of supervision.

The reason why the container program a launch on the market quickly, the primary reason is that the program works in construction time and cost advantages. Mainstream containerized general internal configuration of the inverter room 2 500KW inverter, depending on the requirements of owners can be further integrated DC power distribution cabinets and other equipment to form an independent photovoltaic power generation system unit. In addition to the simple ground and foundations, container program no other construction needs, by lifting directly placed in designated locations, good to meet the owners and EPC unit construction period of the project and the project cost requirements, and greatly reduces the difficulty of construction site risks .

Second, the integration of functional design, from products to solutions platform upgrade

Photovoltaic power plants of different application environment, to meet the cooling ventilation premise, inverter room needs to have good dustproof, waterproof, anti-corrosion ability. Container inverter room, the heat, protection and other functions to achieve the combination of inverter products, and provide owners with a personalized interior space, form an integrated functional design of the PV system access solutions platform. Container with sun power inverter example for analysis.

Sunshine Power Inverter containerized housing will inverters, DC cabinet integrated in one, using simple segmented vertical-type duct, the duct-free fan, zero loss, maintenance-free. Duct length is only 1m, small pressure loss, fan efficiency at its best state. Inverter at work, most of the heat is discharged through the duct outside the container, but also a part of the heat transferred by radiation inside the box, the internal flow of air to absorb heat to the top, and then discharged from the top of the container exhaust fan, ensures the inverter the long-term reliable operation.

Outside exhaust treatment, the same treatment should be integrated into the design of the wind. In addition the container side of the blinds, external cold air directly into the box by the side of the window, continuous flow in the back of the inverter, inverter heat way back from the original natural convection transformed into forced convection, convection heat transfer factor improved by nearly 10 times, greatly improving the heat transfer capability back, reducing the surface temperature; Moreover, persistent low level cold air formed around the inverter to inverter provides a good working environment.

Surrounding the container body additional insulation, the use of low thermal conductivity as rock wool insulation materials, laminated thickness of 50mm, can be effectively cut off from solar radiation and low temperature environment better insulation. S-shaped inlet box blinds patented design, effectively prevent the intrusion of wind and rain, dust and cotton are using a special high-throughput and low resistance filter cotton, reusable, simply press the blinds when replacing a dark button, you can remove the anti-cotton dust, the whole operation time is less than a few seconds.

In addition to cooling, insulation, protection of the integration of professional design, maintenance facilities also need to include the container platform design. Sunshine Power Inverter Built Container 500KW inverter and DC cabinet, using midline symmetrical placement to facilitate people to view device information and positive maintenance; inverter front door can be opened 160 °, which greatly improves the maintenance space; both sides of the container design the overall style double doors, providing a fast and convenient service channels, For large devices within the inverter to be replaced, the back double doors can be opened directly.

Not only in the photovoltaic industry and the power industry, as the global standardization of the large container, the container industry applications for the same program in multiple platforms.

Communications industry in the data center container originated from Sun in 2006's "black box scheme", which uses a standard 20-foot container, placed inside the server and power supply equipment, the obvious advantages of this design, and soon became the industry hot, now, IBM, HP, Google, Cisco, Microsoft and other giants have set foot (Figure 4), the product is used around the world, including deserts, coastal areas, its application is similar to the photovoltaic products.

Power industry, such as: electrical equipment manufacturer ACTIVEPOWER company, the battery manufacturer SAFT Group, and also a few years ago to join the ranks of containerization, which PowerHouse is ACTIVEPOWER company's major box-power products.

PV industry, SMA, Siemens and other foreign brands in 2009 began the introduction of container products, and widely used around the world. With significant cost advantages, construction efficiency and program platforms, with further expansion of photovoltaic power plant market, the scope of containerized inverter will be broader.