solar controller Applications

By SchulerControl GmbH based in Titisee-Neustadt, GERMANY.

The research and development in the field of thin-film solar cells is an on-going process to improve efficiency even further, and to reduce manufacturing costs. X-ray fluorescence (XRF) is a field proven technology enabling users to control critical properties during development and manufacturing of the solar cells, such as elemental layer thickness and composition, improving quality and productivity, with resultant cost savings.

By Oxford Instruments plc based in Abingdon, UNITED KINGDOM.

In the earlier days, the chemistry involved in solar cell manufacturing was relatively simple, using commodity chemicals. With cell efficiencies continuously on the rise and new cell concepts slowly being introduced with increased speed of processing, precise chemical concentration control is becoming crucial to obtain consistency and more cost-effective manufacturing of solar panels. This is possible by monitoring on-line the etching bath composition, a small but genuine step forward in your competitive advantage.

Typical parameters: NaOH – Si – HF – HNO3

By AppliTek NV based in Nazareth, BELGIUM.

Quality control to maximize efficiency is critical in the competitive photovoltaic industry. For some time solar texture has been thought to qualitatively affect solar cell efficiency. However, through large-area, 3D measurements and areal feature parameters, quantitative correlation of texture to efficiency has only recently been obtained. We now know that ISO 3D surface parameters linearly correlate with solar cell efficiency.

By Bruker Corporation based in Billerica, MASSACHUSETTS (USA).

There is no legislation to control of the proper functioning of pyranometers used to measure solar radiation installed in the PV field. The control can be effectively carried out with portable instruments suitable to avoid uninstalling pyranometers set in areas normally inaccessible as placed at the side of panels. A quick test on the field assesses whether a good maintenance is sufficient to obtain a reliable measurement of the solar radiation or if it is necessary to send radiation sensors to the manufacturer for a control. In order to make a test on the field and verify the proper operation of a photovoltaic system, Delta Ohm provides a set of tools that allow an easy and flexible use.

By Delta OHM S.r.L. based in Caselle di Selvazzano, ITALY.

If waste wood is utilized, woody biomass can be a form of renewable energy that complements solar and wind. Furthermore, gasifying the wood to produce electricity is a lot cleaner than disposing via controlled burns, and has a lower carbon footprint than decomposition, since decomposition often produces methane, and reverts all of the carbon to carbon dioxide, whereas with gasification, a portion is sequestered as char-ash.

By All Power Labs based in Berkeley, CALIFORNIA (USA).