Saint-Gobain Solar Expert Explains Industry Growth, Impact on Energy Producers and Suppliers in New Video Q&A

With the unprecedented growth of the United States solar industry in 2010 likely to continue, energy providers and their suppliers are still decoding the boom’s impact on their long-term goals and bottom line. A veteran industry executive from Saint-Gobain confronts these issues in a newly released questions and answers (Q&A) video format, and offers guidance on the steps solar industry players must take to remain competitive.

According to Janaki Weiden, Global Market Manager, SOLGLIDE®, the recent – and in some cases, rapid – growth of the solar industry in the US, Asia, parts of South and Central America, and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is increasing competition among solar energy producers and their suppliers as the influx of industry players places downward pressure on pricing per watt.

To remain competitive, these companies must reduce costs. Solar energy producers will rely more heavily on the durability and efficiency of production technologies, so it is imperative that products such as parabolic troughs perform flawlessly throughout their lifetime.

Weiden emphasizes that the way to ensure that solar energy technologies maximize output is through collaborative design. He discusses Saint-Gobain’s own collaborative approach to designing custom solutions for Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contractors and structure suppliers, citing the company’s research and development (R&D) capabilities and global presence as key factors enabling anticipation of upcoming market trends when designing custom solutions.

He urges that members of the value chain must come together early in the design process to determine what needs should be addressed both in the short-term and long-term scope of Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) and photovoltaic (PV) developments. Having multiple perspectives and a broader understanding of the industry’s direction is essential to designing effective long-term innovations.

“Market and customer insight are playing a key role here,” Weiden said. “These will enable suppliers to [the solar] industry to create cost-efficient and sustainable solutions at the same time...products have to be durable and long-lasting to withstand a physically dynamic environment. This will then have a positive impact on the maintenance cost [of CSP and PV solution-like tracking systems].”

Even small components can be critical to enhancing the performance and minimizing the costs of larger solar technologies. Weiden references the company’s recently launched SOLGLIDE® T and SOLGLIDE® M families of bearings as examples of components that can have a significant impact on the efficiency of larger technologies. Both lines of bearings reduce friction and wear by 50 percent compared to other models on the market to maintain the tracking performance of actuating systems over the lifespan of the equipment.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What is Class I Division 2?

Image
A Class I Division 2 is a location: (1) In which volatile flammable gases, flammable liquid-produced vapors, or combustible liquid-produced vapors are handled, processed, or used, but in which the liquids, vapors, or gases will normally be confined within closed containers or closed systems from which they can escape only in case of accidental rupture or breakdown of such containers or systems or in case of abnormal operation of equipment, or (2) In which ignitable concentrations of flammable gases, flammable liquid-produced vapors, or combustible liquid-produced vapors are normally prevented by positive mechanical ventilation, and which might become hazardous through failure or abnormal operation of the ventilating equipment. Class I Division 2 Classification Class I Division 2 refers to the ANSI/ISA 12.12.01 standard. This standard was previously UL1604 until UL recommended the newer ANSI/ISA standard be used and that all hazardous location products be certified under this standa
Read more

FUSE SIZING CONSIDERATIONS FOR HIGHER EFFICIENCY MOTORS

Image
When selecting the proper fuse for short circuit protection in motor starting applications, it is important to not only ensure that the fuse will not nuisance open during motor start up times, but also that the fuse will coordinate as required with overload relays. When sizing fuses between 125% and 150% of the motor nameplate current, several advantages, including ease of coordination with an overload device, a smaller disconnect, and increased short circuit protection from a lower fuse rating, can be achieved. However, if sizing at this level prevents the motor from starting, it may then be necessary to increase the fuse ampere rating and it then becomes important to know the NEC sizing limitations. As of June 1, 2016, the US Department of Energy has mandated that newly manufactured electric motors will need to meet NEMA Premium® efficiency standards. As motor efficiencies increase, motor locked rotor currents can also be expected to increase. In addition to this, with across-the-lin
Read more

7/8 16UN Connectors that Provide 600 Volts and 15 Amps

TURCK announces new A-Size 3 and 4-pin 7/8 16UN powerfast™ connectors that provide up to 600 Volts and 15 Amps of power. These IP67 rated connectors provide a modular wiring system designed to handle high current applications for machine power distribution, while providing resistance to vibration commonly associated with conveyors, motors and material handling applications. The cordsets are available with a tray rated, exposed run PVC flexlife ® cable, with or without STOOW rating, and 14 AWG wires that allow you to replace hard wiring with a robust, quick disconnect system that saves the time and money spent installing a conduit system. The A-Size powerfast line offers male and female, straight connectors, standard and custom lengths, and pigtails or extensions. To make the system complete, fully encapsulated mating receptacles, with 1/2”-14 NPT mounting threads are available.
Read more