Norsk Solkraft AS

With no emissions whatsoever, no pollution, low demands for infrastructure, and with the sun as an eternally renewable energy source, photovoltaic (PV) energy is an obvious alternative for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The sun is our greatest energy source and the basis of life. A half hour of solar energy that reaches our planet is enough to meet the energy needs of the entire global population for a year.

Europe could meet its complete energy needs by installing solar cells on all its south-facing roofs. Energy production from solar cells integrated in the building mass in the United States (US) could cover 75% of the nation’s electricity needs.

However future geographical markets for really large volume photovoltaic solar energy deployment are not necessarily Europe or the US. They are instead areas of the earth that have a natural high solar irradiation per square metre, 360 days a year, but with high ambient operating temperatures as well.

The majority of these countries are situated in the so-called REM (Reduced Efficiency Market) regions of the world where efficiency losses and shortened product lifetime cycles for solar photovoltaic energy are problems because of extreme heat and sunny weather.

Solar power production in warm countries

Heat resistant PV technology at the right price is needed to effectively exploit the solar energy potential in these regions with the highest solar irradiation.

A lot of the industry research and development is aimed at reducing the cost of PV electricity on initial capital investments ($/Wp) so PV is affordable to all. This is, however, not the only important factor. The energy yield (kWh/Wp) over the economical or technical lifetime of a PV module also plays an important role, especially in Reduced Efficiency Markets.

When the cell temperature increases in an ordinary silicon solar cell module, power output is dramatically reduced. Research shows around 0.5% of power output is lost per degree Celsius increase inside an ordinary solar module, making it less efficient during the higher temperature hours of the day.

A pioneering company

Norsk Solkraft AS, a fast growing Norwegian solar company surging out from the considerable Norwegian solar energy cluster, has patented a passive cooling device using a heat-sink attached to the back of the solar panel.

The heat-sink diffuses heat into the surrounding air and considerably reduces the heat in the module, thus increasing the panels’ power output and giving it a longer lifetime expectancy.

Solkraft Cool Module can increase energy efficiency by 10-15% in warm climates.

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Figure 2: Data from field tests at Arizona State University – Photovoltaic Test Laboratory comparing standard modules with Cool Modules: A.) Average temperatures in the modules during the day. B.) Power produced in the modules throughout the day. C.) The accumulated total power produced in the modules during a day

Figure 2 shows the highlights of the module performance where 4 modules were monitored; two modules with cooling fins and two without. The data from various days with changing weather shows a 10 - 15% increase in energy production of the Cool Module because of the advanced cooling system.

The Nominal Operating Cell Temperature (NOCT) of the module was measured to be 45.2C for standard modules and 34.2C for a Cool Module.

This reduction of 11 degrees in the NOCT can, according to a report made by NASA, double the module’s lifetime because a reduction in temperature fluctuation range of the cells will significantly reduce the stresses in the module and it will last longer.

About Norsk Solkraft AS

As one of the considerable range of Norwegian solar energy companies, Solkraft is the first to project, construct and operate solar power plants. By the autumn of 2008 it had 6.3 MW of solar power plants under construction in Italy, with additional land signed up to build up to 100 MW of solar power plants.

In co-operation with the world class aluminium company Hydro Aluminium, Solkraft has developed its first standardised mounting system for roof and ground mounted solar panels, SMS.

The Cool Module and the mounting system are important steps to reduce the production costs which are hindering the use of solar power.

Being selected as a Business Case on the EPIA – European Photovoltaic Industry Association’s 2nd PV Investment Conference in Frankfurt in February 2008 – has meant Solkraft can run planning processes aiming at establishing a production line for high efficiency solar panels based on its new, patented technology together with potential financial partners.

Feasibility studies are currently investigating ways to establish production lines both in Europe and the Middle East where the Cool Module is being tested with promising results at the Masdar City zero-carbon development project in Abu Dhabi.

W: www.norsksolkraft.com