Suntech Supplies BIPV Component of 750 kW Project in Sicily

September 13, 2007 | 2 Comments

Photovoltaic (PV) cells and modules manufacturer, Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd., announced that it has supplied 230 MSK Photovol Glass panels to Socovoltaic Systems, a Socotherm and TSNergy Inc. joint venture company that designs, manufactures and installs integrated PV (BIPV) systems. The 10 kilowatt (kW) BIPV solution will form an integral component of a 750 kW solar system for a 25,000 square meter green building project in the Sicilian city of Pozzallo, Italy.

Suntech’s MSK Photovol Glass panels are semitransparent, thin film BIPV panels that transmit up to 10% of light while generating electricity. This level of light transmission allows for visibility while protecting against excessive solar heat gain, glare, and the damaging effects of UV rays.

The aesthetic glass panels used in the green building project are insulated for even greater energy efficiency, and will provide a highly visible showcase for the total 750 kW solar system that is slated to be installed at the site.

“Projects such as this green building in Sicily demonstrate the strong and long term global sales market for BIPV products and especially thin film PV modules,” said Dr. Zhengrong Shi, Suntech’s Chairman and CEO.

In May 2007, Suntech broke ground on a thin film R&D and manufacturing facility in Shanghai, China. The thin film modules produced will primarily be used in Suntech’s MSK BIPV applications.

2 Comments

Udemba Hyacinth
September 15, 2007

The news about SUNTECH is a highly encouraging one. Am glad to read about thier great achievements and I wish them more progress.However, these news will not have reached the world without your highly informative website.I encourage you to continue in your good works. I have been in renewable business for the past 12 years in Nigeria. Just within 14days I got to know your wesite through my Spanish friend I have gathered so much informaionas if I have known you for past 2years.My country Nigeria suddenly woke up from a deep slumber to policies that will see renewable energy playing greater role in our economy in the next 10 to 15years. Am glad to be among the pioneers in the sector in Nigeria. Information obtained from your website news will be of immence help to me towards advicing my government through Nigerian Energy Commission.Am glad to know your website and will introduce it to some other coporate friends of mine.But I will also expect to read news about renewable energy growth in Africa.Thank youUdemba HyacinthNigeria West Africa

HUSSAIN ALROBAEI
September 14, 2007

The application of BI5 deg.ge -40 deg,to note that uilding-Integrated (BI) PV systems is particularly interesting because it demonstrates several advantages compared with conventional PV power plants. This application actually expands technological potential of PV systems even further, because in buildings, they can play more roles than solely producing electricity. Besides generating electricity integrated BIPV systems can also enhance a building’s beauty, visibility, and prestige. There are several ways to integrate PV into a building’s design : Roofing, Facades, Atriums, and Shade screens. PV shade screens provide a large area for generating electricity and also reduce solar heating in the summer, which cuts cooling loads and glare. Shade screens cost less than other BIPV systems because extra ventilation of the PV modules is not needed. They can be retrofitted onto existing buildings or integrated into a new building's design.It is also important to note that facades offer a large area for PV modules. Besides generating electricity PV facades must look appealing and protect the building from weather. They can be integrated with windows, daylighting, and shading schemes to provide multiple benefits. However, vertically oriented PV panels at the latitude angle from - 35 deg to 35 deg. have much reduced electricity output compared to panels sloped toward the sun. The reduction is greatest in the summer when the sun is high in the sky; this is also when electricity is most valuable. To overcome this problem, facades can be sloped using a saw tooth design.