Photovoltaics - TPPV · 2011-06-01 · Photovoltaics made in austria 3 austrian Photovoltaic technology Platform In order to maintain the high level of attractiveness and competitiveness

Photovoltaics made in austria

Photovoltaics made in austria2

Preface

The supply of primary energy is becoming the main issue of the 21st century. Pho-tovoltaics (PV) and the related innovations offer great potential for tapping into the sun’s energy, and there are technological breakthroughs occurring around the world. More and more people are coming to realise that an energy system based on fossil fuels and nuclear power will not be sustainable over the long term. The process of switching to renewable energy sources will certainly take some time, but our goal is to do as much as possible to accelerate this important step for the world’s population. Only non-commodifiable primary energy sources, such as the sun, can guarantee supply security and price stability in the long run. The use of various forms of solar energy is gaining dramatically in significance, especially in light of the historic events in Japan and the development of the primary energy market.

Innovations in a growth sector result in a competitive advantage, create new jobs and secure them well into the future. In Austria, some companies with a strong pioneering spirit are already active in the photovoltaic industry, and with a large export share, they are enjoying great success.

The members of the Austrian photovoltaic industry have joined together to create a technical platform, the Austrian Photovoltaic Technology Platform (tppv), in order to coordinate and optimise research and development in the PV sector. Our aim is also to make our voices heard in the government and to demand an energy strategy that takes into account the use of solar energy and its potential in connection with photovoltaics to secure the energy supply and jobs. Austria’s PV market aims to make a high-quality contribution to the global expansion of photovoltaics.

In conclusion, we would like to thank the Federal Ministry of Transport, Innova-tion and Technology, our industry partners, institutions and research institutes for their active support in making the technology platform a successful partnership.

Georg Napetschnig Hans Kronberger Hubert FechnerPresident Vice President Secretary-General

Georg NapetschnigPresident

Hans KronbergerVice President

Hubert FechnerSecretary-General

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Photovoltaics made in austria 3

austrian Photovoltaic technology Platform

In order to maintain the high level of attractiveness and competitiveness that Austrian industry enjoys on the global market, we need to implement timely, intelligent measures for this purpose.

The goal of the Austrian Photovoltaic Technology Platform is to help ensure that the Austrian photovoltaic industry’s market shares continue to grow by boos-ting research and development, forming clusters of innovative companies, im-proving public funding conditions in the photovoltaic sector and implementing other measures.

The technology platform has also set itself the task of creating and promoting a detailed concept for a national photo-voltaic research strategy, and another of its aims is to raise public awareness of photovoltaic technology.

www.tppv.at


a sunny future

The sun is a virtually inexhaustible, free source of energy. Within 20 minutes, it provides the same amount of energy that is consumed by the world’s entire pop-ulation in a year. Photovoltaics convert sunlight directly into electricity – silently and without creating exhaust, noise pollution or odour emissions.

Abriefhistoryofsolarelectricity The photoelectric effect was discovered and researched by Alexandre Edmond Becquerel 170 years ago. In 1883, the New Yorker Charles Fritts built the first photovol-taic cell using selenium. The efficiency of his devices was limited to 2 per cent, and their manufacture was a very elaborate process. However, his invention sparked great interest among researchers. In 1905, Albert Ein-stein put forth the theory that light can be seen not only as waves but also as a flow of tiny packets of energy. Einstein received the Nobel Prize in 1921 for his “light quanta hypothesis”. A few years later, the term “pho-ton” was coined to describe these light particles.

Finally, in 1954, Gerald Pearson, Calvin Fuller and Daryl Chaplin presented the first silicon solar cell. This laid the

groundwork for an innovative, sustainable energy supply. Further developments followed in quick succession: Just four years later, 108 silicon cells were used to supply the American Vanguard 1 satellite with electricity. The installation of the first grid-connected system in 1978 led to the development of photovoltaics as a source of electricity on Earth.

GlobalboomThe manufacture of photovoltaic modules increased steadily until the end of the 20th century. In 1995, the annual installed capacity was at nearly 100 megawatts-peak (MWp). Since then, the global photovoltaic market has grown by an average of over 30 per cent a year, and a genuine boom began on the global market in 2003. In 2010, the global annual production output already exceeded 15,000 MWp. The amount of photovoltaic modules currently sold on the global market each year generates as much electricity as the average nuclear power plant.

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turning light into electricity

A photovoltaic plant converts the sunlight that hits it directly into electricity. This high-quality form of energy can be transformed to serve any number of purposes: for mechanical work, elec-tromobility, to power motors, to generate heat or to generate light again.

A solar cell is made up of semiconductors that are also used in countless modern everyday de-vices, including computers, digital cameras and mobile phones. Photovoltaic cells are made of silicon, and a complex procedure is used to treat the surfaces of the cells. Silicon nitride ensures that as much sunlight as possible is absorbed and gives the grey silicon its characteristic dark blue sheen.

For the photovoltaic effect, a thickness of just a few thousandths of a millimetre is required: When a light particle (photon) hits the cell, an electron is emitted from the atomic lattice of the silicon and travels to the surface. If many electrons collect on the surface of the cell, this results in a difference in electrical charge between the surface and the back side of the cell. This results in voltage that can then be tapped into. A contact to the surface picks up the electrons – and electricity flows.

A single cell in full sun generates roughly 0.5 volts. And when many small cells are connected to each other in a standard PV module, for example, the result is around 45 volts and 200 watts of output.

The cells in a PV module are usually protected by special glass and are welded into airtight layers of protective film. The modules can be combined to create sys-tems of any size. The general rule of thumb is: A 4-kW system currently requires 30 to 35 square metres of space and provides roughly 4,000 kWh of solar electri-city a year in Austria – in other words, the amount of electricity that an average household requires annually.

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Emissions: Photovoltaics function without moveable parts and are free of noise pollution, exhaust and odour emissions.

Sunlight is a permanent, free source of energy.

Base material: Over 90 per cent of today’s photovoltaic cells are made of sili-con. After oxygen, silicon is the second most abundant element on Earth and is available in sufficient quantities.

The technology for photovoltaic systems has been tested and has a track record of reliability stretching back for decades. These systems have a service life of around 30 years and are virtually maintenance-free.

Functionality: Photovoltaics do not just make sense for countries in the south. The German state of Bavaria already generates roughly 5 per cent of its electri-city using photovoltaics (and Austria, 0.15 per cent). In addition, the technology works better at low temperatures.

Price: The producer price for one kilowatt hour of solar electricity is currently still between 20 and 38 cents. However, PV electricity is peak current that is generated mainly in the middle of the day. At this time, “normal” electricity can cost EUR 1.50 or more on the market. In addition, solar electricity is getting more affordable by the year.

Energy balance: It only takes one to three years for a photovoltaic system to generate the same amount of energy that is needed to produce and dispose of it.

Power supply: Photovoltaics are the only power supply technology that does not have a problem with primary energy. There is 10,000 times more sunlight available than is needed to generate energy for the entire population. This supply of free energy can be seen as guaranteed for the next five billion years. In the EU, it is assumed that under optimal conditions, up to 12 per cent of the electricity demand will be covered by solar energy by 2020.

Landscape planning: Photovoltaic power plants do not require the construction of new buildings. They can be integrated into all kinds of existing buildings and everyday objects. For example, the surface of every rooftop and facade facing south can be replaced by a photovoltaic system. Austria has over 140 square kilometres of suitable rooftop surfaces plus another 50 square kilometres of south-facing facades. To cover 20 per cent of Austria’s electricity demand with photovoltaics, around 60 per cent of the suitable rooftop and facade surfaces would suffice.

the great advantages of Photovoltaics



Disposal: Modern photovoltaic systems are fully recyclable and do not produce any hazardous waste. In the future, solar modules will be constructed to allow for complete recycling of all materials. PV Cycle is a European recycling system that started to take back and recycle photovoltaic modules in 2010.

Austrian photovoltaic businesses have developed into competitive companies on the international market in recent years. The Austrian photovoltaic industry covers every segment of the value crea-tion chain, with the exception of the production of solar silicon and wafer manufacture. This means that Austria’s economy can provide roughly 84 per cent of the entire value creation chain. In selected fields of technology, several Austrian companies have already established themselves as global market leaders.

Economic multiplier effect in upstream anddownstreamsegmentsofphotovoltaicproduction The semiconductor and chemical industries, machine building and plant construction (e.g. material engineering), the glass industry, infor-mation and communication technology, metal processing and the plastics industry

Companies in the construction industry and construction-related trades, architecture and planning firms, batteries and battery systems

Insurance companies, banks, training and further education institutions, research and testing institutes

Solar cells

Solar modules

Inverters

Systems/building integration

Installation Services

PHOTOVOLTAIK MADE IN AUSTRIA

Die heimischen Photovoltaik-Betriebe haben sich in den vergangenen Jahren zu wettbewerbsfähigen Unternehmen

am internationalen Markt entwickelt. In ausgewählten Technologiefeldern konnten sich einige österreichische

Firmen bereits als Weltmarktführer positionieren. Beispiele dafür sind Spezialfolien zum Schutz von Solarzellen

oder Wechselrichter. Darüber hinaus schafft die Photovoltaik-Branche Arbeitsplätze in Österreich und trägt durch

laufende Produktinnovationen dazu bei, den Wirtschaftsstandort Österreich zu sichern.

Austria’s photovoltaic industry – our strengths in Austria and on the global market

Photovoltaic value creation chain

Economic multiplier effect in upstream and downstream segments of photovoltaic production

The semiconductor and chemical industries, machine building and plant construction (e.g. material engineering), the glass industry, information and communication technology, metal processing and the plastics industry

Companies in the construction industry and construction-related trades, architecture and planning fi rms, batteries and battery systems

Insurance companies, banks, training and further education institutions, research and testing institutes

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economic effects of Photovoltaics

The production of photovoltaic modules and the components needed for photo-voltaic systems has grown into a sub-stantial market. Over the past ten years, 100,000 new jobs were created in Europe alone. By manufacturing technologically superior components and positioning themselves early on, Austrian providers have been able to fill market niches.

Austrianphotovoltaiccompaniesareglo-balmarketleadersAustria exported roughly EUR 338 million worth of PV components (PV modules, inverters, tracking systems, encapsula-tion materials, etc.) in 2008. Imports, mainly of solar cells for module produc-

tion, amounted to EUR 134 million.

Austrian industry has established itself in nu-merous technology sectors, covering everything from solar cell production, mod-ule production and power electronics to semiconductor technology, special films to protect solar cells, batteries and electronic components. In other segments of the photovoltaic value creation chain, such as glass construction and mechanical tracking devices, Austrian companies have also been able to demonstrate their competitive strength on the international market in an impressive way. By coming up with product innovations on an ongoing basis, the photovoltaic sector is crea-ting jobs and helping to secure Austria’s status as a business location.

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To estimate what role the Austrian manufacturing industry will play in the future, it is important to look at the Photovoltaic Roadmap created by the International Energy Agency (IEA) in 2010 and the scenario that it outlines.

Based on 15,000 MW of global installed capacity in 2008, the IEA’s Photovoltaic Roadmap specifies a global target of 200,000 MW for 2020. If we assume that the Austrian economy, which is already well positioned internationally and focused on exports, will continue to develop in line with the global market, the outlook for 2020 is as follows:

Austria’s photovoltaic industry had roughly 3,500 employees in the initial year of 2010. Of the employees working on independent research, we can assume that the majority are working on industrial R&D projects and that the number of em-ployees will rise in unison with industrial growth.

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ScenarioforthedevelopmentofemploymentinAustria’sphotovoltaicmanufacturingindustryuntil2020

Industry employees

austria’s future role on the World’s Photovoltaic market


The chart shows that, if Austrian industry remains attractive on the market, the number of employees will increase to roughly 21,500 by 2020 (not including workers who are active on the domestic market in the installation of photovoltaic systems).

The aim is for Austria’s industry to maintain its market shares even if growth is as strong as forecast (the global market is expected to grow eight times larger by 2020), and in the optimal case, even to achieve a 30 per cent increase. Based on the IEA’s growth scenario, it is possible that there will be around 30,000 new industrial jobs in Austria’s photovoltaic industry by 2020. These 30,000 jobs will predominantly be at export-oriented companies.

EffectoftheAustrianmarket:5percentand8percentscenario

A study commissioned by the Federal Ministry of Transport, Innovation and Tech-nology (BMVIT) looks at the economic potential of Austria’s domestic photovoltaic market by 2020. The results are based on two scenarios in which either 5 per cent or 8 per cent of the annual electricity demand will be covered by photovoltaics in 2020. According to the results, the rapid introduction of photovoltaics on the market could lead to around EUR 3 billion in annual turnover in the 5 per cent scenario and nearly EUR 7 billion in the 8 per cent scenario. In addition, these scenarios would create 17,000 or 36,000 additional jobs by the target year.

This means that overall, with ambitious industrial development and an 8 per cent share of the domestic electricity market in 2020, roughly 66,000 people may be working in Austria’s photovoltaic sector by then.

Secondary effects – for example, the fact that income resulting from the calcula-ted value creation would lead to additional value creation – were not taken into account and would still need to be added on.


Public sector research expenditures in the field of energy amounted to roughly EUR 92 million in 2009. Over the medium term, they are expected to rise to be-tween EUR 100 and 120 million per year. This would correspond roughly to the current energy research expenditures in Switzerland, Finland and Denmark.

In 2009, Austrian public research funding amounted to around EUR 32 million for activities in the field of renewable ener-gy. Around 16 per cent of this was spent on photovoltaics (EUR 5.2 million). Industry’s research share is far more than this.

In order to further stimulate the Austrian photovoltaic sector and to significantly increase the opportunities for industry to gain international competitive strength, the annual public research budget should be increased to at least EUR 10 million. In addition, if Austria manages to take an active role in European efforts geared towards the European Commission’s Solar Europe Initiative (SEI) for the Strategic Energy Technology (SET) Plan, it may receive additional European research funding.

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research and develoPment


using Political steering measuresto gain technology funding

The use of „new renewable“ energy sources began in the 1980s, and since then, various methods have been developed for the government to provide funding.

Aimsthatarepursuedusingsteeringmeasures: To create special stimulus in order to boost domestic technological develop-

ment and thus create jobs in Austria; To achieve minimum shares of the total electricity mix (e.g. 8 per cent by

2020); To establish a sustainable energy supply in line with climate and environmen-

tal protection; To reduce the economic costs and uncertainties that result from dependence

on foreign countries for our energy supply; To encourage the further development of new technologies and their applica-

tion.

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necessary measures

The implementation of a field test programme for building-integrated photo-voltaics (BIPV) and the initiation of innovative demonstration buildings.

The creation of incentives to develop further parts of the entire PV production chain in order to increase domestic value creation. This includes: additional module and cell manufacturers, special modules that meet the specific needs of BIPV, plant construction and other sections of the long value creation chain.

Research funding to increase the service life and possible uses of components and systems (integration into buildings and grids).

The development of tools for integrating a large number of decentralised PV units into the grid. Examples of this are programmes that contain data for geographic information systems (GIS), the grid, costs, supply and demand. The analysis of the behaviour and special aspects of large, decentralised grid areas supplied with a large portion of PV (e.g. generation, load, storage, demand response).

Extensive PV demonstration projects in which a large portion of PV generation is integrated into electrical grids and grid management strategies are tested. In these projects, the measures should be linked with all energy efficiency measures in buildings and with aspects of regional development.

Research concepts for photovoltaic electricity generation using additional ma-terials, surfaces and components that are exposed to sunlight.

Ensuring a constant source of funding.

Passing an energy supply act with reasonable compensation. In particular, financial support should be provided for the installation of BIPV.

The institutionalisation of the entire chain of further education, from electrical engineers to energy consultants, architects, master builders and those re-sponsible for residential buildings. Inclusion in conventional training courses (e.g. in apprenticeships, technical secondary schools, universities of applied sciences, technological universities and also in institutions of further education such as WIFI, bfi, etc.).

Incentives and regulation mechanisms for grid operators to install private, public and industrial PV systems.

The possibility for grid operators to transfer the costs of PV-relevant research aspects (integration of PV into the grid) to network charges.

in the areas of r&d, market diffusion and economic frameWork conditions by 2020 include:


comPanies

austriamicrosystems

at&s

AT&S is one of the world’s leading printed circuit board manufacturers. Since 2008, the company has been working actively to develop back-contact crystal line photovoltaic modules. AT&S makes use of its existing know-how from printed circuit board manufacturing to develop complex backsheets and circuitry tech-nologies. Although AT&S is highly focused on the manufacture of backsheets, it also offers special PV module solutions (with any geometry, colour, etc.) with MWT technology.

The company offers potential customers interested in backsheets the option of a complete solution:

Optimal design of the backsheet for circuitry and cell technology

Supporting qualifications for prod-ucts/processes

Its own testing laboratory (accelera-ted ageing; electrical performance; security tests; etc.)

Keyfigures Currently 16 employees Top quality

Designs created according to custo-mers’ needs

30 MW installed capacity for backsheets (increase is planned)

1 MW installed capacity for PV modules

220–255 Wp (polycrystalline) on 1.62 square metres

17.2 per cent module efficiency on aperture surface

Individual voltage output possible

With more than 30 years of system know-how and experience in analogue design and its own state-of-the-art production facilities, austriamicrosystems is the leader in the development and manufacture of high-performance analogue ICs. Its exper-tise in low power consumption and high precision make the company the leader in customised and standard analogue ICs for purposes including power manage-ment, sensors and sensor interfaces, and portable consumer electronics.

In the field of photovoltaics, austriamicrosystems specialises in ICs for measur-ing the amount of solar energy fed into the power grid by inverters and micro-inverters.

The company’s first photovoltaic product, AS8002, is already on the market. It is geared towards the measurement of electricity and voltage at the grid feeding point. In contrast to other existing measurement solutions, AS8002 can measure the output of energy directly at the feeding point using shunt resistance and vol-tage dividers. Since the conducting splitting is performed cost-effectively on the digital interface, it is completely unnecessary to employ the usual expensive ana-logue method of isolating the circuit path and voltage path. In addition, AS8002 offers outstanding performance in the areas of precision, offset, temperature sta-bility and long-term stability.

www.ats.net

www.austriamicrosystems.com


comPanies

15

cellstrom

blue chiP energy

High-performancesolarcellsfromBlueChipEnergy–Austria’sfirstphotovoltaiccellfactory

At its location in Güssing in southern Burgenland, Blue Chip Energy produces mo-nocrystalline solar cells made from silicon wafers. The solar cells are characterised by a particularly high level of efficiency of 17.7 per cent or more. The company’s production capacity is 87 MWp a year and is being increased further.

Blue Chip Energy also cooperates with selected partners, and together with them, develops integrated photovoltaic solutions (e.g. an energy-efficient greenhouse) as well as comprehensive overall systems (e.g. solar parks). These projects make use of Blue Chip Energy’s high-performance solar cells and modules.

The company currently has 140 expert employees. Blue Chip assigns great sig-nificance to the individual development and further education of its employees, which is why the company funds various interdisciplinary educational opportuni-ties, including the postgraduate master’s degree programme in optoelectronics and photovoltaics. In order to offer an optimal education in photovoltaics, Blue Chip Energy will launch its apprenticeship programme to train mechatronics spe-cialists this year.

Cellstrom GmbH is an Austrian provider of energy storage systems and complete solutions for the demand-driven, uninterrupted supply of electrical energy. The company’s energy storage is based on vanadium redox battery technology. Cell-strom began to develop its own products in 2002, which led to the production of FB10/100, the first series of standardised energy storage systems, in 2008. Cellstrom products are aimed at the sustainable use of our global resources and are characterised by high quality and reliability.

www.bluechipenergy.at

www.cellstrom.com


crystalsolGmbH, a company based in Austria, develops innovative, flexible pho-tovoltaic modules.

crystalsol’s core innovations are a crystalline semiconductor material in the form of a powder (CZTS) and a cost-effective reel-to-reel production process. In compar-ison to the existing photovoltaic technologies, crystalsol’s modules offer an array of application options, with flexible, light and semi-transparent modules, as well as significant cost advantages. In addition, the company uses only raw materials that are readily available for its entire production process.

The company’s innovative technology leads to a 50–60 per cent reduction of costs compared to the current industry average. Even in the case of small quantities, production costs can be less than EUR 0.5 per watt-peak.

crystalsol’s modules can be customised in terms of shape, size, transparency and colour. These custom-tailored modules are manufactured without encapsulation for products intended for building integration. The flexible semi-finished product can be integrated directly into windows, glass facades or roof elements.

Industrialexperienceforinnovativeheattreatmentsolutions

The Austrian company RESolutions is a division of EBNER Industrieofenbau formed to address the specific heat treatment needs of the thin-film PV industry.

RES takes advantage of EBNER’s 60 years experience in furnace technology and develops concepts which truly fulfil customer’s needs.

Whether a standard or a tailored-made solution, RES offers a complete supply capability, from concept design through in-house manufacturing and quality con-trol, to installation and commissioning through customer training and after sales service. More than 200 engineers, a lab and continuous investment in R&D guar-antee the most innovative technology applicable. RES designs furnaces for various semiconductor absorber layers (CIGS, CZTS, CdTe, etc.) and for different process steps (annealing, crystallisation, selenisation, drying and sintering, and activation). A continuous commitment to quality at every step of the process, highly motivated employees and comprehensive project management make RES the reliable partner for every solution.

comPanies

crystalsol gmbh

resolutions

www.crystalsol.com

www.resolutions.cc


comPanies

bau.energie.umWelt cluster niederösterreich

The photovoltaic company Energetica boasts 16 years of experience in the plan-ning, construction, operation and servicing of photovoltaic systems. It offers everything from roof-parallel and flat-roof systems to photovoltaic facades and large-scale photovoltaic power plants. As a module manufacturer in Austria, Ener-getica produces high-quality photovoltaic modules characterised especially by top earnings potential, durability and appealing design. The laminator it uses for this is one of the largest and most modern in the world. The company has 105 employees and manufactures 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in order to make optimal use of its 35 MW capacity and meet the high level of demand. Its focus is on the constant optimisation and improvement of processes in order to guarantee top quality.The company’s export rate is 75 per cent.Locations: Austria (production), Greece, Italy, Germany, Slovenia Markets: Austria, Germany, Czech Republic, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Spain, France, Greece, Romania, United Arab Emirates.

energetica

Bau.Energie focuses on the energy-efficient renovation of old buildings and on creating very comfortable living spaces, a healthy room climate and multi-storey new buildings using passive construction methods as well as on energy efficiency and renewable energy sources for companies. The environment cluster for Lower Austria is a network for companies and contractors, business and research, innova-tion and cooperation that currently has around 200 cluster partner companies.

The main aim is to link up and strengthen the existing expertise in Austria, which is why the cluster welcomes all future-oriented materials and systems.

“Innovation through cooperation” is the cluster’s motto and is showcased in its flagship projects Future Building, led by the Danube University Krems (19 compa-nies and 6 research partners within the COMET funding framework) and Energy-Generating Facades (under development). The 259 projects initiated by the cluster so far have comprised an additional project volume of EUR 12.8 million with a funding volume of EUR 5.1 million for the 529 companies involved.

The experts on the cluster team are professionals when it comes to innovative co-operation projects, technology transfer in R&D projects and project management, and they provide information, support and advice to the partner companies. The organisation responsible for the cluster is ecoplus, the business agency of the province of Lower Austria.

www.bauenergieumwelt.at

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www.energeticapv.com


comPanies

18

Fronius International GmbH, which has its headquarters in Austria, has been devel-oping and manufacturing photovoltaic inverters for grid-connected solar electricity systems since 1992 and is now one of the world’s leading providers.

The highest standards in research and development along with consistent quality management guarantee a high level of efficiency and reliability for all devices. In addition, Fronius offers supply security, long-term guarantees and competent personal advice.

Fronius’ solar electronics division stands for quality and cutting-edge technology. Our inverters are extremely reliable, are efficient and offer high performance. State-of-the-art production and testing procedures ensure the outstanding quality of our products before they are delivered around the world.

ertex-solar GmbH is one of the leading manufacturers of laminated glass in combination with photovoltaic technology. This production technique combined with large surfaces opens up all-new opportunities for the architectural design of facades. ertex-solar therefore sees itself as a partner for all architects who want to create the perfect combination of aesthetics and solar energy generati-on. The extra-large surfaces of the solar modules with laminated glass techno-logy are specially manufactured in one of the world’s most modern factories, in Amstetten. The comprehensive machinery at the company’s glass processing centre offers a virtually endless variety of options for custom-made products.

Employees: 25–30

Increaseinstaff: approximately 20 per cent/year

Exportrate:80 per cent

Examplesofsuccess: Energy Globe, Austrian State Prize, Constantinus, “Ruban d‘Honneur” European Business Award, innovation awards and the Eurosolar award

Salesregion:worldwide

fronius

ertex solartechnik

www.ertexsolar.at

www.fronius.com


comPanies

ISOVOLTAIC is a young company that can already boast a long, successful histo-ry: By developing high-quality, flexible compound protective films for solar cells, ISOVOLTA Group laid the groundwork in 1985 for the company that was created in 2010 to serve the photovoltaic segment. ISOVOLTAIC specialises in the devel-opment, manufacture and marketing of backsheets, and with its forward-looking film technologies such as the innovative ICOSOLAR® AAA, the company helps to solve raw material bottlenecks, which have shaped the photovoltaic sector for many years, and to boost the necessary trend towards competitive solar energy.

In the Austrian town of Lebring, ISOVOLTAIC has its headquarters and a pro-duction site that has specialised exclusively in the manufacture of backsheets for solar modules since 2005. This is the only one of its kind in the world, and it ensures that global module manufacturers can enjoy consistently high quality standards and reliable products over the long term, the majority of which are UL recognised.

isovoltaic

hilber solar

True to the motto “Efficient photovoltaics for everyone”, HILBER SOLAR, which returned to being an independently managed Austrian photovoltaic specialist on 1 January 2011 as a result of a management buyout, develops and produces the new SOLWING product family (www.solwing.com). These new products are based on the experience of 15,000 manufactured Mover systems, which already make a substantial contribution to solar electricity generation.HILBER SOLAR offers sophisticated industrially manufactured PV systems that are tested at the factory, are quick and easy to install and can be used for a wide va-riety of applications. The range of products includes tracking, fixed and building-integrated systems that far exceed the requirements of private and commercial electricity producers, from individual systems to power plant construction. This innovative company is headed by its managing directors, Franz and Peter Hilber.

Key figures: Latest product: the SOLWING T multi-axis tracking PV power plant Approximately 100 employees Over 20 years of experience in the industry Production in Steinach am Brenner Independent R&D activities in Tyrol Production capacity: 50 MWp per year/factory Distribution via a network of partners outside of Steinach Global expansion via an exclusive model of factories operating under license

www.hilbersolar.at

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www.isovoltaic.com


comPanies

kioto Photovoltaics

lisec

www.lisec.com

Since 2004, KIOTO Photovoltaics GmbH has been producing high-quality PV mod-ules in Austria that exceed all of the quality requirements on the European mar-kets. Based on a soldering concept that the company developed and patented itself, KIOTO Photovoltaics’ production facilities are among the world’s most mo-dern manufacturing plants for photovoltaic modules. KIOTO Photovoltaics has also been developing, installing and operating large-scale photovoltaic systems in various European countries since 2006. In 2011, a new manufacturing plant will increase the company’s production capacity to 120 MW.

Currentkeyfigures:Locations: Sankt Veit an der Glan (Austria), Barcelona (Spain)PV turnover 2010: EUR 75 million (doubled in comparison to the previous year)Export rate 2010: approximately 90 per centSales volume 2010: approximately 45 MWp

Examplesofsuccess:Passed DLG ammonia resistance test, 2010 joint venture in Turkey for 12 MW, capacity increase to 120 MW decided for mid-2011, UL certification, introduction of RFID chip planned for 2011.

The LiSEC group is a complete provider of overall systems for flat glass processing, insulated glass production and solar glass manufacturing. It has developed over the past decades from a glass processing business to the global market leader in high-tech production lines for the glass industry. With 50 years of experience in glass, machine building and insulation glass production along with intensive research and development activities and a global service network, the company offers high-tech products, know-how and quality made in Austria.LiSEC has the world’s leading machines in the glass industry and top expertise in high-performance concepts for solar glass production. As the only manufac-turer of its kind in the world, the company develops revolutionary flatbed glass tempering plants that can thermally treat thin window glass in perfectly planar quality without optical distortions. So it is charting new territory in the world of solar application. LiSEC also offers trend-setting technology to meet the needs of tomorrow when it comes to complete assembly lines including sealing robots for diffusion-resistant glass-glass PV modules with enormous load capacity. In addition, the company is developing revolutionary, energy-saving techniques for the lamination process. Its range of products is rounded out by quality control systems and customised software solutions.

Employees: 1,600Service and distribution centres: 40Export rate: 98 per cent

www.kioto.at


comPanies

Plansee

Sputteringtargetsforthesolarindustry

PLANSEE is one of the world’s leading groups in powder metallurgy. As a private Austrian company founded in 1921, PLANSEE is an expert in refractory metals and bonding materials.

PLANSEE supplies coating materials in the form of planar and rotary targets for the manufacture of thin-film solar cells (CIGS, CdTe) and solar collectors.

These are highly adhesive and resistant to corrosion and oxidation. The films made of PLANSEE materials are highly reflective, very conductive and can signifi-cantly boost the efficiency of solar cells.

In order to further increase the efficiency of solar cells, PLANSEE is working with system manufacturers and numerous research institutions to optimise material compositions and production processes.

Employees: > 2,000Locations: headquarters in Reutte/Tyrol, a total of 34 locations in 16 countries

The PolymerCompetenceCenter Leoben (PCCL) is the leading Austrian centre for cooperative research in the field of plastics technology and polymer science. Together with companies from the plastics industry and universities (including the University of Leoben), the centre’s 90 highly qualified employees work on innovative R&D projects for a wide range of applications (e.g. for the automotive industry, aeronautics and packaging). PCCL collaborates closely with renowned Austrian companies (such as AT&S, Andritz, FACC, Greiner and Isovoltaic) as well as global players such as CONTI, DOW and Oerlikon Balzers.

ResearchinpolymericmaterialsforphotovoltaicsResearch activities in the field of photovoltaics have been carried out at PCCL since 2003, especially in relation to polymeric encapsulation materials for solar cells and PV modules. These activities focus on service life analysis and ageing characterisation of polymeric materials and components as well as on the evalu-ation and qualification of innovative materials for encapsulating PV modules. An-other emphasis is on examining the relationship between material characteristics, process parameters and PV module failure.

Polymer comPetence center leoben (Pccl)

www.plansee.com

www.pccl.at


comPanies

Photovoltaicmodulesforbuildingandvehicleintegration

The company Sunplugged develops and produces customised photovoltaic mod-ules that are lightweight, have low construction heights and are very efficient. These properties make Sunplugged’s photovoltaic modules particularly suitable for use in vehicles, devices and building envelopes.

Sunplugged is also developing an innovative, flexible thin-film solar module based on CIGS compound semiconductors. This technology makes it possible to set the size, shape and electrical specifications of a photovoltaic module “on the fly” during the manufacturing process. This means that solar electricity generation can be customised optimally in terms of design and energy output based on the requirements of the particular application.

At the same time, the total costs for the photovoltaic components are reduced. A pilot line is currently being developed. The first samples of the innovative thin-film solar modules will be delivered starting in 2012.

sunPlugged

Ulbrich of Austria is a technology company based in Burgenland that manu factures high-quality cells and edge connectors for the wiring of photovoltaic solar mod-ules. The company uses an environmentally friendly procedure to transform round copper wires into flat wires and apply a solderable coating. The Austrian branch is one of the youngest in the Ulbrich group. Ulbrich has been manufactur ing electrical connectors for solar cells for over 15 years and is the market leader in this field, both in terms of technology and quantity. The branch in Austria is fully automated, making it one of the most modern in the world. The expansion to a production capacity of 2 GW will be completed in 2011.

Currentkeyfigures: 40 employees Müllendorf, Burgenland (headquarters in Connecticut, USA – additional produc-tion sites for photovoltaic products in Hong Kong, Ireland and America)

EUR 15 million in 2010 Austrian branch was selected as an R&D location for the group (crystalline technologies) in 2009

Export rate > 95 per cent

ulbrich

www.sunplugged.at

www.ulbrich.comwww.pvribbon.com


comPanies

Welser Profile

Welser Profile is the leading manufacturer of special profiles, special profile pipes, subassemblies and profile systems made of steel and non-ferrous metals for vir-tually all sectors.

Welser is taking the photovoltaic and solar thermal energy markets by storm with its innovative profile systems. For this, the company makes use of syner-gies within its group and taps into the experience of its subsidiary RP Technik in Bönen (Germany), which has been successful in the integration of photovoltaic elements into steel facade systems (BIPV) for many years. Special profiles from Welser are optimally adapted to meet the static requirements of the supporting structures of photovoltaic modules and solar collectors. The company’s compre-hensive experience in the processing of steel is reflected in its optimised, long-term, customised system solutions for solar energy generation, including support posts, module mounting plates and longitudinal beams.

Over 18,000 cross-sections produced 3 manufacturing sites 11 sales locations all over Europe

benedict gmbh

infineon technologies austria ag

kraus & naimer Produktion gmbh

1220 Vienna, Lieblgasse 7, +43 (0)1/251 51 – 0, www.benedict.atDC mains isolators for photovoltaic systems according to IEC 60364-7-712 and UL 508

9500 Villach, Siemensstraße 2, +43 (0)51777-0, www.infineon.com/austriaWith semiconductor products from Infineon, solar energy can be transformed into electricity

more efficiently.

1180 Vienna, Schumanngasse 31-39, +43-(0)1/404 06-0, www.krausnaimer.comKraus & Naimer develops isolators that are used on the DC side of the PV inverter.

www.welser.com


research institutions

fachhochschule technikum Wien

austrian institute of technology, energy dePartment

The University of Applied Sciences Technikum Wien is the largest purely technical university of applied sciences in Austria. It offers 11 bachelor’s and 16 master’s degree programmes in the fields of: Communication Technologies & Elec-tronic Engineering

Information Technologies & Business Solutions

Engineering & Environmental Tech- nologies

Life Science Technologies

Its 16 institutes – including the Insti tute of Renewable Energy – are responsible for establishing and expanding the university‘s technical expertise and staff in the areas of instruction and research. UAS Technikum Wien was founded in 1994 and is a network part-ner of the Association of the Austrian Electrical and Electronics Industries (FEEI).

Keyfigures More than 2,500 students and over 4,100 graduates

Nearly 210 employees and an addi-tional 500 external instructors

2 locations in Vienna: Höchstädt-platz, Giefinggasse (ENERGYbase)

PV projects– The development of a pilot energy

system that employs a vanadium redox battery fed by renewable

energy sources– The development of market and

business models for photovol-taics in office and residential buildings

– PV Store – stabilisation of low-voltage grids

– PV pro – monitoring for quality assurance of photovoltaic sys-tems

AIT Energy has established itself as the technology partner for research and devel-opment in the field of photovoltaic research.

AIT Energy works on a variety of issues including innovative methods for mechanical, thermal, electrical and optical characterisation and modelling in photovoltaics (PV).

PV research focuses: building integration; system behaviour and performance; PV system components, inverters, module and cell research; decentralised energy generation.

Services: accredited testing in accordance with IEC 61215, IEC 61646 and IEC 61730, digital microscopy, climate simulation, infrared thermography, electro-luminescence, optical spectroscopy, cell test site.

www.ait.ac.at

www.technikumwien.at


research institutions

The Energy Economics Group (EEG) is a working group at the Vienna University of Technology’s Institute of Energy Systems and Electric Drives that works on research and instruction in the fields of energy technologies, the energy sector and energy policy. Technologies for tapping into renewable energy – including photovoltaics – are one of the main focuses of EEG’s work. EEG has 30 em-ployees as of 2011, the majority of whom are working on commissioned and grant-funded research.

In the field of photovoltaics, research work has been and will continue to be performed at a national and international level with a focus on the following topics:

The market diffusion of photovoltaics and the factors that influence it. Technological development and learning curves in photovoltaics. Economic effects of photovoltaics. The impact of energy policy framework conditions. Concepts and evaluation of photovoltaic building integration. Socioeconomic supplementary research for PV programmes. Environmental effects and holistic assessment.

energy economics grouP (eeg) an der technischen universität Wien

ofi technologie & innovation gmbh

ofi is one of the largest testing and research institutions in Austria – and is there-fore an important factor in the innovation system. As a competent and flexible partner, ofi supports large companies that are active internationally as well as its main target group, small and medium-sized enterprises in Austria. ofi works together with these companies to develop new products and/or applications, and by offering testing, ofi provides quality assurance. In this way, ofi not only strengthens its customers but also boosts the global competitive strength of Aus-tria as a business location.As a non-university, interdisciplinary research and testing institute, ofi offers the following services for the photovoltaic sector:

Material characterisation and material compatibility testing using highly sensi-tive analysis methods for the optimal selection of materials in the manufacture of PV modules, PV facade elements and supporting structures Accelerated ageing tests (environmental simulations) on materials, material compounds and finished modules to estimate service life in terms of material durability and material compatibility Damage assessment and research regarding the causes of damage for PV mo-dules, PV facade elements and supporting structures Know-how in the handling of national and international R&D projects

www.eeg.tuwien.ac.at

www.ofi.at


other institutions

The Energisch agency (founded in 1999) generally specialises in fundamental ecological concerns, with a particular focus on the pursuit of renewable energy sources. The agency performs public relations, develops market strategies and creates sales concepts. Excellent technical knowledge and constant contact with journalists and opinion leaders are what sets Energisch apart from the rest. The agency focuses primarily on creating overall concepts that go beyond simple PR and marketing work, but it is also available for individual promotions. Through its work for the Photovoltaic Austria Federal Association, the agency has gained a particular specialisation in photovoltaics.

Collaborations:Photovoltaic Austria Federal Association – www.pvaustria.atUranus Verlags GesmbH – www.sonnenzeitung.atNeuStifterKreis – www.neustifterkreis.at

energisch Pr agency

FEEI–theinterestrepresentationgroupfortheAustrianelectricalandelectronicsindustryIn Austria, the Association of the Austrian Electrical and Electronics Industries (FEEI) represents the interests of around 300 industrial companies with nearly 60,000 employees and a production value of EUR 10.8 billion in 2009 that man-ufacture electrotechnical products and offer system solutions and services. As the interest representation group for Austria’s entire electrical and electronics industry, FEEI’s primary goal is to decisively shape economic and legal framework conditions in order to improve the competitive position of Austrian companies on the global stage.

In terms of content, FEEI covers all areas that are of interest to the companies in the industry, including employer policy, economic policy, infrastructure policy, research and development, engineering and technology, environmental policy, training and further education. FEEI offers a wide range of services encompassing everything from the assessment of legislation and ordinances, legal advice on is-sues of relevance to the industry, independent collective agreement negotiations and lobbying with political and economic decision makers to consulting services and project management. The association is active far beyond the borders of Aus-tria. Internationally, FEEI enters into collaborations and alliances and cooperates with European employers’ associations and trade associations.

feei

www.feei.at

www.energisch.net

www.pvaustria.at


AustrianPhotovoltaicTechnologyPlatform:AIT Austrian Institute of Technology, AustriaMicroSystems AG, ATS, Benedict GmbH, Blue Chip Energy GmbH, Bau.Energie.Umwelt Cluster Niederösterreich, Cellstrom GmbH, crystalsol, Ebner Industrieofenbau Ges.m.b.H., Energetica Energietechnik GmbH, Ertex Solar GmbH, FEEI – Fachverband der Elektro- und Elektronikindustrie, FH Technikum Wien, FRONIUS International GmbH, Hilber Solar GmbH, LiSEC, Infineon Technologies Austria AG, ISOVOLTA AG, KIOTO Photovoltaics GmbH, Kraus & Naimer Produktion GmbH, ofi Technologie und Innovation GmbH, Photovoltaik Austria, PTS Austria GmbH, Plansee, Polymer Competence Center, Sunplugged, Ulbrich of Austria GmbH, Vienna University of Technology, Welser Profile AG

With the support of the Federal Ministry of Transport, Innovation and Technology’s “Building of Tomorrow”

For detailed information on the Austrian Photovoltaic Technology Platform, visit the web site www.tppv.at

Imprint:FEEI – Association of the Austrian Electrical and Electronics IndustriesMariahilfer Straße 37–39, 1060 Vienna, Austria, Tel.: +43 1 588 39 0, Fax: +43 1 588 69 71, E-mail: [email protected], www.feei.at

As of May 2011

Documents

Photovoltaics - TPPV · 2011-06-01 · Photovoltaics made in austria 3 austrian Photovoltaic technology Platform In order to maintain the high level of attractiveness and competitiveness