From pv journal USA
Oregon-based Origami Photo voltaic has received the grand prize within the US Division of Vitality’s American-Made Photo voltaic Prize 2022 competitors. The patent-pending metal body is alleged to decrease prices and enhance module efficiency. The corporate says the frames are made from “inexperienced” recycled metal.
Origami Photo voltaic was based by Eric Hafter and Jack Patton to attempt to deliver innovation and value discount to photo voltaic module manufacturing. The builders famous that in 20 years, the price of different elements of the module has decreased, however not the aluminum frames, which have turn out to be an vital a part of the associated fee.
Hafter and Patton had been additionally involved concerning the greenhouse gases that outcome from aluminum manufacturing, in order that they seemed into recycled metal. In keeping with Origami Photo voltaic, using aluminum for module frames contributes greater than ten occasions to greenhouse fuel (GHG) emissions than its metal frames. The corporate mentioned that emissions are 14 kilograms for each 1 kilogram of aluminum, whereas metal manufacturing leads to about 1.2 kilograms of GHG for each 1 kilogram of metal. Recycled metal produces fewer GHGs.
“Our Gen 2 frames are lighter, stronger and nicely suited to offer superior help to the brand new giant format modules coming to market,” mentioned Gregg Patterson, CEO of Origami Photo voltaic. “In collaboration with steelmakers and precision roll formers, we designed the Origami metal module body to match the match, kind and performance of industry-standard frames, making the transition from aluminum to metal seamless for module manufacturing and subject set up.”
After engaged on the method for 12 years, Origami Photo voltaic has developed a patent-pending body design that may be manufactured utilizing a metal roll forming course of. The corporate reviews that the frames meet structural necessities and have a projected module lifetime of 30 years.
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