Germany-based Solmax has developed a reflective membrane fabricated from polyethylene resins and coated with a skinny white polyethylene layer that displays ultraviolet (UV) rays. The corporate claims that the membrane can improve the vitality yield of a bifacial PV undertaking between 5% and 20%, relying on the configuration of the plant.
Germany-based firm Solmax Geosynthetics GmbH, which provides “geosynthetic drainage geocomposites” has developed a fabric that reportedly will increase the albedo of the floor beneath a PV energy plant by about 70%, permitting extra which mild reaches the again facet of the bifacial modules. The fabric at first designed for environmental safety by having chemical compounds and dangerous waste.
“The elevated albedo ends in extra irradiance reaching the again of the module,” stated the corporate’s EMEA worth engineer Douglas Sutherland. pv journal. “The quantity of irradiance will depend upon the geometric traits of the plant.”
Referred to as Geolux, the brand new product consists of a reflective geomembrane fabricated from polyethylene resins and lined with a skinny white polyethylene layer that displays ultraviolet (UV) rays. In line with the producer, the fabric shouldn’t be inert and doesn’t trigger any chemical response with the soil.
“Geolux can enhance vitality yield between 5 to twenty% which implies a corresponding levelized price of vitality (LCOE) discount of about 2% to five%,” claims Sutherland. “Ultimately, the principle limiter for added vitality advantages is the AC capability. The query now’s whether or not or not it’s handy to alter the AC capability. This have to be solved by making a trade- off between the extra vitality generated and the prices related to growing AC capability.
In line with Sutherland, builders can consider the influence of a brand new product within the early levels of undertaking growth utilizing the albedo-app perform of the PVradar software program. “Design parameters resembling AC capability may be optimized to make sure that PV plant homeowners get probably the most out of albedo enhancement,” the producer stated.
A minimum of two individuals are required to put in the membrane and a pointy blade like a Stanley knife is required to chop it. Gripping pins are used to make sure that the fabric is held firmly in place.
By way of whole undertaking price, the brand new product will imply $0.024/W in further Capex. “Utilizing our expertise with a 500 MW undertaking within the Center East, accounting for latest inflation, it price roughly $12 million for the complete undertaking,” Sutherland stated. “It was $8 million two years in the past and it’s anticipated that the costs will fall once more sooner or later.”
Sutherland added that the fabric additionally prevents weed development beneath the modules, providing vital financial savings in O&M.
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