The experts at 3S Swiss Solar Systems in Lyss for building-integrated photovoltaics and Hansjürg Leibundgut, the well-known professor for building technology at ETH (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich), have announced their collaboration in the field of energy optimisation in buildings. Together they have developed a combination of a photo cell with a solar panel to form a "hybrid solar panel" which significantly improves the efficiency of photovoltaic installations. This collaboration has allowed 3S Swiss Solar Systems, a 100% subsidiary of Meyer Burger Technology Ltd, to extend its technical expertise as a provider of leading-edge solar systems in the field of building integration.
The combination of the new solar modules with a heat pump and a geothermal probe in a complete system not only raises the efficiency factor of the solar panels but also ensures optimum heat utilisation. The new concept lowers electricity consumption significantly and makes low-cost emission-free operation possible. The overall gain in efficiency means the building can also supply energy.
The system developed by Professor Leibundgut at the ETH in Zurich means that surplus heat from solar power generated in summer can be stored using a geothermal probe in the ground, re-utilising it in the cold months via a thermal pump. As Professor Leibundgut explains "the underground heat store is replenished by the surplus heat, thus allowing the heat pump, which extracts heat from the ground, to operate to a significantly higher level of efficiency. The cooling system provides a knock-on effect by raising the efficiency of the photovoltaic panels which in turn increases electricity yield." The collaboration between Professor Leibundgut and the Meyer Burger Group has resulted in a rapid conversion of research results into a commercial product.
Dr. Patrick Hofer-Noser, Chief Technology Officer at the Meyer Burger Group, emphasises the advantage of the holistic energy solution. "This new system enables us to build photovoltaic systems even more easily and efficiently; this applies also to renovation projects." Christian Renken, Managing Director of 3S Photovoltaics, adds "the new product is an ideal complement to our tried and tested Megaslate® solar roof system for generating heat and electricity, and plays a key role in emission-free energy supply“.
A prototype of the photovoltaic panels, which also supply useful heat, has already been developed. A number of tests have yielded promising results. The hybrid panels are being tested with other innovative components of modern, resource-friendly building technology as part of the "B 35" pilot project of the Swiss Federal Office of Energy. "B 35" stands for an apartment building in the Bolleystrasse in Zurich, where the new digitalSTROM system, LED domestic lighting and innovative glazing has been installed in addition to the new solar technology. The hybrid panels will be installed there in January.
Following completion of extensive field tests, 3S Swiss Solar Systems is planning serial production of the hybrid collectors at the end of 2011 and will market them under the 3S Photovoltaics brand. It also plans to grant licences to panel manufacturers around the world.
Your contact at Meyer Burger Technology Ltd:
Werner Buchholz
Head of Group Communications
fon +41(0)33 439 0506 fax +41(0)33 439 0510
w.buchholz@meyerburger.ch
www.meyerburger.com
Your contact at 3S Swiss Solar Systems:
Dr. Anja Knaus
Head of Communications
fon +41(0)32 391 1136 fax +41(0)32 391 1112
anja.knaus@3-s.ch
www.3s-pv.ch; www.3-s.ch
About 3S Swiss Solar Systems Ltd.
www.3-s.ch
www.3s-pv.ch
3S Swiss Solar Systems has for years been the world's technological market leader in the field of laminating. With fully automatic laminating lines from Lyss, module manufacturers worldwide today produce photovoltaic modules of highest quality. Since 2008, 3S Swiss Solar Systems has been integrating various machines into turnkey production lines for the manufacture of solar modules with greatly differing degrees of automation. The equipment for solar module producers is now being marketed under the brand-name of 3S Modultec.
Our company also develops and produces, under the newly introduced brand 3S Photovoltaics, trend-setting, building-integrated solar systems and has specialised here in solar modules for roofs, facades and shading solutions. Solar modules from our factory in Lyss are the perfect synthesis of a robust, weatherproof building shell and efficient, environmentally friendly energy production.
3S Swiss Solar Systems with the brands of 3S Modultec – Module Solutions and 3S Photovoltaics – Solar Building Technologies has been a subsidiary of Meyer Burger Technology Ltd since January 2010.
About Meyer Burger Technology Ltd
www.meyerburger.ch
Meyer Burger is a leading and globally active technology group for innovative systems and processes for cutting and handling crystalline and other high-grade materials.
The machines, competences and technologies of the different companies within the group are used in the solar industry (photovoltaics), semiconductor and optical industry. The thinnest wafers made from silicon, sapphire or other crystals are required in these three markets to manufacture solar modules, switching circuits or high-performance LEDs. The group’s core competences are made up of a whole range of production processes, machines and systems that are used within the value chain in the manufacture of high quality wafers. Since the merger in January 2010 with 3S Industries Ltd, the worldwide leader in turnkey production lines and single equipment for the manufacturing of solar modules, the group also covers the entire value chain for solar module production and combines the key technologies of soldering, laminating and testing under one roof. Solar module manufacturers worldwide use the string soldering machines of Somont, the laminating lines of 3S and the testing technologies of Pasan, to produce solar modules whose performance, operating life and quality meet the highest demands. The group’s comprehensive range of products includes a worldwide service network with wear and tear parts, consumables, re-grooving services, process know-how, servicing, after-sales service, training and other services. As a globally active company, the group is represented in Europe, Asia and North America in the respective key markets.
Meyer Burger has its headquarters and the production facility of MB Wafertec (Meyer Burger Ltd) in Switzerland, while the group companies, Meyer Burger Automation GmbH, Hennecke Systems GmbH and AMB Apparate + Maschinenbau GmbH have their headquarters and production facilities in Germany. Diamond Materials Tech, Inc. has its headquarters in Colorado Springs, CO, USA. The production facilities of 3S Modultec, 3S Photovoltaics and Pasan are also located in Switzerland, while Somont is located in Germany. Meyer Burger Group has also subsidiaries and own service centres in Germany, Norway, Spain, USA, China, Japan, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan. In other important markets, the company relies on selected independent agents. The registered shares of Meyer Burger Technology Ltd are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (Ticker: MBTN).
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