Issue link: http://osercommunicationsgroup.uberflip.com/i/265648
S o l a r P o w e r D a i l y N e w s 2 1 T h u r s d a y, J u l y 1 1 , 2 0 1 3 DSSC, and CPV set OAI apart from other manufacturers? CT: Our optical engineering has created unique filters for these special solar simu- lators. Not only do we offer our complete line of standard solar simulators (50 mm by 50 mm, 100 mm by 100 mm, 156 mm by 156 mm, 208 mm by 208 mm and 300 mm by 300 mm), but by adding the unique filter specific to the application, the user gets a simulator specifically designed for their application. We also now offer a sin- gle long pulse solar simulator and test sys- tem for high efficiency solar cell testing. SPDN: Why does a user need OAI's new single long pulse test system for their high efficiency cells? CT: Working with our partner companies, OAI has shown that high efficiency cells require a pulse width in the range of ~75–200ms and a working range of <15V/sec voltage sweep rates due to the high capacitance and high resistance of these cells. Flash systems just don't deliver that kind of performance. In contrast, OAI's single long pulse test system for high effi- ciency solar cells overcomes the limitations of flash testing and lets the user choose what pulse duration and sweep rate best matches the cells' dielectric response speed. Using a typical flash system, the fill factor and effi- ciency of these high efficiency cells are understated. The cell manufacturer could be leaving significant profits on the table by not using our single long pulse test system OAI (Cont'd. from p. 1) SPDN: What's in the future for OAI's solar simulation and test business? CT: OAI is actively working with start-up companies by offering our test lab free of charge to these start-ups. We are very excit- ed to see some of our start-up partner com- panies moving to the next level of growth. OAI is now working on new test solutions for these companies as well as prototype production equipment. OAI's automation experience in our semiconductor produc- tion products is useful for our partner com- panies moving into prototype or even full production in the solar PV market. SPDN: You mentioned OAI's partnering with it's customers. Can you elaborate? CT: OAI has always been market driven. We work with our customers to develop the specifications they require and then OAI develops new products that meet these specifications. We also customize our exist- ing products to meet each customer's requirements. OAI always invites our cur- rent and prospective customers to sit down with us and discuss their specific solar sim- ulation and test needs. This includes both our domestic customers as well as our world-wide customer base. Supporting our customers continues to be our top priority and we support our customers with a full team of design engineers, application engi- neers, and field service. For more information, go online to www.oainet.com and www.oai-instru- ments.com, email sales@oainet.com, visit booth #8606 at Intersolar. of events affecting your company in the past year? JI: I was recently named California Small Business Person of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). I share this honor with every member of the M BAR C team. SPDN: Are you introducing any new products? JI: iForce Building Products LLC, our affiliate, will be introducing a line of high quality solar accessories designed to sim- plify the solar installation process, reduce maintenance costs and provide the end user with a range of attractive solutions. M Bar C is also in the process of multiple research and development projects for new products to be brought to the market within the next six months. SPDN: What products do you see as being hottest this year? JI: Designs that are more efficient in engineering as well as installation, specifically changing the way solar pan- els are installed. M BAR C is and will remain ahead of the curve. SPDN: What distinguishes your prod- uct(s) from the competition? M Bar C Construction (Cont'd. from p. 1) JI: It's more than just great designs and quality materials. I believe it's as much about customer service, quality and an on- time finish that sets M BAR C apart. In a nutshell, integrity and professionalism. SPDN: Compare the position of your products and their technology against the current market. JI: M Bar C has always been competitive and now even more so. We are currently developing products for today and tomorrow's needs. SPDN: Who are your target end-users? JI: End users include commercial and industrial sites, retail, residential, schools, hospitals, municipalities, mil- itary and federal entities. Architects appreciate that we can design struc- tures to integrate with adjacent build- ings. Property management companies like that we can replace aging wood structures and/or install new steel structures. We also repair and maintain almost any existing steel structure. Of course, contractors appreciate that we are a reliable, seamless extension of their project team. For more information, visit www.mbar- conline.com, call 760-744-4131 or email chadh@mbarconline.com. Stop by booth #9247 at Intersolar North America. a top banking institution in the United States is now offering finance and lease options to our customers. SPDN: Where is your current product emphasis? BR: The CellCube is perfect for integrat- ing renewable energy where bulk storage for two to ten hours is required. This is the sweet spot of the CellCube, where its modular design, with the energy and power units being completely independ- ent, makes this truly scalable. We offer a wide range of solutions: from ten kilo- watt to ten megawatts, from one hour to ten hours. These storage systems will deep cycle (100 percent) an unlimited number of times during the 20 year life of the battery and the service package is essentially a complete battery replace- ment warranty. This is a truly German- engineered product – plug and play, user friendly and low maintenance. The tech- nology risk has been removed. SPDN: What's your company's current marketing strategy? BR: In addition to selling directly, our best opportunity to make the CellCube ubiquitous is through building excellent partnerships with leading integrators, EPC companies and large renewable energy developers. The reception to this strategy from the top companies in American Vanadium (Cont'd. from p. 1) America has been very strong. SPDN: What distinguishes your prod- uct(s) from the competition? BR: On top of a track record of commer- cial reliability, there are a number of key factors that distinguish the CellCube: It is SAFE – won't start on fire or explode regardless of use. A low Levelized Cost Of Energy (LCOE) due to the high per- formance over a 20 year life. Installation takes place in days, not months. There is long duration for peak shifting, 15 millisecond response times (AC) for frequency regulation, 24/7 remote monitoring, an energy management system and battery man- agement system and power electronics are included. It is 100 percent recyclable at the end of product life and comes with a 100 percent battery replacement warrantee with service contact. SPDN: What is your outlook in general for this product line? BR: Spectacular. Gildemeister is inun- dated with so many orders that they are now building a second production facility. The reception since we intro- duced this product in America has been overwhelming. For more information, visit www.ameri- canvanadium.com or stop by booth #8045 at InterSolar North America. 4 S.T.E.L. to invest hundreds of man hours in the creation and implementation of a document that is pre-approved with the DSA for photovoltaic canopies. This pre- approved document allows 4 S.T.E.L.'s clients the ability to obtain over-the-count- er approval for solar canopy projects locat- ed at California public schools or commu- nity colleges. This is very significant to our clients and to the school districts because not only does it save time―which always equals money―but it also allows for con- struction to begin sooner. This allows school districts to realize the savings in energy expense as quickly as possible. SPDN: What was the most significant series of events affecting your company in the past year? DR: I would say 4 S.T.E.L. has dealt with two significant events this past year that have had an effect on our firm. First, due to the demand of our clients, 4 S.T.E.L. has undergone substantial growth in the past year. We have expand- 4 S.T.E.L. (Cont'd. from p. 4) ed our engineering and administrative departments by nearly 40%, thereby increasing our ability to successfully complete current and upcoming projects. Second, we have expanded our ability to offer solutions that meet our clients' needs by incorporating electrical design and engineering into our services. This gives our clients the ability to easily coordinate their project with a single con- tact at 4 S.T.E.L. instead of dealing with multiple contacts and multiple firms. SPDN: How can our readers find out more about your company? DR: Stop by and visit us here at InterSolar North America at booth 9446. I will per- sonally be available to answer any ques- tions related to engineering your upcom- ing PV project. If you are not able to stop by and see us, you can find out more infor- mation at www.4STELENG.com. For more information, call 949-388- 9333, visit www.4steleng.com, or email info@4steleng.com. And stop in at booth #9446 at InterSolar North America. Standards Compliant Solar Simulators The IEC 60904-9 Edition 2 (2007), JIS C 8912, and ASTM E 927-05 standards for spectral are used to classify a solar simula- tor's approximation of natural sunlight based on three criteria, spectral content, spatial irradiance uniformity, and temporal Oriel (Cont'd. from p. 1) stability. Each criteria is classified A, B, or C, with A being the best match to the stan- dard. Newport offers an array of standard compliant solar simulators with output beams from 1.5 x 1.5 inch (38 x 38 mm) through 12 x 12 inch (305 x 305 mm). For more information, visit Oriel Instruments at www.newport.com, or stop by booth 8535 at Intersolar North America.