'Revolutionary new products at INTERSOLAR 2009'

"It takes a moment for people to realise the full import of our innovative new AZUR 2P as a world first and revolution in photovoltaics", explains Bernd Sauter, managing director of  AZUR Solar GmbH from Wangen in the Allgaeu, as he describes his experience at Intersolar 2009. "But the reaction that follows is overwhelming to the point of wonder. This carefully-considered innovation has earned us congratulations from many quarters!" adds Sauter with considerable pride, recounting his impressions. For it was only at Intersolar that the revolutionary impact of the new AZUR 2P product became apparent. It is also against this background that AZUR Solar's confident business objectives must be seen: the company employed 30 people in 2008 and for 2011 plans to increase this number to around 140 with a business plan to increase the EUR 38 million turnover in 2008 to EUR 165 million in the coming two years. The managing director elaborates on the features of the AZUR 2P:

AZUR 2P gives photovoltaic modules an efficiency of 98% after 20 years

"AZUR 2P, a completely new type of coating for photovoltaic modules, is the result of continuous research and development. The coating process protects the cells from extreme environmental factors such as desert sandstorms. In addition the surface is water repellent and possesses both self-cleaning and self-repairing properties. In case of any surface damage cross-linking allows the coating to flow to the particular area and fill it. Exposed to the air, the area will then harden to a smooth finish within just a few hours. AZUR 2P accordingly provides protection against abrasion, i.e. the abrasive effect of sand, dirt etc. - and also against water, acids and bases and therefore against degradation in general. Modules currently degrade / lose efficiency at an average rate of 1% each year, i.e. 10% in 10 years. However the AZUR 2P coating provides protection against radiation and hazing and can bring about a 10 fold reduction in the process of degradation. So in

20 years' time efficiency will not have reduced to 80% but under optimum conditions could still be a sensational 98%, revolutionising not only useful life but also rate of return calculations. In future the UV resistant coating will be available in a large number of RAL colours. Need dictates whether the colour of the module should stand out in accordance with the personal taste of the building owner or whether, as is the case with listed buildings, it must be adapted to blend in visually with its environment. This can be an advantage for approval procedures in particular. The output is further increased by the low operating temperature of the 2P modules."

Module manufacturers and interested parties from the Arab world recognise a 'quantum leap'.

This 'quantum leap' in the manufacture of PV modules has already been recognised by major manufacturers whose interest in visiting the AZUR stand was 'massive'. Another particular group of visitors were those from the Arab world who recognised the benefits of the new product for their regions.

The desert lives!

Photovoltaics now gives a completely new meaning to the phrase 'the desert lives'. It will be possible to utilise regions like the Sahara as highly efficient global energy resources and at the same time this could contribute to value creation in Africa and other economically underdeveloped regions", explains Bernd Sauter. This makes real the aspirations advocated by both Sauter and his colleagues for efficient photovoltaics to reconcile economy with ecology.

AZUR 2F power film enables roof and building surfaces to be used for photovoltaics

Another big hit on the stand in hall B3 was the AZUR 2F film. At a thickness of only 1 mm it creates a high output solar cell module that can be attached to almost any roof to achieve an output of 92 Wp at minimum cost and little effort. Its minimal weight of 1kg / square metre makes the AZUR 2F film particularly suitable for long span roofs or lightweight constructions, enabling the utilisation of many surfaces for the first time. As AZUR Solar's managing director explains: "Amorphous silicon solar cells are laminated to a flexible, unbreakable plastic film. The cells are permanently encapsulated and bonded together. The extremely high output of 92 Wp is also achieved by the double stacked solar cell solution for different spectral ranges." 'Installation' is very easy. It uses all the double-sided adhesive tapes approved by the German Guild of Roofers to adhere the flexible film and so enables it to be fitted to any roof or surface. Total surface coverage creates an additional skin. No points of entry remain for wind or storm, whilst it also provides a high shade tolerance.

Multiple revolution

Matthias Klopstein, executive board member and CTO concludes: "Presenting the AZUR 2P development at this leading global trade fair for solar technology we believe we have achieved nothing less than a threefold peaceful revolution in terms of technology, economy and ecology which will have global impact. It is possible to unlock areas where up until now the generation of energy from sunlight has been limited, e.g. desert regions such as the Sahara. Indeed our AZUR 2F power film is a revolution in practice in so far as it makes many previously unusable roof surfaces accessible to photovoltaics."

Further information: Downloads / Product innovations AZUR 2P / AZUR 2F