SMA Solar to lead research into solar power in earth’s sun belt

Dec 7, 2012 - German solar inverter maker SMA Solar Technology (ETR:S92) yesterday unveiled a partnership with certification specialist TUeV Rheinland and the University of Kassel to study the installation of utility-scale solar plants in the earth’s sun belt.

The joined Giga-PV research project is aimed at optimising the separate components according to local weather conditions and cutting further the cost of large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) plants to be built in regions of the earth’s sun belt. The three-year project will be managed by SMA.

German solar module maker Hanwha Q.Cells GmbH, which is owned by South Korean Hanwha, is an associated partner to the project, also supported by Germany’s Federal Ministry of Education and Research.

Although the earth's sun belt provides extremely favourable conditions for the harvesting of solar power, the climate in these regions is often extremely challenging for solar plants and components. The solar panels used in areas that are often hit by extreme heat, heavy rains or desert storms must be suitable to withstand such extreme conditions and still remain economically feasible.

SMA expects the results of the project to help strengthen Germany’s leadership in PV innovation and develop the growth potential of new markets.

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