Freystadt/Oberpfalz – Solar modules heat up steeply during operation and much of the energy is lost in the process. It is a fact that no PV manufacturer has truly attempted to circumvent this problem till now. This is reason enough for the research team of the Bavaria“s solar specialist J.v.G. Thoma GmbH to take on this challenge. Now, even the Federal Ministry of Economy and Technology has joined in. It is supporting the innovative project and bearing part of the costs.
In reality conventional PV modules convert only 10 to 20 % of the incidental solar energy in into electric current at present – the rest is lost in the form of heat, simply because the modules become hot. Incidentally, a module can become as hot as 70°C.
The J.v.G research director Dr. Claudia Gemmel and Mr Mario Rauer have been dealing with the problem of cooling standard modules. Because through cooling an increase in the utilization can be achieved by up to 25%. The J.v.G. team is going one more step further: it plans to totally eliminate the excessive heat with a ground heat-exchanger. The researchers assume that this method can be implemented without any significant input of energy. Thus, in near future PV installations can operate more efficiently. For the consumers this will be an interesting perspective considering the diminishing grants and increasing power charges.
The Federal Ministry of Economy and Technology promotes projects such as the new research plan of J.v.G. Thoma GmbH through the so-called ZIM-Programm. The „Central Innovations Programme of Medium-Scale Industries“ is aimed at small and medium scale enterprises. It provides grants for the development of innovative technological services, new products or improvement of process methods.
About J.v.G. Thoma GmbH
J.v.G. Thoma GmbH with its head quarters in Freystadt in Oberpfalz takes care of customers in whole of Europe, America and Asia. The range of services by the family enterprise includes Consulting and Advice in the segment of solar production, planning and implementation of entire solar factories as well as sale and purchase of solar components. The enterprise enjoys industry experience of 20 years. Innovative technological developments in the manufacturing process as well as in the PV technology complete its portfolio.
J.v.G. Thoma GmbH
Werner Thoma
Möningerberg 1 a
D-9234 Freystadt
w.thoma@jvgthoma.de
0049(0)9179 / 2747
http://www.jvg-thoma.de