Press Releases

IBC SOLAR AG is one of the world’s leading system houses for photovoltaics (PV) with considerable experience in grid-independent installations. On the holiday island of Mallorca, the company’s Premium Partner swiptec GmbH has now installed two PV hybrid systems with a photovoltaics output of 28.8 kWp each. Two newly built fincas are now able to cover 90 percent of their electricity demand using solar energy.
The most recent assignment of IBC SOLAR Premium Partner swiptec from Leipzig, Gemany (a company specialising in independent power supply) in the summer of 2013 took workers to one of the most popular holiday destinations: they were tasked with installing a grid-independent power supply at two newly built, private holiday fincas without public grid connections in the hinterland of Mallorca. The team implemented a stable and environmentally friendly solution thanks to a hybrid system consisting of a PV power plant, battery storage unit and a diesel generator as backup.
IBC SOLAR AG supplied closely coordinated components of the highest quality for the setting up of the plants. Engineers and technicians at IBC SOLAR also gave their support during plant design. The two identical PV hybrid systems each consist of 120 IBC PolySol type modules with a nominal power of 28.8 kWp, 24 Moll OPzV 3010 type batteries and a 40 kVA diesel generator. The systems supply the fincas with electricity 24/7 while consuming only a minimum of diesel. Amongst others the electricity is used to operate heat pumps for the domestic and pool heating systems.
PV hybrid solutions offer crucial advantage compared with pure diesel systems: the diesel consumption is reduced massively because the diesel generator is used only in periods of low irradiation. Besides wear and tear and therefore maintenance costs are considerably reduced. As a result, plant operators are largely independent from fossil fuels and soaring prices. The CO2 emissions are also reduced and operators are consequently protecting the environment. By additionally aligning photovoltaic modules towards the East and West, the system produces solar energy in the mornings and evenings, hence further boosting the degree of solar electricity usage. The hybrid system safeguards long-term planning and cost security because the cost-effective electricity rate mainly results from the one-off PV system costs.
All required materials were transported to the island by truck and ferry. It took a mere 14 days to install both systems. Swiptec was very adamant that it would install the batteries and the remaining system technology so all components would be sheltered from environmental influences. All cables were also routed in sealed protective sleeves to prevent damage by animals, such as rodents. Swiptec has also been tasked with maintaining the hybrid system and in this process the plant is monitored using an online portal. As a result, potential malfunctions can be identified immediately to consequently reduce downtimes.
The grid-independent system allows the finca owners to safeguard a permanent power supply even without a connection to the grid and provide holidaymakers with a sophisticated experience even in these remote areas of the island. During the planning and installation of the hybrid system, swiptec (as one of 600 German Premium Partners) was able to fall back on 30 years of experience the IBC SOLAR photovoltaic system house has. IBC SOLAR’s hybrid power supply experts have already implemented a number of self-sufficient solar plants around the world, including in Malaysia, the Seychelles, India and other remote regions and islands.

The Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE), the only international business association focused on the promotion of off-grid renewable energy solutions for rural electrification in developing countries, has published today its most recent edition of “Best Practices of the Alliance for Rural Electrification: What renewable energies can achieve in developing and emerging markets.”
The Best Practices includes recent case-studies from around the world that make a business case for the use of off-grid renewables in rural electrification. All examples were implemented by ARE members, and in order to support energy decision-makers to develop markets designs tailored to local needs and demonstrate successful solutions to end energy-poverty in areas where grid-extension is currently not technically possible or too costly.
In order to support energy decision-makers to develop markets tailored to local needs, ARE ensured that these projects show not only the range of off-grid renewable technologies (small solar, small wind, small hydro, biomass, etc.), but their diversity in terms of geographical location, financing mechanisms, consumer tariff schemes, training and capacity building, energy data collection, cooperation between project partners, retailing networks and operation and maintenance.
One of the benefits of off-grid renewables is exactly how they can successfully adapt to the wide variety of geographical, economic and social realities found around the world. From a community-based hydropower in Tanzania to a solar-run a cotton mill in India, these examples show that when the right political conditions are put in place, the technology to provide energy for everyone is ready to be deployed.
While launching the Best Practices at the high-level meeting “Economic Development Globally – Renewable Energy Developing and Emerging Countries" organised by the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development, Michael Wollny, Vice-President of ARE said, “What this publication comes to prove once more is that reliable, cost-effective and sustainable energy solutions are already being implemented worldwide. To ensure energy-poverty is eradicated they now need to become mainstream.” Mr. Wollny concluded, “Disseminating these success cases, and proving their economic viability, is just one way that ARE supports the private companies working in the sector.”

After a successful presence at this year’s Solar Energy UK, Swiss inverter manufacturer Sputnik Engineering (SolarMax) announced to have signed a partnership with PV wholesaler Solen Energy UK.

Alongside the launch of the energy storage system to the Asian market, WINACO will present detailed Information about PERC solar cell’s weak light behaviour at PV Taiwan.

Metaxas & Associates presses Greek state to return partly reduced PV development grants. The Athen law firm also has two complaints lodged with the EU over the retroactively imposed ‘solidarity tax’.

The Swiss inverter manufacturer has signed a partnership with Solfex energy systems to enhance the distribution of their full string inverter range and accessories.

Maxim Integrated’s complete reference platform integrates metrology, security, and communications for a safer smart grid.

Recognition for innovation and technological excellence of Trinasmart performance optimizer follows 2012 individual award for Chairman Jifan Gao.

Device management company Axiros is diversifying into smart metering.

The former Pauwels and Crompton Greaves unit of Avantha Group, CG, will sell electrical products and solutions in the Middle East and Africa.