Global glass manufacturer Guardian Industries announced the results of an independent performance study today that proves EcoGuard Solar Boost-LP, its laminated parabolic mirror for concentrated solar power (CSP) applications, provides industry-leading performance. Company officials attending the CSP USA Summit in San Francisco June 24 & 25, 2010, shared the findings with industry leaders.

 

Guardian EcoGuard Solar Boost-LP is designed to provide best-in-class solar reflectivity, concentrating efficiency and durability. Tests conducted by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) compared the reflectance of EcoGuard Solar Boost-LP with standard 4mm monolithic mirrors that are currently used in most large solar fields. The tests showed that EcoGuard Solar Boost-LP has a solar reflectance of 96.75 – better than any measured 4-mm monolithic mirror.

 

NREL reported Guardian’s laminated glass reflector has an initial solar-weighted hemispherical (SWV) reflectance of 96.75 ± 0.09. It has an initial specular reflectance of 95.86 ± 0.08 into a 25-mrad cone angle and 7-mrad of 94.93 ± 0.97. NREL is testing EcoGuard Solar Boost-LP’s long-term durability as well.

 

"The CSP industry needs mirrors that will remain highly reflective for 30+ years with little to no degradation and will help lower the cost of electricity generated by CSP to be competitive with natural gas," said NREL Senior Scientist Cheryl Kennedy.

 

Similar to a car windshield, EcoGuard Solar Boost-LP is comprised of two layers of glass that are laminated together with a PVB interlayer. A mirrored surface is contained within the laminate on the backside of the forward glass. The thin front glass results in a shorter transmission path and industry benchmark reflectivity performance. Guardian has years of experience in developing systems and efficiencies in such manufacturing processes.

 

EcoGuard Solar Boost-LP has also been extensively field tested for proven durability and validated using numerous accelerated test protocols. It has passed over 10 years equivalent of Arizona EMMAQUA® (Equatorial Mount with Mirrors for Acceleration with Water) testing and a failure point in 85 deg C /85% Rh exposure has not been found. The combined glass and PVB layers provide superior rigidity and durability compared to traditional monolithic glass systems. The laminated construction also results in optimum damping, wind resistance and reduction of subsequent field component damage.

 

“We are pleased that NREL’s research shows what we have been saying all along – that EcoGuard Solar Boost Laminated Panels outperform 4mm monolithic reflector panels,” said Scott Thomsen, Group Vice President of North American Flat Glass Operations.

 

Members of Guardian Industries’ solar energy products team attended the CSP Summit in San Francisco June 23-25 to discuss Guardian’s latest solar technology and products, as well as share the recent NREL results.

 

While at the show, Michael Magdich, Guardian’s general manager of the solar-CSP division, participated in a forum at the summit to discuss ways to increase cost efficiencies in the solar industry (“Solar savings - ways to cut the cost of CSP plants”:

 

A global manufacturer of high-quality glass for more than 75 years, Guardian has comprehensive product and technology pipelines that consistently translate into high-performance glass products for a wide range of industries. Guardian is well positioned to provide the solar market with superior solutions that address current and future market needs.

 

Source: GlassOnWeb