Solar

Solar power has the potential to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, thus reducing the harmful effects of greenhouse gas emissions. Today, aluminum extrusions are playing an ever-increasing and integral role in renewable energy generation, including utility-scale solar energy. However, many designers and engineers are unfamiliar with the advantages of designing solar structures using aluminum extrusions.

Included here are useful resources to help you better understand how aluminum extrusions may be the answer to your design challenges.

Research

The design flexibility of aluminum extrusions is unparalleled allowing designers to create components for a vast array of products and engineer the exact shape needed to optimize performance, function, cost, appearance, and features. Learn more about extruded aluminum’s advantages for solar structures in the following research summaries:

Extrusions are Better for Solar Frames and Mounting Systems
IBIS Associates, the firm behind the key research on the total effect of light-weighting vehicle components, used publically available information to model the total material, processing and assemblies for comparing available aluminum extruded and galvanized steel CSP frame designs for utility-scale concentrating solar power systems. Download this informational flyer to see preliminary results showing strategic cost analysis of extruded aluminum versus steel frame designs. Follow the link in the title above to read a summary of the study results.

Aluminum Extrusions Are Better for PV Mounting Structures

Using information available in the public domain, IBIS Associates set out to determine the costs to fabricate, assemble, ship, and install PV mounting structures for two separate material systems: aluminum extrusions and galvanized steel. Three specific cost factors were considered: system components, fully burdened installation labor, and shipping costs. When taking into account the cost of material, other components, shipping and installation, aluminum is a more economical alternative to steel in PV mounting structures and have a lower Total Cost of Ownership across all market segments. Follow the link in the title above to read a summary of the study results.

Presentations

The AEC Solar Team is actively informing solar industry professionals about the many advantage of aluminum extrusions. Check back often as more presentations become available.

PV America West, March 2012

AEC Solar Team Leader Craig Werner, WES LLC, presented The Advantages of using Aluminum Extrusions for PV Structures - A Technical Study by IBIS Associates, Inc.

AEC Solar Team member Allan Bennett, Hydro Aluminum presented Green Practices in the Solar Industry: Improving Sustainability through Lifecycle Assessments

Aluminum in the Press

Aluminum Extrusions in Solar Power Applications by Craig Werner,Werner Extrusion Solutions LLC

(Article from August 2010 issue of Light Metal Age; used with permission)

Green Power
Nevada Solar One—the mammoth 64-megawatt Solar Thermal Electric Generating Plant located in Boulder City, Nevada became operational in May 2007. See how aluminum extrusions played a vital role in the success of this new-generation power plant. (Article from the 2007-2008 edition of AEC Buyers' Guide)

Upcoming Trade Shows

AEC will be exhibiting at the following trade shows:

Intersolar North America

July 10-12, 2012

Booth #9339

Moscone Center

San Francisco, California

Solar Power International

September 10-13, 2012

Booth #864

Orange County Convention Center

Orlando, Florida

Greenbuild

November 14-16, 2012

Moscone Center

San Francisco, California