GE Supports Global Environmental Efforts with Innovative Plastics for the Solar Energy Market

BERGEN OP ZOOM, THE NETHERLANDS – November 4, 2005 - The dramatic spike in heating oil, gasoline, and natural gas prices is bringing to the forefront the need for alternative, renewable energy sources such as solar technology. Solar energy, used both for conversion to electricity (photovoltaics) and to heat water (solar thermal), can serve as the primary or secondary source of energy for homes and businesses, outdoor lighting, and many other applications. It offers significant environmental advantages over fossil fuels, which is being encouraged by many governments.

In Germany, a world leader in solar energy production, usage of solar power – supported by government funding for photovoltaic installations – is expected to jump from 450 MW (million watts) in 2005 to 600 MW in 2007. Europe, where solar energy is the fastest-growing market (at 20 percent/year), projects an increase from 580 MW to 850 MW over the same period (Source: VDI Nachrichten). More than 20 billion Euro have already been invested in solar energy systems. China is becoming a major manufacturer and exporter of solar devices. The nation’s recent Renewable Energy Law is expected to drive domestic consumption of solar technology as well.

According to Richard Pieters, global marketing director, Infrastructure, GE - Plastics, "GE – Plastics is aggressively driving new material developments in the emerging green industry. Solar energy is a particularly interesting industry for GE. Both photovoltaic cells and water applications are a good fit for our Lexan* and Noryl* resins due to their proven weatherability, electrical properties, and hydrolytic stability. They also help our customers comply with WEEE standards."

The use of innovative materials from GE - Plastics is helping to make solar energy systems more affordable and effective. Following are two examples of how GE materials are supporting the adoption of self-sustaining solar power systems.

Solarnor Polymer Collector for Water Heating

Norway’s Solarnor AS has developed the first high-temperature polymer collector using GE - Plastics’ Noryl EN150SP resin. The company wanted to find a replacement for expensive and cumbersome copper and aluminum for the reservoir in their solar panels, creating a new optimal thermal system. The Solarnor system collects the sun’s energy to heat water that can, in turn, heat rooms and provide hot water.

Solarnor selected GE’s Noryl resin for maximum performance with minimal environmental impact. Noryl resin’s ability to withstand high water temperatures, plus its excellent hydrolytic stability under constant exposure to water, made this GE product an excellent material of choice for the Solarnor design. GE’s Noryl EN150SP resin is easily extruded and maintains its shape, rigidity, and dimensional stability over time. Further, the GE material is intended for conformance with strict European Union environmental guidelines.

Compared to metals, polymer systems may be produced at significantly lower cost. Noryl resin’s lower density also offers potential savings in transportation and installation costs.

Solar Battery Connection Boxes for Photovoltaic Cells

Canadian Solar – via CSI Solar Technologies Ltd. in China – needed a durable and attractive cover material for its solar module battery connection box. The box is mounted on the back of outdoor solar modules and holds batteries that temporarily store electricity generated by photovoltaic cells in the module and transmit it to a central control device. The material had to meet international standards for quality and safety, as 90 percent of China’s solar cell production is exported. It was also required to have low-temperature impact strength, weatherability without the need for painting, dimensional stability, and flame retardance that supports global environmental initiatives.

GE - Plastics worked with CSI to help CSI identify a material candidate for the application. CSI ultimately selected GE’s Lexan EXL 9330 resin, a copolymer of polycarbonate and siloxane, for its exceptional properties that met all of CSI’s requirements. Especially important was the product’s low temperature impact strength and its availability in a wide range of colors.

In other solar battery connection boxes, GE’s Noryl VO150B resin has been specified in Europe to meet customer requirements for WEEE, UL94VO, good UV stability, and excellent hydrolytic stability. GE’s Noryl VO150B resin also meets critical legislations including IEC 60659-2-12, 2-13.

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+31 164 29 20 97

helen.vandebovenkamp@​ge.com

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