With roughly 3,000 hours of sun each year and a government committed to combating climate change, India is one of the most dynamic growth markets in the solar sector. The Indian Prime Group is also convinced about the potential and necessity for developing photovoltaics in the country. Since 2010, the company has exclusively deployed modules from German thin-film specialist Soltecture in its project development. The excellent output of Soltecture’s thin-film modules based on CIS semiconductors modules, which perform well even in difficult light conditions and their considerable tolerance to heat makes them particularly well suited for use in the Indian solar market.
Both partners were recently able to demonstrate their vision of solar construction in practice with the newly built Prime Tower that houses the Prime Group’s corporate headquarters. A central component comprises Soltecture’s grid-independent SERTUM roof-mounted system, which with its smooth black surface also visually enhances the building. The system produces electricity for the company’s own use and makes the Prime Group independent from the often instable, regional electricity supply. Part of the electricity generated is fed into a storage battery and, in emergency situations, can supply the entire building with electricity for a whole day.
With 380 thin-film modules installed on a flexible mounting system and a total output of 21.8KW, the roof-mounted system provides the perfect prototype for medium-sized photovoltaic systems that offer companies their own safety net. Recurrent energy bottlenecks are already threatening to hamper the emerging country’s economic growth. Despite having more than 140,000MW of installed electricity generating capacity, up to 15% of additional output is often lacking at peak times. With India’s electricity requirement forecast to grow to 400,000MW by 2020, the Indian government is already convinced that cleaner energy technologies, especially the flexible, modular use of photovoltaics will have to take on a key role.
The country wants to increase its PV capacities from around 15MW at the beginning of 2010 to 20,000MW by 2022. The National Solar Mission, which the Indian Prime Minister launched last year, sets out the political framework. Experts forecast a potential market volume of €55bn by 2022.
The SERTUM roof-mounted system and the Linion F module
The SERTUM roof-mounted system, which is a fixing system for the secure, quick and tool-free installation of framed Soltecture solar modules (Linion F), impresses with its highly elegant appearance. The combination of corrosion-resistantmaterials(aluminium/stainless steel) with a sturdy structural system (stable system loading) guarantees a long service life and investment security. The Linion F framed module produces particularly high yields, has maximum efficiency thanks to the CIGSe absorbers, is robust and looks extremely attractive with its anthracite-coloured, pinstriped appearance. The all-rounder is particularly suited for system operators with demanding architectural requirements and a commitment to quality.