PPG makes heat-strengthened 2-millimeter glass for solar applications

The added strength gives thin glass used in various solar applications that require resistance to wind load, hail impact and other environmental hazards the ability to meet UL and IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) standards as well, which may help solar-module and solar-mirror manufacturers in North America.

When incorporated into solar modules, heat-strengthened thin glass permits more sunlight to reach the active layer, which enhances the conversion of sunlight into energy and increases power output. With 2-millimeter SOLARPHIRE(R) glass, solar transmittance improves by 0.3 percent compared to 3.2-millimeter glass and by 0.5 percent compared to 4-millimeter glass.

Heat-strengthened thin glass also gives solar manufacturers the opportunity to cut downstream costs. For instance, manufacturers may reduce material costs for solar modules by using glass-on-glass module designs that eliminate the need for – and expense associated with – traditional protective plastic or polyvinyl fluoride (PVF) backing.

When used in solar mirrors for concentrated solar power (CSP) and concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) applications, heat-strengthened thin glass enables manufacturers to cold-bend reflective (mirror) glass into shorter-radius support frames with less chance of stress breakage. This can be less expensive and simpler than doing so with thick glass that is thermally bent before mounting. Cold-bending thin glass can reduce freight costs when mirrors are shipped flat directly to field sites for installation. Thin glass also significantly increases the reflectivity and related energy output of solar mirrors.

PPG can produce Solarphire PV, Solarphire AR/2XAR and Solarphire NaB glasses as thin as 2 millimeters. Critical components made with heat-strengthened, thin-glass versions of these products for photovoltaic (PV), CPV and CSP designs have the potential to deliver unprecedented performance to the solar industry.

To learn more about PPG’s heat-strengthening capability for thin glass, or to order a glass sample, visit www.ppgsolarphire.com or call 1-888-PPG-SUN1 (774-7886).

PPG Industries announced that it can produce heat-strengthened SOLARPHIRE(R) PV, Solarphire AR/2XAR and Solarphire NaB glasses in thicknesses of less than 3 millimeters with surface-compression strength that exceeds that of fully tempered glass (greater than 10,000 pounds per square inch). Critical components made with heat-strengthened, thin-glass versions of these products for photovoltaic (PV), concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) and concentrated solar power (CSP) designs have the potential to deliver unprecedented performance and cost savings to the solar industry. PPG is among the first major glass manufacturers in North America to make heat-strengthened thin glass.

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PPG Industries' vision is to continue to be the world’s leading coatings and  specialty products company. Through leadership in innovation, sustainability and color, PPG helps customers in industrial, transportation, consumer products, and construction markets and aftermarkets to enhance more surfaces in more ways than does any other company. Founded in 1883, PPG has global headquarters in Pittsburgh and operates in more than 60 countries around the world. Sales in 2011 were $14.9 billion. PPG shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol:PPG). For more information, visit www.ppg.com.