Custom made glass laminates from Romag

On May 12, the British Royal Opera House was »abused« for an uncommon presentation. Romag Ltd., a UK glass processor for the architectural and bulletproof-glass markets, launched its PowerGlaz, a BIPV module designed to customer specifications.     

© Romag Ltd. Individual design: UK company Romag PV module PowerGlaz is available in almost any size, with different cells and various types of glass.

The UK company even could win over UK Minister for Energy Stephen Timms to participate in the product introduction. Although the UK PV program is still in its infancy, Timms ensured the audience that his government is keen to encourage the use of products that can be integrated into buildings, increasing energy efficiency and reducing emissions. 

Romag was planning to start mass production of its PowerGlaz solar modules by the end of May. The product was developed in a partnership with BP Solar (see PI 12/2003, p. 9). With 6 MW production capacity, Romag now claims to own Europe's largest glass-glass lamination line and also the first in the UK. Capacity of the automated line in Durham County is more than enough to supply the existing UK solar market, says Romag, which plans to offer its product worldwide. 

The mono- or multicrystalline cells for the modules are supplied by BP Solar. Spacing between the cells in the module will vary on customer demand as well as panel dimensions, which can be up to 3,300 by 2,200 mm. While the module's front cover always is a low-iron white glass, Romag says that it offers many types of glass – from security to thermal insulation. 

As Romag does not specify a standard module type, no price and no electrical data is available. The modules come with a guarantee of at least 90 percent of rated minimum power for 10 years. 

Romag Ltd.
Leadgate Ind. Estate
Consett, Co. Durham DH87RS, UK
phone +44/1207/500000, fax 591979
kmorrison@romag.co.uk
www.romag.co.uk

Karsten Albers
© PHOTON International, June 2004