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The Solar Ark, a unique, ark-shaped, solar photovoltaic power generation facility, offers activities to cultivate a better appreciation of solar power generation, and thereby of both ecology and science. This 315m-wide, 37m-tall facility is located in Gifu Prefecture, in the geographical center of Japan, and can be seen from the JR Tokaido bullet train, which runs past on an adjacent railway track.
Stationed at the center of the Solar Ark is the Solar Lab, a museum of solar energy and one of the more unusual museums in the world. A unique, hands-on, outdoor light exhibition will be launched here in 2005, for the first time in Japan. In the future, expect a variety of interesting things to emanate from here. |
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| Showing solar flair |
| Reducing our burden on the national electricity power grid is something we have been told we have to do. Avoiding load-shedding blackouts is something we desperately want to do. As a country rapidly approaching third world status from some viewpoints, we still have leading edge, world class technology that can save us from this energy crisis if only we apply it properly. |
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| Get down and dirty |
| There has been a predictable stampede for electricity generators, whatever the size, price or output. They are noisy, smelly, temperamental and many of them are not designed to run for any continuous length of time. Handling and storing the fuel is a pain and there are plenty of dangers of electrocution for the amateur engineer. Generators can also pose major threats to delicate equipment, particularly computers, with power spikes capable of destroying soft and hardware. |
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| Alternatives |
| It’s not really practical to erect a wind turbine in your back garden, or try to dam the gutters for a hydro-electric plant, but solar power is well within the grasp of homeowners, businesses and even industrial complexes. But once again, it all depends on where you source your solar outfit from. We’re not talking about solar water heaters here. They are mostly fairly uncomplicated and simple to operate with direct connections to your geyser. This is about photovoltaic (PV) cells that convert sunlight directly into electricity. |
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| Cowboys |
| As usual with any new market opportunity, there has been a rush of quick fix operators who offer cheap and cheerful solutions that you can buy in a cardboard box. Like all things in life, you get what you pay for. If you want to go it alone and buy blind, you can end up being robbed blind as well. An off-the-shelf product can never be exactly tuned to your individual needs, you just have to take a chance that it can meet your load requirements over the length of operating time you need. |
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| Solar flair |
| SANYO has been a pioneer and leader in solar energy systems since 1975, with the technology, expertise and product range to customise the most cost-effective and appropriate alternative energy power supply for any application. This does not just mean leading PVC design, it includes the accurate and intelligent control and management of power collection, storage and load distribution. The most important factor is to have a balanced and harmonious total system that meets the energy needs of the facility safely and reliably. |
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| HIT rate |
| Starting with the PVC modules, SANYO produces the most powerful solar panel in the world, with the highest available solar energy conversion efficiency of 22,3%. This is over 5% higher than the industry average. The technology that produces this increase output is called HIT, Heterojunction with Intrinsic Thin layer for those who like to unravel acronyms. The panels are made up of layers of crystalline silicone wafers and thin amorphous silicon. The HIT PVC modules have a much smaller footprint and lighter weight for the equivalent power output than ordinary panels. |
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| What watts? |
| The basic definition of the power requirement for your home, office or factory, is determined according to the total kilowatt/hours you need. Most businesses can calculate that quite easily from their existing energy usage. For the ordinary householder, a free Load Calculator is available on the www.sanyosa.co.za website to work out your energy needs. From that figure, SANYO can work out the size of solar panels and the number of batteries required to guarantee that level of power supply. |
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| Systematic |
| The design of different SANYO solar power systems suits various energy needs. For the residential, commercial and industrial application, the main function would be as an uninterruptible power supply to maintain energy levels during load shedding. Other systems are intended for applications like game lodges, farms or telecommunications units that have no mains power and need sustainable, adequate power. Stand alone equipment, like water pumps or GSM masts, can be operated without any connections or maintenance. |
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| Secure |
Solar uninterruptible power supplies are vital to keep critical functions going. Alarm systems and important data security require continuous power to remain viable. SANYO has world leading technology, expertise and products to provide the purpose-designed solutions for any application with proven solar flair.
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For more information on our full range of sanyo energy power solutions contact:
Win Kurzyca
Tel : +27-11-304-6000
E-mail : info@sanyosa.co.za |
