A gift from the sun

Co-branding cooperation between Sunovation GmbH and Bayer AG

18-Feb-2002

Darmstadt/Klingenberg/Leverkusen - Close collaboration between Makroform and the Sunovation Gesellschaft für regenerative Energiesysteme mbH in Klingenberg, Germany, has produced photovoltaic modules for a wide range of different applications, thanks to Makrolon, a transparent plastic from the plastics Business Group of Bayer AG. Ever since a co-branding cooperation agreement between the two companies was concluded, the solar modules have carried the inscription "Made of Makrolon®", and this acts very much as a hallmark of quality.

The name Sunovation stands for a broad spectrum of solar modules developed by the company itself for use in self-sufficient lighting systems with their own built-in power-supply, in industrial construction, shade installations, roofing, sun roofs and ventilation systems for automobiles and illuminated displays. In addition, boat-building offers a wide field of applications for solar modules that are resistant to salt water. Sunovation has made it its mission to produce innovative design concepts that use solar energy creatively and consistently. Also available are transparent and tinted solar modules in almost any arrangement and in sizes up to 3x1 meters, with a bending radius of up to 1600 millimeters. All of this is possible thanks to a combination of Makrolon, the polycarbonate from Bayer, and photovoltaic cells. The combination is achieved by flexibly encapsulating highly sensitive silicon wafers between two Makrolon sheets. As the plastic sheets are embedded using floating joints, solar modules can be produced that meet any design requirements. In the Rhine-Main area of Germany for example, these self-generating power sources can nowadays be found at many bus stops. These solar-powered bus shelters were designed and built by Sunovation to meet the requirements of the local authority that commissioned them.

The polycarbonate sheets are exclusively supplied by Makroform, a joint venture between Bayer AG and Röhm GmbH & Co. KG, based in Darmstadt, Germany. Makroform not only develops thermoplastic polyester and high quality plastic sheets using Makrolon for the European market, but produces and markets them too. The sheets can be specially treated to make them scratchproof and resistant to ultraviolet radiation and the effects of chemicals and weathering. In addition, a wide variety of other treatments is possible. "The "no-drop" treatment that prevents condensation in a humid environment is just one of these," says Patrick Barth, Sales and Marketing Manager at Makroform.

For some time now, experts have regarded Makrolon as the material of choice. Most of all thanks to its high degree of transparency and the ease with which it can be processed, this particular polycarbonate is used in many applications in everyday life, such as corrective spectacle lenses and automotive headlamp lenses. And Makrolon hi-tech plastic has been used to manufacture CDs ever since they were first developed.

For end-users, the "Made of Makrolon" inscription is what singles out a quality product.

https://www.chemeurope.com/en/news/8524/a-gift-from-the-sun.html