Proposed photovoltaic module form factor to reduce levelized cost of energy
This paper discusses a proposed photovoltaic (PV) module form factor designed for utility-scale, one-axis tracking projects. The purpose of the form factor is to: 1) reduce total installed costs for utility-scale projects; 2) improve module reliability; 3) reduce operating and maintenance (O&M) costs, and 4) improve the project return on investment. The proposed module uses a double-glass construction to improve reliability and service lifetime in a form factor that is longer and narrower than existing 60-cell modules. This form factor places more module area per linear meter of torque tube when used with single-axis trackers. These changes are expected to lower the levelized cost of energy.
Fast curing ethylene vinyl acetate films with dual curing agent towards application as encapsulation materials for photovoltaic modules
To speed up curing of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) films as encapsulation materials for photovoltaic modules, a dual curing agent of benzoyl peroxide (BPO) and butylperoxy 2-ethylhexyl carbonate (TBEC) was introduced in this work. The experimental results indicated that for the weight ratio of BPO/TBEC of 0.6/2.4, over 80% gel content of EVA was yielded after curing at 130°C for 12 min. Compared with the case of single curing agent, the present one obviously operated at much lower temperature with faster rate. By carefully studying the influence of curing agent proportion and curing con- ditions on gel content of EVA films, as well as rheology and curing kinetics, the mechanism involved was analyzed and ver- ified. The results are believed to be useful for developing new curing system of EVA encapsulation films with improved processability.
The Human Rights Act and Parliamentary Democracy
The Human Rights Act 1998 is the culmination of an aggressive campaign for the incorporation into domestic law of the European Convention on Human Rights, a campaign in which the judges joined forces with other political activists. Variously described as 'brilliant';' 'a masterly exposition of the parliamentary draftsman's art';2 and even 'a thing of intellectual beauty',3 the Act has also been greeted as an 'ingenious compromise' between the 'maximalists' and 'minimalists', the former supporting a judicial power to invalidate legislation, as is the case in Canada.4 But although it is purported to reconcile in 'subtle' form the protection of human rights with the sovereignty of Parliament (a claim even more credible after an important but unsung Commons amendment), the Act also represents an unprecedented transfer of political power from the executive and legislature to the judiciary, and a fundamental re-structuring of our 'political constitution'.s As such it is unquestionably the most significant formal redistribution of political power in this country since 1911,6 and perhaps since 1688 when the Bill of Rights proclaimed loudly that proceedings in Parliament ought not to be questioned or impeached in any court or any other place. In the words of Baroness Williams of Crosby, we have crossed our 'constitutional Rubicon',7 at least to the extent that the courts may now declare a statute incompatible with Convention rights. The enactment of the Human Rights Act 1998 was marked by an unusually high quality of debate, particularly in the House of Lords, with powerful performances by the Lord Chancellor and Lord Lester of Herne Hill. The performance of the latter on one occasion was too much for Lord Campbell of Alloway, unaccustomed it seems to cerebral rather than ceremonial contributions in their Lordships' House. Lord Campbell was heard to protest (in a manner dubbed 'offensive' by Lord Ackner)8 about 'these escoteric lectures on law at this time of night', having 'never heard anything like this after dinner' in the 18 years he had been in the Lords.9 He had better get used to it: the law and the lawyers are about to dominate all the debates, at all times of the day and night, before and after every meal time. Indeed in the Second Reading Debate on this Bill in the House of Lords 'full of