veloped over the years. Protech
will integrate the Innotek’s manufacturing operations into its
own organization.
The Protech/Oxyplast Group is one of
the world’s largest manufacturers and
marketers of powder coatings. Now in its
thirty-sixth year of operation, the Pro-
tech/Oxyplast Group continues to grow
its reputation in quality and innovative
powder coatings. Protech Oxyplast pow-
ders are produced in more than twenty fa-
cilities worldwide.
AkzoNobel Powder Coatings'
first Cromadex center opens in
Ireland
AkzoNobel and Carbon Group combined
forces to open the first Cromadex Center in
Cork, Ireland. The new center will offer in-
3M Rolls Out PV Anti-Soiling Coating
By Charles W. Thurston
Diversified 3M Corp. rolled out a new roll-on aftermarket Anti-Soiling Liquid for the glass
covers of flat-mounted photovoltaic solar panels that deters soiling and helps the modules
yield between five percent and 10 percent more energy in comparison testing, according to
Carrie Ruby, a marketer for the St. Paul, Minn.-based company. Water beads up and runs off
panels with the new liquid applied.
Unveiling the product at the Solar Power International 2012 show in Orlando in September, 3M says that the coating will either eliminate the need for PV module cleaning or diminish
the number of cleanings necessary for optimal performance. The coating will sell for the
equivalent of $1 per square meter, with coverage estimated at 20 square meters per liter, assuming a double roller pass.
The solution was tested for eight months in the Arizona desert against modules that did
not receive any cleaning."Down the road we also will be looking at an OEM product," said
Ruby. With a pH of 3.0, the product has a shelf life of only six months after manufacture, according to 3M. The company estimates that the liquid will last two years after appropriate application, which includes a de-ionized water rinse.
Some solar panel vendors require that owners perform minimal cleaning in order for the
performance warranty for the panel to be valid. Conventional wisdom holds that the cost of
cleaning solar panels outweighs the value of the power loss. In some cases, where a minimum
generation level is required from the system, breach of contract can revoke power royalties,
subsidies and other forms of revenue.
The alternative to using an anti-soiling agent or even cleaning is a dirty solar panel, which
may generate 25 percent or 30 percent less energy if never cleaned, according to data from
Heliotex, a provider of automated solar panel cleaning systems based in Palm Desert, Calif.
One Heliotex system offered online cost $2,000. The Boston Solar Company predicts less extreme power losses from failure to clean, at around eight percent, but dirt occlusion is cumulative. Boston Solar recommends a yearly panel cleaning.
While the new 3M product can be used on residential systems, its application adopting
is more likely with commercial or industrial solar arrays where the amount of power generated is usually guaranteed through a power purchase agreement, in cases of third-party owners of the solar system. Financiers often require a maintenance program for solar systems
they lend to, and cleaning services would be included.
Residential solar panel cleaning services may charge a minimum of $150 for a service call
and up to $30 per panel for cleaning with de-ionized water. Sears sells a telescoping squeegee
package for homeowners for $475. Commercial and industrial panel cleaning services are
likely to cost more, given that ancillary services are likely bundled. So the price point of the
3M liquid seems inexpensive compared with cleaning services, although only a module-spe-cific monitoring system will help system owners know when system output has declined, signaling the potential need for a cleaning.
dustrial coatings customers an array of
products and services. The Cork center features a salt spray and laboratory testing facility as well as a surface treatment and
application facility. It will supply a wide variety of surface treatment, paint technology
and plant equipment, as well as a range of
coatings brands including Cromadex, Interpon, International, and Sikkens.
“The Cromadex centers offer global experience with local stock, quality brands
and the flexibility, speed and efficiency we
know coaters need,” said Dave Heflin, AkzoNobel GMF manager Europe West.
Cromadex is well established in the UK,
with 10 Cromadex centers reaching from
Glasgow to Portsmouth. Carbon Group has
more than 15 years experience supplying the
industrial coatings industry in Ireland.
The official opening was complemented with an open day providing visitors with information from
technological advances to future proofing their businesses, as well as tours of
the paint center and application area to
test products and equipment.
In addition to the new facility in Cork,
centers in Dublin and Belfast are scheduled to open by the end of the year.
BASF releases global
automotive color trend report
Designers from BASF Automotive Coatings have announced the results of its latest automotive color trend report. In the
report, BASF color experts from North
America, South America, Europe and Asia
provide a forecast of the automotive colors of the future.
Results from this year’s report show
future colors will be “naturally cultivated”
with nuanced berry and copper tones,
along with natural colors such as brown,
blue and green.
“Although popular staple colors such as
silver, black and white make up approxi-
mately 50 to 80 percent of current produc-
tion, there is a rich diversity of potential
shades that is returning to the market,” said
Paul Czornij, technical manager for the
BASF Color Excellence group. “The increas-
ing inclination of society to celebrate beauty
in earth tones and more traditional green
and blue hues is the basis for this trend.”
In recent years, the color green has not
14 | Coatings World
www.coatingsworld.com
October 2012
