Toshiba enters solar photovoltaic systems

EDN Europe, 06 Jan 2009

Toshiba has announced its full-scale entry into the solar photovoltaic systems business. The corporation has established a Photovoltaic Systems Division, to pursue opportunities for large solar power generation systems. Part of the scenario is the company’s expertise in high-efficiency power conditioning systems and the SCiB—the Super Charge ion Battery—Toshiba's breakthrough rechargeable battery that offers excellent safety, long life and rapid charging. Toshiba also cites its capabilities in system integration, particularly in connecting generation systems to distribution systems; in microgrids that connect and manage dispersed small-scale power generation sources, including renewable energy sources; and in large plant system engineering capabilities.
Toshiba bases its expectations on predictions that in fiscal-year 2015 the global solar photovoltaic systems market for utility and industrial plants will reach approximately US$24.4 billon, up from approximately US$13.3 billion in fiscal year 2008. Toshiba expects to achieve an annual business of about 200 billion yen (approximately US$2.2 billion) by 2015.

At the end of 2008, Toshiba announced its intention to build a new dedicated production facility for its safe, long-life rapid charge SCiB battery. This is a lithium-based technology that the company says combines the energy-storage features of a battery with the charge/discharge performance of a double-layer capacitor (“supercapacitor”). The technology uses a new negative-electrode material with a high level of thermal stability and a high flash point electrolyte, and has a structure resistant to internal short circuiting and thermal runaway. The possibility of rupture or combustion is very low, and the technology is therefore very safe, Toshiba says. Cells have a cycle life of over 6000 and capacity loss after 3,000 cycles of rapid charge and discharge is less than 10%, equating to 10-year life on a daily charge cycle. The base cell is rated at 2.4V, 4.2AH and Toshiba also specifies 24-V modules. Charge current can be as much as 50A, allowing 90% recharge in around 5 minutes. The cell will provide useful discharge rates down to -30C.