Interfloat Corporation has been a supplier for the European solar industry for low iron solar glass since 1982 and manufactures since 2008 in Germany.

Company Profile

Interfloat Corporation has been a supplier of the European solar industry since 1982. Delivery reliability, superior glass quality as well as the continuous improvement of our products is the hallmark of the company. As the first European importer of solar glass from the USA, Interfloat invested in ...the research and development of innovative solar glass. Among the most important issues are coating technology and novel structures. Interfloat Corporation has now evolved from a long-term trading partner for the solar industry to a producer and reliable investor in Brandenburg. A highly modern production facility for solar glass has been created on the site of a former television screen factory in Tschernitz/Niederlausitz. GMB Glasmanufaktur Brandenburg GmbH took up production in 2008. The functions of giving advice, sales and after sales service for GMB’s solar glass products are exclusively carried out by Interfloat.

GMB Glasmanufaktur Brandenburg GmbH is a 100 % subsidiary of Interfloat Corporation. GMB produces high quality low iron solar glass exclusively for Interfloat 365 days a year. In contrast to existing production facilities, all the machinery at the factory has been specifically designed and constructed to fulfil this purpose. In contrast the procedure of batch manufacture (the alternate production of “ordinary” ferrous glass followed by solar glass and vice-versa), the high performance of the product can be guaranteed by GMB with 100 % assurance. The purity of the glass, as the basis for the minimal absorption of damaging substances such as iron oxide is constant at all times.

GMB solar glas | SILK
The microstructure of GMB solar glass SILK is characterised by specially designed forming rollers on both glass surfaces. The surface of SILK is a non-geometrically aligned structure with a typical roughness height (Rz) of approx. 15 _6;m (taken from a measuring length of 15 mm). The structure demonstrates a high “density” (number of bumps and holes per unit of length) in order to limit direct reflection and hence reduce dazzling to a minimum. The consistent appearance of the glass is guaranteed in so far as the reflection characteristics of the glass are constantly monitored in our in-house laboratory and corrected as appropriate. GMB solar glass SILK is ideal for both applications – PV modules and thermal collectors.


GMB solar glas | CONE
Solar glass CONE has two differently structured surfaces. One surface of CONE has a geometric, pyramid formed structure (see diagram). The other surface exhibits the same microstructure as GMB solar glass SILK. In PV modules the pyramidal structure forms the interface to the composite material (e.g. EVA) which encloses the solar cell. The pyramidal structure is no longer visible after lamination into the PV module. In thermal collectors the pyramidal structure is usually oriented towards the absorber. The advantages of the CONE structure are the significant reduction of dazzling effects and the considerably poor view into the inside of the collector. Small shortcomings in the absorption surface (fingerprints, etc.) can therefore be concealed.

GMB solar glas | ASTRA
GMB solar glass ASTRA has a rough, non-geometric structure similar to SILK on the one side but with a significantly larger roughness height (Rz) of approx. 60 _6;m (taken from a measuring length of 15 mm). The other surface has a very delicate microstructure. ASTRA glass has a very high angle factor (IAM) and is therefore also ideal for collectors of the highest performance. ASTRA glass offers minimal reflection or dazzling as well as a very poor view into the inside of the collector. As such, small visual blemishes (such as fingerprints) are easily concealed. Various collector manufacturers use ASTRA glass for the purposes of product diversification. Collectors with ASTRA glass are
recognisably visually different to a collectors fitted with SILK glass. Of course, GMB solar glass ASTRA can also be implemented in PV modules. The orientation of the rough structure can be, according to the desired visual appearance, towards the inside or outside

Keywords

crystalline, Efficiency, Energy, Energy Saver, Flat plate collector, Manufacturer, Module, Performance , Photovoltaics, Renewable energies, Solar energy, Solar module, Solar power system,