http://www.solarserver.com/solar-magazine/solar-news/current/2011/kw05/concentrating-solar-power-microinverters-siemens-to-develop-molten-salt-test-facility-signs-distribution-agreement-with-enphase.htmlSiemens Energy (Erlangen, Germany) announced that together with German partner companies it will build a concentrating solar power (CSP) plant test facility using molten salt as a heat transfer medium. Also on February 1st, 2011 Siemens and Enphase Energy Inc. (Petaluma, California, U.S.) announced a supply and distribution agreement for the sale of Enphase's microinverter technology through Siemens' network of U.S. electrical equipment distributors.
"The combined capabilities of Enphase and Siemens will provide electrical contractors a unique "all-AC" solar solution ideally aligned with their current skill set and the needs of home and business owners," said Enphase CEO Paul Nahi. "This agreement is a testament to our breakthrough technology and the rigor of Enphase's products, design techniques, testing and manufacturing processes."
Test project to use molten salt at temperatures greater than 500 degrees Celsius
The company states that the aim of its CSP research project is to enhance the economy and reliability of parabolic trough power CSP plants.
The demonstration project will use molten salt at temperatures above 500 degrees Celsius in a 300-meter test loop. Siemens states that it believes that the higher temperatures of the transfer fluid will increase the efficiencies of CSP plants.
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