en erva t i on s
Climate change: solving the
Muna Lakhani
Muna Lakhani
root causes Amidst the doom and gloom of climate change, economic meltdown, wildly fluctuating oil prices and rocketing food prices, it is a relief to come across a glimmer in the dark. At a function in Cape Town during October, the Institute for Zero Waste in Africa (IZWA – “listen” in Nguni) unveiled a systems-based approach to these issues in order to demonstrate what really is possible. “Climate Change, probably better called Climate Chaos, is a symptom, and we will never solve the problem by focussing on the symptoms – going for the causes is what will work,” stated IZWA National Co-ordinator Muna Lakhani. He added that in the USA, 40% of greenhouse gases originate from products and packaging, confirming that tackling the world’s waste problem is critical to solving climate chaos and reconfirms the raison d’etre of IZWA. The breakfast presentation was full of fascinating information, including that of a 2000 year old agricultural system, called Chinampas, which allows one to be productive on really small pieces of land. The modern use of a part of the system, originally called ‘Chapines’, translate into ‘soil blocks’, a way in which much of the growing process can happen in compressed blocks of
soil, leaving the land free for use for the last part of the growing cycle. Soil blocks eliminate the need for toxic polystyrene seedling trays, or wasteful plastic pots, while improving the survival rate of seedlings, through greatly reduced root disturbance; availability of more nutrients; potential for earlier sowing; and reduced input costs, while maintaining an organic approach. Further information can be found on their website for free download – www.izwa.org.za
Innovative products for the solar industry BASF will soon be presenting its range of innovative products for the solar industry at the European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition (EU PVSEC) in Hamburg, Germany. Experts will inform industry professionals about the company’s comprehensive portfolio of products and services, including:
and a simplified process with high throughput. Beyond that, the new silver conductive pastes are also suitable for use in conventional wafer production (screen printing process).
SELURISTM – for greater efficiency
The new COLO-Fast® polyurethane casting system allows BASF’s subsidiary Elastogran to offer the quick, economical and secure framing of photovoltaic and solar panels. The UV-stable PU system is able to replace the aluminium frames normally used in the past and, because the PU casting system is poured directly onto the solar cells, opens up a variety of frame design opportunities for customers.
The SelurisTM range of products offers BASF customers an allround solution for cutting, etching, texturing and doping mono- and polycrystalline solar cells. Special etching and texturing chemicals eliminate the saw damage and the “patterning” created on the wafer surfaces. High-purity phosphorus oxychloride (POCl3) from a new production plant is used for subsequent doping of the wafers. Lead-free metallization pastes – for better conductivity BASF will also present the contactless digital laser transfer printing process, as well as the corresponding lead-free pastes for the metallisation of wafers/solar cells. This new process for crystalline solar cells reduces the breakage rate during metallisation and enables customers to handle even thinner solar cells (below 180 µm). Further advantages are the environment-friendly lead-free paste technology
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25 o i n A f r ic a No 4 2009
COLO-FAST® - more design freedom
Production is by way of the process known as reaction injection moulding (RIM process). For this, the solar cells and solar panels are placed into a closed mould and COLO-FAST® is injected through a mixing head. After a reaction time of just 30 seconds, the framed panel can be removed and used immediately. BASF Holdings South Africa (Pty) Ltd Tel: +27 11 203 2422 Fax: +27 11 203 2430 E-mail: Petra.bezuidenhout@basf.com Website: www.basf.co.za