FLABEG, global leader in high-tech glass and mirror applications, is opening a new production facility for solar mirrors which are used to help generate electricity at large-scale solar power plants. The new 209.00sq.ft manufacturing facility is erected in the Clinton Commerce Park near Pittsburgh International Airport. As planned production will begin immediately, and first deliveries are schedulded for November. The factory will have a annual capacity to deliver parabolic curved mirrors up to 450 MW for PT plants. This production site is therefore equipped to produce tempered solar mirrors in addition to the established monoliths, untempered mirrors.
“Our philosophy has undergone no change, nevertheless we want to be fully prepared for all possible changes in the law,” commenting FLABEG CEO Axel Buchholz on the extended production range. “We expect some federal states will introduce standards for safety glass for Concentrated Solar Power applications, especially for the large-size RP4 mirrors measuring 1570 x 1900 mm. However, our core production will remain with untempered solar mirrors.” Field tests indicate a breakage rate of 0.027% for FLABEG untempered solar mirrors. At such low levels breakage is not an issue. “As always FLABEG continues to keep abreast oft he changing demands of the CSP market,” says Buchholz. “If parabolic trough were formerly regarded as state-of-the-art CSP technology, than other technologies have also undergone rapid research and development and demonstrated their excellence in practical application.”
The new facility will in future also be home to thinglass applications for Solar Dishes and Concentrated PV and also flat mirrors for Power Tower heliostats and Linear Fresnel power plants. Buchholz’s thanks go to the state of Pennsylvania and Gov. Ed Rendell for their first-class support during the construction phase.
“We are no strangers here, having another facility in Brackenridge, Pennsylvania, which manufactures mirror glass for automobiles. Both, the excellent social and business contacts in the area and the excellent local sources of glass were important factors in the choice of site location. FLABEG, founded in 1882, is an independent company with manufacturing facilities in Europe, America and Asia. FLABEG is active in the commercial sectors of automotive mirrors, solar glass mirrors and technical glass, specializing in all processes of glass finishing, and sets technological standard in terms of the company‘s core competencies – bending and coating.”
