Solar & Beyond: Making the Case for Aluminum Extrusions (slides only)

Solar & Beyond: Making the Case for Aluminum Extrusions (webinar)

The AEC Solar Team has been working with IBIS Associates, a technology research and consulting firm, to perform independent studies of aluminum and steel framing materials used in photovoltaic (PV) and Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) applications. The IBIS work demonstrates how the use of aluminum extrusions provides a competitive advantage in these solar applications from a long-term strategic material viewpoint, evaluating the pricing of aluminum, steel and zinc over two decades and the costs of fabrication, transportation and installation. Furthermore, the work proves that there are compelling technical and economic reasons potential customers should consider and use extrusions for PV, parabolic trough and other structural applications.

This webinar includes:

• The motivation for conducting the solar structures studies
• Detailed work performed and conclusions reached in the CSP Study
• Plans for and progress on the PV Study
• Implications these studies have for both the solar and aluminum extrusion industries
• How you can use this data to your advantage to sell more extrusions
• Ongoing and future planned activities of the AEC Solar Team

Presented by: Craig Werner of Werner Extrusion Solutions, LLC (WES LLC) and Anthony Mascarin of IBIS Associates, Inc. on December 8, 2011

Aluminum has become one of the most critical raw materials in industries ranging from Aerospace to Building and Construction to Automotive. Surface finishing is often the last and most critical step in product development and manufacturing, and relies heavily on many up-stream processes. The quality of the finish ultimately drives consumer impressions and buying trends based on superior performance and appearance. This webinar will review the critical aspects of surface finishing aluminum including alloy considerations, cleaning methods, pretreatments, coatings and application methods, anodizing, and test methods. Further, this webinar will highlight examples of how surface finishing can lead to enhanced performance.

Presented by: Dr. Shawn Sullivan, Staff Scientist in the Engineered Finishes Division at Alcoa Technical Center on September 28, 2011