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3M recently introduced an extremely well reflective mirror film for solar parabolic trough power plants, which according to 3M is "the most effective mirror in the world". Hydro has developed the special aluminum band HyBridAl as a light and robust carrier. The film from 3M and the thin aluminum plate from Hydro together allow the construction of significantly larger individual mirrors than previously made of glass.

Already today, support, protective and frame structures in solar technology mostly consist of aluminum. With aluminum-based mirrors, a solar trough power plant would become an almost completely recyclable system. The elements would weigh far less and should be much easier to install than today's solutions.

3M: Up to 20 percent cheaper

More and more solar power plants are being planned for sun-drenched regions and are getting bigger. “This significant contribution to the clean energy supply of the future can be made cheaper, more efficient and recyclable with our aluminum. We are delighted to be able to advance this together with 3M, ”says Oliver Bell, Hydro's board member for the Rolled Products business area.

According to studies,

3M had announced that the new system could reduce the costs of mirror systems in solar thermal power plants by up to 20 percent. In the case of a 50 megawatt power plant, this would be up to 20 million euros.

Hydro is active with a wide range of aluminum solutions for the solar industry. This also includes complete building systems, such as the “CPC Office / System Wicona” facade concept, which won an INTERSOLAR Award and the European Aluminum Award in 2010.

This text is machine translated. To view the original German text, click on DE on the top right of this window

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