Question 1

What materials are used in the production of Geolux?

Accepted Answer

GEOLUX is made from high-quality polyethylene resins, coated with a White Reflective Prime Finishto create a single monolithic material. It also contains a blend of carbon black, antioxidants, and advanced UV stabilizers to ensure long-term performance and durability.

Question 2

What is the composition of GEOLUX's reflective surface?

Accepted Answer

The reflective surface of GEOLUX is made from Titanium Dioxide (TiO2), a white pigment widely used for UV protection. The surface is packaged with advanced UV stabilizers to ensure long-term durability and maintain high reflectivity.

Question 3

How durable is GEOLUX, and what is its expected service life?

Accepted Answer

GEOLUX is highly durable, with a service life exceeding 30 years. It has unparalleled UV resistance and does not need to be replaced during the life of the solar project, making it a long-term solution for maximizing solar energy capture.

Question 4

Will GEOLUX maintain its high albedo over many years?

Accepted Answer

Yes, GEOLUX is designed to maintain its high albedo over many years. The material is engineered with a reflective layer containing approximately 20% Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) and stabilized with UV protectants. Testing to date has shown no significant decrease in reflectivity even after prolonged UV exposure.

Question 5

How do you ensure UV protection in GEOLUX?

Accepted Answer

GEOLUX uses a special blend of additives in the Titanium Dioxide pigmentation to ensure maximum UV protection. This blend provides the same level of UV resistance as carbon black, protecting the geomembrane from UV degradation and ensuring long-term performance.

Question 6

What are the environmental certifications and tests that GEOLUX has passed?

Accepted Answer

GEOLUX has passed several important environmental certifications and tests, including compliance with the M Geok E manual for geosynthetics in road construction and the AS/NZS 4020:2005 standard for products in contact with drinking water.

Question 7

What is GEOLUX, and how does it enhance bifacial energy yield?

Accepted Answer

GEOLUX is a specialist engineered material designed to enhance bifacial energy yield by increasing the front and rear-incident irradiance. It does this by raising the natural albedo of the ground to approximately 75%, resulting in significant energy yield improvements and a reduction in the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE).

Question 8

How does GEOLUX help with weed maintenance on solar sites?

Accepted Answer

GEOLUX acts as an impermeable barrier that prevents light from passing through, making it impossible for weeds to grow beneath it. This eliminates the need for weed maintenance in hard-to-reach areas beneath solar panels, reducing overall maintenance costs and improving site safety.

Question 9

What are the installation guidelines for GEOLUX?

Accepted Answer

Installation is straightforward. GEOLUX arrives in a roll cut to the custom width required to fit beneath the solar panel. GEOLUX is simply unrolled and fixed into place using ground anchors.  Solmax recommends using GrippleTerralock pins, and if supplied with wind speeds and geotechnical data can prepare a pin layout plan to determine the optimal anchoring for the project requirements. Detailed installation manuals and support are provided to ensure correct installation and maximize the product’s performance.

Question 10

How do you clean GEOLUX?

Accepted Answer

GEOLUX can be cleaned using different methods depending on the environment. In wet climates, pressure washers are effective, while in dry regions, leaf blowers or brooms can be used due to the material’s smooth surface.

Question 11

How often does GEOLUX need to be cleaned?

Accepted Answer

The frequency of cleaning GEOLUX depends on local site conditions, but it does not need to be cleaned as often as solar panels. Even with soiling, GEOLUX continues to provide significant bifacial gains and maintains performance, and studies have shown that even after several years without cleaning the increase in bifacial gain is still relatively high.

Question 12

Does GEOLUX require special maintenance or replacement during the solar project's life?

Accepted Answer

GEOLUX does not require special maintenance and does not need to be replaced during the solar project’s life. Its durable construction ensures it remains effective throughout its intended lifespan.

Question 13

Can GEOLUX be easily repaired if damaged?

Accepted Answer

In the unlikely event that GEOLUX is damaged, applying additional pins could be sufficient to prevent the damage from worsening.  Alternatively, simply unrolling a new layer and placing it directly on top of the damaged section and repining would also suffice.

Question 14

Can GEOLUX be driven on?

Accepted Answer

Although it is not recommended to drive on GEOLUX, due to the highly durable properties, lighter vehicles of less than one ton can pass over GEOLUX. It is important not to accelerate aggressively or break sharply, and not to turn in a tight radius whilst on GEOLUX as this could result in damage to the material.

Question 15

Is GEOLUX flame retardant?

Accepted Answer

When used in applications requiring high flame resistance, polyethylene can be formulated with appropriate flame-retardant additives. Solmax intends on offering GEOLUX with various classifications depending on project requirements.

Question 16

What fire classifications can GEOLUX meet?

Accepted Answer

Solmax has produced flame resistance rated materials in the past, where flame retardancy has been tested by the Amtliche Materialprüfanstalt für das Bauwesen (Federal Material Testing Institute for the Construction Industry). It guarantees the fulfillment of B1 or B2 fire classifications according to DIN 4102 Deutsche Industrie Norm. Solmax will continue to ensure that the certified quality of our products is maintained through regular testing and a quality assurance program based on highest industrial standards.

Question 17

How does GEOLUX contribute to reducing the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE)?

Accepted Answer

By increasing solar irradiance reflected onto bifacial solar panels, GEOLUX enhances energy output, which in turn lowers the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE). This makes solar projects more financially efficient.

Question 18

Can GEOLUX be recycled or reused after the closure of a PV plant?

Accepted Answer

Yes, GEOLUX can be recycled or reused after the closure of a PV plant. Samples of GEOLUX can be sent to Solmax for laboratory testing, allowing Solmax to determine the content of antioxidants left in the material and therefore determine the remaining service-life.  Should this be sufficient, the GEOLUX could be cleaned, rewound and transported to a new site.

Solmax is also investing in sustainable initiatives, including developing systems to remove, clean, regrind, and recycle these materials, which can then be used in the production of new products.

Question 19

How does GEOLUX help with sustainability?

Accepted Answer

GEOLUX is made from durable materials that have been used in environmental protection for decades. It is fully recyclable, and its long lifespan reduces the need for replacement, contributing to sustainability.

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