Konica Minolta Sensing Americas Introduces New AK Series Photovoltaic Measurement Reference Cells

RAMSEY, N.J., April 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Konica Minolta Sensing Americas, Inc. (KMSA), the worldwide leader in the industrial measurement of color, light and shape, introduces its AK Series of new photovoltaic reference cells to the U.S. market.

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In August 2010, KMSA previewed its new line of reference cells during the SPIE Optics and Photonics conference to much industry excitement. The AK reference cells are used as a standard point of calibration to ensure consistent measurements of newly developed photovoltaic cells. They were created with the cooperation of The National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) and Konica Minolta Sensing utilizing their advanced optical filter technology to provide high-accuracy measurement for adjusting the intensity of solar simulators used for evaluation of solar cells including tandem cells.

"Our AK Series reference cells are specifically designed to adjust the illumination of solar simulators for a-si, mu-si and c-si solar cells. KMSA is proud to introduce to market a reference cell with the industries best spectral mismatch performance," said Bryan Bond, Photovoltaic Business Manager for Konica Minolta Sensing Americas, Inc.

Initial offerings in the AK Series will include the AK-100 (for amorphous silicon cells), the AK-110 (for microcrystalline silicon cells), and the AK-200 (for crystalline silicon cells). In addition to commercial & university research and development labs, manufacturers of thin film & optical glass who supply components to the PV industry are also prime candidates. Component manufacturers now have a way to accurately test new materials in the same way a R&D lab would.

The newly developed reference cells provide Konica Minolta Sensing with a sound platform to promote the photovoltaic measurement and characterization business. KMSA's entry into this new market stems from a $20 million capital investment by Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc. and Konarka Technologies to develop and distribute thin-film photovoltaics.

Demand for green energy production and new higher efficiency materials continue to grow. As a global leader in measurement technology and instrumentation, Konica Minolta Sensing is further expanding its reach into this quickly growing market by using its expertise to quantify the results of these new materials and technologies.

Visit Konica's website http://www.konicaminolta.com/sensingusa/products/Solar-Measurement for more details.

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About Konica Minolta Sensing Americas, Inc.

Konica Minolta Sensing Americas, Inc. (KMSA), a wholly owned subsidiary of Konica Minolta Holdings USA, Inc., is recognized as the international leader of industrial color, light and shape measurement. The company is responsible for product lines that continuously revolutionize how visual perception is measured by the world.

An industry pioneer, as well as innovator, Konica Minolta Sensing developed and introduced the first portable color measurement units to the world. Presently, their catalog contains instruments such as portable colorimeters as well as portable and benchtop spectrophotometers for color measurement, spectroradiometers and lux meters for light/display measurement and 3D non-contact scanners for shape measurement.

Thousands of companies across the globe choose to depend on Konica Minolta Sensing equipment when color, light or 3D measurement is vital to the manufacturing process. Konica Minolta Sensing's products can be found in a wide array of industries including food, plastics, paints, coatings, automotive, aerospace and cosmetics.  

Konica Minolta Sensing's Ramsey, New Jersey corporate headquarters is fully equipped with a state of the art service center, 3D scanning laboratory, tech support center, and a focused sales force dedicated to both the North American and South American regions.  

When it comes to color, light and shape measurement – the world looks to Konica Minolta.

Lou Carulli
Marketing Manager
Konica Minolta Sensing Americas, Inc.
+1-201-785-2413
[email protected]
konicaminolta.com/sensingusa  

SOURCE Konica Minolta Sensing Americas, Inc.