Tamarac, Fla. — Arch Aluminum & Glass Co., Inc. has developed new solar mirror manufacturing techniques that deliver lower cost and more efficient concentrator photovoltaic units to the renewable energy industry.

The Arch parabolic mirrors optically focus sunlight onto a concentrator containing active solar cell materials that convert the intense light into electricity. The paint backing for these techniques are lead free, which allows Arch to mass produce environmentally-friendly, lead-free mirrors capable of withstanding high temperatures.

"Coatings applied to parabolic-shaped glass in a high-volume, high-production manner has never been done before," stated Tony Lawson, director of solar operations for Arch. This improvement has the potential to help bring the cost of generating solar power on par with coal-fired power plants, according to Lawson.

The new process for silvering and coating bent glass was developed by Solar Command, a new division within Arch. In addition to improving techniques for coating bent glass, the production team was also able to speed up the manufacturing process.

Arch is also looking to partner with leading developers of solar power in the production of mirrors for concentrator photovoltaic units as well as solar tower systems, heliostats, solar troughs and Stirling dish systems.