Dec 20 2010
SoloPower, Inc., a California-based manufacturer of flexible, thin film solar cells and modules, continues to make steady progress with the successful expansion of its product line to include the newly certified SFX3 module.
Capable of producing up to 260 Wp, the SFX3 is the most powerful flexible, certified, thin film CIGS module available for purchase in the marketplace today. SoloPower's aperture efficiency also continues to improve with NREL measuring flexible modules made on the company's production line as high as 12.1%.
Following in the footsteps of the narrower SFX1 module, which was the first flexible CIGS module certified to both UL 1703 and IEC (61646 and 61730) standards, the wider and more powerful SFX3 module greatly broadens the company's product offering in the global marketplace.
"Achieving the certification of both our wide and narrow modules to the necessary UL and IEC standards allows us to provide efficient and cost-effective solutions to a broad range of market channels and geographies," stated SoloPower CEO Tim Harris. "With the SFX3 module passing the same certification standards as the SFX1 recently did, we can deliver powerful, lightweight products optimized for use on both low-slope and standing-seam metal roof systems in Europe, North America and Asia."
"Breaking through the 12% aperture efficiency barrier for production line modules is an added bonus, and highlights our company's focus on continual product improvement," stated Harris. "The fact that we've been able to improve our aperture efficiency from 11.2% to 12.1% over the past 6 months while simultaneously beginning to deliver products to the global marketplace is a testament to the SoloPower team's effectiveness."
SoloPower CTO Mustafa Pinarbasi added: "SoloPower has the first and only flexible CIGS products today certified to both UL 1703 and IEC (61646 and 61730) standards. This illustrates SoloPower's technological edge. Our high power SFX3 panel enhances the company's position in the flexible solar segment and demonstrates our drive to lower the cost of solar power to grid parity."
SoloPower is in the process of shipping SFX1 and SFX3 modules to customers in Australia, Belgium, France, Germany, Japan, and Korea, as well as to multiple locations in North America. Demand is rapidly building for these high-efficiency modules packaged in a durable, lightweight, flexible form. The SFX1 module (up to 85Wp, 0.292m x 3.05m, 2.27kg /5lbs.) and SFX3 module (up to 260 Wp, 0.88m x 3.05m, 6.8kg/15lbs.) are currently manufactured at the San Jose, California production facility. At slightly less than 0.5 lb. per sq. ft., the thin film modules produced by SoloPower weigh significantly less than traditional solar panels, which are often too heavy to be placed in large numbers on older buildings.
SoloPower's flexible CIGS module achieved IEC 61646 and IEC 61730 certifications through TUV SUD America, Inc.; and the ETL Mark certification to the UL 1703 standard through Intertek.
Source: http://www.solopower.com/