Phoenix Solar AG Introduces SolyndraTM Solar Panels to the European Market
• The new shape of solar electricity
• Innovative thin-film module for flat rooftops
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Sulzemoos 07/10/2008 / One of the solar industry’s best kept secrets has been unveiled. Photovoltaic solar system manufacturer Solyndra, Inc., headquartered in Fremont, California U.S.A., today announced its unique CIGS-based thin film solar panel system. In July of this year, Phoenix Solar AG announced that it had signed a framework agreement with Solyndra worth around EUR 450 million. From 2009 onwards, Phoenix Solar is able to offer its customers this state-of-the-art solar system, specially developed for flat rooftops and thus ideal for industrial and commercial buildings.
The Solyndra panel is uniquely differentiated compared to conventional flat solar panels: It is made of 40 cylindrical tubes which are attached to a 108 cm x 182 cm frame and is reminiscent of a solar thermal vacuum collector. Within the cylindrical modules, over 140 interconnected cylindrical CIGS cells capture direct sunlight, diffuse sunlight, and sunlight reflected from the rooftop, thus enabling maximum use of light and greater effectiveness.
Simple 25 cm high mounts, provided by Solyndra, hold panels horizontally. Spacing between modules allows wind to flow through the panels freely, so the system is self-ballasting against high winds on the rooftop and does not need rooftop penetrations, attachment or ballast. The panels can be swiftly connected through a series of clicks, which reduces installation time and cuts the installation costs by about half.
With a weight of 16 kg per square metre exerted on the roof, the new Solyndra system is particularly suited to industrial and commercial rooftops which, for static loading reasons, are unable to carry tilted photovoltaic systems with additional ballast. With conventional flat panel systems, the roof has to carry a weight of up to 100 kg per square metre which includes panels, mounting systems and extra ballast.
The cylindrical modules provide an annual energy yield which is generally independent of the angle of tilt or orientation. In comparison with conventional mounting systems, Solyndra panels do not require a space to be left between them on flat rooftops to avoid shadowing, therefore allowing much more rooftop surface to be covered with panels. Further, based on testing by Phoenix
Solar, the energy yield of the Solyndra panels is competitive with that produced by conventional modules mounted at a 30 degree angle. Overall, Solyndra’s system can provide higher electricity output per rooftop.
Phoenix Solar AG has sourced initial volumes of Solyndra’s panels to build commercial projects this year. In 2009, Solyndra intends to supply Phoenix with solar panels that have a peak output of up to 10 megawatts.
With the introduction of Solyndra’s novel solar system design, Phoenix Solar AG has once again delivered proof of its innovative strength. In 2003, the company included the first a-Si technology based thin-film module in its portfolio. Today, Phoenix Solar has thin-film panels based on various technologies and sourced from six different manufacturers in its product portfolio.
About Phoenix Solar AG
Phoenix Solar AG, which has its headquarters in Sulzemoos near Munich, is a leading international photovoltaic systems integrator.
Until June 2007, the company, which was set up in 1999, went by the name of Phönix SonnenStrom AG. With total revenues of EUR 260 million, the Group’s EBIT came to EUR 22.3 million in the financial year 2007. The Phoenix Solar Group anticipates
sales of EUR 370 million, generated in Germany and abroad, for the financial year 2008. Phoenix Solar AG plans, builds and operates large photovoltaic plants and is a specialist wholesaler for complete power plants, solar modules and accessories. The
Group is a leader in photovoltaic systems technology. It focuses on the consistent lowering of system costs. With a sales network which covers the whole of Germany and subsidiaries in Spain, Italy, Greece, Singapore and Australia, the Group currently has a workforce of more than 200 employees. The shares of Phoenix Solar AG (ISIN DE000A0BVU93) are listed on the official market (Prime Standard) of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. On 25 March 2008, the shares of the company were admitted to the TecDAX technology index of Deutsche Börse AG.
About Solyndra Inc.
Solyndra designs and manufactures photovoltaic systems, comprised of panels and mounting hardware, for the commercial rooftop market. Solyndra employs high volume manufacturing based on proven technologies and processes to meet the needs of the global solar market. Using proprietary cylindrical modules and thin-film technology, Solyndra systems are designed to provide the lowest installed cost per system and the highest solar electrical energy output for typical low slope commercial rooftops. Headquartered in Freemont, California, Solyndra operates a stateof- the-art 300.000-square foot, fully-automated manufacturing complex.
Learn more at www.solyndra.com.
