CROATIAN CENTER of RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
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About Solyndra: The Rooftop Solar Leader
Headquartered in Fremont, California, Solyndra designs and manufactures solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, comprised of panels and mounts, for the commercial rooftop market. Solyndra’s technology is a proven and scalable solar solution that offers strong ROI and economics for the rooftop owner. The company has installed its systems on more than 1000 rooftops in more than 20 countries. In 2010 Solyndra was named “One of the 50 Most Innovative Companies in the World” by MIT’s Technology Review Magazine. Using innovative cylindrical modules and thin film CIGS technology, Solyndra systems are designed to provide the lowest levelized cost of electricity and the highest kilowatt hour production per rooftop for typical installations. The unique Solyndra form factor is designed specifically for the commercial rooftop, offering the fastest and easiest installation, a non-penetrating mounting system, and superior wind, snow and soiling performance. In addition Solyndra offers energy and conservation advantages when installed in conjunction with a white or “cool” roof.
Founded in 2005, today the company manufactures its products entirely in the United States in a state-of-the-art 300,000 square foot front-end manufacturing factory and a 500,000 square foot back-end facility. The manufacturing facility has helped Solyndra drive costs down dramatically allowing the company to offer highly competitive “all in” installed cost on the rooftop. In 2011 Solyndra will double it’s production capacity, ramping toward 300MW. The company employs approximately 1050 employees around the world and has offices in the United States, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, and France. Revenues were approximately $140 million in 2010.
Solyndra Cylindrical Module
Benefits of a Cylinder
Solyndra designs and manufactures proprietary cylindrical modules incorporating copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) thin-film technology. Our panels employ cylindrical modules which capture sunlight across a 360-degree photovoltaic surface capable of converting direct, diffuse and reflected sunlight into electricity. In the industry sometimes panels are referred to as modules; at Solyndra, each panel is made up of individual modules.
Reliable Manufacturing
A Solyndra module starts in our front-end facility as a glass tube and passes through a complex, highly-automated manufacturing process and rigorous quality control before emerging as an encapsulated package ready to efficiently convert energy from the sun. There are approximately 23 steps to build and protect the 195 thin-film solar cells created in the manufacture of each module, encompassing cleaning, deposition, scribing, binning, insertion, filling, testing, panel framing and flash testing.
Each module in a 200 Series panel has 195 individual solar cells.The inner cylinder is protected by a liquid optical coupling agent (OCA) which serves as a moisture barrier and increases the active solar cell surface of the internal tube.
Each module is designed to produce electricity for more than 25 years in the harsh environment of the rooftop.The hermetic seal on our glass tubes ensure the CIGS material inside remains protected from contamination. Each tube is helium leak tested.
Solyndra’s factory has produced over 16 million modules and each day produces approximately 1000 panels or 40,000 modules ramping to more than 3000 panels a day in 2013.
Broader Shoulders: More Power During the Day
The tubular design of a Solyndra module is “self-tracking”. Collecting light around a 360 degree surface allows it to capture more light early and late in the day. with broader shoulders and less peak during the day. This consistent power generation during the day allows the use of a smaller inverter, saving costs and benefits the overall energy yield of a system over time.
Advantages with Snow and Soiling
Because of our unique design, light snow falls through the Solyndra panels and the panels actually benefit from the increased albedo (reflected light) from a fresh snowfall. Solyndra systems experience less system loss due to snow.
The cylindrical design attracts less dirt and airborne particles, and moisture or rain that lands or forms on the modules works to clean the cylinders. Research shows that energy loss due to soiling on Solyndra systems is approximately half of that for conventional flat panels.
Fastest, Easiest-to-Install Rooftop Solar System
Solyndra 200 Series: Fastest, Easiest to Install Rooftop Solar System
200 Series Solar Panel Mounts Require No Tools
Light weight and simple installation means fast projects and low cost. The 200 Series requires no tools for installation. The light weight panels install without penetrations or array grounding, making this the easiest and fastest-to-install rooftop solar system yet. Ideal for older or “value engineered” buildings, the low distributed roof load is 2.8 pounds per square foot. Snap together mounts dramatically lower labor costs and shorten project times for large rooftop solar installations. This minimizes business disruption and makes moving the system for future roofing, retrofit or ownership changes a simple process. Watch Video
Powerful Light Collection Technology
Improved light collection makes the 200 Series our most powerful panel yet, especially when combined with a white, “cool roof”. Individual panels are rated as high as 220Wp.
Low LCOE and Strong ROI
The ease of installation, low balance of system costs and power of the 200 Series provides low levelized cost of electricity and contributes to high returns on investment for the customer.
Cell Type Cylindrical CIGS
- Maximum System Voltage: Universal design 1,000V (IEC) & 600V (UL) systems
- Dimensions Panel: 2.28 m x 1.09 m x 0.06 m
- Height: 0.36 m to top of panel on mounts
- Mounts: Non-penetrating, steel-reinforced, high performance engineered plastic
- Connectors: 4 Tyco Solarlok; 0.20 m cable
- Series Fuse Rating: 24.4 Amps
- Roof Load: 13.9 kg/m2 (2.8 lb/ft2) panel and mounts
- Panel Weight: 31.8 kg (69 lb) without mounts
- Snow Load Maximum: 1,850 † Pa / 1,200 Pa (38.6 lb/ft2 / 25.1 lb/ft2)
- Hailstone Impact: 25 mm, 7.53 g at 23 m/s per IEC 61646
- Wind Performance: 208 km/h (130 mph) maximum self-ballasting with no attachments
- Operating and Storage Temp: -40˚C to +85˚C
- Normal Operating Cell Temperature: 44˚C at 800 W/m2 , Temp = 20˚C, Wind = 1m/s
- Certifications/Listings: UL1703, IEC 61646, IEC 61730,CE Mark, CEC listing, Protection Class II Application Class A per IEC 61730-2, Fire Class C, MCS/BRE(UK)
- Warranty: 25 year limited power warranty 5 year limited product warranty
Download 200 Series datasheet »
100 Series Power
Solyndra 100 Series
Solyndra 100 Series is the original Solyndra photovoltaic system comprised of panels and mounting hardware for low-slope, commercial rooftops. Ideal for weight constrained installations or with new white “cool” roofs. Solyndra’s panels come standard with all of the mounts, grounding connectors, lateral clips, and fasteners required to build a standard array.
- Lightweight and self-ballasting
- Fast, simple, and economical installation
- No penetrations or attachments required
- Maximum roof coverage with no need for tilting and spacing
- Greater coverage means more solar electricity per rooftop per year
System Information:
- Cell Type: Cylindrical CIGS
- Maximum System Voltage Universal design: 1000V (IEC) 600V (UL) systems
- Dimensions Panel: 1.82 m x 1.08 m x 0.05 m
- Height: 0.3 m to top of panel on mounts
- Mounts: Non-penetrating, powder-coated Aluminum
- Connectors: 4 Tyco Solarlok; 0.20 m cable Series Fuse Rating 23 Amps
- Roof Load: 16 kg/m2 (3.3 lb/ft2) panel and mounts
- Panel Weight: 31 kg (68 lb) without mounts
- Snow Load: Maximum 2,400 Pa (50.1 lb/ft2)
- Hailstone Impact: 25 mm, 7.53 g at 23 m/s per IEC 61646
- Wind Performance: 208 km/h (130 mph) maximum, self-ballasting with no attachments
- Operating and Storage Temp: -40˚C to +85˚C
- Normal Operating Temperature (NOCT): Cell 41.7˚C at 800 W/m2 , Temp = 20˚C, Wind = 1m/s
- Certifications/Listings: UL1703, IEC 61646, CEC listing, IEC 61730, CE Mark, Fire Class C, Application Class A per IEC 61730-2
- Warranty: 25 year limited power warranty, 5 year limited product warranty
Download 100 Series datasheet »
Agricultural Solar Solutions
Solyndra Agricultural Solar Products
The rapidly expanding use of agricultural shelter structures in warm climates offers an exciting opportunity for greenhouse and shade structure rooftops to generate clean energy from the sun while optimizing plant growth. Greenhouses topped with Solyndra panels allow more light through than a traditional flat panel application and benefit from the light weight of the panels.
Benefits of Solyndra Greenhouse Applications
- Uniform overhead shading and lighting at crop surface
- Rapid installation, light construction
- Configurable, seasonal shading with addition of reflective cloth
- Quality construction, 20+ year life
Benefits of Agricultural Solar
- Dual land use
- Additional revenue stream for farmers
- Distributed power
- Tax incentives
- Reduced electricity bills
A Unique Application for Agricultural Greenhouses
Solyndra offers a solar application for agricultural greenhouse and shade structures that takes advantage of the ability of light to pass through Solyndra’s proven solar panel design. Installation of Solyndra’s unique solar panels on agricultural structures allows for dual use of land, and reliably supports existing agricultural practices, while generating considerable electricity. The Solyndra solution enhances plant growth by controlling shading and provides growers with an additional income stream and power for their operations. Research by renowned agricultural establishments, such as CeRSAA in Italy and the Department of Plant Sciences, University of California Davis, USA, has confirmed the superior nature of the panel design and their ability to support crop growth underneath while generating electricity.
Greenhouse manufacturers can easily integrate Solyndra panels onto the roof of a greenhouse or shade structure. Complete coverage with Solyndra panels maximizes energy output per acre and generates a uniform shading comparable to the light transferred through conventional shade structures or the process known as whitewashing. The cylindrical design of the modules enables them to capture sunlight and generate electricity from direct, diffuse and reflected light. Growers with Solyndra-enhanced greenhouses may add an optional shade cloth to protect plants that require more shade during certain months of the year. Using a white cloth also allows some of the light to reflect back onto the tubes thereby increasing the energy output of the system. A venting system at the gables can also be used, since air circulation is important for plant health.
“This product, which supports plant growth and provides both shade and a distributed power source is the best idea I have seen for what could ultimately be the ideal application of solar power – dual purpose agricultural-land use,” says Dr. Giovanni Minuto of CERSAA, a research center in Albenga, Italy, who has been evaluating the Solyndra system over the past year with a variety of plant types and under various weather conditions.
Test sites at prestigious agricultural research establishments like CeRSAA and the Department of Plant Sciences, University of California, Davis, have demonstrated that plants, such as nursery crops and ornamental flowers grow well in the partial shading provided by Solyndra systems.
While the use of Solyndra panels on agricultural greenhouses is relatively new, Solyndra solar panel technology has been proven in installations on more than 1000 commercial and industrial rooftops around the world. Panels come with mounting solutions and cable management systems, which are then integrated into greenhouse structures by leading manufacturers in Italy. Currently, multiple megawatts of agricultural installations are underway. Solyndra also offers a solution for the rooftops of large, flat agricultural warehouses and distribution centers.
Solyndra is working with leading greenhouse manufacturers, EPCs (engineering, procurement, construction) and banks in Italy. Interested growers and agricultural cooperatives should contact Solyndra to be put in touch with an integrator in their area.
Cool, Powerful Roofs
Cool and Powerful Commercial Roofs
Building owners around the world are discovering the benefits of combining the power generation capabilities of a Solyndra solar power system with the energy conservation benefits of a white “cool roof”. Solyndra’s unique cylindrical solar modules are designed to capture additional refracted light from white roofs to raise the overall amount of electricity generated by the system. Albedo is the portion of light that is reflected from the roof and the more light reflected, the cooler the roof which is why building owners around the world are turning to white roofing membranes, or spray on white roof coatings. And while all solar systems perform better on white roofs due to lower ambient temperatures, Solyndra offers a number of additional advantages. Along with our non-penetrating mounting design and simple installation, one of the most important considerations in the United States are federal tax incentives that apply to both solar systems and the roof. More Info
Cool Roofs Reduce Building Energy Needs
If you are considering a new roof, you should consider a white roof and a solar system on that roof at the same time. A cool roof reduces building cooling requirements by lowering the temperature of the roof and the building underneath. This means cooling equipment savings and in many cases the ability to run less air conditioning or purchase smaller air conditioning units.
You may even increase the life of your roof. By lowering the roof temperature, roofing products may last longer due to less thermal stress over time. Our non-penetrating design means less opportunity for leaks from your new roof.
While it makes great economic sense, a cool roof also makes an important statement about your commitment to reducing your building’s impact on the environment. One clear environment benefit comes as cool roofs reduce the “heat island” effect in cities, lowering average outside air temperatures. Lower the outside air temperature and you need even less cooling. In fact, U.S. Energy Secretary, Steven Chu said that “whitening the world’s roofs and roads would have the same effect on global warming as removing all the world’s cars for 11 years.”
Solyndra Solutions Providers have a wide range of specialized models and tools to help you understand the many factors involved in deciding if a cool roof and solar system are right for you and your business and we can help you find a roofing expert to discuss your reflective roofing needs.
For more information, the U.S. Department of Energy offers a great cool roof guide.
Customer Testimonials
Case Studies
Our customers are our best advocates and the case studies available for download below are just a few in our growing library of success stories. Check back regularly for new case studies as we demonstrate how customers are getting the most out of Solyndra solar systems and take a look at our photo gallery to see photos of just some of our more than 1000 installed systems.
For more information or other installation examples contact your nearest Solyndra Solutions Provider.
- Harvesting Crops & Energy in the Italian Sunshine
- Prague Soaks up the Sun
- Pfizer Animal Health reduces CO2 emissions with SunSwitch and Solyndra
- Tecnoparco pioneers renewable energies generation with Solyndra’s innovative PV system
- Shining a Light on the Future in Rome
- Green Manufacturer Magazine describes Orion Systems installation on Anheuser Busch brewery
- Nazca Chooses Solyndra for 1.28MWp rooftop installation in France
- Alwitra GmbH completes 1.023MWp Solyndra system in Germany
- Grocery Store Chain, Norkus, in New Jersey
- Green Manufacturer
- New Jersey Manufacturer, LPS Industries
See News for press releases about future installs or sign-up to receive updates as new case studies and installations are posted.
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Press Inquiries
If you would like to inquire about Solyndra for press articles and other media, please e-mail david.miller@solyndra.com or call +1.510.440.2979.
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Solyndra Authorized Training
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Or to contact a customer service representative by phone, please call or email us at:
North America
+1.877.511.8436 (toll free inside the US)
customersupport@solyndra.com
United Kingdom
0800 3680423
customersupportuk@solyndra.com
Italy
800 125604
customersupportit@solyndra.com
Belgium
0800 50735 (English Only)
customersupportbe@solyndra.com
Germany Support
0800 0004366
customersupportde@solyndra.com
France Support
0800 942896
customersupportfr@solyndra.com
Spain Support
900 800566 (English Only)
customersupportes@solyndra.com
EMEA Support
+353 61 70 1124
customersupporteu@solyndra.com
Greece Support
00800 39734547 (English Only)
customersupporteu@solyndra.com
UAE Support
8000 444 36 84 (English Only)
customersupporteu@solyndra.com
Czech Republic
800 700 570 (English Only)
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More info at:
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CROATIAN CENTER of RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES (CCRES)
Solyndra is a copper indium gallium (di)selenide (CIGS) thin-film product, with a nominal conversion efficiency of about 13 to 14 percent. The 7,000 panels on the factory roof produce 1.23 MW to power the office space, about 25 percent of the building’s current load. That works out to 175 watts per panel, but Miller points out that the array includes a lot of early production and quality-challenged modules. “If we were to do the same system for a customer it would be about 5,000 panels,” he said. That would be 246 watts per panel, close to the company’s goal of 250 watts in the near future. The best panels going out right now test out at 220 watts.