SolarWorld presented products of solar-system solutions during the solar-industry trade show Intersolar North America in San Francisco last week. The company’s Sunmodule XL – a high-power 72-cell mono-crystalline solar panel – and innovations in 60-cell panels, mounting systems and inverters were all involved. SolarWorld solar panels and systems were also among the first to meet stricter new fire-safety requirements.
Available at commercial volume since spring, the 72-cell Sunmodule XL already is shipping in volumes of dozens of MWs to U.S. commercial and utility-scale buyers. The product, offered at up to 315 watts, is among the highest-performing 72-cell solar panels available.
Along with SolarWorld’s entire line of 60-cell mono- and poly-crystalline solar panels, the Sunmodule XL is among the first solar panels to have undergone complete spread-of-flame fire performance testing and been classified according to the updated Standard UL (Underwriters Laboratory) 1703. In light of the characteristics of their materials and construction, SolarWorld’s Sunmodule Plus, Sunmodule Pro and Sunmodule XL solar panels are classified as Type 1. SolarWorld’s Sunmodule Protect glass-glass solar panels are classified as Type 3.
The result of the testing regimen: When combined with Class A mounting systems – such as SolarWorld’s Sunfix Plus racking product – SolarWorld solar panels achieve a PV fire system rating of Class A, a fire-code requirement that went into effect June 1 in parts of California.
In addition to producing solar panels and racking, SolarWorld partners with other best-in-class manufacturers to distribute other solar products that measure up to the company’s exacting quality and durability standards. This year, SolarWorld’s booth will feature inverters from partners SMA and Enphase. SolarWorld distributes Enphase’s M215 and M250 microinverters. The company also sells SMA’s new Sunny Boy TL product line, the first inverters available in North America that can continue delivering power from solar systems to homes or businesses during daytime power outages. Both SMA and Enphase inverters figure prominently in SolarWorld System Solutions, the company’s complete pre-engineered and custom-engineered solar systems.
SolarWorld also has teamed with U.S. racking-system manufacturer PanelClaw to distribute a ballasted mounting solution for low-slope commercial roofs. New this year, SolarWorld will sell PanelClaw’s Polar Bear III flat-roof system. The Polar Bear III offers a higher loading capacity and longer warranty than the industry standard at a lower price and with lower shipping costs, thanks to locally sourced ballast material, higher packing density and warehouses on both coasts.
“The product and technology advances we are presenting this year at Intersolar reflect our resolve to hone our solar solutions to maximize customers’ businesses,” said Ardes Johnson, U.S. vice president of sales and marketing for SolarWorld.