News

22 May 2009

 

CIGS PV maker Solyndra signs $115m contract with EBITSCHenergietechnik

Solyndra Inc of Fremont, CA, USA, a start-up founded in 2005 that manufactures copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) photovoltaic (PV) systems consisting of panels and mounting hardware for commercial rooftops, has signed a long-term sales contract with solar integrator EBITSCHenergietechnik GmbH of Zapfendorf, Germany. The Euro-based contract, worth up to $115m, extends through 2013 and brings Solyndra’s contractual backlog to about $1.8bn. The solar panels for these contracts will be manufactured at Solyndra’s facilities in Fremont and Milpitas, CA. 

EBITSCHenergietechnik has more than 20 years experience of installing renewable energy systems (totaling more than 1500 systems to date). “Together with Solyndra’s innovative PV systems, EBITSCHenergietechnik’s strong presence in Germany and elsewhere in Europe should lead to world-class photovoltaic installations in the fastest-growing markets for commercial scale solar,” says Dr Kelly Truman, Solyndra’s VP of marketing, sales & business development.

Solyndra has developed a proprietary thin-film cylindrical solar panel built from tubes that capture sunlight across a 360-degree photovoltaic surface capable of converting direct, diffuse and reflected sunlight (from below) into electricity. The firm says that this ‘self-tracking’ design allows the capture of significantly more sunlight from low-slope commercial rooftops than conventional flat-surfaced solar panels, which require costly tilted mounting devices to improve the capture of direct light from the sun, offer poor collection of diffuse light, and fail to collect reflected light from rooftops or other installation surfaces. Also, gaps between the tubes and their frame let wind pass through, reducing the need for heavy, roof-penetrating fastenings or anchoring; their lighter weight also allows installation on scantier roofs. Simple horizontal mounting hardware also allows fast and economical installation, claims the firm.

“The photovoltaics market is fast moving, so it is important to keep your eyes open for new products,” says EBITSCHenergietechnik’s founder & managing director Horst Ebitsch. “Solyndra's solution dramatically changes the model for installation of PV systems, expanding the market by addressing large numbers of industrial rooftops which are not economically viable with other PV technologies,” he adds.

See related items:

Solyndra secures $535m DoE loan guarantee

Solyndra completes commercial rooftop PV system in Livermore

Solyndra wins $320m Carlisle PV contract for commercial roofing

Search: Solyndra CIGS PV

Visit: www.EBITSCHenergietechnik.de

Visit: www.solyndra.com