News

26 November 2009

 

CIGS firm Solyndra signs $105m deal with Italian PV integrator Sun System

Solyndra Inc of Fremont, CA, USA, which was founded in 2005 to make copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) photovoltaic (PV) systems for commercial rooftops, has signed a new multi-year framework agreement worth up to $105m with Sun System S.p.A. of Milan, Italy, an integrator of medium- and large-scale commercial PV systems.

“Sun System’s strong presence in Italy and beyond, coupled with Solyndra’s advanced PV systems, will accelerate the deployment of world-class photovoltaic installations on commercial rooftops in southern Europe,” comments Solyndra’s CEO & founder Dr Chris Gronet.

Sun System has already installed (in September) an array of solar power systems using Solyndra panels in northern Italy at the firm Tessitura Uboldi.

Solyndra has developed a proprietary cylindrical thin-film solar panel built from tubes that capture sunlight across a 360º photovoltaic surface capable of absorbing direct, diffuse and reflected sunlight (from below). The firm says that this ‘self-tracking’ design allows the capture of more sunlight from low-slope commercial rooftops than conventional flat-surfaced solar panels, which need 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. 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.

“Solyndra’s technology sets a new standard of performance on commercial rooftops compared to conventional PV technologies in terms of installation cost, rooftop loading, non-penetrating wind performance, and energy production per roof,” remarks Sun System’s CEO Dr Davide Scarantino.

The deal with Sun System raises Solyndra’s total announced amount of framework and sales deals since May to almost $650m. After securing a $535m loan guarantee from the US Department of Energy (DOE), in early September Solyndra started construction on its second solar panel manufacturing plant in nearby Milpitas (with an annual capacity of 500MW), joining its existing 110MW plant in Fremont (which began production in summer 2008).

See related items:

CIGS PV maker Solyndra breaks ground on 500MW Fab 2

Solyndra secures $535m DoE loan guarantee

Search: Solyndra CIGS

Visit: www.solyndra.com