21 March 2012

Stion’s PV modules from new Mississippi factory receive UL and IEC certifications

Stion Corp of San Jose, CA, USA, which makes nanostructure-based CIGSSe (copper indium gallium sulphur-diselenide) thin-film photovoltaic panels, has received both Underwriters’ Laboratories (UL) and International Electrotechnical Commissions (IEC) certifications to ship modules produced at its new factory in Hattiesburg, MS.

Stion modules with nominal power of up to 140W are now available, with commercial shipments from the factory due to start later this month, less than one year after starting its construction. The first phase of the 500MW factory has 100MW of annual production capacity (equivalent to about 25,000 residential solar electric systems).

The firm says that its modules have a robust, simple monolithic circuit design, and are manufactured using proven industry-standard production tools. They are specifically designed for use in all major market segments (residential, commercial, government/municipal and utility). The modules have a convenient 65cm x 165cm form factor that enables streamlined installation, it is claimed. The PTC/STC ratio (a measure of the module’s field performance versus standard test conditions) is higher than those for 95% of the products listed for use by the California Solar Initiative, the firm adds.

Stion will continue expansion of both its Hattiesburg factory and its San Jose headquarters. As part of its $130m funding round last December, Stion is establishing a Stion Korea subsidiary with strategic partner AVACO of Daegu, Korea (which makes vacuum-based thin-film coating equipment for flat-panel display manufacturing) to build a factory that will help to serve the Asian and European markets.

“Early in 2011, the Mississippi Development Authority was pleased to work with Stion officials to announce the company’s new manufacturing location in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and it has been gratifying to see how quickly production has gotten under way at the plant,” says Jim Barksdale, interim executive director of the Mississippi Development Authority.

Stion’s modules are on display in booth 1402 at the PV America 2012 West show in San Jose, CA this week (19-21 March).

Tags: Stion PV CIGSSe

Visit: www.stion.com