Portland, Oregon-based SoloPower Systems announced today that it is collaborating with the U.S. Photovoltaic Manufacturing Consortium (PVMC) as a strategic technology partner. Under the agreement, PVMC will provide specialized technology services to SoloPower Systems to develop thin-film solar.

SoloPower Systems’ CTO Chris Eberspacher said, “Our collaboration with PVMC will accelerate the commercial manufacturing ramp-up at Systems’ factory in Portland, and will further support the continuing advancement of our products. We look forward to this partnership which will not only expand our thin-film production capabilities, but also serve to ensure SoloPower™ technology remains the leader in this exciting market.”

“We are excited that interest in the U.S. Photovoltaic Manufacturing Consortium continues to grow, further supporting PVMC’s mission to power the research, development, and deployment of sustainable, solar energy-focused solutions,” said Chief Operating and Technology Officer of PVMC Dr. Pradeep Haldar. “We welcome SoloPower to the consortium where they will be able to tap into advanced solar energy research and expertise to enable high-tech innovation, which continues to be fueled by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s commitment to developing next generation, clean energy technologies.”

Created as part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s SunShot Initiative, PVMC has extensive experience and know-how in photovoltaic technologies, including roll-to-roll copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) PV technology, in both research laboratory and industrial production environments. CIGS-based thin-film uses layers of semiconductor materials that are only a few micrometers thick; the materials can be deposited on solid or flexible lightweight substrates, offering capabilities that are more versatile than traditional solar panels. This technology could also prove to be more cost-effective to produce in high-volume.

PVMC is also developing roadmaps and standards to forge industry consensus and address broad issues related to power electronics, module advancements, building integration, testing, and reliability. Additionally, it offers a proving ground for innovative solar technologies and manufacturing processes.

About SoloPower Systems:

SoloPower Systems is a photovoltaic technology company specializing in the design, manufacture and deployment of CIGS flexible thin-film solar technology. Further information about SoloPower Systems can be found at www.SoloPower.com.

About PVMC:

The U.S. Photovoltaic Manufacturing Consortium (PVMC), headquartered in New York State, is an industry-led consortium for cooperative R&D among industry, university, and government partners to accelerate the development, commercialization, manufacturing, field testing, and deployment of next-generation solar photovoltaic (PV) and building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) systems. Through our technology programs, advanced manufacturing development facilities, system demonstration, and reliability and testing capabilities, PVMC is a proving ground for innovative solar technologies and manufacturing process as well as PV product development and deployment. Further information about PVMC can be found at www.uspvmc.org.

Systems’ President Rob Campbell stated, “We now have the team and resources in place and are pleased to announce the ramp up of our high volume production facility along with the advancement of our technology roadmap and the implementation of global sales and partnership agreements. Our proprietary SoloPower™ technology and ultra light weight flexible CIGS PV products serve many new and underserved markets. Along with our previously announced partnership with CTI Co. in South Korea we look forward to fulfilling our robust and diverse sales pipeline in Europe, the MENA, the Americas and Australasia”.

About SoloPower Systems:
SoloPower Systems is a photovoltaic technology company specializing in the design, manufacture and deployment of CIGS flexible thin-film technology. Further information about SoloPower Systems can be found at www.SoloPower.com.

Systems’ President Rob Campbell stated, “This bridge financing provides us with the runway to finalize our longer-term financing plans. Our proprietary Solopower™ technology and lightweight flexible PV CIGS products serve many new and underserved markets, from which we continue to receive very strong interest. We’re excited that this latest show of commitment from our investors will enable the large volume production needed to satisfy pending orders from Europe, MENA, the Americas and Australasia”.

It is the first time an Australian team has entered the Solar Decathlon held in Datong, China since 2002. The 51-strong team built the Flame House, a retrofitted fibro cottage designed to appeal to a need for efficient low cost housing.

The Australians beat 20 other finalists to place first in the engineering, solar and architecture categories, with a team from China second and Sweden third.
Project Manager Lloyd Niccol said the competition was about producing a home that was comfortable and generated more energy than it consumed. Fibro homes in Australia represent almost 5% of the total homes in Australia or approximately 400,000 homes. The project consisted in improving the building envelope by replacing the cladding, re-insulating the home, and replacing the single glazed windows with double glazed units. These changes made the home more efficient by driving down the need for heating and cooling.

The roof was retrofitted with two types of solar panels, one consisting in a “photovoltaic thermal system” with SoloPower CIGS thin film panels, where heat removed from the solar panels is used to heat and cool the home.

SoloPower plans to support the University and BlueScope to develop go to market strategies for their novel photovoltaic thermal system.

CTI Co. CEO, Daniel Song stated “We are very excited to be working with SoloPower Systems and its unique flexible CIGS PV technology. We have a clear vision of bringing leading green technology to Korea and look forward to our continued collaboration and success.”

SoloPower CEO, Rob Campbell, stated that “this agreement will enable SoloPower to seek new strategic partners to enable continued production at the Portland, Oregon facility and advance our innovative light weight PV technology.  We are confident that we are on the right path and appreciate the support of our secured creditors.”

SoloPower also confirms reports that it is planning to move its head office location to Portland, Oregon, in order to further optimize operations.

The company’s proprietary lightweight, flexible solar modules serve a unique and underserved market—commercial and industrial rooftops on which traditional solar panels cannot be installed due to their weight and rigidity.