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NewswireTODAY - /newswire/ -
Toftlund, Denmark, 2010/07/16 - The SunSil 300 Solar PV AC Module was launched at the recent InterSolar Show in Munich where it received an overwhelming response from installers, venture capitalists and customers.
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- Customer Traction Exceeded Planned Capacity for 2011-12;
- €8 Million Series A Round of VC Funding is Moving to Closing Stage;
- Several Multi-National Companies Express Interest in Licensing Option;
- €1.3 Million in Product Development Fundi.
“Word rapidly spread throughout the exhibition halls that we had something truly innovative on show that had never been done before,” said Erik Hansen, CEO of SunSil. “Many people said that it was the biggest breakthrough in the Solar Industry in years and this was confirmed by the customer response for potential orders that we received for 2011.”
Distributors, integrators and installers from all over the world expressed a high interest in selling SunSil’s AC modules, which will commence shipping in Q1 2011. The reason is that they are significantly more cost-effective to install than current PV systems and provide a much quicker return on investment for customers due to their significantly higher energy yields of up to 30%.
In addition to the tremendous customer traction it received at InterSolar, SunSil (sunsil.dk) was approached by several multi-national companies interested in licensing its technology into their product lines. While it continues to pursue its main strategy to supply modules from its factory in Denmark, it is now considering its options to license its technology platform in different ways. “We realized from this response that with partners in all the major markets of the world, we could more rapidly achieve a dominant global market share,” added Erik Hansen.
In addition to the several VCs that SunSil has been in discussions with for a Series A Round of €8.0 million for its next phase of growth, several new VCs approached the company to discuss participating in this round of financing. With the tremendous customer traction it achieved and continued achievement of its technical milestones, SunSil hopes to close this round of financing in the third quarter of 2010.
Additional funding for the company comes from the Danish Energy Agency in the form of a grant of €1.3 million for R&D and marketing. “Other Danish companies also received similar funding as the aim is to establish Denmark as a serious participant in this growth area, with manufacturing exports, testing facilities within the Danish SmartGrid regional development, and strong international cooperation,” explained Erik Hansen.
The SunSil 300 Solar PV Module
This integrates all of the components of a standard PV system into one elegant 300W module using embedded electronics, a micro-inverter and software to harvest the maximum amount of electricity from the sun in any condition and throughout the day from sunrise to sunset. Each module produces 230V AC from the plug at the back. This standardization to produce mains output means that it is a simple matter to plug together the appropriate number of modules to produce the required wattage. Additional modules can be simply plugged in when required and damaged modules hot swapped for replacements.
Current solar panels are made from ‘strings’ of solar cells, i.e. they are wired up in series but, if one of the cells is weaker or shaded, the output of the whole string can drop significantly. Sometimes, a weak cell can burn out altogether rendering the entire string useless, compromising the entire panel. SunSil laser cuts standard cells into eight microcells that are then arranged in groups of twelve. Each group is monitored and dynamically controlled by SunSil’s patented Dynamic Microcell Optimisation™ technology to provide the optimum output for the whole module. Leaves, snow, shadowing, moss, and bird droppings are no longer a problem as the affected microcells are switched out leaving the rest operating at maximum efficiency, enabling the module to gather up to 30% more electricity per annum than current designs.
SunSil’s integrated PV architecture means that the module can be assembled in few steps with the use of a fully-automated and high-throughput manufacturing line with four to six times the output of standard PV module assembly lines being used by many module manufacturers in the world today. Initial production starts in Q4 2010 with volume in Q1 2011, costing around €900 each. The modules are currently undergoing certification by Fraunhofer Institute.
Dynamic Microcell Optimisation and Sun In, AC out are trademarks of Sunsil A/S.
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