Solar Power International 2015: REC Group Celebrates U.S. Market Success with Showcase of New Solutions and Proven High-quality
REC Group, the largest European solar PV brand, will be exhibiting its high-quality, tariff-free solar solutions at Solar Power International 2015 (SPI 2015), the largest solar energy event in North America. REC has seen remarkable success in the U.S. market since the 2014 SPI trade show, reaching several key milestones over the past year. These achievements will be highlighted during the show.
The company is experiencing tremendous growth in the U.S., having signed several significant supply agreements with residential, commercial, and utility customers. In its recent Q2 2015 solar market insight report, REC said it shipped 130 megawatts (MW) to the U.S. market during the quarter, which accounted for 50% of total company sales. GTM Research’s PV Leaderboard report recognized the company’s recent surge, listing REC as the number-three solar panel supplier to the U.S. residential market during the first quarter of 2015 as well as the leading module company supplying the California residential sector.
REC will be shining the spotlight on its Intersolar Award-winning TwinPeak Series solar panels, which incorporate 120 half-cut cells, a split junction box, four busbars and passivated emitter rear cell (PERC) technology. With these advanced features, the new series is rated up to 280 watt-peak providing more power output within the dimensions of a standard 60-cell panel and is competitive with monocrystalline solar panels on efficiency and performance. Production of the REC TwinPeak began in Q1 2015 on new manufacturing lines at the company’s vertically integrated, fully automated facilities in Singapore.
In addition to the TwinPeak Series and the popular Peak Energy Series 72-cell solar panels on display at REC’s SPI 2015 booth, the company will be showcasing two new applications for the U.S.
For the first time at a U.S. tradeshow, REC will be presenting its SolarBox microgrid solution. An integrated solar platform designed for regions with little or no access to the grid, the SolarBox is comprised of 80 REC Peak Energy Series panels, an inverter system, a battery bank and a backup diesel generator. Excluding the solar panels, the rest of the SolarBox equipment is pre-assembled in a 20-foot shipping container with the aim of system deployment within two days of arrival on site. The 20-kilowatt (kW) system ensures that solar power, either directly or stored in the battery bank, will continuously support the customer’s electricity load.
REC will also be showing a demonstration model of its recently announced “floating solar photovoltaic (PV)” application, which promises to open up hundreds of megawatts of new market opportunities on underused artificial fresh water bodies. The easy-to-install system features REC solar panels integrated on specially designed Hydrelio floating pontoons manufactured by the French company Ciel et Terre. REC has performed extensive component and panel testing in real and simulated floating conditions and has extended the same product and performance warranties that it provides for rooftop and ground-mount systems for the floating PV application.
“As a thought leader in the solar industry, REC not only brings a unique perspective to the discussion of several key topics in the U.S. but is also introducing innovative solar energy solutions for the markets demand,” said Arndt E. Lutz, senior vice president of REC Group and managing director of its North American business. “We are passionate about introducing our new microgrid solution, the SolarBox, to the U.S. opening a lot of application opportunities for solar in rural and disaster areas. In addition to connecting with our customers at SPI 2015, we are looking forward to engaging in meaningful conversations on a variety of meaningful subjects, like the growth potential of the U.S. solar market, as well as Obama’s Clean Power Plan and its impact for the solar industry.”
During SPI 2015, REC management and technical experts will be on hand to discuss the company’s product lines, innovative applications and its commitment to partnership.
For further information, please contact:
Agnieszka Schulze
Public Relations Manager, REC
Leopoldstr. 175, 80804 Munich, Germany
Phone +49 89 54 04 67 225
Email agnieszka.schulze@recgroup.com
About REC
REC Group is the largest European brand of solar panels, with more than 15 million high-quality panels produced at the end of 2014. With integrated manufacturing from polysilicon to wafers, cells, panels and turnkey solar solutions, REC strives to help meet the world’s growing energy needs. In partnership with a sales channel of distributors, installers and EPCs, REC panels are installed globally. Founded in 1996, REC is a Bluestar Elkem company with headquarters in Norway and operational headquarters in Singapore. REC’s 1,800 employees worldwide generated revenues of $680 million in 2014.
Find out more about REC at www.recgroup.com