Why choose SolarWorld?

 

SolarWorld's Sunmodule solar panels are designed and manufactured to the highest standards of quality, performance and durability. Because the company produce the highest quality, they can also guarantee the best performance. Solarworld is the first solar company to offer a 25-year linear performance guarantee, is the best known solar brand in Germany and is the last fully integrated module manufacturer from Germany providing panels made in Germany and systems fully tailored for each application and can therefore offer a service to customers which is unique. Customers will always receive end-to-end solutions of any size from SolarWorld, from a small roof-mounted system right up to a turnkey solar park.

 

SolarWorld is one of the world’s biggest groups of solar companies. All products from raw silicon up to large solar systems are produced within the Group. Consistent quality management and state-of-the-art R&D departments guarantee the ongoing high yield of the products. Moreover, SolarWorld recycles all conventional solar power modules and thus completes the material cycle, maximizing solar energy’s environmental benefits.

 

Some main features about SolarWorld;

• The solar panels are designed to last for 30 years
• SolarWorld operates two state-of-the-art, fully-integrated production sites in Freiberg, Germany, and in Hillsboro, Oregon. Being “fully integrated” means that the company manufactures everything along the production chain from the raw material to the finished system. SolarWorld maintains its competitiveness both in terms of quality and costs by pursuing research and development activities in-house in Freiberg, adhering to high standards of production, and expanded production capacities.
• One of the highest polycrystalline performances amongst all competitors (read report here)
• SolarWorld is a sustainable, socially responsible manufacturer and is ahead of the competition when it comes to adherence to environmental protection and social standards - criteria that are gaining ever more importance
  • SolarWorld adheres to the strict environmental and occupational health and safety standards ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001.
  • SolarWorld was named "Sector Leader" in renewable energy in 2011 as part of the Carbon Disclosure Project (read report here)
  • SolarWorld Earns Highest Green Score Among Top 10 PV Makers with a score of 91 out of a possible 100 points
  • Environmental impacts reported along side financial results
  • Local manufacturing under strict environmental regulations
  • Broken or obsolete modules are recycled
• SolarWorld is an industry leader
  • First to offer a 25 year warranty for PV modules
  • First to manufacture UL listed PV modules
  • First to fully recycle crystalline PV modules
  • First to build 1 MW+solar PV projects
  • First to offer grid tied PV kits
• During a patented test, the German Agricultural Society (Deutsche Landwirtschafts-Gesellschaft e.V. or DLG) has tested and verified that SolarWorld modules offer resistance to ammonia on farms where livestock are kept. The test was carried out as a laboratory test in compliance with the DLG test standard for photovoltaic modules used on agricultural premises and demonstrates that modules can resist the effects of air in livestock sheds to ensure a service life of at least twenty years (more information here)
• The load capacity of the front of the unit of up to 5.4 kN/m², which meets the IEC 61215 standard, confirms the suitability of the module to withstand large build-ups of snow and ice. The IEC standard requires modules to be tested to 5.4 kN/m². However SolarWorld test their modules with loads up to 11 kN/m². The modules are therefore always tested under real conditions to ensure outstanding performance in the real world.
• SolarWorld have developed a test specifically designed to analyze the UV endurance level of their modules. The test simulates 25 years of UV radiation, which is the equivalent of 1,300 kWh/m². By comparison, the IEC test standard requires a cumulative UV dose of 15 kWh/m², despite the annual UV radiation in Central Europe alone being 50 kWh/m².
• Cells and solar modules sometimes have defects such as micro cracks or contact breaks that are undetectable. SolarWorld's modules are tested with an electroluminescence measurement, a high-resolution diagnostic technology which guarantees that only intact solar modules are produced.
• The weathering resistance of the solar modules are tested at length, not only with the temperature change test, but also with the humidity-freeze and damp-heat tests. In the process, they undergo a great many more tests than IEC standards require. In the temperature change test alone SolarWorld simulate a standard 600 day and night cycles, instead of the 200 prescribed by the IEC. Test results confirm that SolarWorld's modules are outstanding and perfectly suited for use under extreme climate conditions.
• In the hail impact test, SolarWorld replicate a natural hailstorm by dropping a 500-gram, 25-millimeter diameter steel ball onto the solar module from a height of four meters. This is repeated up to 20 times in the same place and on at least eleven different points of impact. The IEC only specifies a standard weight of 7.53 grams per steel ball. They also simulate the mechanical load of objects hitting a solar module. In this case, they drop a 45-kilogram lead-filled sack from a height of 1.22 meters onto the middle of a vertically positioned solar module between one and three times. The test is considered passed if the solar glass does not break or the fracture pattern meets certain criteria.
• SolarWorld is one of the few manufacturers to have been awarded the ‘Power Controlled’ certificate of TÜV Rheinland. The ‘Power Controlled’ inspection mark guarantees that the power ratings specified for SolarWorld's modules are maintained and regularly monitored by an independent test provider. SolarWorld's modules therefore supply the amount of power promised or more. According to external and independent tests by TÜV Rheinland, the performance of SolarWorld's modules exhibit a mere two percent measuring tolerance. No other manufacturer can give such an exact value.
• It has been shown that SolarWorld's modules are not affected by salty air. The modules successfully completed and fulfilled all the requirements of the DIN EN 61701 salt spray test. They are therefore ideally suited for installation in maritime climates. Obviously, this also means they can withstand the salty air caused by using road salt in winter.
• Mounting Frame for the modules is designed by Solarworld and signed off by Henneker-Zillinger Engineers to Eurocode structural codes.
• SolarWorld is one of the largest PV companies in the world with annual revenues exceeding $1.4 billion (USD) in 2009
• SolarWorld AG stock (symbol SWV) is publicly traded on the Frankfurt Securities Exchange and is included in the German TecDAX and the Dow Jones STO XX 600 indexes
• SolarWorld’s main factories are located in the USA and Germany
• SolarWorld employs over 2,900 people world-wide and is the largest PV manufacturer in the U.S.

 

 

 

 

The independent Photon magazine 2010 confirms: SolarWorld is test winner, Up to 12% more yield!

 

The SolarWorld module, SW 210 poly achieved the highest standardized annual yield in 2008, generating more electricity than comparable competitive products. In 2010, the module again came out in top position in the module yield test. To date, the Photon test field is the only one in the world carrying out such tests under scientific conditions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

25-year linear performance guarantee

 

According to our guarantee, the actual power of a new module cannot deviate from the specified rated power by more than 3% during the first year; and afterward, the power will not decrease by more than 0.7 percent of the rated power per year. So at year 10, the Sunmodule's capacity is guaranteed to be at least 90% of the nameplate as opposed to the industry standard guarantee of 80%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Plus Sorting

 

With plus sorting, SolarWorld only delivers modules that are factory-tested to meet or exceed their name plate power rating. By delivering actual power, plus-sorting ensures that systems operate at top efficiency which results in maximum energy yield year after year. Sunmodule solar panels are also independently tested to strict international standards for safety, durability and performance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Standards and Directives

 

SolarWorld AG is certified according to:

• ISO 9001: Quality management systems
• ISO 14001: Environment management systems
• BS OHSAS 18001: Occupational health and safety management systems

SolarWorld's products are certified according to:

• DIN 4102-1: Low flammability (category B1)
• DIN EN 61701: Salt mist corrosion testing of photovoltaic (PV) modules
• DIN EN 60068-2-60: Ammonia resistance
• DIN EN 61215: Crystalline silicon terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules – Design qualification and type approval
• DIN EN 61730: Photovoltaic (PV) module safety qualification – Part 1: Requirements for construction
• UL 1703: Flat-plate photovoltaic modules

SolarWorld's products are manufactured in accordance with the current standards and directives:

• DIN EN 60904 standard series: Photovoltaic devices
• DIN 18800: Steel structures
• DIN 4113 – Eurocode 9: Aluminum constructions under predominantly static loading
• DIN 1055 – Eurocode 1: Actions on structures

 

SolarWorld AG

 

SolarWorld AG has developed in just a few years from a trading company to a solar company with integrated solar value chain process - from raw materials to the solar wafer, the solar cell, the solar module right up to ready, high-quality solar power plants. Today, the company profits from the fact that it was early to set up the entire solar value chain: It has modern factories at all production levels to serve the solar market comprehensively. In addition, the company controls the development of solar power technology at all levels under its own roof.

 

With a solar power system from SolarWorld you are using the innovative technology of the German market leader, confirmed by numerous tests and awards. For SolarWorld, “Quality made in Germany“ also means comprehensive support from their specialist partners in planning, realisation and maintenance. Additional security is provided by the 25-year linear performance guarantee and 10 year expanded product workmanship warranty.