Silicon Valley Solar partnering with Europe's Conergy

Flat plate solar concentrator developer Silicon Valley Solar has signed an agreement with Conergy that it says will help usher its concentrating solar modules to market.

As part of the deal, Conergy has placed an order for a multi-kilowatt test system, and the two companies are talking about the possibility of a volume purchase order in excess of 10MW.

Conergy has also committed to helping with engineering collaboration and sharing performance data.

“[SV Solar's] Sol-X technology has the potential to significantly reduce product cost per Wp while alleviating pressure on silicon supply,” said Monika Leiner, head of sourcing for the PV Modules Global Technology Team at Conergy AG.

SV Solar's Sol-X concentrating modules are to be form, fit and functionally compatible with standard flat plate modules. Conergy says they should be usable by installation teams worldwide.

The company says performance data supports its contention that its first generation product, Sol-X2, produces at least 100% of the energy of a conventional PV panel, with less than 50% of the solar cell area.

Based on successful technical evaluation and business negotiation, the SV Solar and Conergy say they expected that their agreement will result in a volume purchase order in excess of 10MW, to be delivered over a 24 month period.