California solar company launches new line of panels

ecoSolargy introduces new solar panelsA full-service California solar company is launching three new series of solar modules that use nanotechnology to achieve higher efficiencies.

The company, ecoSolargy, began as a solar manufacturing company and evolved into a full-service solar solutions business that does everything from research and development to installation.

That familiarity with every stage of the process helped the Southern California company to develop some of the most efficient solar technology on the market, said general manager Allan H. Lee.

The company is second only to SunPower, Lee said.

It will release its Lotus, Appolo and Zeus series of solar panels next week.

“We’re really excited about this,” Lee said. “We’ve been working on it for more than three years.”

He said the new solar panels use nanotechnology to fill tiny holes in the surface of the modules so dirt, debris and water can’t fill them. The technology makes the panels self-cleaning, anti-fading, anti-fogging and anti-bacterial, which allows them to absorb more sunlight and transform it into electricity than traditional panels.

Lee said the technology will allow the panels to produce 15 to 20 percent more power over their lifetime than traditional solar panels.

“It’s a constant battle,” Lee said. “Everyone is looking for a way to increase efficiency.”

While there is a lot of research and development happing on the solar cell level, that’s not ecoSolargy’s strong suit.

“What we do best is module assembly,” Lee said. “So, that’s what we focused on and what we wanted to look at improving. The cells themselves are very efficient, but something gets lost.”

The nanotechnology application eliminates some of what reduces energy output. But it also reduces maintenance expenses because it makes the panels self-cleaning, Lee said. That adjustment can cut two to three years off the investment pay-back period.