SoloPower Receives First UL Certification for Flexible Solar Panels

Solar panels for homes are generally hard, solid structures that require mounting. SoloPower, a company that makes thin film solar panels, has broken the mold with durable flexible panels. The company has received the first every UL Certification for their flexible, CIGS modules.SoloPower’s UL certification was a first for the PV solar industry. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger praised the California based company for their achievement with their flexible, CIGS solar modules.

“As governor, I have made it a point to make California an environmental leader with a global footprint. SoloPower’s advancement demonstrates that California is leading the way in technology innovation for the green economy,” said Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. “We welcome this type of innovation that creates jobs, strengthens the economy, and helps protect the environment.”

SoloPower’s thin-film modules were tested to the standard UL 1703, the safety standard for all PV module manufacturing. Their extremely thin, yet durable, solar strips not only passed the testing but also was pushed to meet more stringent interal standards for safety and effectiveness.

Dr. Rommel Noufi, Principal Scientist of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, was excited to see the company achieve the UL certification. The thin-film solar panels are an important step forward in enabling more homes to go solar. Thin-film panels are more light-weight and come at a lower cost than the typical rigid panels.

The panles are being introduced to Europe and North America currently, with plans to expand as the need increases.

“With low-cost and low-capital expenditure requirements, SoloPower’s core manufacturing process will enable rapid scale-up during our next phase of expansion,” said Tim Harris, CEO, SoloPower. ”The Company is in the process of adding a second manufacturing line that will significantly increase capacity to meet expected demand.”

As the demand for solar panels continues to exceed manufacturers abilities, it is great to see an additional option on the market to help more homes go green.

Photo credit: news.com

FORMER COMPASS BANK INTERNATIONAL BANKING OFFICER INDICTED. in our site compass bank online

States News Service August 4, 2011 LAREDO, Texas — The following information was released by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas:

A federal grand jury has indicted a former employee of Compass Bank in Laredo, Texas, for bank fraud, conspiracy to commit bank fraud, money laundering and unlawful monetary transactions arising from an alleged scheme involving more than $8 million in losses to bank customers, United States Attorney Jose Angel Moreno announced today.

A Laredo grand jury returned a 73-count indictment on Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2011, charging Celina Villarreal, 35, with conspiracy to commit bank fraud, conspiracy to launder money, 48 substantive counts of bank fraud and 22 counts of unlawful money transactions. According to the indictment, in January 2009, while employed as an International Banking Officer at Compass Bank, Villarreal allegedly began taking money without authorization from the accounts of five bank customers. She allegedly transferred the money to another account for her own use and that of others. According to the indictment, during a 12-month period ending in December 2009, more than $8 million was taken from the customers’ accounts. The money was used, according to the indictment, to purchase vehicles, personal items and a condominium on South Padre Island as well as to invest in various business ventures, including the promotion of rock concerts. go to website compass bank online

The bank terminated Villarreal employment when a bank audit uncovered the losses and reported the incident to the United States Secret Service (USSS) whose investigation lead to today’s charges. Villarreal was arrested today by USSS agents at her home. She is expected to make her initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge J. Scott Hacker on Friday, Aug. 5 at 9 a.m.

Each count of bank fraud carries a maximum statutory penalty of 30 years imprisonment. The money laundering charges, including the conspiracy to commit money laundering charge, carry a maximum 10-year statutory sentence. Each of the offenses charged are also punishable by substantial fines – $1 million for a bank fraud conviction and $250,000 for the money laundering charges. There is no parole in the federal system.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Diana Song and Tom Calhoun-Lopez are prosecuting the case.

Indictments are formal accusations of criminal conduct, not evidence.

A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until convicted through due process of law.

Comments

Doug Graham says:

September 10, 2010 at 11:36 am

UniSolar out of Auburn Hills Michigan has been producing thin film solar panels that are UL 1703 Listed to 600 VDC for many years. The modules are in wide spread use in America, Europe and Asia. Our company has used them on over 40 small scale, less than 10kW, residential jobs in Michigan and Ohio.

Doug Graham says:

September 10, 2010 at 11:36 am

UniSolar out of Auburn Hills Michigan has been producing thin film solar panels that are UL 1703 Listed to 600 VDC for many years. The modules are in wide spread use in America, Europe and Asia. Our company has used them on over 40 small scale, less than 10kW, residential jobs in Michigan and Ohio.

edward smith says:

May 28, 2011 at 6:46 am

Congratulation to Solo Power.Good job

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