SoloPower Expands IP Portfolio with 50th Patent Allowance as it Prepares to Open State-of-the-Art Facility in Portland, OR

SoloPower, the San Jose, CA-based manufacturer of high efficiency, lightweight, and flexible thin-film solar cells and modules, announced that it received its 50th patent allowance, adding to its already robust intellectual property portfolio that includes manufacturing technology and processes in addition to key aspects of its proprietary solar cells and flexible module technology.

“The strength of SoloPower’s intellectual property portfolio enables us to cover all key aspects of our solar solutions, technology, and manufacturing processes, giving us a competitive advantage in the marketplace,” said Dr. Mustafa Pinarbasi, chief technology officer, SoloPower. “By developing and owning the new technologies and manufacturing methods that are critical to our integrated solar solutions, we are constantly able to increase our flexible, lightweight module efficiencies while driving down costs.”

The first company to receive certification of flexible CIGS panels to both UL and IEC standards, SoloPower has received allowances for 41 patents in the U.S. and nine patents internationally. The company has an additional 69 pending patent applications in the U.S. and 76 pending internationally.

SoloPower’s proprietary approach embodies critical technology, manufacturing, and cost advantages that enable large-scale “fab-style” production of high-efficiency CIGS-based photovoltaic cells. The cells are packaged into unique, flexible, lightweight solar modules that require less balance-of-system hardware, utilizing unique, first-of-a-kind, non-penetrating kit technology that revolutionizes the solar panel installation process. The company will showcase its second generation solar solutions Sept. 11-13 at Solar Power International in Orlando, FL.

“SoloPower’s world-class technology team is constantly pushing the envelope, and our innovations will continue to help us make rooftop solar the primary energy source for the world’s commercial and industrial buildings,” said Tim Harris, CEO, SoloPower. “With our integrated installation systems, our solar solutions are optimized for commercial and industrial rooftops, producing maximum power in a constrained space and offering excellent total installed costs. We’re excited as we prepare to open our high-volume manufacturing facility in Portland, OR, which will enable us to meet the strong demand we’re seeing from our customers around the world.”

SoloPower’s operations in Portland, which will begin commercial production later this year, are ultimately expected to have a capacity of 400MW and employ 450 people.