REC Group, traded under the company name REC Solar ASA, will begin shipping its new 72-cell, 1000-volt (DC) solar panels to the United States by the end of 2014. Target markets for the Peak Energy 72 Series panels include large commercial/industrial and utility-scale PV power plant projects.
The benefits of deploying solar arrays equipped with 72-cell panels, 1000-VDC modules include lower installation costs, the use of fewer balance of systems components, and less overall cost per installed watt. As a result of these and other advantages, a growing majority of solar projects over 500 kilowatts in size in development or under construction in the United States will employ the larger, higher voltage panels, according to GTM Research.
"The addition of the Peak Energy 72 Series panels to our U.S. product offering is the latest example of REC's strong commitment to one of the fastest growing solar markets in the world," said Arndt E. Lutz, senior vice president of REC Group in U.S. "Just as our expanding agreements with leading residential solar installers and PPA providers have enhanced our position as a competitively priced, U.S.-trade compliant supplier to the residential and small commercial sectors, this new, more powerful panel provides a compelling alternative to customers developing and building larger commercial and utility projects."