Upsolar’s Smart Modules Selected by Pristine Sun for 10 MW Deal

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Upsolar, a leading international provider of solar PV modules, today announced the company has been selected by Pristine Sun to supply a minimum of 10 MW of its Smart Modules for solar farms in California. This agreement highlights the growing interest in truly integrated Smart Modules.

Upsolar Smart Modules combine the company’s high-quality, high-performance PV modules with Tigo Energy’s optimized power electronics, which are integrated into the module’s junction box. Benefits of Smart Modules include:

    Up to 30 percent more modules per string reducing BOS costs
    Increased system production
    Enhanced module-level monitoring
    Improved safety, fire arc fault and theft prevention

“We are pleased to have selected Upsolar modules for at least 10 MW of our California portfolio of small utility projects. The combination of Upsolar’s bankability, payment terms and product and performance warranties made the company an unbeatable candidate for our utility-scale portfolio,” said Troy Helming, CEO of Pristine Sun. “In addition to excelling in these areas and most importantly, as long-term owners and operators of our projects, Upsolar's quality and performance stood out. Our funding partners agree, so it is likely we will add to our commitment moving forward.”

Pristine Sun Chief Operating Officer Jason Jackson added, “Upsolar’s Smart Modules mitigate performance challenges related to everyday occurrences like soiling, shading, module mismatch and temperature differentials, while increasing power harvest in every module. The performance data offered through Smart Modules is a nice bonus as well.”

Project construction has begun on Pristine Sun’s 50 MW portfolio of utility-scale PV projects in California. The electricity generated by the projects will be sold to the Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E).

“Pristine Sun’s pipeline of projects in California is truly impressive, and we’re pleased to have the opportunity to work together on these projects,” said Reed Richerson, National Key Account Manager for Upsolar America. “It is especially gratifying to see our Smart Module product adopted by high-quality organizations like Pristine Sun and their partners.”

About Upsolar

Upsolar develops and produces high quality solar PV modules at competitive prices, offering a secure long-term investment for customers around the world. Bolstered by a commitment to product R&D and support from its flexible manufacturing platforms, Upsolar ensures top-tier performance and reliability while maintaining an asset light approach to its business. All Upsolar products are backed by industry-leading product and performance guarantees to ensure superior performance over the lifetime of each system. Upsolar also champions environmental sustainability through key sponsorships and environmental initiatives. To learn more about Upsolar, its products or its sustainability efforts, please visit www.upsolar.com.

About Pristine Sun, LLC

Pristine Sun, the leading developer of small utility scale projects in California, is a professional full service renewable energy company with a goal to become one of the most respected solar developers in America. Pristine Sun's core management team has an average of 10-16 years of experience each in the development and finance of solar and wind projects with a combined total of over $2 billion. Pristine Sun, originally backed by a $24 billion private equity fund, has a 2 GW solar pipeline with 750 MW of projects under active development, is headquartered in San Francisco, CA. Pristine's business model is simple: we are proficient at acquiring site leases and 20 year Power Purchase Agreements for financeable solar and wind Utility and Behind the Meter projects. We then develop the sites, underwrite, procure financing, construct and operate these low risk projects.

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Upsolar Introduces Smart Modules Powered by Tigo Energy

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Upsolar, a leading international provider of solar PV modules, today unveiled its smart modules optimized by Tigo Energy. The first smart modules certified by TÜV Rheinland PTL for Europe and North America, Upsolar’s products are now available for residential, commercial and utility-scale installations.

Tigo Energy’s optimizers leverage proprietary impedance matching technology to increase the power harvest of each module and mitigate performance challenges related to soiling, cloud-induced shading, module mismatch and temperature differentials. Optimizers also enable a reduction in balance of systems costs through increased string lengths, as well as enhanced safety and fire protection through arc fault protection. The product is suitable for both sloped and flat rooftops, as well as ground-mounted systems.

To create a smart module, optimizers are embedded into Upsolar modules’ junction boxes during the module manufacturing process. By integrating the two units, Upsolar can offer its customers seamless installation and lower operation and maintenance costs while enhancing overall system performance. Additionally, users can remotely monitor performance at the module and system levels through Tigo Energy’s module-level monitoring software and mobile app.

Upsolar and Tigo Energy collaborated earlier this year with Talmage Solar Engineering on a 2.2 MW solar array in Sharon, VT, USA featuring retrofitted optimizers.

“The performance of Tigo Energy’s optimizer has exceeded our expectations, and we were eager to incorporate the company’s technology directly into our modules to improve the performance and economics of solar for both installers and customers,” said Stephane Dufrenne, Chief Technology Officer of Upsolar. “We’ve already seen strong demand for the integrated product across major markets and expect this trend to continue as we pave the way to cost-neutral installations for PV systems of all sizes and designs with module-level power electronics.”

For more information on smart modules from Upsolar, please visit: http://www.upsolar.com/usa/products/monocrystalline.aspx?type=5

About Upsolar

Upsolar is a leading international solar module developer and producer, offering the solar industry’s best quality / price ratio in the global PV market. With vertically integrated, diversified manufacturing platforms, as well as an R&D-supported quality control management system, Upsolar produces high quality, reliable solar modules backed by a world-class warranty, at competitive prices. Headquartered in Shanghai, Upsolar has offices throughout Asia, Europe and North America to support an international customer-base, providing on-site technical support, customer service and product development teams. For more information, visit www.upsolar.com.

Upsolar Expands UK Team

MILTON KEYNES, England--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Upsolar, a leading international provider of PV modules, today announced the addition of two members to its UK-based team. The company has appointed Bob Mills to the role of National Sales Manager and Stuart Tandy as Key Account Manager.

As National Sales Manager, Bob Mills is responsible for growing all sales channels within the United Kingdom at Upsolar. Mills comes to Upsolar with more than a decade of experience in the international solar market. Prior to joining the company, Mills served as Sales Manager for SCHOTT Solar in the UK and North America. Mills gained Engineering Qualifications from Sheffield Polytechnic, now Hallam University

“Having been on the front lines of solar for many years, I am encouraged by the dedication and ingenuity demonstrated by the entire Upsolar team,” said Mills. “I look forward to digging in with one of the market’s most promising module providers and serving the UK’s rapidly growing PV market.”

Upsolar’s new Key Account Manager, Stuart Tandy, also comes to Upsolar from SCHOTT Solar, where he served as a UK Sales Manager. Tandy was previously an Account Manger for global electronics and electrical engineering company Siemens, where he managed the distribution of energy-efficient heating controls. He was also responsible for community educational initiatives on the importance of reducing carbon footprints through energy efficiency measures. Tandy will leverage his years of advocacy experience in his work with Upsolar, helping to raise awareness on the environmental and financial benefits of solar energy for a variety of key stakeholders.

“Bob and Stuart are exceptional complements to our ever-expanding presence in the United Kingdom, a market that is demanding ever higher standards of technology and customer support,” said Justin Canning, Country Manager for UK Upsolar. “Both men bring rich knowledge from across the energy industry and will serve as valuable assets for our customers and partners who share a similar vision to our own as we explore new opportunities.”

Upsolar will display its complete product line in Hall 5, Stand A42 during Solar Power UK, 2-4 October at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham.

About Upsolar

Upsolar is a leading international solar module developer and producer, offering the solar industry’s best quality / price ratio in the global PV market. With vertically integrated, diversified manufacturing platforms, as well as an R&D-supported quality control management system, Upsolar produces high quality, reliable solar modules backed by a world-class warranty, at competitive prices. Headquartered in Shanghai, Upsolar has offices throughout Asia, Europe and North America to support an international customer-base, providing on-site technical support, customer service and product development teams. For more information, visit www.upsolar.com.

Upsolar Earns Top Honors at Solar Industry Awards

FRANKFURT--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Upsolar, a leading international provider of solar PV modules, was voted a winner of a Solar Industry Award for the second year in a row. The company was recognized in the Industry Development category for its comprehensive life cycle assessment (LCA) program.

The Solar Industry Awards – organized by the editors of Solar International (A PV Management Magazine) – honor the companies, products and programs driving innovation and spurring global solar adoption. A team of industry experts determines multiple finalists for each category, and overall winners are selected through a global online voting process.

As the Industry Development award winner, Upsolar’s LCA underscores the category’s theme of highlighting ideas and programs that “enhance the progress of the industry and market on a global scale.” The company completed its in-depth study earlier this year to quantify and analyze the environmental impact of its modules, from the collection of raw materials to production, transportation and end-of-life procedures.

After a 10-month data collection process, in conjunction with its manufacturing platforms and with the technical guidance of Bureau Veritas CODDE, preliminary results indicated that each Upsolar module contributes an average of 1.101-1.251 kg/kWc of carbon emissions over its lifetime. The company will use this figure as a benchmark to optimize its processes moving forward.

A formal ceremony honoring awardees was held in Frankfurt on September 24 in conjunction with the 27th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference. Project Development Director Sebastien Prioux accepted the award on behalf of Upsolar.

“Monitoring the true environmental impact of our business allows Upsolar to continuously and efficiently improve our operations and serve as a positive example for our peers, our customers and our planet,” said Prioux. “Through our LCA and our greater commitment to sustainability, we hope to drive the solar industry toward a higher standard, where our processes become as clean as the energy we produce.”

About Upsolar

Upsolar is a leading international solar module developer and producer, offering the solar industry’s best quality / price ratio in the global PV market. With vertically integrated, diversified manufacturing platforms, as well as an R&D-supported quality control management system, Upsolar produces high quality, reliable solar modules backed by a world-class warranty, at competitive prices. Headquartered in Shanghai, Upsolar has offices throughout Asia, Europe and North America to support an international customer base, providing on-site technical support, customer service and product development teams. For more information, visit www.upsolar.com.

Upsolar Achieves IEC Certifications for Modules with Solrif®

PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Upsolar, a leading international provider of solar PV modules, has earned two new certifications from the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). In conjunction with Italy-based certification body ICIM, IEC approved Upsolar’s 60-cell modules featuring Schweizer Solrif® frames.

Upsolar’s modules with Solrif – the “SOLar Roof Integration Frame” – offer system layout flexibility and ease of installation for residential, commercial and industrial buildings. The durable aluminum frames fasten together securely and sit flush with the rooftop, making Solrif-equipped Upsolar modules ideal for sloped structures. Additionally, the product is available in both mono- and polycrystalline varieties, expanding the breadth of Upsolar’s product portfolio to better meet the unique needs of each end-user.

IEC certification through ICIM serves as a stepping stone for Upsolar toward efficiently obtaining certification from the French Centre Scientifique et Technique du Bâtiment (CSTB), which will enable customers to access feed-in tariffs (FiTs) available in the country. Upsolar previously earned CSTB certifications for multiple products in its expansive portfolio.

“Given a globally challenging economic environment, it is increasingly important for module manufacturers to invest in certifications that will facilitate access to government incentives and increase the financial feasibility of installing solar systems,” said Stephane Dufrenne, Chief Technology Officer of Upsolar. “By proactively working toward these non-mandatory recognitions, Upsolar is expanding access to PV in the Italian and the French markets while gaining valuable market share in these regions.”

For a full list of Upsolar’s certifications, visit: www.upsolar.com/usa/products/certifications.aspx

About Upsolar

Upsolar is a leading international solar module developer and producer, offering the solar industry’s best quality / price ratio in the global PV market. With vertically integrated, diversified manufacturing platforms, as well as an R&D-supported quality control management system, Upsolar produces high quality, reliable solar modules backed by a world-class warranty, at competitive prices. Headquartered in Shanghai, Upsolar has offices throughout Asia, Europe and North America to support an international customer-base, providing on-site technical support, customer service and product development teams. For more information, visit www.upsolar.com.

About Ernst Schweizer AG

Ernst Schweizer AG is a leading metal manufacturing company, offering a wide range of products to the building industry. For decades, it has been acting according to the principles of sustainable management: for its customers, its employees and the environment. Its innovative products and its efficient, standardized, process-oriented workflows allow the company to offer an attractive price-performance ratio, while a modern management structure puts strong collaboration and empowerment of employees at the center of the company’s corporate structure. For more information, visit www.schweizer-metallbau.ch.