Dutch panel manufacturer Solarge says its new plant will produce two types of lightweight mono-PERC panels with a small carbon footprint. It says it plans to reuse them after their 25-year lifespan.
Solarge’s focus is on developing lightweight products that are suitable for installation on roofs with limited load-bearing capacity, in which case there is no need for extensive reinforcement of the roof. It prides itself on the roundness of its solar panels, which are designed with full durability in mind. Made of premium lightweight materials, the panels can be completely recycled at the end of their 25-year lifespan to make new solar panels.
The production facility produces two types of monocrystalline PERC panels – SOLO and SOLO Ultra Low Carbon. Both panel types weigh 5.5 kg/m2, the maximum powers vary from 470 W to 520 W, and the efficiency of the modules is 17.4% to 19.2%.
The primary difference between the two panel lines is their carbon footprints. SOLO panels have a carbon footprint of 629 kg CO2 eq/kWp – 596 kg CO2 eq/kWp, based on maximum output, and an environmental cost indicator (NMD) of €32.48 per unit over 25 years. SOLO Ultra Low Carbon panels have a carbon footprint of 489 kg CO2 eq/kWp – 442 kg CO2 eq/kWp and an Environmental Cost Indicator (NMD) of €32.14 ($34.46) over 25 years.
Chemical supplier SABIC, a global player in the field, works as a close partner by supplying high-quality raw materials for production. Solarge said it plans to start customer deliveries by June and plans to expand its production capacity to 600,000 solar panels per year.
