SunPower X Series Archives

One of the top solar energy technology companies in the world, SunPower Corporation, will begin offering its X-Series Solar Panels in the Japanese market starting sometime in the early part of 2016, according to a recent press release.

The announcement — which was made originally at PV Japan 2015 — means that the well regarded product line, with a nameplate solar conversion efficiency of 21.2%, will now be available to rooftop installers in yet another new territory. As compared to conventional offerings, the X-Series solar panels provide roughly “8-10% more energy per rated watt and approximately 70% more energy production over the first 25 years.”

“Elegant, all-black solar panels from SunPower Corporation offer superior aesthetics, and the high efficiency of our panels is ideal for customers with limited roof space,” stated Howard Wenger, SunPower Corporation president, business units. “Building owners may achieve faster return on investment by generating more power per square meter on the roof, and they can count on the long-term reliability of solar panels by SunPower Corporation.”

For those with a somewhat skeptical nature, it’s probably worth a reminder here that the X-series panel performance (solar conversion efficiency) has been verified by the US Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), as well as by the Japan Electrical Safety and Environment Technology Laboratories (JET).

The X-Series panels are also made for long-term reliability, being composed of third-generation Maxeon solar cells built on a solid copper foundation. This foundation is intended to greatly reduce corrosion and cracking, thereby extending product life. This expectation of durability is reflected in the company’s (and industry’s) first combined 25-year product + power warranty.

Here are some further qualities:

Superior low-light and spectral response, generating electricity earlier in the morning and longer in the evening than conventional panels
Excellent performance at high temperatures, allowing for more electricity generation on hot rooftops
Enhanced energy production, compared to conventional panels, in conditions of partial or temporary shading or soiling

The first offering in Japan will reportedly be a 345-watt panel. Those looking for more information are directed here.

Image Credit: SunPower

SunPower is the well known leader in solar module efficiency. It has raised the bar yet again with the release of some super efficient ” X-Series Solar Panels.”

The new SunPower X-Series Solar Panels for the residential market offer an unprecedented 21.5% efficiency, and deliver more energy, higher reliability and superior aesthetics than conventional solar panels. The SunPower Signature Black design allows the panels to blend seamlessly into the rooftop. (PRNewsFoto/SunPower Corp.)

The new SunPower X-Series Solar Panels for the residential market offer an unprecedented 21.5% efficiency. The SunPower Signature Black design allows the panels to blend seamlessly into the rooftop. Image Credit: PRNewsFoto/SunPower Corp.

As I reported less than one month ago, SunPower now holds the record, and second place, and third place in solar module yield tests. Those records were for SunPower’s E-Series solar panels. Now, SunPower is selling these X-Series solar panels, which have a world record efficiency of 21.5%. The target for these X-Series solar panels is the residential market.

Compared to conventional solar panels, SunPower reports that its X-Series panels should generate approximately 75 percent more electricity over the first 25 years of ownership (on a roof of the same size). By anyone’s standards, that’s impressive.

“The X-Series delivers more energy, higher reliability and superior aesthetics than conventional solar panels. The new world-record efficiency of this product line has received third-party validation by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL),” SunPower writes.

“The X-Series is made with SunPower’s third-generation Maxeon® solar cells which are built on a solid copper foundation for high reliability and performance. This foundation makes them virtually impervious to the corrosion and cracking that typically degrade conventional panels. As a result, SunPower solar panels are backed by the industry’s first combined 25-year product and power warranty.”

That sounds good, doesn’t it?

SunPower X Series

SunPower X Series Solar Panels Coming To Japan

SunPower Launches Commercial Solar Panels With World Record Efficiency — X-Series