by Ann Withanee — January 7, 2011—Lumeta, Inc. has announced the completion of a 260kW PowerPly photovoltaic (PV) solar system on the rooftop of the Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) in Phoenix, Arizona. This represents the first U.S. commercial installation of the lightweight, roof-integrated PowerPly photovoltaic module.
“PowerPly has a low profile and attaches directly to the roof membrane eliminating the need for roof penetrations or heavy ballasting, typical of conventional systems,” said Jonathan Pickering, general manager of Lumeta. “We were able to complete the installation in less than half the time required for a conventional system, minimizing disruption to the museum.”
PowerPly combines a DuPont Tefzel (ETFE) front sheet and a lightweight composite substrate with high-efficiency monocrystalline silicon solar cells to maximize power density, eliminating the glass and aluminum frame structure of conventional modules. PowerPly is designed for low-slope roof applications; it adheres directly to flat surfaces without racking, reducing system weight and eliminating wind loading issues.
With no roof penetrations, PowerPly prevents water leaks and costly roof maintenance while significantly reducing installation time and balance of system costs. PowerPly has received both IEC and UL certifications and has qualified for a Class B fire rating. PowerPly is currently in volume production and shipping commercially.
Lumeta, Inc., headquartered in Irvine, California, is a leading developer of Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) products. For more on the company, see its Web site.
