Jonathan Botkin

Grid-Competitive Residential and Commercial Fully Automated PV Systems Technology: Final technical Report, August 2011

SunPower Corporation is performing work under the U.S. Department of Energys Solar America Initiative. We have assembled a diverse team of leading companies, including several small businesses, to form our Technology Pathway Partnership (TPP) and believe that, through our combined efforts, the programs Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) goals for 2010 and 2015 can be met. This is a Systems Class TPP program in which our team addresses technology from silicon crystal growth to systems installed in the field. The Technology Pathway Partners include SunPower, as the prime recipient, and Solaicx, SiGen, Dow Corning, STR, Xantrex, and NREL, as sub-recipient partners.

The unitary ideal in commercial PV system product design

From the perspective of a PV system integrator who performs sales, design, engineering, construction and maintenance services, an ideal product for a commercial PV system would be one in which all the necessary parts are combined into one “unitary” package. Independent of site conditions, array shape, or system size, a single all-in-one product would minimize the complexities of array design, supply logistics, installation, and maintenance, leading to lower cost of energy. However, there are also trade-offs that must be made in pursuing this unitary ideal. Without careful consideration, there is the potential that system design restrictions, lower shipping density, higher material cost, or other factors could offset the benefits of this approach. In developing a new commercial PV product, SunPower has balanced the various aspects of a unitary design approach to create a revolutionary new product. This paper will discuss the economic analysis, design process, and lessons learned during the development of this new product.