Matthew Culligan

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.