After announcing last year it would start a 1-GW manufacturing facility in Indianapolis, lightweight solar panel company Bila Solar will unveil a new product next week at RE+ — a 520-W silicon panel that weighs just 25 lb.
“This latest product enables a wide range of installation methods for all types of commercial rooftops, including quick-bonding and removable mechanical mounting – plus it is pre-integrated with mounting hardware and brackets,” said Mick McDaniel, Bila’s VP & U.S. General Manager. “Customers have been asking us for lightweight PV panels that can be mechanically fastened to rooftops. This innovative new panel is a testament to our commitment to advancing solar technology and our dedication to making solar energy more accessible and efficient. With our new Indianapolis facility, we’re poised to bring this groundbreaking solution to market quickly, supporting both sustainable energy and the growth of local economies.”
The UL-certified panel will be available for sale early next year. It is glass-free and can be attached to roofs by adhesive or mechanical mounting. Featuring 144 half-cut monocrystalline cells and an efficiency rating of 19.3%, the Bila Solar panel uses a composite frame and junction boxes mounted to its frontside. The panel is 2,246 mm x 1,227.8 mm x 40.5 mm — slightly larger in both width and length than older 72-cell solar panel models.
Bila Solar is the U.S. division of lightweight solar panel manufacturer Sunman, which operates a 1-GW factory in China. Sunman formed in 2014 and has 500 MW of installations throughout Asia, Australia and Europe.
Bila Solar’s manufacturing facility in Indianapolis is expected to begin production of all product lines in December of this year.