SolarWorld is one of the most reputable, and happens to be the largest, solar panel manufacturer in the U.S.
The company was founded and is headquartered in Bonn, Germany in 1998. SolarWorld’s presence in the United States is only as recent as 2006, when it acquired Shell Solar. SolarWorld did not just acquire a company in Shell Solar, but a long history of American solar cell manufacturing experience that goes all the way back to 1975.
SolarWorld takes pride in controlling every aspect of their solar cell production. Their state-of-the-art plant in Hillsboro, Oregon proudly utilizes American sourced materials for the production of solar panels. The company also received the highest rating by the Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition in 2011. In addition to producing high quality panels, the company also strives for a high level of environmental sustainability.
While the company has a strong presence in the U.S. and Germany, SolarWorld panels are sold throughout the world. This considerable international presence helps ensure the company’s ability to provide solar panels well into the future.
Solar Panel Overview For SolarWorld
1. Panel Types: Both Monocrystalline and Polycrystalline
2. Efficiency: In July of 2015, SolarWorld achieved a record breaking 21.7 percent solar cell efficiency.
3. Performance Warranty: SolarWorld was the first company to offer a linear 25 year warranty. This includes a guaranteed production of at least 80 percent efficiency by the end of the warranty.
SolarWorld’s Solar Panel Testing Lab
SolarWorld boasts an impressive testing lab to ensure the durability and effectiveness of their panels. Here’s a list of the conditions tested for and which every panel must pass –
- Hail Test – A one inch steel ball is dropped multiple times to simulate the effects of hail.
- General Breakage Test – Hard and heavy objects are dropped onto panels to simulate the real world occurrence of this happening.
- Inclined Plane Snow Test – The effects of the weight of snow on the lower edge of panels are tested to simulate real world effects of snow accumulation.
- Salt Spray Test – A salt mist mixture is sprayed onto panels to simulate conditions experienced in coastal areas.
- Hemispheric Lighting Test – Varying light and temperature differences are tested on panels to simulate different climate conditions and weather patterns.
- Mechanical Load Test – Tests for extreme weather conditions including significant snow loads and wind speeds.
- UV Light Aging Test – Ensures the panels are capable of performing well in very bright areas of the world.
- Climate Chamber Test – Tests severe weather fluctuations to emulate what a panel will experience over 25 years.
- Field Installation and Peel Tests – Actual real world testing to ensure panels meet expected results well above lab conditions.
- Electrical and Hotspot Tests – Tests for electrical safety and insulation in both dry and wet conditions across a wide temperature range.
The Bottom Line
SolarWorld solar panels are of leading industry quality. The company’s strong financial position will help guarantee that they will be around well into the future to back up their warranty claims.
