LOS GATOS, Calif., April 7, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- With thousands of Andalay AC solar panels in the field throughout the United States and Canada, Akeena Solar (Nasdaq:AKNS), a leading installer and manufacturer of solar power systems, today highlighted data that shows its Andalay panels are significantly more reliable than ordinary rack-mounted solar panels and central inverters.
"We have experienced only a handful of problems out of the thousands of units that we have manufactured and shipped to customers," said Wilson Leong, CTO of Akeena Solar. "That works out to a 0.08 percent downtime rate, dramatically outperforming the 1.56 percent downtime rate that we have experienced over the past nine years with ordinary rack mounted panels using centralized inverters. Compared to ordinary solar power systems, it is clear homeowners generate more electricity with fewer hassles with Andalay AC panels."
Integrated AC Panel Design Boosts Reliability
Three factors contribute to the outstanding reliability of Andalay AC panels. First, the racking, wiring, grounding and inverters are integrated into the panels themselves. With 80 percent fewer parts to assemble on a rooftop, the possibility of wiring and racking errors are virtually eliminated. Second, the reliability of the integrated Enphase Microinverters has proven to be significantly better than any other inverter Akeena has used since it began solar installations in 2001.
And third, with the inverter built into each panel, Andalay AC panels operate independently, thereby eliminating the most common problems encountered in a rooftop system: failure of the central inverter or high voltage DC wiring. Even if one Andalay AC panel malfunctions, the rest of the panels in the system are unaffected. This independent operating capability also ensures better energy production during partially shaded conditions. Additionally, each panel is individually monitored, allowing problems to be immediately detected and quickly resolved.
Real world data show Andalay systems continue to operate unscathed in severe weather — even where ordinary systems would fail. One Colorado customer experienced a major summer hailstorm – a storm so bad his concrete roof tiles had to be replaced while his Andalay solar panels remained unharmed. Andalay panels are even resistant to extremely high wind speeds, such as those experienced in coastal Florida. With no gaps or friction clips between panels, the added rigidity of the Andalay frame resists the flexing that would literally pull the glass out of ordinary solar panel frames.
25 Year Panel, 15 Year Inverter Warranty Best in the Business
Andalay AC panels are protected by one of the best warranties in the business, a 25-year panel output warranty backed by Suntech, the largest crystalline panel manufacturer in the world, and a 15-year warranty from Enphase Energy, the leading microinverter manufacturer.
"We are so confident in the reliability of our inverters that we provide a 100 percent Uptime guarantee to our customers," said Nelu Mihai, Vice President of Engineering, Enphase Energy. "System owners can be assured that they will always get the full value of their solar energy system when they choose an Andalay system with an Enphase Microinverter."
About Akeena Solar, Inc.
Founded in 2001, Akeena Solar's philosophy is simple: We believe producing clean electricity directly from the sun is the right thing to do for our environment and economy. Akeena Solar has grown to become one of the nation's leading installers and manufacturers of solar power systems. Akeena Solar's revolutionary Andalay AC solar panels produce safe household AC power and have built-in racking, wiring, grounding and inverters. With 80% fewer parts and 5-25% better performance than ordinary DC panels, Andalay panels are an ideal solution for solar installers, trades workers and do-it-yourselfers. For more information on the company, visit www.akeena.com. Installers can also visit www.andalaysolar.com to learn more about the Andalay panels.
The Akeena Solar, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=5143
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