TOLEDO, OH., November 23, 2009 – ShadePlex, the leading supplier of solar-electric, flexible use architectural fabrics, has announced the immediate availability of its highly anticipated flagship product line, PV-FlexMount, for orders and delivery. PV-FlexMount solar panels are lightweight, flexible, high power panels framed in ShadePlex’s unique, patent-pending fabric frames. ShadePlex's revolutionary power-generating fabrics provide architectural branding and visual flair while generating clean, renewable energy for buildings, shelters, shade structures, and tents.
PV-FlexMount panels are now available in 92, 110, and 330 watt power classes, and are ideally suited for use in permanent fabric structure applications, such as parking shade canopies for cars and electric vehicle charging stations. According to a recent study by the Industrial Fabrics Association International, creating shade structures for sun protection is one of the fastest growing applications for fabric structures.
"Depending upon location, a single parking space fitted with a PV-FlexMount-based canopy can generate an average of 4 to 7kilowatt hours (kWh) of clean, renewable electricity per day," said ShadePlex President, Brian Tell. This is enough power for many of the new electric vehicle chargers, or for internal building devices such as lighting and computers. Tell added, "A typical airport, mall, school, or office building has hundreds if not thousands of open, unshaded parking spaces, which is an enormous opportunity for our products to easily support the emerging electric vehicle infrastructure, as well as typical commercial power loads in addition to providing shade, UV resistance, and protection from the elements."
PV-FlexMount operates like traditional glass and metal solar panel products, allowing commercial customers to lock-in a competitive rate for electricity, save thousands of dollars a year on their utility electric bills, and reduce carbon emissions. However, PV-FlexMount provides significant advantages over traditional solar panel products:
- Lightweight and flexible: PV-FlexMount is 3 to 5 times lighter and thinner than rigid glass and metal framed solar panels. Weight and load requirements for most shade structures rule out the use of traditional rigid solar panels.
- Colors: PV-FlexMount is the first solar panel available in a wide variety of attractive colors, providing unique design and branding options for high power solar projects. Customers can now have a literally "green" solar array using green fabric-framed solar material – many other colors are also available.
- Versatility: In addition to shade canopies, PV-FlexMount can be used on flat commercial roofs without the need for glues, resins, or roof penetrations, and on sports/event dome roofs, and in military or emergency relief tents.
- Fast, easy installation and removability: PV-FlexMount is extremely durable and designed for permanent installations, but – unlike rigid solar panels – they are designed for quick, uncomplicated access to the fabric structure or underlying roof membrane when repairs or servicing are required.
"Many architects, developers, and property owners find rigid panels unattractive," notes Tell. "With PV-FlexMount these customers now have a modern, attractive solution that can be used to expand design solutions for high power solar projects."
ShadePlex has designed PV-FlexMount with a number of target applications in mind. ShadePlex provides systems engineering assistance to help architects, builders, installers, and developers optimize PV-FlexMount for use in their PV systems.
ABOUT SHADEPLEX
ShadePlex is a leading manufacturing integrator of solar-electric fabrics for buildings and structures. Based in northwest Ohio, a global center of excellence in solar technology research, development, and manufacturing, ShadePlex seeks to expand the worldwide use of solar technology through innovative applications with industrial and architectural fabrics. For more information, visit
www.ShadePlex.com.
