Spelsberg Sets Store by Safety and Efficiency

SCHALKSMUHLE and BUTTSTADT, Germany, July 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Gunther Spelsberg GmbH + Co. KG, innovative developer of systems for the installation of photovoltaic modules, will be presenting at Intersolar North America from July 12th to 14th in San Francisco. The pioneering technology of the company's new PV module junction boxes with integrated electronics is an especially impressive enhancement in safety and efficiency. With its comprehensive product certification, Spelsberg also provides more planning certainty for customers all over the world. "The US solar market is currently one of the fastest-growing markets, so Intersolar North America is a very important forum for us to present our products," said Martin Lutgens, Head of Sales for Photovoltaics at Spelsberg.

Spelsberg, with almost 25 years of PV experience, will present a design study of its pioneering PV safety system at the biggest North American solar technology trade show. At its heart is a chip with a protective electronic circuit built directly into the PV junction box. In an emergency, the chip short-circuits the PV module. Whether reacting to a malfunction or a signal from the connected emergency stop switch, Spelsberg's PVL-I system (PV Lifeline Integrated Safety) cuts off the generated PV energy at the source. By switching off power directly in the junction box, the system ensures safety in case of fire or during installation and maintenance, where normally DC voltages as high as 1,000 volts are present.

With the PV 1410-2 ISBT™, Spelsberg brings along an additional module junction box with advanced integrated electronics. Its Ideal Solar Bypass Technology (ISBT™) sets new standards. In the module junction box, a patented electronic circuit replaces the conventional Schottky diodes as bypass element, making the PV 1410-2 ISBT™ able to provide better protection for solar cell strings in case of shading by bypassing them nearly loss-free. The module junction box also provides more efficient protection against overvoltage caused by lightning; it can withstand lightning-induced impulses of up to 1.4 joules. For operators and installers of PV systems, that results in several advantages: The PV 1410-2 ISBT™ increases the efficiency as well as the operational safety and investment security of the entire PV system.

In addition, Spelsberg's PV module junction boxes now have dual certification. This means that all junction boxes have the European IEC/TUV seal as well as the UL mark from Underwriters Laboratories, the American standards organisation. Both certifications stand for the best in quality and safety. Customers no longer need to choose between products for the European and the North American market. They can be certain that Spelsberg products are suitable for all markets.

Spelsberg at Intersolar North America: Stand 7835, West Level 1, Moscone Center, San Francisco, USA

Gunther Spelsberg GmbH + Co. KG; Im Gewerbepark 1; D-58579 Schalksmuhle; Germany

SOURCE Gunther Spelsberg GmbH + Co. KG