3M and tenKsolar, Inc. announced today a significant advancement in generating solar electricity with reflected light. The tenKsolar RAIS® Wave commercial solar array integrates the 3M Cool Mirror Film 330 reflective material enabling it to generate up to 60 percent more annual energy per square foot of rooftop than a typical installation with conventional solar. At the same time, the technology substantially reduces photovoltaic (PV) system costs, and provides net energy savings to the building by reducing rooftop temperatures under the array.
“The tenKsolar innovative module design is well suited for additional solar flux, as well as partial shading,” said 3M’s Business Development Manager for Renewable Energy, Dr. Daniel Chen. “Their complete rooftop system design is a great match for 3M’s Cool Mirror Film 330, which increases power production from a low concentrating solar array.”
In addition, 3M recently commissioned a grid-tied 4.5 kilowatt tenKsolar RAIS® Wave solar array at its Cottage Grove facility.
Dallas Meyer, Founder and President of tenKsolar added, “As always, the 3M team has developed an outstanding optical material with the required ruggedness and durability for use in solar.” Tim Hebrink, Lead Product Development Specialist added, “It is always energizing to work with customers applying 3M technologies to enable new and innovative products.”
3M Cool Mirror Film 330 offers a low photopic reflectance, and minimal heat reflection. These features lead to a substantial gain in power from tenKsolar modules at a lower cost than that of conventional PV modules. In its first six months of production, tenKsolar shipments are approaching two mega-watts of its unique arrays and has several megawatts of orders booked.
About 3M
3M captures the spark of new ideas and transforms them into thousands of ingenious products. Our culture of creative collaboration inspires a never-ending stream of powerful technologies that make life better. 3M is the innovation company that never stops inventing. With $27 billion in sales, 3M employs about 80,000 people worldwide and has operations in more than 65 countries. For more information, visit www.3M.com or follow @3MNews on Twitter.
About tenKsolar
tenKsolar designs, manufactures and markets the world’s most productive and reliable photovoltaic solutions. The tenKsolar RAIS Wave solution offers a complete, turnkey commercial rooftop solar photovoltaic system providing the industry’s best energy density, low voltage safety and low cost of installation. Founded in 2008, tenKsolar is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. More information about tenKsolar can be found at http://www.tenksolar.com/http://www.tenksolar.com/
3MPublic Relations:Colleen Harris, 651-733-1566http://www.3m.com/PressContactorAntenna GroupPublic Relations:Kathryn Harper, 415-977-1936kathryn@antennagroup.comortenKsolarErica Robinson, 952-303-7620erobinson@tenKsolar.com
