OPEL Receives Patent for Its High Concentration Solar Photovoltaic Module

OPEL Solar, Inc., a leading global developer and supplier of high concentration photovoltaic ("HCPV") solar panels and industry-leading solar tracking systems, today announced that OPEL has been issued a patent from the United States Patent office for OPEL's concentrating solar photovoltaic module used for the generation of electricity in utility scale solar power plants, as well as commercial and industrial building applications.

The new HCPV Module invention was developed by Edward J. Linke and Francisco A. Middleton and represents the fourth generation of OPEL's industry leading HCPV technology and modules.

OPEL's HCPV module contains a housing structure that supports an array of photovoltaic cells and corresponding light guides. Using concentration lenses to focus incident solar radiation into the housing toward the light guides that then project the solar radiation onto photovoltaic cells, the module has been recognized as a new, highly efficient solar energy apparatus.

"We're pleased to be awarded this patent recognition for our unique approach to solar power generation," said Lee M. Pierhal, President and Chief Executive Officer of OPEL Solar, "Our current High Concentration Photovoltaic Panel (HCPV) module is a high performance, reliable, cost–effective system developed for a wide array of grid connected solar systems for medium to high solar irradiance climates."

"Because the high efficiency of the OPEL Solar HCPV panels result in significantly higher power generation per unit of area than competing technologies, we are seeing great interest among numerous potential partners throughout the world," he continued.