Solbian at METS 2015

The Solbian path to quality never stops. At METS, the most important European marine accessories trade show, the company will introduce several improvements.

Solbianflex panels will be available with two different surface finishes. A completely new textured front sheet but also a more resistant standard glossy finishing. Both the solutions take advantage of the most advanced polymers, thanks to the collaboration with main European companies.

The textured front, intended for structural application on boat decks, offers a better grip when stepped on and an improved scratch and UV resistance thanks to the use of the external fluorinated polymeric layer. A sligthly increased thickness of the panel assures a better impact resistance, still retaining the usual lightness and flexibility of Solbianflex panels.

The textured front and a new safer rear contact will also be presented and will be offered together as "Surface Mounting (^SM) option". Solbianflex^SM panels will become part of your boat deck, your caravan roof or your golf cart hard-top. The SM option consists of a textured surface and a safe and durable electrical connection via moisture-resistant cables. A custom-made grommet offers a perfect sealing of the electrical contacts and avoids chafing of the cables. Last but not least, SM panels can be offered with ready-to-use structural adhesive.

As written above, the standard glossy surface panels have been renewed too. Also in this case thanks to the use of a top performing polymer (ETFE) as external layer. A path to quality that allowed the extension of the Solbianflex warranty to 5+5 years.

Another important news regards the SunPower cells used in the SP series. After some months of testing Solbian is glad to present the IEC certified SP series, with the new E60 cell generation (replacing the C60). The new cells are easy to recognize because they are darker (more light absorbtion) and a bit more efficient, with the promise of a further efficiency step in the next future.

With this last certification effort, Solbian extends the IEC 61215 and IEC 61730 qualities to the marine market.

METS will also see the presence of the Energy Flyer, the most advanced solar charger on the market, featuring four SunPower cells and a sophisticated MPPT USB charger, able to charge a mobile at the same speed of the wall charger.

The Solbian quality in short:

ISO 9001 certified manufacturing plant in Italy (OHSAS 18001 Safety and ISO 14001 Environmental certifications have been obtained too).

IEC 61215 and IEC 61730 Product Certifications obtained in 2011 and renewed in 2015 with improved materials. 

First grade SunPower cells. Crystalline silicon cells used in CP and SXp series are supplied by main Korean and Taiwanese companies.

All the polymers used are supplied by European companies. Four of the films encapsulating the solar cells are customized products made on the basis of Solbian specifications

Junction box, cables and connectors are supplied by Hirschmann Automotive (Austria) and Multicontact, the company which created the standard for solar connectors (MC4 and MC3).