Akeena Solar named SEIA industry innovator

PHILADELPHIA, USA: Akeena Solar, a leading installer and distributor of solar systems, was honored with the Solar Energy Industries Association ("SEIA") Industry Innovator Award for its new Andalay AC solar panel system in a ceremony during the organization's PV America conference.

The award recognizes companies who have made key contributions to the industry through continual technological innovation and coincided with the release of a white paper detailing the technical advantages of Akeena's new Andalay AC solar panels, the first plug-and-play solar system.

"Barry Cinnamon founded Akeena Solar with a goal to improve solar, and his company's dedication to improving PV solar system architecture resulted in the introduction of a truly game-changing, grid-ready solar system," said Rhone Resch, CEO of SEIA.

"Their innovative Andalay AC solar power system-and its shortened training and installation times-breaks down the barriers to entry for small businesses and entrepreneurs eager to join the green economy, while providing a high performing, good looking system to homeowners."

"Andalay AC panels mark a fundamental industry shift and underscore our commitment to products that expand the solar market," said Barry Cinnamon, Akeena Solar CEO and founder. "We are honored to be recognized by SEIA for our efforts to streamline the installation process and for developing a solar panel system that meets the changing needs of both installers and homeowners."

Building on Akeena's award-winning racking and framing technology of their Andalay system, Andalay AC integrates Enphase micro-inverters into the panels themselves, eliminating 80 percent of the parts needed to install an ordinary solar system as well as its complicated and dangerous DC wiring.

The resulting simplified installation process requires less training, and the fully integrated inverters allow for greater flexibility in system design and decreased engineering costs while providing a sleek, jet black attractive design. The overall energy production of Andalay AC solar panels can be 5 to 25 percent higher than ordinary panels.

With the simplified installation process, Andalay installers can ramp up quickly to meet demand. Shipments of the Andalay AC panels have recently begun to installers in Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, New York and Washington. Additionally, Akeena Solar and Morgan Stanley Solar Solutions completed its first pilot project using the AC panels. Local community groups that were new to solar installed the Andalay AC panels on a Habitat for Humanity development in California.

The white paper, "A Solar Power Shift--Andalay AC: Revolutionizing Rooftop Solar Implementation," breaks down the benefits as relevant to the three key market segments in the solar industry: residential solar installers, potential solar customers, and the industry as a whole. The paper can be found on the product website at www.andalaysolar.com/cm/resources

Andalay AC system was also recently named the best renewable energy solution by the Green Log Awards, which spotlights innovative green building solutions.