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Can I use the Sunflower on my house? My farm? My off-grid mountain cabin?
The first commercial Sunflower system is designed for grid-tied, solar-farm applications with a minimum power output of
500kW, and would not be appropriate for individual, residential use. In the future there may be a version of the
system for these types of uses. Please check back.
Can I have a Sunflower for use in my classroom?
Unfortunately we do not have any spare systems to lend to schools and colleges at this time.
When are you shipping and what will it cost?
We will be shipping our first commercial units in 2009, and are currently quoting projects (with a minimum power output of 500kW)
that will be installed in that timeframe. The price of a Sunflower system varies depending on the unique requirements of each project.
We would be happy to discuss your project and develop and quote for you. Please contact us.
How do I become a system integrator or distribution/reseller for Sunflower?
Sunflower systems are designed to be a part of commercial solar installations with a minimum power output of 500kW.
The ideal installations are referred to as "Solar Farms." If you are involved with projects such as this, we would be
happy to discuss partnering and/or reselling opportunities with you. Please contact us.
I would like to help distribute your products in overseas, off-grid settings?
The first commercial Sunflower system is designed for grid-tied, solar-farm applications in the US and Europe and would not be appropriate for small system, off-grid use. In the future there may be versions of the product for this type of use. Please check back.
System integrators may well consider employing the Sunflower system for local-grid, village power applications in appropriate locations in 2010.
System integrators may well consider employing the Sunflower system for local-grid, village power applications in appropriate locations in 2010.
What is the warranty on a Sunflower System?
Our system has a warranty for 10 years to protect against defective workmanship, system or component breakdown or degradation of more than 15% from the originally rated electrical output during the ten-year period. This will meet the requirements for California Performance Based Incentives for system warranty. In addition, custom and/or extended warranties can be negotiated.
What is the energy density of a 1MW Sunflower System installation?
5 acres of land are required to install a Sunflower System generating 1MW of power.
Can you use the Sunflower to generate hydrogen?
Any source of electricity can be used to generate hydrogen from water, and certainly solar would be far more environmentally
friendly than coal or natural gas (either as the source of electricity or the source of the hydrogen). System integrators
may well consider employing the Sunflower system for hydrogen production in appropriate locations.
Will I be able to integrate your system into my existing PV system?
The cost and performance advantages of the Sunflower are a result of the tight integration of the module, controller, tracking system and inverter.
This makes it unlikely that integration of a Sunflower system into an existing PV system will be cost effective. At this time, it would be best
to develop a new Sunflower installation.
What about combining your systems with a wind farm?
Some of the settings that are ideal for a wind farm might also be viable for solar.
However the same issues for integrating into an existing PV installation apply to wind installations as
well. At this time, it would be best to develop a new Sunflower installation.
What about storing the electricity in some sort of battery system for later use?
The first commercial Sunflower system is designed for grid-tied use. Battery storage is
an alternative for systems designed to ensure uninterrupted power during a blackout or in
off-grid settings, but the first commercial units of Sunflower will not offer this.
While we are not offering these systems ourselves, a system designer/integrator can easily
integrate batteries or other storage devices according to a customer's needs.
Can it withstand being hit by hailstones?
All devices of this type must pass the "hail test," among others, before being certified for commercial use.
How much electrical power is produced in full sun?
We are still determining the final specifications for the product and will release them at the point of commercial availability.
Where will the system be useful? What about rainy locations like Seattle or British Columbia?
Solar electric systems can be used any place where there is sun, which pretty much means everywhere. Whether it's cost-effective
to install a system, however, is another matter. Clearly some areas of the world get more insolation
(amount of solar radiation per unit of surface area) than others and would therefore generate more electricity using the Sunflower.
See our Is It Right For You page for further information.
Where can I read more about the technical aspects of your system?
At this time, we are only releasing technical information to our preferred partners with whom we are developing quotes for active projects.
If you are involved with projects appropriate for Sunflower, we would be happy to discuss partnering and/or reselling opportunities with
you. Within that process, more technical details are available. Please contact us.
Where can I go to see the Sunflower in action?
At the moment, all of our prototypes are installed at our test facility, which is closed to the public.
How do I get a job/internship at EI?
Please see the Jobs section of this site at www.energyinnovations.com/contact_us to learn more about available positions and how to apply.
Can you help me locate someone to assist me with my alternative energy project?
There are a variety of sources available to you to assist with your solar or other alternative energy needs.
A good place to start is the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy at
www.eere.energy.gov. You might also check with the Solar Energy Industries Association,
a trade association of companies involved in solar products and services, at www.seia.org. Go to the section
"State SEIAs" for a list of contacts in your state.
How do I invest? When is your IPO?
At the moment we are well funded and have no plans for a public offering of our stock.
Who can I contact for more information?
You will find contact information at www.energyinnovations.com/contact_us.
© Copyright 2003-2008 Energy Innovations, Inc. All Rights Reserved. All trademarks are
the property of their respective owners. Reference herein does not constitute
or imply affiliation with, endorsement, or recommendation of Energy Innovations,
Inc. products by the respective trademark owners.
