LOS GATOS, Calif., Sept. 9, 2008 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Akeena Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq:AKNS), a leading designer and installer of solar power systems, today announced the first major enhancement to its revolutionary integrated Andalay Solar Power System since the system's debut in September 2007. Akeena's commitment to improving Andalay has led to enhancing the panel's roof mounting and wire management systems, bolstering its reliability and further distancing itself from conventional systems.
"Details matter in building a solar power system. A breakdown anywhere corrupts the performance and reliability of the entire system," said Wilson Leong, chief technology officer of Akeena Solar. "Andalay's design enhancements, based on years of installation experience and our desire to improve upon the ordinary systems, take out the room for error found in those ordinary systems. These enhancements increase performance and make our systems even more reliable."
Phase one: The Panels
The Andalay system introduced in September 2007 represented the first radical change in solar system design in 30 years by incorporating many of the external electrical and racking elements into the panels themselves. The use of prefabricated panels eliminated 70 percent of the parts used in ordinary systems, drastically decreased the room for human error in the installation process and introduced unparalleled reliability and performance to the residential solar market.
Phase two: Balance of the System
The most recent round of upgrades focuses on further streamlining the installation process with the introduction of a prefabricated combiner box. The combiner box, the second most common point for system breakdown, will now be assembled in the factory rather than put together on rooftops, much like the rest of the system.
Additionally, through the addition of proprietary pieces -- fasteners and mounting jacks -- the Andalay system will be easier to place on any type of rooftop, regardless of roofing material or design. The new brackets are height adjustable, allowing the system to blend in more seamlessly with a home's architectural elements. They also require less cutting of rooftop materials, solidifying Andalay's place as the least structurally invasive product on the market.
Through a wire management system of stainless steel clips, Andalay strengthens the system's stability and high performance by getting rid of plastic zip ties that decay quickly over time -- the typical procedure that ordinary systems use to secure their wires.
By designing a solar power system that is built as a complete solution rather than a ordinary system's odd assortment of parts, Akeena Solar has dedicated itself to continued technical innovation. Andalay averts installation complexities and protects electrical wires from weather exposure -- both deficiencies of ordinary systems that affect their performance over their 25-year life.
"At Akeena Solar, we've always felt homeowners should get the most of their system as possible," said Barry Cinnamon, CEO of Akeena Solar. "These improvements go a long way toward guaranteeing the maximum output for homeowners -- something important in a world where everyone is increasingly conscious of rising electricity prices."
The Andalay solar system has been recognized for its breakthrough design by the International Design Excellence Awards, TecHome Builder Magazine and the Pacific Coast Builder's Conference (PCBC).
About Akeena Solar, Inc.
Founded in 2001, Akeena Solar's philosophy is simple: We believe producing clean electricity directly from the sun is the right thing to do for our environment and economy. Akeena Solar has grown to become one of the largest national installers of residential and commercial solar power systems in the United States. The company's new integrated solar panel system, Andalay, is the only solar panel system with integrated racking, wiring and grounding. Andalay panels offer unprecedented reliability, performance and beautiful design. For more information, visit Akeena Solar's website at www.akeena.com.
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