Andalay Solar, a supplier of integrated solar power systems, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Hyundai Heavy Industries. Hyundai intends to license and manufacture solar modules using Andalay’s Instant Connect frame technology.
The new Hyundai-branded TG-Series solar modules are expected to use 60-cell monocrystalline or polycrystalline technology (255w-280w) with a black Andalay frame, and will be manufactured in South Korea with an initial annualized capacity of over 50MW. The module is currently undergoing UL certification and is expected to begin shipping late in the first quarter of 2015.
“The addition of Hyundai as an Andalay frame technology partner will help us expand our sales in the rapidly growing U.S. residential solar market,” said Andalay Solar President and CEO Steven Chan. “The Hyundai brand is well known to end-consumers and the company’s financial strength as an over $50 billion revenue company is also acknowledged by solar leasing companies.”
“This Hyundai partnership is a giant first step in our new strategy of partnering with tier-one module manufacturers to license Andalay’s patented technology. I expect these partnerships, each of which validates the value of our core technology, will serve as the key catalysts to enable us to rapidly expand adoption of our Instant Connect system among major installers in the marketplace. We already have pre-orders for over 1MW of the Hyundai TG-Series module and are excited to grow this rapidly,” Chan said.
Andalay was the first in the residential solar industry to receive a patent from the USPTO for its Instant Connect integrated solar technology which eliminates conventional racking and provides a cleaner look, safer wire management, and faster installation.