German startup We Do Solar is gearing as much as ship its first balcony solar modules to prospects within the subsequent three weeks. pv journal caught up with one of many founders at Intersolar Europe 2022 to be taught extra in regards to the equipment, which incorporates a 1.6 kg versatile solar module individuals can set up themselves, and three revolutionary enterprise fashions.
May 17, 2022
We Do Solar is the brainchild of Karolina Attspodina and Qian Qin. pv journal had the pleasure of catching up with Qin at this 12 months’s Intersolar Europe to listen to in regards to the improvements behind the Berlin startup, which is about to ship its first balcony solar modules to prospects within the subsequent three weeks.
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We Do Solar is the brainchild of Karolina Attspodina and Qian Qin.
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Weighing in at a exceptional 1.6 kg, the product is a smooth, black solar module that may be clipped onto balcony railings, or anyplace there may be solar and a power socket. Taking the concept of plug and play a step additional, the equipment is designed for anybody to put in it themselves, with out the necessity for an electrician or engineer.
Overall, it includes eight 90 cm x 54 cm x 2 mm 640 Wp solar panels, manufactured in China. Each characteristic 99 monocrystalline shingled solar cells with an effectivity of 21.33%, and ETFE (ethylene tetrafluoroethylene) backsheets. A 600 W MPPT PV inverter can be included. The kits have been licensed and embody 25-year efficiency ensures.
According to the corporate, individuals can minimize their annual electrical energy payments by as much as 25%, along with lowering their carbon footprint. There can be has an app that lets you observe reside knowledge and examine how a lot inexperienced electrical energy you’ve gotten generated and the way a lot CO₂ you’ve gotten saved.
Innovative fashions
Currently, there are three enterprise fashions on provide:
- You should buy the equipment outright for €1,299
- If you’re an EV proprietor in Germany, you may change your CO2 certificates for a free equipment
- Employers could benefit from the Employee Benefit Program
Given the current shift to home workplace for lots of the world’s workforce, rising energy costs, and the subject of company sustainability climbing up the agenda, the third mannequin is especially engaging.
Essentially making a digital power plant with its staff, employers can lease the kits on month-to-month foundation and distribute them to staff with balconies. While the corporate receives CO2 certificates for producing clear electrical energy, the workers save on their electrical energy payments.
Karolina Attspodina and Qian Qin met within the German capital at 1.5 Degrees Ventures, an organization builder pushing startups that wish to rapidly scale back carbon through their merchandise and/or providers. As Qin instructed pv journal, the concept was to enhance upon an current product available on the market – growing a totally new product would take too lengthy – for a quick and broad uptake.
The balcony solar modules offered the proper alternative, mentioned Qin, as a result of they’ll allow many individuals to generate their very own clear electrical energy. Moreover, as a result of they’re simply put in and deinstalled, individuals can take them alongside once they transfer.
The enhancements on current balcony modules included lowering their weight; permitting individuals to put in and deinstall the techniques themselves by redesigning the interior connections so only one cable comes out of the modules; permitting for straightforward mounting with the clip perform; and constructing insurance coverage into the bundle to cowl situations like fireplace.
With a nod to sustainability, Qin mentioned that resulting from their gentle weight, the modules might be shipped as packages, which reduces the carbon footprint in comparison with the delivery of regular weight modules. It additionally permits for sooner supply instances. The firm additionally avoids plastic packaging, preferring to wrap the modules in paper.
“There is no reason to say no,” mentioned Qin.
We Do Solar was based in September 2021. While Qin couldn’t disclose how a lot has already been invested within the firm, he did say that there are a number of enterprise angels on board. The subsequent step is to seek out extra traders for additional development.
Initially, the corporate will serve the German market as a result of Germany has the best electrical energy costs. It intends to show its consideration to develop additional in Europe within the close to future, nevertheless.
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