Armageddon Energy, EconCore and Dupont develop ultra-light photovoltaic panel based on polyamide honeycomb technology

Armageddon Energy, EconCore and Dupont joined forces to create a new lightweight polymer solar panel, which is one-third the weight of a standard glass solar panel while being significantly more rugged and resistant to damage than standard panels. The high-performance solar panel and the global team that developed it represent combined innovations in materials, manufacturing and product design, all focused on delivering new and better products to commercial and residential customers in solar. 

The key advantages of the Armageddon solar panel design include 70 to 80 percent lower weight, minimal need for cleaning, greatly improved resistance to typical kinds of damage suffered by solar panels and unique adaptiveness to challenging applications. 

Underlying these advantages is a thermoplastic honeycomb sandwich panel technology developed by EconCore N.V. in Belgium. The EconCore substrate is an exceptionally strong, lightweight polyamide (DuPont™ Zytel®) honeycomb material that is produced continuously and can be in-line laminated with skin layers (DuPont™ Vizilon®) to deliver a cost-effective sandwich product uniquely suited to high-volume production. “The potential of a lightweight, durable solar panel is simply huge and this development opens up new markets and application perspectives, including those beyond photovoltaics,” said Tomasz Czarnecki, COO of EconCore. “We are committed to helping Armageddon bring their solar panel to market with high performance, competitive pricing and scalable manufacturing.”

DuPont Performance Materials provides an exceptionally strong and durable version of its Vizilon® thermoplastic composite to reinforce the substrates, as well as a tough Zytel® polyamide resin for the honeycomb core.  DuPont is one of the largest companies in the world with a major presence in solar.  “DuPont has a big footprint in solar with products like DuPont™ Tedlar® backsheet films and Solamet® metallization pastes, and we’re delighted to add this unique application of Vizilon® thermoplastic composites to that portfolio,” said Jan Sawgle, Program Manager, DuPont Performance Polymers.  “DuPont is uniquely positioned to understand just how large the growth potential is for solar and what hurdles need to be removed for that growth to happen.” 

Armageddon Energy, developer of high-performance solar panels and systems, announced today that, together with strategic partners EconCore and DuPont Performance Polymers, it was awarded a prestigious JEC Innovation Award for this PV honeycomb sandwich panel development. 

“We are honored to receive this recognition from JEC and the awards committee,” said Mark Goldman, CEO of Armageddon Energy.  “We’ve been investing through multiple product generations in new materials and novel designs to help expand the market for solar and those who have access to it, and we couldn’t be more pleased to be supported by the industry that’s critical to helping us realize that vision.”  Goldman noted that almost 2 billion people worldwide have limited access to electricity, and solar is ideally suited to meeting their needs economically. 

The Innovation Award will be presented during the JEC Future of Composites in Construction trade show to be held at McCormick Place in Chicago, June 20 – 22.   

The Innovation Award recognizes companies that are involved in leading edge and best of breed innovation using composite materials.  It serves to provide the winners with recognition within the composites industry and offers global visibility for their achievements, while also contributing to the advancement of the composites industry overall. This year, 5 companies will receive Innovation Awards in Chicago.

About DuPont Performance Materials
DuPont Performance Materials (DPM) is a global leader in thermoplastics, elastomers, renewably sourced polymers, high-performance parts and shapes, as well as resins that serve as adhesives, sealants, and modifiers.  DPM supports a globally linked network of regional application development experts who work with customers throughout the value chain to develop innovative solutions in automotive, packaging, construction, consumer goods, electrical/electronics and other industries. For additional information about DuPont Performance Materials, visit plastics.dupont.com. For additional information about DuPont™ Vizilon®, please visit:  vizilon.dupont.com

DuPont Performance Materials Contact
Jan Sawgle, Program Manager, 248-684-8824, janet.m.sawgle@dupont.com

About EconCore 

EconCore, based in Leuven, Belgium, provides technology for the continuous production of honeycomb sandwich materials. The unique ability to produce rigid but lightweight panels within a cost-efficient, integrated high-volume production process is licensed by several companies over the world. The fast, versatile, continuous thermoplastic honeycomb production process allows users to produce sandwich materials for various applications including automotive, transportation, building and construction, industrial packaging/graphical displays, furniture and many others at minimal cost, weight and environmental impact. For more information, please visit www.econcore.com.

EconCore Contact
Bianka Nagy, Media Affairs, +32 16 381060, Bianka.Nagy@econcore.com 

About Armageddon Energy
Armageddon Energy is the developer of the SolarClover, a modular solar energy system that features unique high performance hexagonal solar panels and a rapid assembly triangular rack.  The SolarClover features lightweight, breakage resistant hexagonal solar panels and easy to assemble, exceptionally stable triangular racks.  The SolarClover system is designed to be installed by non-specialists like electricians, roofers and general contractors using the tools and training they already possess. With a basic system size of 1-kW AC, the SolarClover is designed primarily to offset expensive peak electricity demand and improve grid stability.   

Armageddon Energy Contact
Mia Farber, Media Affairs, (650) 641-2899