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OPES Solutions launches lead-free soldering in production

By achieving lead-free soldering in the manufacturing process, the organization eliminates a harmful but common substance found in many solar production methods. By leading the way in the creation and application of environmentally friendly solar panels, OPES has been able to attract like-minded partners like the social enterprise BioLite who will be using these new panels for the first time in their 2020 products.

BioLite, an off-grid energy provider specializing in solar lighting and charging, sees this partnership as an actionable component of its sustainability strategy: „At the core of BioLite's mission is a belief in a clean energy future for both people and the planet. We promise reliable, sustainable, renewable energy solutions for our customers, so it is critical that we, as an organization, examine and take responsibility for our own practices. The use of the new modules is a further step in our sustainability strategy, which has already resulted in BioLite being climate-neutral since 2015,” says BioLite’s VP of Marketing, Erica Rosen.

Advantages for end of life

"With the new module variants, we offer our customers the opportunity to design their products in a particularly environmentally friendly way on request. This makes sense in all areas of application, but especially in the growing Energy Access market in regions where waste management structures are incomplete," says Robert Händel CEO of OPES Solutions. “As a further benefit, the working environment at our factory in Changzhou becomes healthier,” adds Händel.

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What can be done to second-life solar modules.

The new module variants are equipped with monocrystalline cells and are available in outputs from 3.6 watts to 180 watts. The material expertise and flexible production at OPES Solutions make it possible to use a wide variety of front and back materials, which are selected according to the intended use of the modules. For frame, junction box, connector and cable, both standard solutions and individual designs are available. (mfo)