LOS ANGELES - LG Electronics Inc. has announced the company’s entry into the North American solar industry. According to Geoff Slevin, vice president, Solar Division, LG Electronics North America, the company’s solar debut in the United States builds on its global expertise in marketing solar panels for residential, rooftop, and commercial applications while capitalizing on LG’s strong presence in the North American consumer and business-to-business marketplace.

LG said that launching its solar panels in the United States also represents a major milestone in the company’s plans to expand its global solar business to $2.4 billion by 2015. LG is investing $820 million over the next five years in its solar cell research and manufacturing to increase production capacity to more than one gigawatt.

“The U.S. is one of the fastest growing solar markets in the world and is expected to grow significantly over the next several years, in part due to federal and state incentives,” said Slevin, who joined LG this year from Carlisle Energy Services and BP Solar. “LG’s commitment to solar in the U.S. comes at just the right time to meet market demand for solar power with high-quality, sustainable, and innovative products that consumers and businesses alike have come to expect from a global technology leader.”

At Solar Power International 2010 in Los Angeles, LG Electronics unveiled photovoltaic (PV) modules including high-performance multicrystalline modules and monocrystalline modules. Key features of the new PV modules include a lightweight frame design that drains liquid even when installed at tough horizontal and vertical angles, internal mechanical load standards (5400Pa) and frame anodizing to improve the module frame’s durability. Specific models include:

• RIE Module – This technology applies RIE (Reactive Ion Etching) innovation, previously used for semiconductors, to solar cells.

• MWT Module – This high-performance multicrystalline module includes LG metal wrap through (MWT) technology, which can remove the wide ribbon usually found on the front of a multicrystalline module.

• High Power Monocrystalline Module – This high-performance module is said to combine all of LG’s second-generation cell manufacturing technology into one cutting-edge unit. It will be available in 2011.

• Tandem Thin Film – This large-area double-junction solar cell has one of the world’s highest efficiencies. LG said it is developing non-toxic silicon thin film that does not require scarce resources to produce. Its Tandem Thin Film uses wide light wavelength range for high power generation efficiency, with an initial efficiency rate of 11.1 percent.

• Multicrystalline module – This module is designed for home, building rooftop, and power generation applications. The module has a low light induced degradation (LID).

• Monocrystalline module – This module is designed for residential rooftop and building applications and is said to be lightweight and highly durable.

For more information on LG’s Solar Division, visit www.lg-solar.com.

Publication date:10/25/2010