PowerFilm Solar
1287 XE Place , Ames, Iowa, United States

PowerFilm specializes in the design, engineering, manufacturing and assembly of custom solar solutions. A US-based company with over 200 staff-years of technical expertise, PowerFilm delivers innovative remote, portable power solutions to meet client needs.  The Soltronix brand brings PowerFilm expertise, innovation and commitment to US-based crystalline silicon solutions. Soltronix brings you complete solutions to fit your application, including panels, encapsulation, semi-flexible substrates, proprietary PowerBoost charge controllers, and the collaboration and customer service you expect from a US-based company.  PowerFilms proprietary manufacturing provides custom amorphous silicon panels that work in any light environment, including the indoor, industrial lighting of many IoT sensor applications.  Celebrating thirty years in business, PowerFilm is proud to be one of the few US-based solar manufacturing companies operating today.

Solar expertise

• Global leader in proprietary, custom manufacturing of flexible amorphous silicon (aSi) material. PowerFilm provides solutions from uW to kW, from mV to 30V, from panels an inch square to many yards square.

• Custom design and assembly of semi-flexible crystalline silicon (cSi) solutions, from 20W to 200W, leveraging advantages of full-cell assemblies with integrated charge controllers.

• R&D and assembly experience with both HIT and GaAs technologies.

Technical expertise

• Industry-leading, PhD-level in designing and building solar solutions across multiple technologies and countless applications.

• Dedicated staff-level expertise in EE and ME design, prototyping and manufacturing.

• Recognized, ongoing partner in many US government R&D initiatives.

• Experienced with a wide range of laminates, adhesives, substrates and interconnect options.

• Complementary electronics expertise including recommendations and sourcing of various battery capacities and chemistry, custom-built and off-the-shelf charge controllers, EHC recommendations and programming, and connectors and cabling.

Business expertise

• 30 years as a US-based company designing, engineering, manufacturing, distributing, supporting and improving solar technology and custom solutions.
• US-based facility, including all design, engineering, production and customer support.
• Serving remote, portable energy needs across government, industrial, commercial and consumer markets.

Custom

• Our technology and engineering expertise provide quick understanding and response to your application needs -- needs in power, in supporting electronics, in performance under varying environmental conditions.
• PowerFilms ownership of the process from design to manufacturing enables us to quickly prototype to your requirements, providing solutions in the quantities you need as your business evolves.
• Panels of nearly any size and power profile, on any substrate you choose, with the encapsulation you need, in a flexible form factor, delivered in the quantities you choose.
• Beyond the panel, PowerFilm offers full consultation and delivery on the complete electronics package you need -- battery chemistry and capacity, charge controllers, embedded circuit boards, even custom cabling and connectors.
• PowerFilm offers unique cSi solutions under Soltronix that combine industry-leading SunPower ® solar cells and custom-built charge controllers to match your system voltage needs while maintaining the efficiency available only in full-cell designs.

Foldable Solar Panels

"PowerFilm panels are ideal for bug out bags and other outdoor activities due to their being exceptionally portable, lightweight, durable and efficient. Their flexibility makes for a variety of possibilities in terms of how they can be set up, throw it on a tent, hang it from a tree, backpack, or just roll it out on the ground. Most monocrystalline panels Ive seen are too heavy to be thrown over shelter setups like tents, or too awkward or inefficient in variable light conditions to be effectively mounted to a backpack when mobile. PowerFilm quality is second to none and supports American workers."

Rollable Solar Panels

PowerFilm Rollable Solar Panels are light, flexible and stand-up to the toughest punishment. Like all PowerFilm solar technology our rollable panels outperform other solar technologies in low-light conditions providing you with the largest charging window over the course of any day (even cloudy days).

Soltronix Solar Panels

Soltronix solar panels are designed and engineered to be the most durable semi-flexible crystalline silicon panels on the market. They are made from high-efficiency SunPower solar cells and paired with a proprietary encapsulation system that ensures the best durability and environmental protection. All modules are tested at the end of the manufacturing process to ensure they exceed the advertised performance.      The PowerBoost series of charge controllers incorporate high-efficiency DC-DC converters and a proprietary power point tracking system to optimize the power collected from the solar panel and efficiently charge a battery. Our charge controllers are specifically designed for use with solar and will not overcharge and reduce the life of the battery, a common problem with off-the-shelf three-stage charge controllers.     The encapsulation stack used in the Soltronix panels offers protection from hot, humid environments, icing, water immersion, and saltwater spray. Additionally, the encapsulation stack has been engineered to withstand ½” hail with no degradation in panel performance.

Electronic Component Solar Panels

Electronic Component Solar Panels provide ideal building blocks for rapid prototyping, with over 25 variations in stock (listed below). Select from a wide range of panels that meet your voltage, power, footprint and overall application requirements. Panels can be connected and customized in many different ways depending on your needs.

Stock Panels

PowerFilms Electronic Component Solar Panels Stock Program is perfectly positioned to fast track an integrated solar project from concept to development to production. The stock Electronic Component Solar Panels offered by PowerFilm have been selected from years of experience to provide the most versatility for use in a wide variety of applications.