Israeli solar manufacturer Apollo Power has achieved a significant milestone with its new generation of flexible, lightweight solar modules, the Panda Plus. The company recently announced that the module has secured a Class A fire certification from a certified laboratory.
According to CEO Oded Rozenberg, this is the first time a flexible and lightweight solar module has achieved a Class A fire resistance rating, an achievement previously reserved only for rigid glass modules.
Unprecedented Testing and Durability
The Class A fire performance of the Panda Plus was achieved through a new manufacturing patent and improved materials that Apollo Power has kept confidential. To achieve this rating, the polymer-based modules were subjected to the same rigorous testing regime as standard glass panels. This highly demanding testing included:
- 1,000 hours of damp-heat cycling.
- Accelerated weathering.
- Hail testing.
Panda Plus Specifications and Formats
Launched in June 2026, the Panda Plus utilizes a fully flexible 72-cell (6×12) platform and is available in three distinct formats:
- Frameless Modules: Available in white and black for adhesive installations. Rated at 320 W (±5%), these modules weigh just 6.8 kg (±3%) and measure 2,020 × 1,005 × 2.3 mm, featuring a front-mounted junction box.
- Framed Module: Designed for standard racking, this version trades some weight savings for rack compatibility. It is rated at 310 W (±5%), weighs 9.5 kg (±5%), and sits within a 23 mm black-anodized aluminum frame with a rear-mounted junction box.
The framed option was introduced in response to customer demand for modules that could be easily replaced or moved without disturbing the underlying adhesive. Rozenberg noted that while it gives up some of the weight advantages, it remains significantly lighter than a comparable glass panel with its required mounting hardware.
Expanding Markets and Future Launches
While Apollo Power’s primary market remains residential and commercial rooftops with structural weight or design constraints, the company is actively expanding its footprint.
- Integrated Solar Roofing: Apollo Power is partnering with an unnamed US roofing company to launch a new integrated solar-roofing product. The product, which has already secured necessary module certifications, is expected to debut at the RE+ trade show in Las Vegas this November.
- Automotive Integration: Capitalizing on transport electrification in the US, Apollo Power has introduced a lightweight rooftop solar module and charger kit for buses and trucks. These kits include the flexible panels, PV cables, and an MPPT charge controller.
- Commercial Partnerships: The company is currently in the process of deploying its flexible solar energy solutions across more than 300 ARKO gas stations in the United States under a strategic partnership.
Apollo Power manufactures all of its panels at its facility in Israel, which operates with an annual capacity of roughly 200 MW, while sourcing certain raw materials internationally. Distribution is handled through tier-one partners alongside direct sales to large end users, such as Amazon’s European logistics centers.
Official source
Apollo Power Official Website: https://apollo-power.com/
Panda Plus Technical Datasheet (PDF): Apollo Panda Plus – Frame and Frameless Specifications
pv magazine – Written by Matthew Lynas: Apollo Power claims certification first for lightweight flexible module
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