Spanish start-up Tornasol Energy has launched a solar kit to enable flexible PV power generation on balconies, terraces, awnings, caravans and boats.
The kit consists of one or two modules, a microinverter, and a five-meter cable. Thanks to its plug-in technology, it can be connected to any electrical outlet and immediately begin generating electricity.
The company sells a 300 W kit including only one panel, at a price of €450; and a 600 W kit, including two modules, at a price of €790.
The monocrystalline solar module is provided by U.S. manufacturer SunPower. Its size is 1,710×1,029×5.6mm and its weight is 6kg. The cell efficiency is indicated at 24.8%. The microinverter, which is provided by Chinese manufacturer Envertech, measures 248x236x27.5mm and weighs in at 2.8kg. Its efficiency is around 95%.
The offer also includes the mounting structures to hang the panels on a balcony railing.
“The idea came from our own experience. Seeing the trend in the cost of electricity, we wanted to rely on solar energy by installing panels on our balconies but the bulky conventional panels we found did not allow it,” said Santiago Vernetta, co-founder of the company. “It was then that we decided to investigate [creating] kits that would allow a more versatile use.”
According to the company, the solar panels are flexible and easy to handle, and they connect directly to any socket feeding the home network. Tornasol Energy is currently working on including batteries in the kits.
