USA:  Zep Solar, Inc., developers of the first PV module-integrated installation platform, today announced the addition of three new partners to its licensing program including PV module manufacturers Sharp Solar and Hanwha SolarOne, and microinverter manufacturer Enphase Energy. Having achieved critical mass, with five of the top ten global solar companies now counted among its roster of Zep Compatible PV module licensees, Zep Solar has emerged as a key enabler for standardization and cost-reductions within the worldwide solar industry. The aforementioned PV module partners are further augmented by a growing number of accessories partners developing and manufacturing Zep Compatible Balance of System, or “BOS,” hardware. Partnering companies include those headquartered in the U.S., Germany, China, Japan, Australia and Israel. Additionally, Zep Solar has been granted a conditional award of $919,626 to partner with the U.S. Department of Energy in a joint effort to dramatically reduce BOS costs. Zep Solar will be showcasing its products at Solar Power International in Dallas, Texas from October 17-20, 2011 (Booth # 4135). The company will feature hands-on demos of its residential and commercial systems in the booth at the top of each hour.

Zep Solar licenses its Zep Groove™ technology to PV module manufacturers who incorporate the special geometry into their PV module frame designs and then manufacture “Zep Compatible” PV modules. The Company also manufactures a full suite of mounting and grounding hardware as well as other accessories that mate with the Zep Groove. Additionally, Zep Solar licenses its technology to balance of system manufacturers who then develop Zep Compatible BOS hardware and electronics. Among the publicly disclosed partnerships, Zep Solar’s licensee partners now include global leaders Canadian Solar, Centrosolar, Eco-kinetics, ET Solar, Hanwha SolarOne, Sharp Electronics, Trina Solar, UpSolar, Yingli Solar and Enphase Energy.

“Zep Solar has a tremendous opportunity to leverage its technology base to establish an industry-wide standard for PV system installation that reduces the installed cost of solar through improvements in design, mounting, grounding, electronics integration, wire management and aesthetics.” said Mike Miskovsky, CEO of Zep Solar. “We’re proud of all we’ve achieved together – particularly the strong partnerships with many leading module manufacturers, technology providers, distributors and installers. These relationships help position the Zep Groove as the ‘USB port of solar.’ We are excited to have contracts in place for well over 150 megawatts over the next 18 months, and are building out capacity to manufacture as much as 400 megawatts of hardware and accessory products in 2012.”

In order to create a viable standards-based installation ecosystem and to protect the Zep Compatible platform for all of its partners, Zep Solar has developed a robust patent portfolio with 25 issued or pending U.S. and international patents. These protections, and the company’s strong IP legacy, have paid significant dividends in recent years as Zep Solar has repeatedly prevailed in U.S. District Courts and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) in the in the face of unsuccessful attacks from Akeena Solar (dba “Westinghouse Solar”).  The PTO, at Zep Solar’s request, has already reviewed and rejected all claims contained in the two patents that Akeena has asserted against the company. Company officials also point out that Zep Solar’s patent protections pre-date Akeena’s earliest patent.

Zep Solar’s business has truly reached another level this week with the signing of three more major licensing agreements.  “We started this company with a big idea: to reduce the cost of PV systems through the creation of an industry-wide installation platform. And now, we’ve reached the critical mass required to bring this vision into reality,” said Jack West, Zep Solar CTO and Chairman.