TenKsolar

TenKsolar was a United States solar-technology company focused on integrated photovoltaic systems for commercial and other flat-roof applications. Its central product concept was the RAIS, or Redundant Array of Integrated Solar, architecture, which combined photovoltaic modules, power electronics, reflective components, and racking into a coordinated system rather than treating modules, inverters, and mounting equipment as largely separate components. The company promoted a parallel electrical architecture operating at approximately 50 volts, in contrast with conventional photovoltaic arrays that commonly use series-connected strings at substantially higher voltages. Dallas Meyer began developing TenKsolar's proprietary technology in early 2008. Later that year, the company was capitalized with approximately $8 million in investment. In 2009, TenKsolar formed a strategic relationship with 3M, which supplied reflective film intended to concentrate additional light onto the photovoltaic modules. The collaboration supported the RAIS Wave product concept and was associated with claims of substantially higher energy production per square foot than conventional arrays. TenKsolar shipped its first panels in September 2010. The company reported approximately $3 million in revenue during that year and raised roughly $5.64 million in additional investment. Its reported primary shareholders included PrairieGold Venture Partners and the National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative. In 2011, the company introduced a third-generation 180-watt RAIS photovoltaic module using high-efficiency monocrystalline cells in a proprietary matrix configuration. TenKsolar subsequently introduced larger modules, including 420-watt polycrystalline and 440-watt monocrystalline versions in 2012. The company's value proposition centered on energy yield, fault isolation, and electrical safety. In TenKsolar's parallel design, an issue affecting an individual cell or module was intended to have a more localized effect than a failure in a series-connected string. The company also emphasized reduced risk from high-voltage shock and arc flash, supported by the system's low operating voltage and integrated ground-fault detection. Its wave-shaped, reflector-assisted configuration was designed for flat-roof installations and was marketed as capable of increasing energy density compared with conventional solar arrays. TenKsolar attracted further investment in April 2012, when Hanwha Corporation and ESP Novusmodus LP led a reported $15.5 million Series B financing. In July 2013, the company announced a strategic alliance with Gehrlicher North America to support deployment of RAIS systems in North American photovoltaic projects. Despite its technology development, financing, and commercial partnerships, TenKsolar later encountered operational problems. In May 2017, it announced that it was suspending operations or terminating most business activities. Publicly described reasons included widespread inverter failures, weakening sales, and increasing warranty and repair claims. The company is therefore treated as defunct or no longer operating as an active commercial solar brand.

TenKsolar emerged in 2008 around intellectual property developed by Dallas Meyer for an integrated photovoltaic architecture. The concept sought to address limitations associated with conventional solar arrays, particularly the dependence on series-connected module strings, high operating voltages, cascading effects from component failures, and safety hazards during installation or emergency response. The company was capitalized with approximately $8 million in investment later in 2008. In 2009, TenKsolar entered a strategic partnership with 3M. The larger industrial company supplied reflective film intended to improve the concentration of light on TenKsolar's modules. This component supported the RAIS Wave design, which combined photovoltaic generation, reflective surfaces, racking, and electronics in a wave-like arrangement. TenKsolar stated that this integrated design could produce considerably more energy per unit of roof area than standard solar arrays. Commercialization began in 2010. TenKsolar shipped its first panels in September and reported about $3 million in revenue for the year. It also raised approximately $5.64 million during 2010 and launched a Series B financing effort to support sales growth. Reported principal shareholders included PrairieGold Venture Partners and the National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative. Product development continued with the introduction of a third-generation 180-watt RAIS module in May 2011. The module used high-efficiency monocrystalline cells arranged in a proprietary matrix. TenKsolar described the system as capable of producing substantially more energy from a roof than conventional solutions. In 2012, it announced larger 420-watt polycrystalline and 440-watt monocrystalline modules, with the larger format tilted at approximately 22 degrees. The product family was intended primarily for flat-roof commercial installations. The company also obtained additional financial and commercial support. In April 2012, Hanwha Corporation and ESP Novusmodus LP led a reported $15.5 million Series B investment. In July 2013, TenKsolar announced a strategic alliance with Gehrlicher North America to pursue deployment of its high-efficiency RAIS systems in North American photovoltaic projects. TenKsolar's technical claims focused on the interaction of its electrical and mechanical architecture. Its modules and power electronics were connected in parallel at a system voltage of approximately 50 volts, rather than being assembled into conventional high-voltage strings. The company argued that this arrangement isolated many cell and module problems, reduced the possibility of cascading losses, and lowered the risk of dangerous shock and arc-flash events. Integrated ground-fault detection and reflector-assisted light management were also presented as important system features. The business ultimately failed to sustain operations. In May 2017, TenKsolar announced that it was suspending operations and terminating most of its business activities. The cited problems included widespread inverter failures, declining sales, and increasing warranty and repair obligations. No later operating activity is established in the supplied reference material, so TenKsolar is classified as defunct.

• 2017

  Suspension of operations

  [1]TenKsolaren.wikipedia.org

  TenKsolar announced that it was suspending operations and terminating most business activities amid inverter failures, weak sales, and higher warranty and repair claims.

• 2013

  Gehrlicher North America alliance

  [1]TenKsolaren.wikipedia.org

  TenKsolar announced an alliance with Gehrlicher North America to pursue RAIS deployments in North American projects.

• 2012

  Series B investment and larger modules

  [1]TenKsolaren.wikipedia.org

  Hanwha Corporation and ESP Novusmodus LP led a reported $15.5 million Series B investment, while TenKsolar announced 420-watt and 440-watt module variants.

• 2011

  Third-generation RAIS module

  [1]TenKsolaren.wikipedia.org

  The company released a 180-watt third-generation RAIS photovoltaic module based on monocrystalline cells.

• 2010

  First panel shipments

  [1]TenKsolaren.wikipedia.org

  TenKsolar shipped its first panels in September and reported approximately $3 million in revenue for the year.

• 2009

  Partnership with 3M

  [1]TenKsolaren.wikipedia.org

  TenKsolar partnered with 3M for reflective film intended to improve light concentration in the RAIS Wave system.

• 2008

  Technology development and capitalization

  [1]TenKsolaren.wikipedia.org

  Dallas Meyer began developing TenKsolar's proprietary technology early in the year, and the company was capitalized with approximately $8 million later in 2008.

TenKsolar positioned itself as an alternative to conventional high-voltage, series-string photovoltaic systems. Its differentiation rested on integrated power electronics, parallel electrical connections, static reflectors, high energy density, localized fault effects, and improved installer and firefighter safety.

• Integrated photovoltaic system · 2009

  RAIS Wave

  RAIS Wave was TenKsolar's principal integrated solar architecture for flat roofs. It combined photovoltaic modules, integrated power electronics, reflective film or surfaces, and racking in a wave-shaped arrangement. The system used parallel connections at approximately 50 volts and was marketed around higher energy density, localized fault effects, and reduced exposure to high-voltage shock and arc-flash hazards.

• Photovoltaic module · 2011

  180 W third-generation RAIS module

  Introduced in 2011, this RAIS module used high-efficiency monocrystalline solar cells arranged in a proprietary matrix configuration. It was presented as part of TenKsolar's effort to increase energy production per roof area while preserving the company's low-voltage, integrated-system design.

• Photovoltaic module · 2012

  420 W polycrystalline module

  This larger-format module was announced in 2012 as a higher-output option for TenKsolar's integrated photovoltaic platform. It used polycrystalline cells and was described as being installed at an approximately 22-degree tilt.

• Photovoltaic module · 2012

  440 W monocrystalline module

  Announced alongside the 420-watt polycrystalline model in 2012, the 440-watt version used monocrystalline cells in a larger tilted module format. It represented the higher-output monocrystalline option in TenKsolar's later product lineup.

• 2017

  Suspension and termination of most business activitiesOther

  Background

  TenKsolar faced reported inverter failures, weakening sales, and rising warranty and repair claims.

  Action taken

  The company announced that it was suspending operations and terminating most of its business activities.

  Aftermath

  The announcement marked the end of TenKsolar's active commercial operation as described in the available reference material.

  Source

• 2011

  Launch of the third-generation 180 W RAIS moduleGeneration change

  Background

  TenKsolar was expanding and refining its integrated photovoltaic product platform.

  Action taken

  The company released a third-generation 180-watt module using high-efficiency monocrystalline cells in a proprietary matrix.

  Aftermath

  The module was marketed as capable of producing substantially more energy per roof than conventional systems.

  Source

• 2009

  Integrate reflective film into the RAIS Wave architectureStrategy

  Background

  TenKsolar sought to increase energy production per unit of roof area in commercial photovoltaic installations.

  Action taken

  The company partnered with 3M to use reflective film that concentrated additional light on the photovoltaic modules.

  Aftermath

  TenKsolar associated the resulting RAIS Wave system with materially higher energy output per square foot than a standard solar array.

  Source

• 2017

  TenKsolar suspends operations[1]TenKsolaren.wikipedia.org

  Bankruptcy · Other

  TenKsolar announced that it was suspending operations or terminating most business activities. Reported difficulties included widespread inverter failures, declining sales, and rising warranty and repair claims.

• 2013

  TenKsolar and Gehrlicher North America announce deployment alliance[1]TenKsolaren.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The companies announced an alliance intended to deploy RAIS systems in North American solar photovoltaic projects.

• 2012

  Hanwha and ESP Novusmodus lead TenKsolar financing[1]TenKsolaren.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  Hanwha Corporation and ESP Novusmodus LP led a reported $15.5 million Series B investment in TenKsolar.

• 2012

  TenKsolar announces higher-output photovoltaic modules[1]TenKsolaren.wikipedia.org

  Product launch

  The company announced 420-watt polycrystalline and 440-watt monocrystalline modules in a larger format tilted at approximately 22 degrees.

• 2011

  TenKsolar introduces third-generation 180 W RAIS module[1]TenKsolaren.wikipedia.org

  Product generation · Product launch

  TenKsolar released a third-generation 180-watt RAIS photovoltaic module using monocrystalline cells in a proprietary matrix configuration.

• 2010

  TenKsolar ships first panels and reports early revenue[1]TenKsolaren.wikipedia.org

  Product launch

  The company shipped its first panels in September and reported approximately $3 million in revenue for the year.

• 2009

  TenKsolar forms strategic partnership with 3M[1]TenKsolaren.wikipedia.org

  Other

  TenKsolar partnered with 3M, which supplied reflective film for the company's RAIS Wave photovoltaic system.

1. 1TenKsolaren.wikipedia.org