Sharp Solar Showcases Residential Solar Appliance Mar 8, 2012

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Sharp Electronics' Solar Energy Solutions Group showcased SunSnap, its new residential PV solar appliance, at the TED2012 Conference in Long Beach, CA, in early March 2012.

The installation was completed in collaboration with LivingHomes, which introduced the LivingHome C6, its first low-cost home, next to the Long Beach Performing Arts Center. The prefabricated home is zero energy, zero carbon, Energy Star-certified, and LEED Platinum-certifiable.

The SunSnap modules are designed for ease-of-installation and Sharp said they were easily integrated into the building design. They are designed to be easily scaled up to offset the energy usage of the entire home.

The solar home appliance consists of black-on-black, 235-watt Sharp photovoltaic (PV) modules. The system integrates Enphase's microinverter system, which converts direct current (DC) from the solar modules to grid-compliant alternating current (AC) at the module-level.

The appliance is designed to help consumers and contractors use home-generated solar through a simplified product design and installation process. As a scalable PV appliance, it offers a small, modestly priced "starter kit." Homeowners can install as few as one solar appliance initially; the system can then be expanded in the future as desired.

The new residential solar power appliance becomes available on a limited basis in March 2012 and through retail channels in the second half of 2012.

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