Esmolo solves problem of firefighters with burning PV installations / First inverter-independent, automatic shutdown solution for PV modules in case of fire - nominated for Intersolar AWARD 2011

Bern/Munich (ots) - At Intersolar Europe 2011, Esmolo Ltd.
presents the first inverter-independent, automatic shutdown solution
for photovoltaic modules in case of fire. By introducing the Esmolo
Module Protection System (MPS), the Swiss based company solves one of
the most discussed problems of the photovoltaic industry and reacts
to the urgent demand of firefighting associations around the world.
With this trend-setting innovation, which also offers protection
against lightning and theft in addition to fire, Esmolo Ltd. is
nominated for the Intersolar AWARD 2011.

With Esmolo MPS ProtectionBox(TM) Esmolo Ltd. brings a new
generation of intelligent junction boxes to protect photovoltaic
modules to the market. The extensive Esmolo Module Protection System
(MPS) protects photovoltaic modules against fire, overvoltage and
lightning and against theft.

Fire protection

In case of fire, photovoltaic installations continue to produce
dangerous voltage levels and cannot be shut down easily. This is a
latent danger for owners and firefighters in case of fire. After
different accidents involving firefighters, the German Firefighting
Association (DFV) urged the photovoltaic industry in its position
paper dated November 8th, 2010 to offer technical solutions for a
safe firefighting immediately.

With its Esmolo Module Protection System (MPS), the innovative
electronic protection system for photovoltaic modules, Esmolo Ltd.
offers a solution to the problem of the life-threatening electric
shocks firefighters could be exposed to.

Compared to other solutions of different providers Esmolo Module
Protection System (MPS) does not cut the connection between modules
and inverter - whereby parts of the installation still continue to
produce dangerous voltage - the module itself is short-circuited.
Furthermore the system does not need to be switched off manually, it
works automatically and inverter-independent on the module-level -
and therefore much more effective.

The electronics of the Esmolo Module Protection System (MPS) is
embedded in the junction box of the photovoltaic module and thanks to
sensors, the system identifies itself if a fire occurs. In this case
the module will be immediately short-circuited and other modules of
the installation will be informed by radio signal without any delay.
By transmitting the signal to the other modules, the whole
installation is shut down immediately - like in a domino effect. In
addition the shutdown procedure can also be activated manually by
pressing an emergency button.

Overvoltage and lightning protection

In addition to fire protection, Esmolo Module Protection System
(MPS) also offers the protection of bypass diodes and cells in case
of overvoltage and lightning. According to test results the system
was still working properly after induced peak currents even up to
720A at a peak lightning current at 44kA. Without Esmolo Module
Protection System (MPS) such levels would definitively damage the
module.

Protection against theft

Another increasing problem is theft of photovoltaic modules.
Because a stolen photovoltaic module equipped with Esmolo Module
Protection System (MPS) cannot be reused in a new place of
installation, it becomes unusable and therefore useless for a thief.
A reactivation can only be done by the owner of the module.

According to Riccardo De Luca, General Manager of Esmolo Ltd., 50%
of all potential damages can be avoided by equipping modules with
Esmolo Module Protection System (MPS). "We analysed statistics of
claims expenditure of specialized insurance companies and found out,
that about 50% of all damages are caused by fire, overvoltage,
lightning and theft" says Riccardo De Luca. All these damages should
be avoided by a simple and economic protection system and therewith
protect the investment of the installation as well as the involved
persons.

Esmolo Ltd. presents its Esmolo Module Protection System (MPS)
during Intersolar Europe 2011 at booth C3.421 and at the Innovation
Exchange.

Nomination for the Intersolar AWARD 2011

For its innovative solution Esmolo Module Protection System (MPS),
Esmolo Ltd. is nominated for the Intersolar AWARD 2011 in the
category of photovoltaics.

The Intersolar AWARD is held for the fourth time to honor solar
companies and institutions from around the world who exhibit forward
thinking by creating groundbreaking product innovations. The winners
of this industry-renowned award are chosen by an independent panel of
judges, consisting of representatives of the solar industry, research
institutes and press. The award is given for pioneering products and
services in the categories of photovoltaics, solar thermal
technologies and PV production technology. The winners of the
Intersolar AWARD 2011 will be announced at an official ceremony on
June 8, 2011, at the Intersolar Europe Innovation Exchange in Hall
B2.

Esmolo Ltd. is a Swiss based company serving the solar industry
worldwide with innovative and highly reliable electronic solutions
for photovoltaic modules. The company draws on core competencies in
the areas of protection against fire, theft, lightning and
overvoltage. Esmolo Ltd. maintains close development cooperations
with its customers, leading manufacturers of photovoltaic modules.

Download media documentation and graphical material:
http://www.esmolo.com/media

Media contact:
Mrs. Nicole Wespi, Esmolo Ltd., Sandrainstrasse 17, CH-3007 Bern,
Switzerland
Telephone: +41 31 550 05 70, Mobile: +41 41 763 62 17, Email:
press@esmolo.com