Sunpreme

About Sunpreme

Sunpreme was a manufacturer of solar panels focused on the clean energy sector, founded in 2009 by Joseph Bach. Headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, the company operated globally with a significant manufacturing and R&D presence, including a facility in Jiaxing, China. Sunpreme's business model centered on the design, development, and manufacturing of high-performance photovoltaic (PV) modules for residential, commercial, and utility-scale customers.

The company's core offering was its proprietary SmartSilicon® Hybrid Cell Technology (HCT), which combined thin-film-based heterojunction with cost-effective, ultra-thin materials. This platform enabled the production of bifacial, double-glass modules that could generate electricity from both sides, increasing power output by up to 20%. These frameless panels were designed for durability and high performance, certified to withstand harsh environmental conditions like heavy snow, high winds, and salt mist. Sunpreme's product line included modules with outputs ranging from 300W to over 500W, featuring cell efficiencies between 21.5% and 23.5%.

Significant milestones for the company included receiving multiple grants, such as one from the U.S. Department of Energy's SunShot Initiative to develop low-cost copper metallization for its cells. The company also secured major supply agreements for utility and commercial projects and had its products deployed in over two dozen countries. However, Sunpreme also faced legal challenges regarding import tariffs on its Chinese-made cells, which were ultimately classified as crystalline silicon products. Despite its technological advancements and market presence, the company ceased operations around January 2021.