Netherlands-Based Solar Magazine Features PVpallet as a “Fast Rising Star”
In an article titled, PVpallet: fast rising star in circular and damage-free transport of solar panels, Solar Magazine, the largest solar publication in the Netherlands and Belgium, named PVpallet as one of the companies “shaping the future of solar energy through innovative products.” PVpallet Co-founder and CEO Philip Schwarz had the privilege of sitting down with Editor in Chief Marco de Jonge Baas to discuss PVpallet’s mission and goals, including building circularity into the solar industry through reusable packaging.
The full interview is translated in English below. Click here to read the original Dutch version.
The PV sector outside the Netherlands and Flanders has many pearls—companies that shape the future of solar energy with innovative products and services. Solar Magazine talked to Philip Schwarz of PVpallet. The American company aims to become the global leader in zero-waste transportation of solar energy system components.
How did PVpallet come about?
While installing solar panels in Northern Missouri, two of our co-founders, Luke Phelps and Steven Kottwitz, saw firsthand that shipping solar panels on wood pallets was causing a lot of damage and waste. Many PV modules arrived at the job site cracked, or with bent frames—in short, they were unusable. How to handle the modules after they were unpackaged was another issue: vertical stacks of modules were unstable, which caused further breakage and safety issues. And in the end, the wood pallets were only used one time before being discarded.
And then you are only talking about 1 company ...
Exactly. Personally, I was working in the utility-scale solar industry at the time Luke and Steven had the idea for PVpallet. When they introduced the concept to me, and I could easily see how these and other growing, unaddressed issues loomed over the industry as a whole. Solar energy is a key factor in making our world more sustainable, and the way our industry packages and transports products has a significant environmental impact. As we searched for a circular, cost-effective solution, we were inspired by reusable seed bins used in the agricultural sector.
What is the product?
PVpallet Series X is a reusable, collapsible, adjustable pallet that enables solar panels to be safely transported vertically on their long side. It adapts to different PV module sizes and has protective sidewalls, a steel-reinforced base, and a load management system, among other features. It can be stacked up to four pallets high without any weight whatsoever on the solar panels. We make it from recycled HDPE plastic and recycle it again at the end of its life cycle.
To what extent does it prevent damage?
On average, we estimate that 5 percent of solar panels are broken in transit—usually due to damaged frames or broken glass. We theorize that damage is the result of three compounding factors: pressure caused by stacking, forklift damage, and insufficient cargo protection. We continue to research the causes of breakage, but addressing these areas is already producing great results. A case study we carried out in partnership with U.S. distributor Greentech Renewables showed that the use of PVpallet Series X reduced the number of damaged modules from 10 per month to zero.
PVpallet has made a flying start in the U.S., and now also in Europe...
PVpallet is revolutionary and disruptive; what we do has never been done. Initially we focused on U.S. distribution, but when we introduced PVpallet Series X in June 2022, the product was met with considerable interest domestically and globally. We expanded delivery to the EU in July to meet that demand and delivered our first order to Europe in August. In the U.S., we sell directly to customers and through domestic distribution partners. In Europe, we deliver directly to customers and are actively seeking a distribution partner.
When we introduced PVpallet Series X in June 2022, the product was met with considerable interest domestically and globally.
Philip Schwarz, CEO and Co-founder of PVpallet
Your nomination for an Intersolar AWARD has helped...
Being one of the finalists for the Intersolar AWARD was a pleasant surprise. The AWARD gave us a great reason to visit Munich and get acquainted with the European solar market. Europe has big ambitions for its PV industry, and circularity is central to its planned reconstruction. We were thrilled to learn of that development, especially since we share the same goals.
To what extent is there interest from China for PVpallet?
While there has been some interest, the Chinese market is not our initial target. When implementing reusable packaging, using the product frequently and reusing it quickly decreases the cost per use and maximizes the impact on waste reduction. For that reason, we’re focused on domestic manufacturers with a shorter, quicker transportation cycle that yield higher turn rates (and maximizes the customer’s ROI). Today, for solar panels that come from China, our value lies downstream: with solar distributors and installers, specifically when solar modules need to be repalletized for transit or consolidated into warehouse storage. Longer term, we are working on creative designs and programs that could make the overseas transportation loop more tenable for reusable packaging.
With the new Inflation Reduction Act, the PV industry will get a big boost in the U.S....
Yes. The IRA will have a significant impact on the growth of the Solar Industry in the US. It offers great opportunities for every sector of the market. It is our mission as a company to ensure that circularity and waste reduction is part of the industry’s growth. Although I have been working in the solar industry for over 15 years, realizations about the major steps that need to be taken toward circularity only came a few years ago. As a company focused on sustainability, we have a lot of conversations about the impact of reusable packaging solutions and the importance of reducing module breakage and waste. Awareness is key.
Your ambitions are enormous, and things seem to be moving very fast. How do you deal with that?
PVpallet wants to become a global player in reusable packaging solutions for the entire sector—not only of solar panels but all components. Our flagship product, PVpallet Series X, has been meet with worldwide interest. We are projecting to increase our sales at least fivefold from 2022 to 2023. Assuming we can execute our plan (which is highly likely), we will have to scale up very quickly on all sides. As a company, we are focused on strategic growth by balancing new product innovation, distribution partnerships, and manufacturing efficiencies. When it comes to product development, we are currently working on our new Series R PVpallet, which is specifically tailored to transport M10 modules. As far as partnerships, we are actively seeking a distribution partner in Europe so we can better scale that market. There’s never a dull moment at PVpallet; we are constantly anticipating what’s next.