SunCat Solar

Background

SunCat Solar is a family owned business based in Arizona. Alain is the scrutineer for solar at FSGP and ASC and encapsulated the array for MSXI. At FSGP 2016, he expressed disappointment with the damage that had been inflicted to our array (our team did not return to SunCat with the following car).

Technical Details

Timeline

July 22, 2019 (Outgoing): Initial inquiry to SunCat asking for a rough quote based on the array details provided. Also asked about the ideal time to submit an order if we would like to have the array back to us by April or May.

July 23, 2019 (Incoming): Confirmation that the drawings and questions were forwarded to Alain.

Aug 6, 2019 (Outgoing): Follow up to the initial email to ask about initial thoughts on our first layout. Also added questions about Maxeon Gen 5 cells and how we purchase solar cells now that Sunpower sells at minimum 1500 for an order.

Aug 7, 2019 (Incoming): SunCat was having difficulties with WSC arrays and delayed their responses. Alain states that there is a long list of potential customers and approximates about two weeks until they can get us a response. For cells, latest cells available are E66 (Gen 3) and the Gen 5s will not be available for solar cars for some time. For quantity, SunCat had not heard about about a 1500 min order, but recommends contacting SunnivaTech, an authorized reseller for smaller quantities.

Sept 1, 2019 (Outgoing): Apologized for delayed response. Will contact Sunniva and noted that we are looking at Me3 cells for our array. Will follow up with an updated array.

Nov 2, 2019 (Outgoing): Asked if SunCat is capable of manufacturing half cells.

Nov 3, 2019 (Incoming): Alain confirms that their “Legacy+” encapsulation can manage cut cells at low quantities. Asks if we have a preliminary layout and if we will be supplying the solar cells.

Nov 5, 2019 (Outgoing): Sent the preliminary 6-5 module layout. Asked for tentative quote and clarification regarding his wording about working with half cells.

Nov 13, 2019 (Outgoing): Follow-up to the previous email to ensure it was received.

Nov 14, 2019 (Incoming): SunCat is involved in 2 projects that are occupying their time. Noted that other teams are having difficulty obtaining cells through Sunpower authorized resellers and recommended contacting one of them.

Nov 17, 2019 (Outgoing): Asked for tolerances for cell to cell and cell to module. Asked if SunCat had a Sunpower contact as ours no longer works at the company. Asked about pricing differences between Le3 and Me1 cells.

Nov 19, 2019 (Incoming): Provides technical specifications for cell to cell and cell to module spacing. Are not sure of the price differences as the bulk order price is different.

Nov 20, 2019 (Outgoing): Asked about a schedule approximation given that they are working on two large projects. Asked if they would be able to schedule our team before May/April based on the other solar car projects.

Pricing and Discussions/Discounts

SunCat has previously provided discounts to our team as a sponsorship. I believe it is 10% discount on the encapsulation.

Other

Alain did not respond to our last email which was in November. New contact will have to be established again for the next car.

Files

July 22, 2019: Initial Solar Layout

Open

Nov 3, 2019: Preliminary 6-5 module split layout

Open

Emails

July 22, 2019 to July 23, 2019: Email set 1

Open

Aug 6, 2019 to Sept 1, 2019: Email set 2

Open

Nov 1, 2019 to Nov 20, 2019: Email set 3

Open