JCE Expands Hazardous Area Solar Offering with New SPB Range

At JCE, we continually review and develop our product portfolio to ensure customers receive reliable, supportable, and future-ready solutions for hazardous area and industrial environments.

Following a recent technical and supply chain review, the SPA solar panel range has now entered replacement status, with the newer SPB series approved as the successor range for ongoing projects, maintenance programmes, and future renewable energy deployments.

However, this transition represents far more than a standard product replacement.

A Major Expansion in Hazardous Area Solar Capability

One of the most significant advancements within the new SPB range is that JCE can now offer its full range of solar panels with dual ATEX and IECEx certification for both Zone 1 and Zone 2 hazardous area applications.

The introduction of the SPB range provides customers with a far wider range of certified solar solutions for hazardous environments.

This represents a major expansion in capability for clients operating within offshore, oil & gas, petrochemical, marine, and industrial sectors, allowing access to:

• A full range of certified solar panel sizes and power outputs
• Higher power hazardous area solar solutions
• Greater system design flexibility
• Standardised certification across projects
• Dual ATEX and IECEx compliance for international deployment requirements

The expanded certification scope allows JCE to support a much broader range of renewable energy applications in hazardous areas while simplifying specification and project integration for EPCs, operators, and end users.

Supporting Long-Term Renewable Energy Reliability

Renewable energy systems deployed in remote and hazardous environments must continue operating reliably for years, often with limited maintenance access and demanding environmental conditions.

As technology evolves and supply routes change, maintaining long-term availability of critical components becomes essential.

To support operational continuity, JCE has approved the SPB solar panel range as the replacement solution for existing SPA installations, helping customers maintain system supportability while transitioning to a current generation renewable energy platform.

Approved Replacement

The following replacement has now been formally adopted:

• Original Panel Type: SPA-130A
• Status: Discontinued
• Approved Replacement: SPB-1/185

Why the Transition Matters

The move from SPA to SPB provides customers with several important benefits:

• Full solar panel range now certified for ATEX & IECEx Zone 1 and Zone 2
• Significantly expanded hazardous area solar offering
• Wider range of certified panel sizes and power outputs
• Greater flexibility for renewable system design
• Continued product availability
• Ongoing technical support
• Improved long-term maintainability

The SPB range has been reviewed for suitability against original application requirements and is considered technically acceptable for continued operational use, subject to project-specific engineering review where required.

Designed for Demanding Environments

JCE renewable energy systems are widely deployed across offshore, industrial, marine, and hazardous area applications where reliability is critical.

The SPB range continues this approach by supporting renewable power applications including:

• Offshore platforms
• Remote monitoring systems
• Hazardous area installations
• Telecommunications infrastructure
• Industrial and marine environments

By combining expanded hazardous area certification coverage with higher power capabilities, the SPB range provides a practical and future-focused renewable energy solution for operators managing long-life industrial assets.

Engineering Review and Installation Considerations

As with any replacement programme, project-specific engineering considerations should be reviewed before implementation. This may include:

• Mounting arrangements and dimensions
• Electrical interfacing
• Certification requirements
• Wiring and installation compatibility

Detailed engineering review should be completed where applicable prior to installation activities.

Continuing Support for Existing Installations

JCE remains committed to supporting both existing SPA installations and new SPB deployments through:

• Technical guidance
• Replacement planning support
• Product documentation
• Renewable system engineering assistance
• Long-term aftersales support

As renewable infrastructure continues to expand across offshore and industrial sectors, ensuring dependable, certified, and supportable energy systems remains a key priority for long-term operational success.