Trina Solar, the global leader in PV and smart energy total solutions, is launching TrinaTracker into India and its 670W+ Vertex module, an ultra-high power module.
Trina Solar’s Vertex is based on larger solar cells, 210mm in diameter, and by incorporating other leading technologies, such as: multi-busbar technology, to
maximize light capture; high density encapsulation technology, to minimize the space
between each cell; and cells that are split using non-destructive cutting technology.
Non-destructive cutting is done at very lower temperature, resulting in a smooth cut.
Trina Solar has stayed ahead both domestically in India and internationally by being at
the forefront of new technology in the solar industry. The company has championed
210mm diameter solar cells, the new global industry standard. Older generation
modules use silicon cells that are smaller and will require more cells to achieve high
power.
Trina Solar India director, Gaurav Mathur, says: “The 670W Vertex series inherits the
non-destructive cutting, high-density interconnection and other high-precision
technologies of earlier Vertex modules.”
“But the 670W module has even more power and the single string power gets 34%
higher than that of 500W+ modules in the industry.”
“In addition, 670W Vertex modules can be packed vertically – rather than horizontally
– which means 12% more modules can be packed in each container, reducing shipping
costs by 12% for each module,” adds Mathur.
High-power Vertex modules can achieve the total power output required for the
project using fewer modules. Using fewer modules to a meet projects’ requirement
of the total power output, results in lower levelized cost of energy (LCOE). LCOE is
calculated by dividing total project cost by total power output.
The new Vertex modules also deliver lower balance of system (BOS) cost, because of
less cabling, fewer mounting systems, combiner boxes, etc. Having fewer solar cells
for each module reduces the voltage. It means for Trina Solar Vertex modules you can
have more modules per string, delivering additional BOS savings.
The launch of the 670W+ Vertex module in India coincides with the launch in India of
TrinaTracker. “We have an advantage over our tracker competitors, because Trina Solar
is a pioneer of the new, larger format bifacial modules,” says Mathur.
“Having early access to the new module technology meant TrinaTracker had a head-
start on its tracker competitors when it came to wind-tunnel verification and performing the necessary due diligence to integrate smart trackers with the new, larger solar panels.”
“For example, we have optimized the trackers’ performance in terms of the longer
string length possible with these modules. We can fully accommodate these longer
strings on longer and wider tracker structures and this means we can have up to 40
modules in a string, unlocking savings not only on the tracker cost on motors and piles
but also savings on downstream electrical BOS costs with fewer string cables, combiner
boxes, trenches and so on.”
Trina Solar is unique because it is the only solar module manufacturer that also makes
trackers. It is very helpful for large-scale power plants, especially the low-cost power
plants which are very sensitive to investment costs.
“We feel trackers will be coming to India in a big way. Everybody wants to increase the
energy output of their projects to achieve a lower LCOE. The combination of trackers
and bifacial PV typically deliver a 15-20% boost to yield and accordingly unlock a
reduction of 5-8% for LCOE as compared to fixed-tilt,” says Mathur.
“Customers in India have always been very price conscious. They need to maximize their return on investment. The way to achieve lower LCOE is to use high power, high efficiency bifacial modules and smart trackers. Trina Solar makes both, so it is better able to optimize the performance for lower LCOE,” adds Mathur.
