Trina Solar’s 210 Vertex Modules Outperform In The Field Tests

Trina Solar’s 210 Vertex modules exhibit higher levels of power, efficiency, reliability, and power output making them best suited for distributed rooftop and utility scenarios. This has been proved by the field tests carried out which established the outdoor power output performance advantages in terms of low irradiation performance, shading output characteristics, and outdoor operating temperature.

Remarkably Higher Power Output, Maximum Being Up to 1.7%

Vertex modules produce much higher power output when compared to M10 540W modules, with the highest being up to 1.7%. This conclusion has been derived from two outdoor tests conducted in Changzhou and Yinchuan, China.

Test 1:

– Location: National Photovoltaic Science and Technology Laboratory of Trina Solar, Changzhou. 

– Commencement: September 2020

– Tilt angle: 25°

– Installation height: 0.5m

– Data collection method: Solar IV multi-channel tester

Inference: By March 2021 the single-watt power output capacity of the 210 Vertex series mono-facial modules was 1.6% higher than that of M10 540W modules.

Test 2:

–Location: National Photovoltaic Quality Inspection Center, Yinchuan. Here the accumulated duration of high irradiance (500W/m² and above) is more than 2,000 hours a year.

–Commencement: April 2021  

–Tilt angle: 40°

–Installation height: 1m

–Surface: sand

–Data collection method: High precision DC meter + inverter SG20RT-20

–Cable: 4 mm²

Inference: Data from April 2021 to February 2022 showed that the energy yield of the 210 Vertex mono-facial module was 1.7% higher than that of the M10 540W mono-facial module, and the energy yield of the 210 bifacial modules was 1.1% higher than that of the M10 540W bifacial module.

Three Main Advantages Guarantee 210 Vertex Modules’ Higher Power Output

1. Excellent Low Irradiation Performance:  210 Vertex modules have higher power output per watt when actual irradiation is lower than 1000W/m².

Yinchuan project’s test results indicate that on days of high irradiation the power output of the Vertex module is comparable to that of the M10 module. However, on days of low irradiation, the power output of the Vertex module is significantly higher. 

The following chart is based on three months’ comprehensive empirical data:

When the actual irradiation is lower than 1000W/m² (STC standard testing condition), the loss due to inner resistance would have a weaker impact on the energy yield of Vertex 210 modules compared with that of M10 540W modules. This proves that the low irradiation performance is significantly superior to that of the M10 540W modules.

Taking data of June 2021 as an example, the duration when irradiation exceeded 1000W/m² accounts for only 3.98% of the whole testing span in Yinchuan, hence, the actual energy yield is determined by modules’ low irradiation performance. 

Vertex 210 modules are superior in overall energy yield performance. 

2. Lower Shading Impact On Both Front And Back Sides Of Modules

The shadowing between arrays during mornings and evenings can cause a series of mismatches between PV modules. One of these can be reduced power generation efficiency and in severe cases, can produce hot spots, causing damage to the modules.

A.Shading Impact On The Front Side

With the 210mm size silicon wafer and innovative design layout, the Vertex series modules can reduce power loss caused by shading in the same area compared with that of M10 540W modules, thus increasing power generation.

The following table shows the percentage of power degradation for different modules in various shading conditions: 

B.Shading Impact On The Back Side

When compared with M10 mono-facial modules, bifacial modules have higher power output as they can draw on the advantage of air scattering and reflected radiation from the ground surface.

Radiation loss comparison simulation of 50mm purlin cells

In some projects with bifacial modules, beam crossing occurs at the backside of the modules. Considering 50mm purlin as an example, when the distance of purlins is at 35mm to cells, the equivalent shading loss of backside irradiation for 210 half-cut cells is 26.1%, and for 540W modules 28.5%.

To incorporate the irradiation of both front and back sides and the shading loss of backside irradiation into the photo-coupling model, when the shading on the backside of bifacial modules is caused by the purlins of similar width, the energy yield of Vertex 210 modules is 0.09%~0.42% higher than M10-540W modules. 

	210-50mm purlin shading	M10-540W-50mm purlin shading
Energy yield loss of grassland Albedo=0.2	0.52%	0.61%
Energy yield loss of sandy groundAlbedo=0.4	0.98%	1.21%
Energy yield loss of white paintAlbedo=0.7	2.27%	2.69%

3. Excellent Operating Temperature To Ensure Module Efficiency

The operating temperature of PV modules has a significant impact on their performance. As the operating temperature rises, the efficiency falls, thus reducing the output. 

Considering the Changzhou field test as an example, the ground type was grassland, the tilt angle was 25°, the installation height was 0.5m, and the operating temperature of the module was noted by using a HIOKI thermocouple data collector.

Below is the weighted average temperature of three different types of modules (M6-72, M10-72, G12-55):

The data was recorded on September 5th as the day was typically sunny, and the measured data and measured meteorological data were substituted into the steady-state heat balance model. 

The measured and simulated results are compared in the following figure. 

It can be seen that the operating temperatures of the 210 Vertex module and the M10 540W module are basically the same.

Conclusion

Based on a 210mm silicon wafer, equipped with an innovative design for low-voltage and high-string-power, the highest power output of Trina Solar Vertex modules reaches 670W. The 210 Vertex modules have thus proven to exhibit excellent power generation advantages and outstanding low irradiation performance, working temperature, and stronger anti-shading ability. 

At the same time, as a longer string design can be realized, it leads to reducing the number of strings and modules, thus resulting in reduced installation costs and faster progress on the project. 

It is therefore proved that the 210 Vertex modules produce better system value, lower LCOE, and generate higher returns on power generation.