ASTRO N7 2.0: Redefining High-Efficiency Solar for Asia’s Challenging Climates – Baohua He, Head of Global Product Management at Astronergy

How are Astronergy’s high-efficiency, high-power panels designed for South Asia and Southeast Asia markets?

Built upon our latest n-type TOPCon cell technology, Astronergy’s ASTRO N series modules leverage multiple innovative features to deliver high-efficiency, platform-based products.

Taking ASTRO N7 2.0 as an example, it adopts Astronergy’s latest TOPCon 5.0 solar cell technology, enhanced with industry-leading technologies such as ASP, SNOP, and ultra-fine grid lines. Compared with ASTRO N7 powered by TOPCon 4.0, ASTRO N7 2.0 achieves an efficiency boost of 0.4%-0.55%.

Additionally, ASTRO N7 2.0 also integrates advanced technologies like ZBB and Light Redirecting Film to further improve product energy and efficiency. By adopting ZBB technology, the number of ribbons is upgraded from 16 in SMBB to 20, achieving low-stress interconnection with more uniform stress distribution. This improves resistance to micro-cracks by 25% while shortening current transmission paths, thereby reducing current loss and enhancing both efficiency and reliability.

Meanwhile, the upgraded Light Redirecting Film technology maximizes sunlight utilization in the gaps between cells, boosting front-side power by 2 watts. It also reduces backside shading by 30%, raising bifaciality rate and backside energy yield. Furthermore, compared with modules using enamel-coated backsheet glass, this laminated film delivers better stress uniformity, higher strength, superior impact resistance, and over a 3% improvement in mechanical load performance, ensuring greater overall reliability.

Thanks to this combination of cutting-edge cell and module technologies, ASTRO N7 2.0 leads in energy performance, reaching up to 650W power output, a conversion efficiency of 24.1%, and up to 85% bifaciality rate. Compared with the previous ASTRO N7, ASTRO N7 2.0 provides a higher energy yield over its full lifecycle, cutting LCOE by over 0.7% and lowering BOS costs by more than 3.5 cents per watt, maximizing return on investment for end-users.

What innovations in Astronergy’s latest solar panels boost energy yields and ensure long-term operational reliability?

Regarding anti-degradation performance, ASTRO N7 2.0 utilizes Astronergy’s self-developed ZBB cell technology. It features no-fluxdesign that offers remarkable resistance to acid corrosion and enhanced durability under damp-heat conditions. With an optimized ribbon design, ASTRO N7 2.0 has been validated through rigorous testing.

ASTRO N7 2.0 also maintains its exceptional performance in UVID (UV-Induced Degradation) resistance. Astronergy employs industry-leading thin-film deposition technology to precisely control the uniformity and density of cell passivation layers. When combined with the LIF process, this approach improves ultraviolet radiation tolerance, effectively addressing UVID at its source. Furthermore, ASTRO N7 2.0 utilizes a higher-reliability encapsulation film with higher reliability to further minimize degradation risks. In RETC’s UVID220 testing, ASTRO N7 2.0 demonstrated a degradation rate less than 2%, guaranteeing stable operation even in high-UV exposure conditions.

Astronergy’s PV modules have not only obtained certification under IEC 61215 and IEC 61730 standards but have also passed multiple enhanced reliability tests. The company has been recognized as PVEL’s “Top Performer” nine times and received RETC’s “Overall Highest Achievers” award. With a 15-year product warranty, or up to 25-year product warranty for ASTRO N7s series, and 30-year linear power warranty, Astronergy ensures long-term, high-efficiency and reliable power generation for our customers.

How does Astronergy ensure the durability and performance of panels in Southeast Asia’s challenging climate conditions?

Tailored for the hot, humid and rainy climates of Southeast and South Asia, Astronergy’s ASTRO N Series modules are built on the latest TOPCon 5.0 solar cell technology, enhanced with innovative technologies, structural optimizations and material designs to show outstanding performance in challenging environments.

With a temperature coefficient of -0.29%/°C, ASTRO N Series effortlessly withstands high-temperature environments while minimizing hot spot risks. In addition, ZBB technology features a flux-free design, demonstrating enhanced resistance to acid corrosion and damp heat, making it an ideal fit for tropical climates

Due to their exceptional performance, ASTRO N Series was awarded the IEC TS 63126:2020 certification by TÜV Rheinland, which is the world’s first TÜV Mark certification for PV modules (IEC TS 63126, 2 PfG 2971) in high-temperature applications. This recognition validates the superior power generation and reliability of ASTRO N Series modules under extreme heat.

ASTRO N Series also excels in low-light environments. Leveraging advanced cell passivation technology to improve parallel resistance, these modules showcase outstanding low-light performance. Under conditions such as haze, cloudy and rainy weather, they outperform conventional modules with higher power output. Even at an irradiance of 200W/m², ASTRO N series can still maintain approximately 97% of its performance, resulting in consistent and stable power generation at dawn, dusk, or other low-irradiance conditions like rainy weather.

Can you share recent regional projects showcasing Astronergy’s leadership in advanced solar technology solutions?

Astronergy’s ASTRO Series modules, with high power, high efficiency, proven reliability, and low degradation, are designed for versatile applications across all scenarios, including mountains, deserts, offshore installations, agrivoltaics, aquavoltaics, as well as commercial, industrial, and residential distributed systems. These modules have supported some of the world’s most notable projects, such as Egypt’s Benban Solar Park (one of the world’s largest PV plants), Döllen Solar Farm in Brandenburg (Germany’s largest TOPCon PV plant), and the Almax Aluminium Warehouse Rooftop PV installation (Australia’s iconic BIPV project).

Looking ahead, Astronergy will continue to leverage the outstanding performance and optimized dimensions of ASTRO N7 to enable its deployment across diverse challenging environments. Currently, Astronergy has completed the SCHNEITEC 200MW utility-scale PV power plant in Cambodia. We also supplied modules for two major projects in Brazil, including the Draco 361MW and Luis Carlos 315MW solar farms. With projects spanning major global PV markets, Astronergy’s high-efficiency modules have consistently proven their quality, performance, and reliability in the energy field.

Which future technology trends will Astronergy focus on to strengthen competitiveness in the Asia Pacific solar markets?

Astronergy follows a forward-looking R&D strategy of “mass production today, strategic reserve for tomorrow, and innovate for the future.” The company explores multiple areas of R&D. We’re continuously refining our mass-produced TOPCon technology while building a strong pipeline of next-generation solutions, including our ASTRO N7 Pro with maximum output of up to 670W. Beyond that, we’re also investing in breakthrough technologies like perovskite and tandem cells to ensure we stay ahead as the industry evolves.

Above all, Astronergy remains firmly committed to creating real value for our customers, which is driven by market needs. We will focus on providing PV modules that combine high efficiency, proven reliability, and long-term performance together.