The SNEC 15th (2021) International Photovoltaic Power Generation and Smart Energy Conference & Exhibition was recently held in Shanghai, China. From June 3 to 5, the SNEC PV Power Expo showcased new developments in the photovoltaic technology industry. Exhibition highlights include product launches from solar development companies including JA Solar, LONGi, and promotion showcases from electronics manufacturers HoyMiles and Dupont.
JA Solar unveils DeepBlue 3.0 Pro
The China-based solar development company, JA Solar, unveiled their new high efficiency DeepBlue 3.0 Pro solar module. It’s part of JA Solar’s DeepBlue 3.0 product line and is a direct upgrade of the DeepBlue 3.0 solar module launched in May 2020.
The DeepBlue 3.0 Pro uses new-generation gapless encapsulation technology to make the panel more efficient in converting direct current to alternating current, achieving a mass production efficiency rate of 21.7%. The module, which has a wafer size of 182 mm, has a 72-cell configuration that can generate up to 560 watts of power. This gives it a higher rate of conversion efficiency per unit area.
The DeepBlue 3.0 product line aims to reduce the cost of electricity to bring its commercial and industrial consumers greater levels of profitability.
LONGi leads n-type trend with HI-MO N module launch
As reported on PR Newswire, Chinese photovoltaic manufacturer LONGi launched the HI-MO N, the first of its mass production solar modules to feature n-type doping technology. As a double-sided (bi-facial) module, the HI-MO N is designed to absorb sunlight on both sides, with its backside panel able to deliver high outputs. The module has a 72 cell configuration with a wafer size of 182 mm, and can deliver a power output of up to 570 watts.
N-type doping technology refers to the process of doping a solar module’s silicon wafers with phosphorus to facilitate the production of power. P-type doping technology, which instead dopes wafers with boron, has long dominated the solar industry. At the exhibition more major manufacturers made the shift to n-type, with Jinko, Sunport, Canadian Solar, and Risen all releasing new n-type solar products. In implementing n-type doping technology, these manufacturers hope to explore other methods of achieving high conversion efficiency rates.
Hoymiles showcases high-powered microinverter line
Following the demand for bigger inverters, leading energy solutions provider Hoymiles featured a full lineup of microinverters designed for high-power solar modules. The products in the microinverter lineup include the HMS-2000, a 4-in-1 microinverter with a maximum power output of 2000 volt-amperes. Its 2-in-1 and 1-in-1 equivalents, the HMS-1000 and the HMS-500, have identical features and maximum power outputs of 1000VA and 500VA respectively.
These increased power outputs allow the microinverters to maximize the amount of current drawn by solar module circuits to up to 22%. Designed to be compatible with 182 mm wafer modules, Hoymiles expects its new microinverter line to improve solar modules’ conversion efficiency rates at a reduced cost.
DuPont promotes transparent Tedlar BackSheet Solution
American materials provider Dupont Photovoltaic Solutions showcased its Tedlar Backsheet Solution. The transparent backsheet solution aims to improve the lifetime performance of bifacial solar modules. The backsheet can release moisture and acetic acid from encapsulant degradation to reduce the wear and tear of solar module cells. Its use of DuPont Tedlar film, rather than dual glass, helps reduce the module weight and operating temperature. The film’s hydrophobic quality repels water to make solar modules easier to clean.
Despite the size of the event, the SNEC PV Expo received little mainstream news coverage, showing that solar technology still has a long way to go in terms of accessibility. In an article that discusses the consequences of a lack of consumer education in renewable energy, SolarSimplified CEO Aviv Shalgi argues that the renewable energy industry should take proactive measures in making the benefits of solar technology easier to access and understand. Exhibitions like the SNEC Expo should then evolve to accommodate more than just its niche audience and break into mainstream consciousness by bolstering the event’s promotional efforts and condensing product information in ways that the general public can easily understand.
Share
