Trina Solar’s Large-area P-type Module Attains Record 23.03% Efficiency

Chinese solar panel manufacturer Trina Solar has announced that it has achieved a record 23.03% aperture module efficiency for larger-area industrial silicon p-type modules.

Trina Solar’s State Key Laboratory of Photovoltaic Science and Technology (SKL) revealed the success of its proprietary Vertex high-efficiency p-type monocrystalline silicon module, based on 66 pcs of 210 mm x 210 mm high-efficiency PERC cells, in achieving a record efficiency of 23.03%. The claim has been independently confirmed by third-party certification laboratories by both TÜV Rheinland and TÜV Nord with identical efficiency result.

The researchers in the SKL developed a new Multi-Musbar (MBB) technology to improve optical shading, and developed a new hybrid soldering technology to minimize the gap between cells. These advantages greatly improve the module efficiency, with solar cells from the production lines of 210 mm high efficiency PERC cells.

Earlier this year, Trina Solar was the first firm to release a new generation of 670W Vertex module, using 66 pcs of 210 mm p-type PERC cells. The company recently announced the completion of non-uniform snow-load testing at the China General Certification (CGC) East China PV Testing Center with its new-generation Vertex 670W modules.

According to the firm, the data demonstrated the critical snow-load of Trina Solar’s five modules exceeded 6,600 Pa, getting up to 7,000 Pa, equivalent to the pressure generated by 2.8 meters of snow, much higher than conventional non-uniform snow-load norms. This is served as proof of the snow-load resistance of these modules.

“We are very pleased to announce the latest achievement of our R&D team at the State Key Laboratory of Photovoltaic Science and Technology. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first large-area p-type commercial module with aperture efficiency over 23%,” say Dr. Yifeng Chen, head of high efficiency cell and module R&D center in Trina Solar. “Improving module efficiency is a key to help the customers to save land, labor and cables and etc. Trina Solar is always focused on developing leading-edge PV techniques and products to achieve commercial success of customers with our innovations.”