Trina Sets New Solar Panel Efficiency Record

Trina Solar announced last week its State Key Laboratory of PV Science and Technology of China has set a new world record for high efficiency p-type multi-crystalline silicon solar panels.

Trina says its test Honey Plus multi-crystalline silicon module attained a new module efficiency record of 19.14% with an aperture area of 1.515 m2.

The results were confirmed by the National Center of Supervision and Inspection on Solar Photovoltaic Product Quality (CPVT) in Wuxi, China.

The 60-cell panel features advanced technologies including back surface passivation, local back surface field and half-cell module technologies. Trina says the half-cell module technology is not currently part of the Honey Plus products, but will be incorporated at a later date.

“To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that a multi-crystalline Silicon PV module reaches an efficiency higher than 19%. It demonstrates that multi-crystalline Silicon PV modules can reach an efficiency level that was reserved to the most efficient solar cells before, such as mono-crystalline IBC or heterojunction cells,” said Dr. Pierre Verlinden, Vice-President and Chief Scientist of Trina Solar.

” This milestone achievement is the result of a very close collaboration among our silicon crystallization, solar cell and module scientists. We believe that innovation is playing the very essential role to Trina’s sustainable growth and long-term success. Our focus remains on developing innovative and cutting-edge solar power products and technologies to strengthen our leadership in the PV industry.”

In other recent news, the company announced the signing of an agreement with Toyo Engineering Corporation to supply approximately 116 MW of Trina Solar panels for use in Japan’s largest solar power project –  a 231-megawatt facility to be built in Setouchi City, Okayama Prefecture.

Approximately 446,000 Trina Solar TSM-260PC05A modules will be used in the project, which will be situated on 1,210 acres of city land on the former Kinkai salt field.

The project is expected to commence commercial operations in the second quarter of 2019.

Trina Solar says Japan is a key market for the company and that solar will play a crucial role in the growing diversification of the country’s energy mix.

Trina Solar panels are also popular choice in Australia, where they are often used in residential solar power system installations.

Trina Sets New Solar Panel Efficiency Record

UK sets out climate deal vision

The UK government has set out its vision for a global climate deal, arguing that “prosperity and carbon reduction can go hand in hand to grow the world economy”.

Paris 2015: Securing Our Prosperity Through a Global Climate Change Agreement says acting now to reduce greenhouse gas emissions can help prevent the worst effects of climate change and bring significant benefits to all countries.

DECC said: “ A global deal would make tackling climate change much easier as it would give a decisive political signal that the future is low carbon, opening new markets and reducing technology costs.”

Key points are that a deal must deliver “ambitious and fair commitments from all countries to reduce emissions” and track progress, build trust and “facilitate increased ambition”.

It must also “provide support to those who need it”, DECC added, particularly the “poorest and most vulnerable to develop climate resilience”.

Energy Secretary Ed Davey (pictured) said: “You can go green and continue to prosper and develop – that is the strong message we will be taking to the global community in the coming months.

“There is an increasing political will from big and small countries alike to tackle climate change both through domestic action and in the international negotiations. It is not just governments who want a deal, there is widespread support from businesses, non-governmental organisations and campaign groups in the UK and internationally.

“I’m confident that the momentum is building to make Paris next year a decisive point in history.”

The Paris 2015 document is being launched today at a joint event hosted by Aviva Investors and DECC.

Aviva Group chief executive Mark Wilson said: “It’s vital that a legally binding global climate deal is agreed in Paris next year and I welcome the lead the UK government is taking, not least through today’s publication.”

Image: Iberdrola

UK sets out climate deal vision