The 670W Vertex series PV module from Trina Solar could be cleared for use in the Australian market within weeks, the China-based company has said, topping the country’s utility-scale solar panel offerings on both power and efficiency.
Trina, which is also marketing its 500W, 550W and 600W Vertex modules to Australian customers in the commercial, industrial and utility-scale segments, said on Monday that the 670W module was in the process of being approved by the Clean Energy Council.
“We are in progress for the application and aim to be listed within November,” said Todd Li, Trina Solar president for the Asia Pacific region.
“This will be a very significant development, because it will be the highest power, highest efficiency module available in Australia.
“We are already receiving a lot of enquiries in Australia for the Vertex 670W module which is a real ‘game changer’ for the utility-segment.”
Li said utility-scale customers, in particular, wanted the lowest levelised cost of energy (LCOE) and balance of system costs (BOS) they could get, so were opting for higher-power, higher efficiency modules.
For Australian project developers, getting bigger bang for their solar buck would be more important than ever, at the moment, with prices for PV modules being pushed up by increased shipping costs, scarcity of raw materials and the unfolding energy crisis in China.
Trina’s Vertex series achieves higher power and efficiency by incorporating 210mm diameter solar cells, multi-busbar to increase light absorption and high density interconnection technology to reduce the space between each cell. The Vertex series also offers a choice between mono-facial and bifacial modules.
In July, Trina revealed it had achieved a record high in solar module efficiency, notching up a record-breaking 23.03% using the Vertex module series. The record was independently confirmed by both TÜV Rheinland and TÜV Nord.
“We have an extensive range of Vertex modules available in Australia starting with the 400W Vertex S which is proving popular with residential customers,” said Li.
“The Vertex S has the right balance in terms of: power, efficiency, dimensions, weight and mechanical load for residential rooftops in Australia.”
Sophie is editor of One Step Off The Grid and deputy editor of its sister site, Renew Economy. Sophie has been writing about clean energy for more than a decade.
