Got GLASS? The Argument for Dual Glass PV

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Leona Caldwell
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1 Got GLASS? By Troy Tyler November 1, 2017 Executive Summary The solar industry has released a new class of photovoltaic (PV) modules called dual glass or G2G modules, These frameless PV modules excite customers because of their higher performance, greater reliability and amazing aesthetics. G2G modules generate up to 20% more power, carry 30-year warranties and are more reliable than standard single glass PV modules. But, G2G modules have their challenges. SMASHsolar has developed an innovative mounting platform for frameless G2G PV modules that overcomes the deployment challenges for dual glass modules in residential and commercial markets SMASH SOLAR, INC. All Rights Reserved Page 1

2 Contents: Background:...3 What s special about G2G?...3 Greater Power (mono-facial)...3 Greater Power (bi-facial)... 4 Longer Warranties...5 G2G Manufacturers... 6 About SMASH... 7 Revision Log Date Change Responsible 11/1/17 Preliminary Draft Troy Tyler SMASH SOLAR, INC. All Rights Reserved Page 2

3 Percent of Original Output Got Glass?: Background: Over the last four years, the solar industry has released a new class of PV modules constructed using two sheets of glass - one on the top and one on the bottom of the module. Manufacturers such as Trina Solar, Jinko Solar, JA Solar and Yingli have released G2G modules for the Commercial and Industrial markets. SMASH has spent the last 4 years developing a mounting system exclusively for frameless G2G modules. What s special about G2G? G2G modules offer greater power production, longer warranties and superior reliability, compared to standard glass backsheet (G2B) modules. These G2G benefits all drive lower levelized cost of energy (LCOE) for solar projects. Let s explore each of these benefits. Greater Power (mono-facial) One benefit of G2G modules is lower annual degradation which results in more power production (the less a module degrades each year, the more power it produces over time). SMASH conducted a survey of commercially available G2G modules from leading solar module manufacturers. We contrasted the guaranteed power output of a traditional glass-backsheet (G2B) module to the same for G2G modules (at year 25 and year 30). 88% 85% 84.3% 85.0% 85.9% 86.0% 83% 80% 80.0% 80.2% 80.0% 80.7% 78% Trina Solar Jinko Solar JA Solar Yingli Solar G2B power 25yrs G2G power 25yrs Source: published module data sheets from each manufacturer SMASH SOLAR, INC. All Rights Reserved Page 3

4 Greater Power (bi-facial) That greater power production is increased even more when bi-facial cells are used in the G2G module. Bi-facial modules generate power on both sides of the module. This creates the potential to generate a boost of power from the back side of the module up to 10% to 20% depending on the diffuse reflectivity of solar radiation off the surface under the solar modules (also known as albedo). With a high albedo, such as a white roof or a covering of snow, a bi-facial module can create a boost of up to 20% of the front side power production. Producing an additional 20% power on the same roof area, with the same balance of system cost is a big deal. As an example, let s compare Trina Solar s mono-facial and bi-facial G2B modules the DuoMax and the DuoMax Twin. MONO 60 Cell 280W 315W MONO 60 Cell (bi-facial) 345W 365W 19.2% efficiency 18.4% efficiency 30 year warranty 30 year warranty Source: published manufacturer module data sheets. That s over a 20% greater power output using the Trina DuoMax Twin module. (Note: the DuoMax Twin quoted above may be using a monocrystalline PERC cell compared to a standard monocrystalline cell in the DuoMax. This difference may explain some of the 23% increase in the DuoMax Twin wattage) Typical backside boost range is from 10% to 20% additional power, depending on albedo of the underlying surface SMASH SOLAR, INC. All Rights Reserved Page 4

Longer Warranties 30 year 25 year G2G PV module warranty G2B PV module warranty For an example of higher warranties for G2G modules, let s compare Trina Solar s G2B module the AllMax and

2% efficiency 30 year warranty 25 year warranty Source: published manufacturer module data sheets.

5 Longer Warranties 30 year 25 year G2G PV module warranty G2B PV module warranty For an example of higher warranties for G2G modules, let s compare Trina Solar s G2B module the AllMax and their G2G module the DuoMax. MONO 60 Cell 280W 315W MONO 60 Cell 275W 315W 19.2% efficiency 19.2% efficiency 30 year warranty 25 year warranty Source: published manufacturer module data sheets. G2G manufacturers have increased their power guarantees to 30 years for their G2G products (most G2B modules carry a power warranty of only 25 years) due to the increased reliability G2G module construction provides. This longer warranty provides product differentiation for installers and comfort for customers SMASH SOLAR, INC. All Rights Reserved Page 5

7 About SMASH SMASHsolar designs, distributes and licenses innovative solutions for dual glass (G2G) PV solar modules for the residential and commercial markets. SMASH won 2 U.S. Department of Energy SunShot awards for their innovative technology. SMASH is privately held headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area. For more information on the SMASHmount system, contact SMASHsolar at info@smashsolar.com or call (510) SMASH SOLAR, INC. All Rights Reserved Page 7

Technology devlopment in utility scale solar Terje Melaa, Nov 12th 2018

Scatec Solar ASA Technology devlopment in utility scale solar Terje Melaa, Nov 12th 2018 Exiting times for Scatec Solar this fall Page 2 On track to deliver 1.1GW and ready for more! Page 3 Tehnology update