700W+ PV Open Innovation Ecological Alliance
Trina Solar, in collaboration with Astronergy, Canadian Solar, Risen Energy, TCL Zhonghuan, and Tongwei, has introduced the 700W+ Photovoltaic Open Innovation Ecological Alliance, succeeding the 600W+ version in 2020. The alliance seeks to standardize the design and production of 700W+ solar PV modules, with agreed industry module dimensions of 2384mm x 1303mm (and long-side vertical hole distance of 400mm & 1400mm), aiming to improve supply chain efficiency, increase production, and reduce costs.
The initiative emphasizes adherence to agreed industry dimensions and calls for continuous technological advancements throughout the industry chain. Establishing standards is intended to accelerate the industrialization of 700W+ modules, promoting consistency, lowering the Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE), and maximizing the long-term value of solar PV.
Larger Solar Cell Sizes
To decrease manufacturing costs and gain efficiency, most manufacturers moved away from the standard 156mm (6”) square cell wafer size in 2020 in favour of larger wafer sizes. While there are a variety of cell sizes under development, a few sizes have emerged as the new industry standard; these include 166mm, 182mm and 210mm. Many of the leading manufacturers, including Jinko, Longi and Canadian, aligned with the 182mm format. Trina Solar is pushing the larger 210mm wafer size, while Longi, the world’s largest mono silicon wafer manufacturer, uses 166mm and 182mm sizes, depending on the application.
