“What is the main technological innovation we are seeing in modules? The size of the cells we are using to build the panels.” This is what Antoni Viladot Blasi, technical product manager at Canadian Solar, said.
The specialist participated in the GoodWeek, an online event promoted by inverter manufacturer GoodWe in partnership with Canal Solar, which addressed, among other topics, the main technological trends for the solar sector in 2021.
“Canadian, for example, when it started manufacturing modules in 2001, started using small cells, 125 mm. In 2010, we worked with 156 mm cells, which have become a standard size until practically today. In 2017, we started with half-cell technology, and in 2018 we were one of the first to launch 166 mm cells”, pointed out Blasi.
“In 2020, we launched panels measuring 158 mm and 166 mm, and this year they will be 182 mm and 210 mm. These changes have a direct impact on all elements of the photovoltaic system, as we are increasing the size of the cells – which brings a change in the electrical parameters of the solar panels”, said the executive.
“As you know, the current generated in a photovoltaic cell is directly proportional to the surface of the cell, that is, by increasing its size we are generating greater current and this affects the input power of the inverters”, he explained.
Therefore, according to him, it is essential that these changes we are seeing in module technology are followed by all market players and also by integrators who need to adapt their projects to these technological advances.
Module types
Alexandre Pereira, service manager at GoodWe, also participated in the event and highlighted global application trends for 2021.
"Until last year, the most popular module standard used was 1000 V or 1100 V. However, we have had a change in the type of large system. Projects with modules at 1500 V are now being applied. To do this, it is necessary to have a compatible inverter to make installation viable”, commented Pereira.
“What is GoodWe’s solution to this situation? It is the HT line, a line of inverters from 100 to 250 kW compatible with high power panels – which have a higher working current that the inverter needs to be able to absorb to avoid wasting energy”, reported the specialist .
So, according to him, the market trend for modules above 500 W is to have a working current of 13 to 15 A, and sometimes 17, 18 A. “In this case, HT inverters support 15 A per power input. string”, he added.
Solution for floating projects
Regarding UFFs (floating solar plants) – also a market trend – Alexandre Pereira commented that in Brazil these projects may still be in the development process, but in China it is already very common.
“There are some observations that we need to pay attention to, one of them is maintenance. We cannot spread the inverters out, as they would be difficult to access. We would have to take a boat to travel and carry out repairs, in addition to the wiring, which would be more complex”, explained the service manager at GoodWe.
“GoodWe’s solution is to carry out a centralized installation of inverters, facilitating maintenance and reducing the cost of cabling, especially AC cabling”, he concluded.
Off-grid applications
Another expert invited to participate in GoodWeek was Márcio Takata, director of Greener. Throughout the online event, he discussed another technology in the electricity sector that has enormous growth potential in Brazil: off-grid applications.
“It is a segment less controlled by regulation, as it is not connected to the electricity grid. It is an area that has advanced and has very important potential in the coming years, especially because we have places in Brazil with limited access to energy. In the Amazon, for example, more than a million people do not have access to electricity,” said Takata.
For the executive, the advancement of agribusiness will also greatly boost this segment of off-grid applications, from applications for small installations to hybrid solutions, with diesel and photovoltaic, even more so in a period of rising fuel costs.
An answer
I have a 600 kWh on grid and I would like to have it off for hours without utility power. The problem is the stationary batteries, which are expensive, short-lived and the percentage of use is only 30% of the charge. I don't understand why Brazilian businesspeople haven't yet taken notice of lithiun.
Regulation and tax burden do not help.