New Industry Products

Sanyo Targets Photovoltaic Modules for European Installations

July 20, 2005 by Jeff Shepard

SANYO Electric Co., Ltd (Osaka) announced the development of a 270W heterojunction with intrinsic thin-layer (HIT) hybrid solar cell module that achieves a conversation efficiency of 16.2%. SANYO also developed a new 200W HIT double-sided module, that improves upon its 1998 first-generation, double-sided module.

These modules will be introduced in the European market in January 2006. The HIT hybrid solar cells are composed of a single thin crystalline silicon wafer surrounded by ultra-thin amorphous silicon layers to provide improvements in conversion efficiency.

SANYO's new 270W HIT module (125mm sized HIT cells, 12 x 8, total 96 cells), decreases the amount of modules needed by 25% compared to SANYO's conventional (200W) HIP-200NHE1. This will be beneficial for the European market, which has a high percentage of large photovoltaic systems for industrial, commercial and public facilities. In general, modules over 250W, have an energy efficiency that is less than 14%, however, this new module achieved a conversion efficiency of 16.2%. And its size (1.66m2/24kg) makes it easier for installation and distribution than conventional models.

"By utilizing SANYO's advanced HIT technology, we have produced a photovoltaic module with high power output and easy handling. Therefore, by reducing the number of modules and the installation materials required, we have successfully sped up the installation process" said Tadao Shimada, President of SANYO's Clean Energy Company. "It is a privilege to introduce this new product to the environmentally aware and rapidly growing European market."

A HIT double-sided module is structured by inserting, a front and back symmetrical cell, between two glass plates, enabling electricity to be generated from both sides. Compared to regular modules, the double-sided structure increases power output by 5%, and by setting the module at a 30 degree slant facing a southerly direction power output increases by another 7%. Set up perpendicular facing a southerly direction, annual power output increases by 34%.

The new 200W double-sided module HIP-200DNCE1, (125mm sized HIT cells, 12 x 6 total 72 cells), has an energy efficiency of 15.8%, and 20% more power output compared to the conventional HIT double-sided module (HIP-G752D1).

The new HIT double module comes with a frame less model that enables various unique installation methods and flexible designs such as for a fence or sound-proof wall, etc.