Sharp has released its new NU-228AP solar modules for applications on buildings with small rooftop areas.
The Japanese electronics manufacturer said the monocrystalline module weighs 13 kg and measures 1,146 mm × 996 mm × 38.5 mm. It claimed that it can be easily installed in vertical or horizontal positions, depending on the roof configuration.
The company said the new product has a power output of 228 W and a power conversion efficiency of 20.0%. The open-circuit voltage is 20.84 V and the short-circuit current is 14.03 A.
Sharp is currently selling the panel in Japan for JPY 143,000 ($1,040) and is offering a 15-year product warranty and a 20-year performance warranty. The 20-year power output is guaranteed to be no less than 80% of the nominal output power.
In May, Sharp released monocrystalline modules for the Japanese market that are purportedly suitable for gable roofs with large installation surfaces and different roofing materials. The company said the new panels can be deployed on roofing materials such as slate, metal horizontal rooftops, and metal tile bar roofing.
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How desperate does an economy have to get for solar power that it is willing to pay for the energy from such niche products at such a high price?
This is about 8 to 10 times more expensive than a regular panel, and I can’t think of an application where this panel would be used on its own and do anything worth paying a thousand bucks for. If you needed two of these, you’d be better off spending $150 on a regular 350W+ panel. And if you wanted to use ten of them, again, why not use 5 regular 60/66/72/78-cell modules?!