Q Cells, one of the largest solar cell and module manufacturers in the world, will reveal prototypes of its first gapless solar modules at the 2019 Solar Power International (SPI) exhibition in Salt Lake City, Utah. With its high-performance premium solar modules, the company is aiming to further strengthen its leadership position in the U.S. residential solar market.
The Q.Peak Duo Blk ML-G9 and the Q.Peak Duo XL-G9.2 are Q Cells’ first gapless solar modules, developed for greater power output and efficiency.
The Blk ML-G9 is an all-black module composed of 132 gapless half-cells with 12 busbars. With the use of larger M4 wafers and a gapless design that enables the addition of 12 more than the usual 120 half-cells, the product can deliver maximum power output of up to 380 Wp, as well as industry leading efficiency of up to 20.2%. With high power and efficiency and sleek all-black aesthetics, this gapless module prototype is an ideal addition to Q Cells’ portfolio as it seeks to build on its leadership position in the residential solar market.
The ML-G9 will be accompanied its larger gapless cousin the Q.Peak Duo XL-G9.2 – a prime module for ground-mounted solar plants thanks to its 156 half-cell composition that delivers a maximum output of up to 455 Wp and efficiency of up to 20.6% with only a slight increase in module size.
Additional highlights at the Q Cells booth (number 1419) from next Tuesday to Thursday will include the Q.Peak Duo Blk-G6+ with a guaranteed 25-year product warranty. Manufactured with M4 wafers, the product has a maximum output of up to 345 Wp and offers long-term reliability with one of the lowest degradation rates in the industry, guaranteeing 85% of its initial performance in the 25th year of its life. Its all-black facade offers optimal aesthetic appeal ideal for the rooftops of residential and commercial and industrial buildings.
Also on display at SPI will be the Q.Peak Duo L-G5.3/BF, Q Cells’ first bifacial module. The glass-glass module has a white grid and no mid rail, to ensure the highest efficiency and a power output of 400 Wp, making it a cost-effective solution for utility scale solar plants.
Q Cells will also unveil its energy storage system (ESS) for the U.S. market with an all-in-one-brand solution. Q Cells’ hybrid ESS inverter system, the Q.Home+ ESS Hyb-G1, can connect ESS systems in DC and AC-coupled configurations for new and retrofitted projects. The system comes with a flexible modular battery providing a range 4.3-18.9 kWh energy capacity, able to cover most residential applications. The Q.Home+ ESS Hyb-G1 will solve one of the biggest challenges in troubleshooting solar module, inverter, and ESS failure by identifying sources of product malfunction from a single entity and service under Q Cells.
All the modules and energy storage systems showcased at SPI are ideal solutions for meeting the high performance demands of both the dynamic U.S. residential solar market and the growing commercial and utility scale sectors. All of Q Cells’ Duo half-cell modules boast optimized shading performance, which is a vital feature for many rooftop installations, where space can be at a premium. The upper and lower sections of the module can operate independently, reducing the impact of shading and thereby increasing energy yields even on small rooftops. This range of solar modules also meets high quality standards based on the company’s Q.antum Technology, which includes excellent Anti LeTID (light and elevated temperature induced degradation), Anti LID (light induced degradation), and Anti PID (potential induced degradation) performance, as well as Hot-Spot Protect and traceable quality with Tra.Q laser identification to protect against counterfeiting.
In February Q Cells began production at its new Dalton facility in Georgia. The factory is the largest solar module manufacturing facility in the western hemisphere with 1.7 GW of production capacity. Q Cells is planning to continue its effort to meet customer needs with the company’s high-quality solar modules assembled in the U.S.
Hee Cheul (Charles) Kim, chief executive of Q Cells, said: “There is no doubt that the U.S. solar market will always be one of the largest solar markets in the world and one of the most important markets for Q Cells. That is why Q Cells focuses so much effort on satisfying U.S. customer needs, which is why SPI is an excellent opportunity for us to exhibit our residential solutions – in particular the Q.Peak Duo Blk-G6+ and the new gapless prototype, the Q.Peak Duo Blk ML-G9. Based on our new products and Dalton facility, Q Cells will continuously provide customers with better products and services in the U.S. as we continue to make every effort possible to strengthen our market leadership.”
