Chinese solar manufacturer Trina Solar has said total sales of its ultra-high power modules, the Vertex Series, have reached 1GW worldwide, including nearly 200 MW in Europe as well as from three other major regions, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Latin America.

In February this year, Trina Solar released the Vertex 500W series ultra-high power modules to the world. Within just five months, the power output of the Vertex modules has been upgraded from more than 600 W.

Trina Solar provides a series of high-efficiency, high-power and high-reliability products to the market through technological and product innovation. According to the company the market has responded positively to the Vertex series, and it has also received wide-spread acclaim since its launch. This has led to significant sales in the first half of the year and Trina Solar has been able to meet the production challenge without any hitches.

Trina Solar: big moves

“The Vertex series modules had passed stringent tests and comprehensive evaluation reflecting the safety, reliability and functionality of the modules for big utility and commercial projects. We are always keen to bring technological revolutions in the photovoltaic industry and contribute to the sustainable development of the solar industry in Middle East and Africa. The first shipments of the Vertex series modules in the region were in Egypt and Yemen,” said Antonio Jimenez, Managing Director and Vice President, Trina Solar Middle East & Africa.

By the end of 2020, the total production capacity of Vertex ultra-high power modules is expected to reach 22GW.

Vertex pass reliability test

Earlier the company announced that its Vertex 600W/550W series ultra-high-power modules had passed the comprehensive reliability test by TÜV Rheinland.

This is another major breakthrough and milestone after Trina Solar was granted both the IEC 61215 PV module performance standard and the IEC 61730 PV module safety standard certificates in March 2020.

Based on Trina Solar's superior multi-busbar technology, the Vertex series adopted a low voltage, high string power design and integrated advanced technology solutions including non-destructive cutting and high-density cell interconnect technology, significantly enhancing both micro-crack and heat spot resistance performance while further reducing system costs and the levelised cost of energy (LCOE).

The optimised Vertex series modules have set a new benchmark for high-power modules used in large-scale ground power stations in terms of heat spot resistance.

Zhang Yingbin, Senior Director of Solar Product VCG at Trina Solar, said: "The Vertex series modules have created a new product technology platform. With enhancements in technology, the conversion efficiency is on track to push past 24%. Combining the optimisation in module design as well as improvements in load capacity and downstream installation, the power delivered by the Vertex series modules will continue to increase. These enhancements create huge potential for the iterative development of PV modules, further driving the continuous decrease in the cost of PV systems and LCOE of PV power generation while accelerating application of PV as an energy source worldwide."

Chris Zou, Vice President of Solar Services, TÜV Rheinland Greater China, said: "We are very excited to see that Trina Solar had completed the time to market process including passing TÜV Rheinland's reliability test for 500W+ and 600W+ modules within half a year. The fast track to commercialisation and the reliability certification open a new path for the rapid development of PV technologies. We congratulate Trina Solar on its outstanding achievements in leading the growth of the renewable energy industry and appreciate its innovative spirit."

Entering the ultra-high power with the launch of TrinaPro Mega

Acquires Nclave

Meanhwile, Trina Solar announced its acquisition of the remaining 49 per cent equity in Nclave Renewable to make Nclave a wholly-owned subsidiary of Trina Solar.

Back in May of 2018, Trina Solar acquired a 51 per cent stake in Nclave and became the first Chinese photovoltaic (PV) company to acquire an overseas solar tracker system company.

“The acquisition of the remaining equity is an important strategic deployment for Trina Solar and will further enhance the company’s comprehensive market competitiveness,” the company said in a statement.

The Nclave smart tracker is one of the core hardware products in Trina Solar’s one-stop smart photovoltaic solution, TrinaPro. Launched in 2018, TrinaPro provides comprehensive solutions for owners and developers by offering project design and engineering services that meet the owners’ needs for integrated delivery. Since its launch, TrinaPro has provided high-value solutions to various photovoltaic power stations, greatly reducing their BOS costs while increasing system power generation capabilities. With excellent brand influence, products, and services, TrinaPro has achieved rapid growth, and the demand for it has doubled in the overseas market.

With the PV industry entering the era of ultra-high power, Trina Solar has released the industry’s first 500W+ one-stop solution – TrinaPro Mega. Based on TrinaPro, TrinaPro Mega is equipped with 500W+ ultra-high power modules to further improve the overall performance of the solution and reduce the cost of electricity.

Founded in 1999, Nclave specialises in the design, manufacturing, installation, and maintenance of fixed tilts and solar trackers. With more than 5 GW developed worldwide, offices on the five continents, and more than 300 projects carried out, Nclave offers its clients a product of optimal quality with the most advanced technology, thereby achieving a better performance in each project. They adapt to any request and provide custom-made solutions to their clients. In the fields of operation and maintenance guidance, its core components and structural designs have obtained many international patents in Europe, America, Spain, and other countries or regions.

According to GTM Research’s “Global PV Tracker Landscape Report 2019”, PV tracker market growth rate reached 66 per cent in 2019, significantly higher than 24 per cent in 2017 and 36 per cent in 2018. In the report, Nclave is listed as a “Top 10 Photovoltaic Tracker of 2019”, only one other Chinese company made it into the top 10.

After the completion of the acquisition, Trina Solar will provide high-quality tracker products to the global market relying on Nclave’s industry-leading technological innovation advantages and rich experience in tracker R&D, production, and sales, the company said.

Wu Qun, Secretary of the board of directors of Trina Solar, said after the acquisition that, “Nclave’s technology accumulation in the field of smart trackers combined with Trina Solar’s State Key Laboratory’s leading technology research and development in the field of photovoltaics will further enhance our one-stop solutions as well as the efficiency of our tracker products. Trina Solar will continue to optimised integration and promote the synergy between ultra-high module products and Nclave solar tracker products in order to meet the core needs of customers and create greater value for customers.”