Henkel Adhesive Electronics has developed a series of ECAs (electrically conductive adhesives) designed to facilitate lower-cost, improved reliability and process-friendly assembly of solar devices. The LOCTITE ABLESTIK ICP 8000 series ECAs have been designed to elevate module performance and accommodate various assembly processes including cell interconnect ribbon bonding and shingled solar modules.
Bischof + Klein has introduced a new generation of PV module backsheets, designed to provide greater stability when exposed to UV radiation and increased protection against moisture ingress. The new B+K ‘BackFlex’ PP backsheet is based on polypropylene and is therefore naturally resistant to hydrolysis. It can withstand more than 5,000 hours of damp heat testing (85°C / 85% r.h.).
FTC Solar, Inc. announced the release of its proprietary Atlas portfolio management software solution. Atlas, formerly known as SAM (Solar Automation Module) provides developers and asset owners with a "one stop shop" solution to manage all solar projects on one centralized platform.
Following last year’s announced cooperation with Tigo, PV inverter manufacturer GoodWe is now launching the DNS and SDT rapid shutdown inverter series with MLPE functionalities, a streamlined solution for the optimization of energy yields on the module level which is perfectly adequate for complex system designs and partial shadings – using optimizers on shaded modules recovers an average of 36% energy loss due to mismatch.
Sineng Electric has introduced a new central distributed inverter for bifacial solar modules. Bifacial modules are expected to become a leading force in the industry due to the significant improvement in energy yields and reduction in cost but their high-performance characteristics are not served well with current inverter technologies.
Enphase Energy and Solaria Corporation have announced the introduction of an AC solar module, the Solaria ‘PowerXT’-AC. The AC module features the Enphase IQ 7+ Microinverter and delivers high performance and aesthetics through Solaria’s proprietary module technology.
SMA Solar has introduced the latest Sunny Central 2750-EV-US inverter, which is said to have 10% more power than previous models enabling maximum power density and integration. The Sunny Central 2750-EV-US has also achieved UL 62109 listing.
OPES Solutions a supplier of off-grid solar modules for grid independent power supply, has developed an ultra-light solar module together with the Fraunhofer Center for Silicon Photovoltaics CSP. The new ultra-light solar module reduces module weight by two thirds when compared to conventional crystalline modules.
Aurora Solar Technologies has introduced the ‘Veritas Insight’, a new product that is designed to provide a fully integrated quality control system for high-efficiency solar cells such as PERC (Passivated Emitter Rear Cell).
Valentin Software’s new PV system design software PV*SOL premium 2018 has been enhanced to provide the ability to input object data, 3D models in different file formats into the software via a new interface. This makes it possible to import realistic and detailed 3D objects created with photos taken from different perspectives (e.g. using a drone).