SunEdison, Inc. (NYSE: SUNE), has provided initial details of its new Zero White Space (ZWS) solar module technology, which the company says can boost solar panel power output by up to 15%.
This increase in performance can also effectively reduce total system cost by up to 8% states Dave Ranhoff, president of solar materials at SunEdison.
“Most high efficiency solar modules rely on expensive solar cells, but ZWS technology boosts performance by optimizing the solar module itself. Our R&D centers in St. Peters, Missouri (US) and Bengaluru, India, developed module prototypes which delivered a 10% increase in peak power output, using commercially available PERC cells – and this is just the beginning of where ZWS can take performance.”
The ZWS concept reduces the unused front area of the solar module, such as the area between cells. It also eliminates losses due to bus bar shadowing.
Mr Ranhoff says the technology is well suited to installations where space is constrained, enabling better use of rooftop real estate.
” By increasing efficiency without adding cost, we can increase the economic value of solar – in many cases by thousands of dollars”.
SunEdison is currently capable of producing 350 watt peak modules in a 72 cell format, but ZWS technology will boost the performance of these panels up to 400 watts.
High volume manufacturing of panels utilising Zero White Space technology is expected to begin in the second half of next year.
Another recent technology enhancement recently announced by SunEdison will see the company producing solar panel polysilicon at less than USD $0.05 per watt peak by 2016.The ‘high pressure fluidized bed reactor’ (HP-FBR) creates high purity polysilicon 10 times more efficiently and with 90% less energy used than non FBR technologies.
SunEdison has an extensive portfolio of over 750 patents. The company has solar installations, manufacturing facilities, and 39 offices located throughout North America, Europe and Asia.
