JA Solar DeepBlue 3.0 provides a practically applicable, technically advanced, and cost-effective outlook to give your solar panel that extra boost
If choosing the right module is getting in your way to set up your personal solar plant, this is just the article to look for. This article will provide clarity over key parameters to watch out for while selecting that long-lasting and efficient solar module.
Solar modules are crucial to the process of solar power generation. This makes the need to select the best from the best in the market even more pertinent to selecting the right module. Module power, advanced module encapsulation, and enlarged wafer size are some aspects that need to be taken into account.
During a webinar with EQ magazine, Mr. Xuepeng Sun, Technical Manager, JA Solar introduced the viewers to JA Solar’s DeepBlue 3.0 solar module. The main focus of the webinar was to better understand the clean solar key products, which are premium designs for solar farms from a technical perspective.
While talking about the design idea of the product, he presented a graph and explained, “This graphic shows the module increments in the last three years. From blue parts between 2009 and 2020, we could obtain the information (about) the module power increment is mainly (to) contribute to the buyer selling efficiency increasing annually, and integrated technology… Ten years ago, the module power was around 290, (it) was simple, with about 16 per cent module efficiency.
Now, the module power achieved (is) more than 500 watts, with the module efficiency (being) more than 21 per cent. Part of the biggest power change that I have merely started from the year 2020, which is the last year because of the low PVA incentive and module supply point wheel to launch the cupboard all kinds of products for meeting these market requirements.”
Besides the demand in the market, the factors influencing the acceptance of the solution include its design, cost-efficiency, practicality, and technological superiority. Here is stating a few:
SIZE DOESN’T MATTER?
Mr. Xuepeng Sun, Technical Manager, JA Solar explains, “Besides module power and efficiency, we also need to consider the module application practically. Is the module the larger, the better? Could the larger module maintain the mechanical property? After the module is delivered to the product site, can the workers or operator easily hand (it) over and install (it) smoothly? Because for the module itself, the larger, the heavier. At the same time, could the current district system be compatible with this large plus module? Especially in the high wind lower region. From a technical point of view, all these factors, need to be verified”
Contrary to the belief that the larger size ensures better performance, the oversize module does not contribute more BOS savings on the system side but brings more potential risks. In fact, excessively increasing solar module power through bigger wafer sizing will be valueless. It increases mechanical load risk, transportation, and installation challenges, and affects structure loading capability (a challenge for mounting systems, like high wind load region).
Voltage & Current
Module Electrical Property Comparison: It is crucial to note that in case the voltage drops, the current will be increased significantly. Low voltage can add the string capacity and decrease the system cost, but the impact from the large current on the system and module itself should be noted.
High voltage, low current: 78/182 (1/2 cut); 50/210 (1/3 cut)
Low voltage, high current: 60/210 (1/2 cut)
Module Operation Loss Comparison: A larger module current implies more CTM loss and extra module production cost. Large current results in resistance loss increment, meaning that if the module operating temperature goes up, module power generation will be decreased. This could result in more potential risks for connectors and junction box diodes burning out.
This is some data between the bus bar number and module power, which is also the reason why we are using the bus bar for the physical principle.
Irradiance Data: Resistance loss and low power generation & PR can be caused due to higher temperature of the solar module temperature if Isc is higher. A recording from a third-party report, compared with a larger current module (Isc 18.5 Amp), the power generation of the JA DeepBlue 3.0 (182mm wafer) module is more than 1.5% higher, and LCOE is significantly better.
It is imperative to match the module property with solar system configuration, pursuing low voltage and high current is not ideal. Module design should be designed so that not only BOS savings but also LCOE are factored in.
Why is the M10 (182mm) solar module preferred?
The size of this solar module is determined by the whole industry chain including production, installation, transportation, and solar system configuration. Its salient features include suitable dimension and electric property, and premium LCOE (the design principle of the JA Deep Blue 3.0).
Length: ~2278mm
Breadth: ~1134mm
Voc: ~50V
Isc: ~13A
Proof of Quality: Withstanding the Test of Time
This solution can withstand the test of time, so attests the many awards claimed by this product. DeepBlue 3.0 won simulation data- TUV Rheinland “All Quality Matters” Award. It was awarded “Energy Yield Simulation AQM Award 2020 – Monofacial Mono Group” and the “TUV NORD Outdoor Yield Performance Awards”.
JA Solar in cooperation with TUV NORD conducted a one-year-long (February 2021 ~ February 2022) outdoor solar project monitoring plan at the National PV experimental center, Yinchuan (northwest China).
The observations suggest that during a high-irradiance period, the average module operation temperature gap between the 182mm module and the larger current module is about 1.7 degrees Celsius, and the maximum temperature gap is up to 4-5 degrees Celsius, indicating effects of weather (especially summer).
Additionally, the power generation of 182 modules (per watt) is about 1.8% higher than the larger current module from February to July 2021.
Besides this, during the PV module energy yield simulation the results were found to be promising in favour of the above-mentioned solution. This simulation involved randomly selecting five samples from 1000 pcs mass production modules. The electrical performance of the module was then tested under different irradiance, temperature, and light incidence angles. This was followed by determining the PAN file parameters of modules. The geographical and meteorological data of five typical areas were selected to simulate the outdoor power generation of the modules. The modules were finally ranked based on the data gathered from the tests and the power of the modules.
The solution also provides technical insights into the existing technology. Here are some technical highlights of DeepBlue 3.0’:
Module Configuration:182 Wafer; 547278 Model; 1/2 Cut Cell
Wafer sizing upgrade; mature production facilities, workmanship, material; compatible with production line; current production yield.
A solution to best LCOE:
– PERCIUM cell technology
– Wafer size upgrade
– M10 Gallium-doped wafer
– 11 bus bar technology
– Half-cut technology
– Higher reliability (all certification including a PI certificate for the Indian market)
Upgraded PERCIUM Cell:
– Upgraded PERC technology with the better long-wavelength spectral response and low-irradiation property
– Low-temperature co-efficiency
– The cell and module substructure are fully upgraded accompanied by the extra 2-3% power generation performance
M10 (182mm) Ga-doped wafer:
– It is the first solar company to deploy Ga-doped wafers on all high-efficiency cells with IP rights globally
– Lower degradation – 2% degradation in the first year
– Single glass 0.55%/year: Linear degradation (2-25 years)
– Double glass 0.45%/year: Linear degradation (2-30 years)
Multi-Bus Bar Technology & Round Ribbon
– The 11-busbar pattern, shorter current transmission distance, and lower resistance loss enhance higher energy yield
– Reduce the risk of cell cracks and broken fingers on the module
– Round ribbons improve optical utilization and module power
– Better performance at oblique incidence
– The 11-busbar design and thinner ribbon reduce stress effects and improve reliability
– Enhance durability under temperature and load fluctuation, reducing TC and dynamic load power loss
Half-cell technology
– Lower internal resistance loss
– Improved photoelectric conversion efficiency
– Lower NOCT, 2-3 degree C lower than fuel-cell modules during operation
– Lower temperature co-efficiency
– Ultra excellent circuit design reduces module current mismatch loss
– Temperature is 10-20 degrees C lower than the full module under a hot spot situation
– Excellent mechanical load capacity
– Less shading impact
DeepBlue 3.0 Pro – DeepBlue 3.0 Upgrade
– GFI (Gapless Flexible Interconnection) Technology of JA Solar
– Higher efficiency, better production yield, lower LCOE (Power can increase ~ 10W, efficiency can increase ~ 0.4%)
– Strict reliability test, ensuring the reliability of Pro module
11 BB; Half-cell; Gapless Flexible Interconnection
Evolving technology:
While this solution stands as an incredible product, there have been successful attempts to make it even better by making technological adjustments. DeepBlue 3.0 upgrades include:
– GFI (Gapless Flexible Interconnection) Technology of JA Solar
– Higher efficiency, better production yield, lower LCOE (Power can increase ~ 10W, efficiency can increase ~ 0.4%)
– Strict reliability test, ensuring the reliability of Pro module
11 BB; Half-cell; Gapless Flexible Interconnection
Moment of Truth:
BOS Cost & Factors Affecting It
Module efficiency and power corresponding to BOS cost need to be factored in too. What enhances the practicality of the module includes easy transportation and installation. Whilst these features are rare to be found in one product, JA Solar makes it easy with its DeepBlue 3.0 solar modules to do so.
With a six per cent increase in the efficiency of mono-crystalline cells from 2009 (at 17 per cent) to 2020 (at 23 per cent), DeepBlue 3.0 comes with enhanced solar module power achieved through cell efficiency increment. The implementation of PERC technology further boosts up cell efficiency.
Its advanced module encapsulation includes AR coating glass, thicker extra soft ribbon, high transmittance EVA, half-cut cell, multi-bus bar, and shingle, paving, and high-density. Enlarged wafer sizing promotes module power achieving more than 500 watts. The sizes have evolved from 125mm to 156mm/156.75mm/158.75mm to 161.7mm/166mm and finally to 182mm/210mm.
While taking BOS cost and solar module power evaluation into account, the base on power efficiency is apparent. The larger module with a higher power output will significantly reduce BOS cost. When the size is big enough, for example, for 182 mm (72 cells) with 590 watts, this 590 watts is higher, however, it does not contribute too much for BOS. The trend of the BOS deduction effect becomes less when enlarging wafer sizing. You can find various module power and the congruous variable BOS in the table below.
On the other hand, when we look at BOS cost and solar module efficiency evaluation, it is a far more superior and widely accepted parameter. Efficiency contributes more to BOS cost reduction compared with wafer sizing. The following table suggests module efficiency/power to variable BOS.
During the webinar, Mr. Sun also presented the value analysis of DeepBlue 3.0. Here are some figures:
This is the cost comparison under a fixed structure from a third-party EPC company.
This is the cost comparison under the single-axis tracker from the top three-tractor manufacturers.
These are LCOE evaluations compared with 182 products. DeepBlue 3.0 products, so, we all reduced by 5-7% LCOE, which were very high numbers.
Deep Blue 3.0 72-cell, 78-cell:
– -0.35%/ degree C: Temperature coefficient
– 98.5%: Low light performance
– 2278*1134mm: Module size
– 2%/0.55%: Single glass warranty
– 2%/0.45%: Double glass warranty
– 28.6kg single glass weight; 31.6kg dual glass weight
