Trina Solar has recently issued a series of test results on the mechanical reliability of the 670W Vertex module, covering six tests: a static mechanical load test and five rigorous tests that cover non-uniform snow-load, extreme low-temperature mechanical load, hail, extreme DML and an extreme wind tunnel.

Dr Zhang Yingbin, Head of Product Strategy and Marketing at Trina Solar, said that after completing general reliability verification covering all the basics, serial advanced tests aimed to verify that ultra-high-power modules can maintain their outstanding performance even when subject to extreme weather, from which one can then attest to customers the reliability and value of the industry's most reliable modules.

Following is a dialogue between Zhang and media representatives:

Q: Why did Trina Solar choose to issue the reliability white paper a year after the 600W+ Open Innovation Ecological Alliance was founded?

Zhang: First of all, we see two major trends in PV application. One is globalization, more than 180 countries and regions now having PV application. The other is the diversification of PV application scenarios, such as agriculture, fishery, water, petrol stations and carparks. These new trends place higher demand on module performance, especially with regards to reliability. PV modules are faced with enormous challenges by extreme weather such as wind, snowstorms, cold and hail. So we conducted a comprehensive range of tests covering all these extreme conditions, so that the 670W modules can withstand them with high reliability and stable capability of power production over the whole life cycle. We plan to share research results across the industry so there can be more innovation and breakthroughs.

Q: What design optimizations did Trina Solar conduct to have the 670W Vertex modules pass the extreme weather test?

Zhang: Based on more than 24 years of PV modules R&D technology and manufacturing experience we have made many improvements including optimizing design, making frame walls thicker, enlarged cavities and improved the selection of materials and matching designs, all of this to ensure ultra-high structural robustness. If our customers choose to build PV plants in extreme geographic and climatic conditions, we offer customized product and installation design services to provide total solutions.

Q: Does optimizing products mean costs are likely to greatly rise?

Zhang: It makes no sense just cutting costs while ignoring the long-term reliability of products. Optimizing and improving the reliability by no means implies greatly increasing costs. It has been calculated that cost increases will be minimal taking into account the real value the 670W modules deliver to customers in the full life cycle of PV power plants.

Q: Will the core data related to Trina Solar’s 210 be open to Alliance members?

Zhang: Yes. We have co-established this valuable eco-system with all Alliance’s members. The earlier publication of Trina Solar’s 210 Vertex modules system white paper means that it becomes an open source for other companies. The core data including product design, layout, the position of installation holes, packaging solution, transportation, hot spot mechanism and working temperature is all shared among members. In addition, the production capacity plans of upstream and downstream companies, estimates of shipment and order data are also shared. The core concept of openness, innovation and ecology of the Alliance accelerates the technological advances and industrialization of 600W+, which has already well exceeded our expectations.

Q: Will 210 modules become mainstream in the market?

Zhang: According to the latest report published by PVinfolink, the 210 modules production capacity will reach 147GW this year and 234GW next year. High power modules will take more than 70% share of overall global modules production capacity. And the pace of growth is likely to exceed our forecasts.

Q: Have there been project cases of 210 in both domestic and international markets?

Zhang: Sure. Recently we have published about many 210 large project cases. For example, the 400MW agricultural photovoltaic solar plant in Nangong, Hebei province. Average three-year equivalent power generation hours have been raised 18% with integrated supply of the Vertex modules plus TrinaTracker solution, compared with traditional solutions.

The customer involved in the 112MW project in Dachaidan, Qinghai province, chose Trina Solar 670W series ultra-high-power modules because it only wanted to use PV modules with high capacity and high reliability to withstand extreme weather, because the project is in the desert.

Overseas there are also many 210 projects. In early August Trina Solar become the only modules provider for an 850MW large project in Brazil, all fitted with 600W+ series modules that have already been shipped.

Q: How would you sum up all of this?

Zhang: On the path of leading the PV industry towards 600W+, Trina Solar is not taking actions by itself. Rather, it is the joint efforts and business synergy of the whole eco-system, from R&D, manufacturing to application. In all this innovation we hope to focus on creating value for our customers and our partners and accelerate the sustainable development of the PV industry through products that offer the best performance at the lowest cost.