What comes to mind when you hear about BC battery technology?
For many, “high efficiency and high power” are the first thoughts. True to this, BC components boast the highest conversion efficiency among all silicon-based components, having set multiple world records. However, concerns such as “low bifacial ratio” are also noted. The industry perceives BC components as highly efficient yet with a lower bifacial ratio, seemingly more apt for unilateral power generation, causing some projects to shy away for fear of reducing overall power production.
Yet, it’s important to recognize key advancements. First, process technology improvements have enabled BC battery components to achieve back ratios of 60% or more, closing the gap with other technologies. Moreover, not all photovoltaic projects realize more than a 15% increase in backside generation; many see less than 5%, less impactful than presumed. Despite lower backside power, the gains in front-sidepower can more than compensate. For rooftops of equal size, BC double-sided battery components may produce more electricity. Industry experts suggest focusing more on issues like power degradation, damage, and dust accumulation on surfaces, which can significantly impact power generation.
At the recent China (Shandong) New Energy and Energy Storage Application Expo, Longi Green Energy made a significant impact with the launch of its Hi-MO X6 double-glass modules designed to withstand humidity and heat, offering more choices to the market and enhancing photovoltaic systems’ adaptability to complex climates. Niu Yanyan, president of Longi Green Energy’s Distributed Business in China, emphasized the company’s commitment to minimizing potential risks for customers, as photovoltaic installations are substantial investments. The risks associated with humid and hot environments, often underestimated, can lead to electrode corrosion in modules under high temperature and humidity, causing PID attenuation and affecting the modules’ lifecycle power generation.
The National Energy Administration’s data shows that as of the end of 2023, the cumulative photovoltaic installations in China reached approximately 609GW, with nearly 60% located in coastal, near-sea, or humid areas such as South China and Southwest China. In distributed scenarios, installations in humid areas account for up to 77.6%. Ignoring the modules’ resistance to humidity and heat, allowing water vapor and salt fog to erode them, could significantly degrade the photovoltaic modules’ performance over the years, diminishing the expected returns of investors. To address this industry challenge, Longi has developed the Hi-MO X6 double-glass humidity and heat-resistant modules, achieving a comprehensive breakthrough from cell structure to packaging, ensuring efficient and reliable power generation even in humid and hot conditions, according to Niu Yanyan.
The Hi-MO X6 double-glass modules stand out for their excellent resistance to weather conditions. The HPBC battery electrode material, devoid of silver-aluminum alloy, is inherently less prone to electrochemical reactions. Additionally, the modules utilize a double-sided POE film technique, offering seven times the moisture resistance of EVA, and employ high moisture-resistant sealing glue for packaging, effectively blocking water.
Test results from the third-party institution DH1000 revealed that under conditions of 85°C temperature and 85% humidity, the modules’ attenuation was only 0.89%, significantly below the IEC’s (International Electrotechnical Commission) 5% industry standard. PID test results were remarkably low at 1.26%, substantially outperforming comparable industry products. Longi claims that the Hi-MO X6 modules lead the industry in terms of attenuation, with only 1% first-year degradation and a linear degradation rate of just 0.35%. With a 30-year power warranty, the modules are guaranteed to retain over 88.85% of their output power after 30 years, benefiting from an optimized power temperature coefficient of -0.28%.
To demonstrate the modules’ resistance to humidity and heat more vividly, Longi staff immersed one end of a module in hot water over 60°C during the exhibition. The performance data showed no impact, illustrating the product’s robustness against humidity and heat with a straightforward approach. Lv Yuan, president of Longi Green Energy Distributed Business Product and Solutions Center, emphasized that reliability is a core value of Longi, which prioritizes it above all. Despite the industry’s rapid cost reduction efforts, Longi maintains superior standards in silicon wafer thickness, glass, and frame quality, refusing to compromise on safety for cost competitiveness.
Niu Yanyan further highlighted Longi’s philosophy of focusing on product and service quality over price wars, believing in delivering value to customers. She is convinced that customers, who carefully calculate returns, will recognize the added value: Longi’s products might be priced 1% higher, but the increase in electricity generation revenue could reach 10%, a calculation any investor would appreciate.
Sobey Consulting predicts that by 2024, China’s distributed photovoltaic installations will reach between 90-100GW, with an even broader market overseas. The Hi-MO X6 double-glass humidity and heat-resistant modules, offering higher efficiency, power, and lower degradation, present an attractive option for the growing competition in the distributed market.
Post time: Mar-28-2024