REC, one of the pioneers in heterojunction technology (HJT), displayed its latest Alpha Pro M series model among other offerings at the US renewables trade show RE+ 2024 in Anaheim, California in early September.
Speaking to TaiyangNews during the show, George McClellan, Senior Technical Sales Manager at REC, provided a brief overview of the latest Alpha Pro M series HJT module suitable for commercial & industrial (C&I) rooftop applications.
Design & performance
The monofacial module, equipped with 120 numbers of G12 size HJT half-cells interconnected with a low-temperature, lead-free, alloy-coated wire using low-temperature stringing technology, boasts a power output of up to 640 W and a maximum efficiency of 22.5%. The module, measuring 2,174 x 1,305 x 30 mm (85.6 x 51.4 x 1.2 inches) or 2.93 m² (31.6 ft²), is laminated with a 0.13” anti-reflective surface treated front solar glass and a highly resistant white polymer backsheet, which makes it suitable for C&I applications. This model, with 4 different power classes between 610 W and 640 W, offers a power density of up to 224.9 W/m² (20.9 W/ft²) and a maximum short-circuit current (Isc) of 17.93 A. REC Solar explained that its HJT cell-based module features a lower temperature coefficient of Pmax of -0.24%/K. The company claims that this nominal module operating temperature (NMOT) of 44°C is lower than its TOPCon peers, most likely due to the glass-backsheet configuration which has greater heat dissipation properties. These 2 characteristics help the module to perform better in hot field conditions, says REC.
Installation
This 32 kg (71.6 lbs) monofacial module with a 30 mm (1.2”) anodized silver color aluminum frame has a 3-part split junction box (JB) configuration. This JB, equipped with Stäubli MC4-EVO2 series connector and 1,200 mm (51.2”) solar cable, makes the module installation possible in both landscape and portrait modes, noted the company. The company added that 3rd party C&I racking system solution providers like Unirac and Iron Ridge BX have certified the exhibited module with their mounting structures. The compatibility with 3rd party racking systems enhances the model’s installation flexibility over multiple types of C&I roofs.
Reliability & durability
The module has IEC certifications according to multiple potential fault modes, says the company. Alongside the IEC certification for the design and safety (IEC 61216 & IEC 61730) of the module, the certifications for ignitability (ISO 11925-2), ammonia resistance (IEC 62716), salt mist (IEC 61701), and hail storm (IEC 61215:2016) ensure the module’s resilience against multiple potential environmental stresses. The module is also certified for the UL 61730 Fire type1 protocol, added REC. This monofacial module, equipped with 2 cross-bars on the rear side, offers maximum mechanical load carrying capacity of + 5,400 Pa on the front and – 2,400 Pa on the back, equivalent to other mainstream glass-glass TOPCon models. The company offers 20 years of product and 25 years of standard power attenuation warranty for the module. Under the optional REC ProTrust warranty clause, REC Solar offers 25 years of warranty on the product and performance for installations below 25 kW and between 25 kW and 500 kW. It has a labor warranty of between 10 and 25 years for plant capacities of 25-500 kW and below 25 kW, respectively.
REC is expecting to receive the first lot of 620 W Alpha Pro M series modules in the USA by the end of September 2024. The company is looking forward to adding lots of latest monofacial modules in the USA’s C&I rooftop space in the next 18 months.
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