DAH Solar's globally patented front-side frameless design offers multiple advantages compared to its traditional framed counterpart
This frameless module can deliver up to 15% additional power generation compared to the framed counterpart, says 3rd party test report
DAH Solar's integrated PV system solution, featuring PV modules and microinverter, is called SolarUnit
The power and efficiency of a photovoltaic (PV) module – key metrics of its performance – depend not only on cell technology and optimization within the bill of materials (BOM) but also on innovations in module design. Sometimes, even a small change in module design can lead to significant gains in power or efficiency.
At the TaiyangNews Advanced Solar Module Applications 2024 Conference, Franck Tafani, Country Manager for France at DAH Solar, delivered an insightful presentation on innovations in frameless PV module design and their impact (see DAH Solar presentation here). He also provided an overview of DAH Solar’s latest product, SolarUnit – an integrated PV system solution combining a module with a microinverter.
Founded in 2009, DAH Solar has grown to achieve an annual production capacity of 5 GW of silicon wafers, 6 GW of PV cells, and 10 GW of PV modules. The company launched its 8 GW TOPCon cell capacity in 2022, followed by the mass production of its TOPCon cells, which reached an efficiency of over 26.5% in 2023, setting a new industry benchmark. DAH Solar consistently emphasizes research and development (R&D), with an annual investment of up to RMB 150 million, and has earned more than 200 patents for innovative technologies, according to Tafani.
DAH Solar’s patented frameless module design eliminates the traditional 5 mm front-side frame, using an innovative 128° curved surface angle on each side of the module. This design, known as the Full-Screen PV Module, offers several advantages. Tafani highlighted its key benefits such as the prevention of water or dust accumulation on the PV modules, a reduction in cleaning and maintenance costs of over 50%, a power gain ranging from 6% to 15%, and improved installation ease. Furthermore, the full-screen PV module has been validated for its ability to accelerate snow cleaning, compared to traditional framed PV modules, thanks to its frameless design.
In an outdoor performance test in Yinchuan, China, DAH Solar confirmed a power gain of up to 15% for its full-screen PV module. The test report, compared the DHT-M60X10/FS-460W (Full-Screen) with the DHT-M60X10-460W (Regular) series, was certified by TÜV Nord.
Tafani also noted that DAH Solar has successfully adapted its full-screen PV module technology to a variety of models, including the DHN-54R20, DHN-60R18-525W, and DHN-72R18-630W series. The DHN-72R18-630W series, a double-glass model with 144 half-cut TOPCon rectangular cells, offers a power output of up to 630 W. The DHN-60R18-525W model, with 120 half-cut cells, delivers up to 525 W, while the DHN-54R20 series incorporates 0BB metallization technology and offers multi-colored aesthetics.
In addition to its frameless PV module design, DAH Solar also introduced SolarUnit – an integrated PV solution that combines a PV module with a microinverter. This system, featuring 1/3-cut solar cells and a microinverter, delivers up to 97.55% system efficiency. Tafani explained the regulatory advantages of installing integrated PV solutions in certain European countries, such as France and Italy, where these systems offer more flexibility in installation. The pre-assembled system and plug-in connection design for both the DC and AC sides allow for easier future capacity additions without hassle.
The SolarUnit design-free solution for residential usage can be installed in any orientation, maximizing space utilization and increasing power generation potential. On the product side, DAH Solar offers 2 SolarUnit models: the 2-in-1 (600 W/800 W/920 W) and the 3-in-1 (1,500 W).