It seems to be the season for launching solar modules with over 500 W output. The world's largest module supplier JinkoSolar is the latest company to announce modules with up to 580 W output, just a day after fellow Chinese module producer LONGi Solar entered the 500 W+ club saying it will launch its 530 W Hi-MO 5 module at the end of May 2020.
JinkoSolar's new modules will be produced under its Tiger product line and named Tiger Pro. The company unveiled the product through a virtual product launch live broadcast.
The 580 W output for its Tiger Pro modules is 40% higher than current mainstream products installed in utility projects, claims JinkoSolar. The company describes its technology as using multi-wire 9BB and TR tiling ribbon to achieve power conversion efficiency of up to 21.6%. It claims these modules to have lower power attenuation rates, at 2% for the first year and better open-circuit voltage. Mass production is scheduled to begin in Q3/2020, however, the company did not reveal the annual production capacity it plans for this series. LONGi Solar, fore example, has announced 10 GW of annual production capacity for its 530 W solar modules.
"The global PV market is rapidly moving towards high-performance modules to reduce system costs and initial upfront capital investment, so it was time to consolidate our competitiveness by leveraging our ability to rapidly begin mass producing cutting-edge products," said JinkoSolar CEO Kangping Chen. "With various types of modules, Tiger Pro series enables the construction of more powerful and efficient solar power farms that will bring higher return on investment for projects with larger technical and efficiency requirements."
After Trina Solar launched the first 500 W category module at the beginning of this year, it was followed suit by Risen and now by LONGi and JinkoSolar.