Germany's Saxony is now home to a 50 MW photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) solar module factory that its owner Sunmaxx PVT terms as the world's largest production site for this technology.
The factory can roll out 120,000 PVT modules/year, said the Dresden cleantech firm. Module production on site started in December 2023, and now it has been officially opened.
Developed in cooperation with Germany's Fraunhofer ISE, Sunmaxx PVT modules combine 108 M10 mono half-cell PERC solar PV cells, covered on both sides with EVA foil in a glass-backsheet combination, and a heat exchanger to generate thermal energy. This combination makes maximum use of the available space and efficiently converts sunlight into electricity.
Weighing 29 kg, Sunmaxx PVT modules offer a power rating of 400 W, 405 W, 410 W and 415 W, with a module efficiency of 20.4%, 20.6%, 20.9% and 21.2%, respectively. The manufacturer claims a certified total efficiency of 80% for these modules.
When combined with heat pumps, it says the modules can provide almost self-sufficient, 100% climate-neutral heat and electricity. The system is installation-friendly since it is in a plug & play model.
With its PVT modules, said Sunmaxx, it aims to completely decarbonize the electricity and heat supply of buildings, districts and industrial sites. These modules are available in Germany currently.
Sunmaxx started constructing the fab in September 2023. Back then, it had said the facility can be expanded by several 100 MW/year to an eventual 3 GW annual capacity (see Sunmaxx Announces World's 'Largest' PVT Factory).
"Our lead in technological development over the international competition is still several years," said Sunmaxx CEO Dr. Wilhelm Stein. "We need a functioning European ecosystem to maintain this lead and to be able to offer a 100% European product. Europe's chance lies in innovation and the rapid scaling of next-generation technologies."
.png?w=50&fm=png){kind=logo}