China’s JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd. has launched a new series of modules targeting the distributed generation market, part of its Tiger Pro modules. Among the module’s technical specifications mentioned, the new series is based on 182mm, 54-cell design offering a maximum power output of 415W and an ultra-high efficiency of 21.3%.
JinkoSolar said the module is about 1.7 m in length and 1.1 m in width, which it claims, makes it a better fit in terms of design to meet market demands in terms of installation, manual handling and transportation, compared with conventional modules.
The company is offering a 15-year product warranty, and 25-year linear warranty for the series. It argues that the improved size design, higher module power and higher conversion efficiency can lead to lower levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) for all distributed energy generation segments as residential, commercial and industrial (C&I).  Specifically, it is suitable for installation in high snow and high wind load areas.
In the TaiyangNews virtual conference on High Efficiency Solar Technologies conference held in December 2020, JinkoSolar provided details about the benefits of 182mm based solar modules, pitting these against 210mm based products (see M10 Modules Taking Catbird Seat, Says JinkoSolar).
While utility scale solar is warming up to large wafer sized modules, it is the distributed generation segment that several leading module makers are now eyeing for such products as well, tweaking large modules with reduced numbers of cells to suit such applications. Recently, JA Solar launched its DeepBlue 3.0 Light high efficiency module, with up to 415W output, tailored for commercial and residential rooftop solar space globally (see China PV News Snippets: JA Solar, Guan Sheng, Jinneng). Another leading Chinese manufacturer, LONGi Solar launched its new 66-cell Hi-MO 4 monofacial solar PV module targeting global residential, C&I distributed generation market in February 2021 (see New 66 Cell Hi-MO 4 Monofacial Module By LONGi).
 
More info about JinkoSolar’s 182 mm modules can be found in the TaiyangNews Report High Efficiency Solar: Featuring PERC Modules with M10/182mm Cells Towards Very High Efficiency Products –A Conference Summary, which can be downloaded for free here.