FuturaSun, the Italian solar module producer, is investing in heterojunction (HJT) technology for the 1st time offering its new n-type 400W glass-glass bifacial Velvet Pro panels for residential and commercial, along with Velvet Premium Max for utility scale and industrial installations having a rated power output of up to 700W.
Velvet Pro modules target residential and commercial installations, along with large flat roofs with reflecting surfaces, PV shelters and architectural façades. These use 120 or 144 HJT MMB half-cut cells with a M6 or 166mm wafer size and an efficiency of 22%. It claims low temperature coefficient of -0.26%/°C for the panels that are light induced degradation (LID) resistant.
The manufacturer says guaranteed power at the end of 1st year will is 99% and will drop by 0.4%/year in the 2nd year. At the end of 30 years operational life, their performance will be at 88%. These are laminated and framed in 1755mm x 1038mm size and weigh 23.4 kg.
Larger version of the Velvet series called Velvet Premium Max uses 210mm or G12 wafer sized, 120 or 132 HJT MMB half-cut cells that promise a power output of up to 700W. Efficiency for these panels can go up to 22.5%. These bifacial modules are aimed for industrial and utility scale deployments.
FuturaSun has been offering the IBC modules based ISC Konstanz developed interdigitated back contact (IBC) called Zebra and is also moving up in value chain by investing in the same cell technology for its new Italian fab with 1 GW annual capacity (see Italian Solar Module Producer Expanding In China).
FuturaSun's compatriot Enel Green Power (EGP) launched its HJT bifacial module, with G12 wafer sized cell, having up to 22.6% to 22.9% average efficiency in September 2022 which it plans to produce out of the company's 3 GW Catania, Italy located fab 3Sun (see Enel Green Power Unveils Heterojunction Solar Module).
TaiyangNews discussed various high efficiency solar technologies as TOPCon, HJT and more during our November 2022 conference whose summary and presentations by various industry players can be found on our website.