Trinasolar’s quarter-cut cell design reduced simulated hot-spot temperatures by 50°C compared with conventional modules
The company reported around 20% higher retained power under simulated shading conditions and stable output during a year-long wind study
The company highlighted enhanced PID testing, material selection, and manufacturing quality control to improve long-term reliability
As solar manufacturers introduce higher-power modules and new cell designs, long-term reliability remains an important consideration. Changes in module materials and construction can improve performance, but they can also affect mechanical strength, electrical safety and durability.
At the TaiyangNews Reliable PV Module Design Conference 2026, Ling Zhuang, Trinasolar’s Product Manager, discussed the company’s approach to improving module reliability through circuit design, material selection, and manufacturing quality control. She focused on the Vertex N G3 series, explaining that reliability needs to be considered during product development rather than addressed only through testing. The presentation covered shading resistance, hot-spot risks, mechanical strength, and potential-induced degradation (PID).
A key highlight was the quarter-cut cell design used in the Vertex N G3 modules. Compared with conventional half-cut modules, which have two parallel substrings per branch, the G3 design uses four. This reduces operating current and helps limit the impact of partial shading. According to Trinasolar’s simulations, the maximum hot-spot temperature was 50°C lower than in conventional modules. The company also reported around 20% higher retained power than conventional TOPCon modules under simulated shading conditions. The circuit design is combined with a three-part junction box arrangement, with one bypass diode in each section, to reduce junction box temperatures and related reliability risks.
For mechanical reliability, Trinasolar uses finite element analysis (FEA) to assess module performance under static loads, wind-induced vibration, and repeated mechanical stress. The company has also strengthened the aluminum frame, using material reportedly 3% to 5% stronger than the industry standard. Zhuang referred to a year-long outdoor study in Zhangbei, where modules maintained stable output under persistent high-wind conditions. To address PID, Trinasolar optimizes the anti-reflective coating at the cell level and uses encapsulation materials intended to limit ion migration and moisture ingress. Zhuang also highlighted the Vertex N G3’s TÜV Rheinland Anti-PID PV Module AQM Award 2026 and discussed enhanced testing under IEC TS 62804-1:2025, which includes polarization-related degradation, UV-coupled stress and recovery assessment.
Beyond module design, Zhuang emphasized the importance of maintaining consistent quality across manufacturing batches. Trinasolar’s quality management system covers supplier inspections, incoming material testing, production monitoring, reliability testing, and certification. The company also uses its own testing laboratory and works with third-party organizations on enhanced reliability assessments. According to Zhuang, these measures are intended to maintain product quality from raw material selection through manufacturing and project operation.
Speaking about the company’s product portfolio, Zhuang introduced Trinasolar’s latest Vertex N G3 modules based on its upgraded n-type TOPCon technology. The portfolio includes the NG9R series for residential and commercial & industrial (C&I) applications, with power output up to 485 W, and the 18R series reaching 535 W. For utility-scale applications, the 19R and 21 series offer up to 670 W and 760 W, respectively. Technology improvements include finer metallization, edge passivation to reduce electrical losses at cut-cell edges, and optimized cell spacing to increase the module’s active area.