Shoals Technologies Group Inc., a provider of electrical balance of systems (EBOS) solutions for solar, storage and electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, and utility-scale solar tracker company Nextracker LLC have unveiled a new North-South Big Lead Assembly (BLA) trunk bus product.

Optimized for NX Horizon tracker rows, the trunk bus runs parallel – rather than perpendicular – to the torque tube and transition boxes along the north-south row and steps down the size of the trunk bus along the tracker rows. Without any structures to impede site access, ongoing power plant O&M is simpler and faster.

Compared to conventional in-field north-south wiring methods, Shoals North-South BLA delivers a 43% savings in PV wiring installation labor, a 60% savings in DC wiring O&M, and a 0.25% increase in energy yield due to less DC wiring voltage drop, the companies say.

“We are proud to partner with Nextracker to make our leading solar ecosystems work optimally together, resulting in utility-scale solar that is more cost effective for our customers,” says Jason Whitaker, CEO of Shoals. “We will continue to innovate collaboratively with Nextracker to enhance our North-South BLA product to further optimize its architecture and installation methodologies, enabling even more cost savings.”

“This collaboration with Shoals provides a critical solution to an industry-wide challenge,” states Dan Shugar, founder and CEO of Nextracker. “We are excited this North-South BLA product is now available, helping more projects realize the long-term benefit of our independent row trackers.”

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Panasonic Eco Systems North America, a division of Panasonic Corporation of North America, has unveiled two new lines of all-black compact EverVolt solar modules. The new 430W/420W HK Black Series panels, with half-cut cells and heterojunction technology with gapless connections, offer the most powerful modules in the company’s portfolio. And adding to Panasonic’s suite of modules made with passivated emitter and rear contact (PERC) technology, the new 400W/390W VK Black Series modules provide eco-conscious homeowners with a greater range of solar options at a more accessible price point.

The 430W and 420W EverVolt HK Black Series modules have efficiency ratings of 22.2% and 21.7%, respectively, allowing homeowners to utilize high levels of power production while using less roof space. Homeowners can benefit from greater energy production throughout the day, including on the hottest days in the warmest climates, due to the modules’ industry-leading temperature coefficient of 0.26%/°C. With one of the industry’s lowest annual degradation rates, the Panasonic panels are expected to provide power output of at least 92% in the 25th year after installation.

The 400W/390W VK Black Series modules, made with half-cut cells and PERC technology, have module efficiency of 20.5% and 20%, respectively, and power output of at least 84.8% after 25 years.

“Recent news that homeowners will be able to take advantage of the Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), is making solar and battery storage an increasingly attractive investment” says Mukesh Sethi, director of solar and energy storage at Panasonic Eco Systems North America. “With over 40 years’ experience in the solar industry and more than a century of innovation, Panasonic is well-positioned to be a long-term partner to eco-conscious homeowners, whether they are considering solar solutions for the first time or looking to upgrade their current system.”

“We continue to develop and introduce to the market new solutions so that our valued installers are equipped with a wide array of wattage, sizes and price options to grow their business and meet the diverse needs of consumers who rely on their expertise,” adds Sethi.

Both new models are covered under Panasonic’s EverVolt AllGuard All System Warranty when purchased with EverVolt ESS 2.0, which covers solar panels and battery storage when bundled together. The EverVolt AllGuard All System Warranty covers product performance and labor across all major system components, including 25 years of coverage for Panasonic solar panels, 25 years for the racking system, 10 years for the inverter and 10 years for Panasonic EverVolt 2.0 ESS. If purchased independently of EverVolt ESS 2.0, the modules are covered under Panasonic’s Triple Guard and AllGuard warranties.

Both module series will be available Spring 2023. EverVolt ESS 2.0 will begin shipping in January 2023.

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SEG Solar is establishing a photovoltaic module manufacturing plant in Houston with an anticipated annual capacity of more than 2 GW.

The facility, which is expected to commence construction at the end of 2022 and be fully operational by mid-2023, will be equipped with three state-of-the-art production lines capable of producing high-efficiency N-type TOPCon solar modules with 182 mm or 210 mm solar cells. 

The development of this facility is the next step in SEG’s long-term product localization strategy designed to better serve customers in the United States.

“SEG is very excited to enter the U.S. manufacturing market at this time,” says Jim Wood, CEO of SEG. “The establishment of this facility now makes sense on a number of different levels due to the recent incentives for solar manufacturing included in the Inflation Reduction Act and the current legislative climate. This plant will give SEG more control over the supply chain and simplify transportation logistics, thereby providing customers with competitive pricing and even more assurance of on-time deliveries.”

SEG is committed to sourcing components and other materials for the production of the modules at this facility from local suppliers in the United States. As a result, SEG anticipates that the modules manufactured at this facility will qualify for local content incentives and avoid or significantly reduce many of the tariffs and other restrictions facing manufacturers outside of the United States. The modules produced at this facility will be “Assembled in the U.S.” and may also be eligible for certain other certifications.

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Solar technology company LONGi has launched a new solar module specifically designed for residential and commercial applications in the U.S. market. The new Hi-MO 5 54-cell module, based on the new market-standard M10 182 mm monocrystaline wafer, will be available in early 2023, first as a monofacial module, and a bifacial module to follow later in the year.

Based on the same technology used in the company’s large-format utility-scale 72-cell modules, the Hi-MO 5 54-cell module delivers superior power generation, reliable performance, high module efficiency and reduced system costs with an aesthetic appearance for rooftop distributed generation projects.

The Hi-MO 5 54-cell module features power outputs up to 420 W and maximum efficiencies of 21.5%. The monofacial module comes in an all-black design and has a 12-year warranty for materials and processing and a 25-year warranty for linear power output. The bifacial module will be a dual-glass design and carries a 12-year warranty for materials and processing and a 30-year warranty for linear power output.

Weighing less than 50 lbs., the Hi-MO 5 54-cell can be handled and installed easily on rooftops and is compatible with standard module racking and mounting systems. With its optimized electrical parameters, the Hi-MO 5 54-cell is compatible with smart module-level power electronics (MLPE) devices such as Enphase microinverters and SolarEdge optimizers as well as mainstream string inverters.

“We have strong customer interest in the new Hi-MO 5 54-cell module. Since its older sibling the Hi-MO 5 72-cell module has been our best-selling product for the utility sector in the U.S., we expect very high demand for the new format,” says Aaron Thurlow, head of distributed generation for LONGi Solar North America. “The full weight of LONGi’s advanced M10 technology, vertically integrated manufacturing, and financial strength stands behind the Hi-MO 5 54-cell product, making it one of the most promising distributed generation solar products LONGi has brought to the U.S. market to date. It’s yet another example of how LONGi is helping to propel the clean energy transformation into the terawatt era.”

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Toledo Solar, an American manufacturer of PV solar panels, is expanding its domestic manufacturing plans at its Perrysburg, Ohio, manufacturing facility to reach 2.8 GW of manufacturing capacity by 2027.

“We are excited to continue our commitment to investing in U.S. solar manufacturing right here in Ohio,” says Aaron Bates, founder and CEO of Toledo Solar. “Now that Congress and President Biden have moved forward to protect American jobs by fighting the use of slave labor overseas with the enforcement of the Uyghur Act and the leveling of the playing field in solar with the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, Toledo Solar is going to match that dedication by committing to our domestic expansion. We are grateful for the leadership of representatives Marcy Kaptur, Tim Ryan and Sherrod Brown, Secretary Jennifer Granholm, and the Biden-Harris administration for their efforts to advance the country’s renewable energy capacity for generations.”

Toledo Solar was also a partner in the team that recently won a proposal to establish a Cadmium Telluride Accelerator Consortium with a funding from a $20 million program that was established by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Energy Technologies Office to hasten the development of cheaper, more efficient cadmium telluride (CdTe) solar cells.

“Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act’s smart investments in American-made solar, Ohio’s energy industry is on the move. Toledo Solar represents the best of American energy innovation, and I will continue working to ensure we invest in production and good-paying jobs right here in Northwest Ohio,” states Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur.

“This is an exciting day for Ohio and the future of American energy production. I want to thank Toledo Solar for continuing to lead the way into the next generation of manufacturing, creating new good-paying jobs for Ohio workers, and lowering costs for working families,” adda Congressman Ryan. “Thanks to our Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act, we’re creating an environment that positions our state to reap investments from businesses like Toledo Solar to ensure we are at the forefront of innovation happening in the United States and the rest of the world. I will continue to work to level the playing field for American businesses and stop countries like China from undermining domestic solar production with unfair competition and illegal practices.”

“The Wright Center for Photovoltaics Innovation and Commercialization at the University of Toledo looks forward to continuing to work with Toledo Solar to support their development through collaborative research efforts and by providing a creative and well-equipped workforce. The exciting expansion plans announced by Toledo Solar confirms our region’s international leadership in solar energy,” comment the University of Toledo’s Drs. Frank Calzonetti and Michael Heben in a joint statement.

Image: Andreas Gücklhorn on Unsplash

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