WINAICO, Taiwan’s major PV module brand, launches patented HeatCap technology with SiC (silicon carbide) at PV Expo 2015. HeatCap with SiC improves the reliability of silicon based solar cells, and protect them from micro-cracks induced by external stresses, such as handling errors and wind stresses. The SiC technology can be applied to WINAICO’s high efficiency PERC, 48-cell modules to provide the perfect combination of high energy output and reliability.
WINAICO’s high efficiency module with HeatCap technology was recently awarded the Taiwan Excellent PV Award by the Bureau of Energy. Also on display at WINAICO’s booth is the world’s first PERC-based, 300 W, WSP-300M6 (60-cell) high efficiency module. WINAICO is able to control the CTM loss to below 1%, and reach the market leading efficiency using current generation 4 bus bar solar cells.
WINAICO’s internal evaluation showed evidences of HeatCap improving the ultimate stress a silicon solar cell can withstand before breaking up to 18.12%. WINAICO also worked with Taiwan’s leading research institute, ITRI, to evaluate the reliability of HeatCap technology through Dynamic Mechanical Load (DML) and local hot spot tests. HeatCap and reference modules were put through DML tests of 1000 cycles each at 1000 Pa, 2000 Pa, 3000 Pa sequentially, and verified by electroluminescence (EL) pictures.
Compared to the reference module, the HeatCap module had significantly less micro-cracks after each stage of DML tests. Local hot spot tests provided evidence of HeatCap’s improvement in heat dissipation to reduce the solar cell temperature compared to reference cells. HeatCap can be used to solve the heating issue common to modules with black back sheets, and improve energy outputs of all-black modules in warmer environments.
“PV Expo is an opportunity to demonstrate how WINAICO modules add value to the Japanese market. With the launch of the micro-crack preventing HeatCap technology with SiC, WINAICO continues to be a technology leader and differentiates our product offering with greater reliability to the end customers. Our modules can be found all over Japan, not to mention the Commercial and Utility scale installations in Hokkaido and Ishigaki island”, said Loftur Thorarinsson, Representative Director of WINAICO Japan K.K.