上周，天合光能为405W Vertex S举行了欧洲发布会，该产品是针对户用和小型工商业领域新推出的Vertex系列大功率组件的一个版本，其尺寸、重量和功率输出都有所缩减。天合光能的产品战略兼市场负责人张映斌博士向PV Tech表示，新产品的推出旨在利用Vertex平台的技术创新，将这些产品带给更多用户。根据全球调查，屋顶项目中使用的组件长度最好小于1.8米，重量应控制在23公斤以内，以便单人搬运。天合光能因此推出了Vertex S缩减版组件，它的输出功率为405W，效率为21.1%，重量约为21公斤。在制造过程中使用了210mm硅片，40片而不是50片全电池，从而降低了产品的整体尺寸和重量。组件长度为1.75米，短于其他公用事业项目同类产品。张补充表示，在生产比市场现有户用/工商业组件功率更高的组件和匹配类似设计方案之间，天合光能希望能取得微妙的平衡。张表示，由于屋顶空间有限，公司希望根据可用尺寸最大限度的提高功率输出。目前，在相同的面积上（5.3m×16.7m常规屋顶尺寸，位于中国山东省），使用Vertex S组件的屋顶项目比使用其他组件的（通常使用输出功率为340W的158mm硅片和输出功率为370W的166mm硅片）项目的发电量高出约10-23%，相当于约1.58~1.91KW的标准户用屋顶项目。这种组件在寿命期内的发电量比传统组件高出10%-23%。
      这一组件还考虑了太阳能组件经销商和安装商的需求。缩小的组件尺寸可以节省运输过程中的发生费用。天合光能进行的调查重点指出了以全球众多市场为目标的组件所必须具备的部分重要设计特征。首先，组件设计为在通常情况下可使用螺丝或夹子安装，同时还考虑了孔位等更细微的细节。组件中使用的210mm 1/3切割硅片还可以使电流保持在约12A，电压保持在41V，这意味着这种产品几乎可以兼容目前户用市场上的所有现有逆变器。Vertex S的产品工艺质保期为15年，根据客户要求，还可以一直延长到25年。天合光能首先在欧洲推出了这种组件，之后还会在日本和澳大利亚推出该产品。预计本月晚些时候会出现第一批订单。在美国的上市时间定为明年。
      这一产品的推出意味着天合光能的其他产品线会被逐步淘汰。张表示，一旦Vertex S开始量产，公司现有的Honey M和Tallmax等产品就可能会在明年第二或第三季度被淘汰。天合光能也设定了Vertex S的宏大目标。张表示，预计明年，Vertex S产能将达到5GW。

Last week, Trina Solar unveiled the 405W Vertex S in Europe, a version of its new Vertex family of high-power components for the home and small business segments, with reduced size, weight and power output.Dr. Yingbin Zhang, head of product strategy and marketing for Trina Solar, told PV Tech that the launch of the new products is aimed at bringing these products to more users by leveraging the technological innovations of the Vertex platform.According to the global survey, the components used in the roof project should be less than 1.8 meters in length and less than 23 kg in weight for single person handling. As a result, Trina Solar has introduced a reduced version of the Vertex S, which produces 405W of output power, has an efficiency of 21.1 percent and weighs about 21 kilograms. 210mm silicon wafers are used in the manufacturing process, and 40 rather than 50 full cells are used, thus reducing the overall size and weight of the product. The length of the component is 1.75 meters, which is shorter than similar products in other utility projects. Zhang added that Trina hopes to strike a delicate balance between producing higher-power components than those currently on the market for household/commercial use and matching similar designs. Zhang said the company wanted to maximize power output based on available dimensions because of the limited space on the roof.Currently, rooftop projects using Vertex S components produce approximately 10-23% more power than projects using other components (typically 158mm wafers with an output of 340W and 166mm wafers with an output of 370W) for the same area (5.3m×16.7m conventional roof size in Shandong Province, China), equivalent to about 1.58~1.91 kW for a standard household roof project. The modules produce 10 percent to 23 percent more electricity over their lifetime than conventional components.

This module also takes into account the needs of solar module distributors and installers.The reduced component size can save costs incurred during shipping. The research conducted by Trina highlights some of the important design features required for components that target a wide range of markets around the world. First, the components are designed to be normally mounted using screws or clamps, while more subtle details such as hole locations are taken into account. The 210mm 1/3 cut silicon wafer used in the assembly also maintains a current of approximately 12A and a voltage of 41V, meaning that this product is compatible with almost all existing inverters on the home market today. Vertex S has a process warranty of 15 years, which can be extended up to 25 years upon request.Trina first launched the components in Europe and will follow in Japan and Australia. The first orders are expected later this month.The US launch date is set for next year.

The launch means Trina's other product lines will be phased out.Once Vertex S starts mass production, the company's existing products, such as Honey M and Tallmax, could be phased out in the second or third quarter of next year, Zhang said. Trina Solar has also set ambitious goals for Vertex S.Next year, Vertex S capacity is expected to reach 5GW, Zhang said.