Studies by Fraunhofer ISE and DNV GL clearly show lower LCOE and BOS costs for 210mm pv modules
- 21/11/29
- Case Studies,210 Modules Comprehensive Analysis
Since the launch of the Vertex series, world-leading design institutes and recognized third-party organizations have analyzed and confirmed the advantages of Vertex modules in reducing the LCOE of projects of various characteristics around the world.
Recently two of the world's most recognized institutions in the PV industry, Fraunhofer ISE and DNV GL, have published comparative studies of the CAPEX and LCOE of projects of different characteristics in Spain, depending on the module used, with one common conclusion: Trina Solar's 210mm Vertex modules are more competitive in both CAPEX and LCOE. – Both studies are based on Vertex 660W modules, while in the meantime the Vertex 670W power class has been established, further enhancing the Vertex series’ superior results.
It can be seen below that the main design criteria considered for each of the studies differ considerably:
|
Study carried out by |
Fraunhofer ISE |
DNV GL |
|
Location |
Badajoz, Spain |
Seville, Spain |
|
Module type |
Bifacial |
Bifacial |
|
DC capacity |
50 MWp |
100 MWp |
|
Inverter type |
Central inverter |
String inverter |
|
DC/AC ratio |
1.16 |
1.01 |
|
Mounting structure |
Single axis tracker 2P |
Single axis tracker 1P |
However, thanks to their innovative design the Vertex modules allow the reduction of some scope of work items in both studies, such as the number of modules to be installed, the number of strings, the land area, the cabling length or the number of containers required to ship the same capacity of modules to Spain.
|
Study carried out by |
Fraunhofer ISE |
DNV GL |
|||
|
Module layout |
182-72 cells |
210-66 cells |
182-72 cells |
210-66 cells |
|
|
Module power output |
535 W |
660 W |
535 W |
660 W |
|
|
Number of modules |
93,264 |
75,516 |
187,812 |
153,180 |
|
|
Number of strings |
3,216 |
2,436 |
6,956 |
5,106 |
|
|
Land occupied (ha) |
75.64 |
74.16 |
165.77 |
163.88 |
|
|
DC cabling length 1 (m) |
218,884 |
159,952 |
684,611 |
541,717 |
|
|
DC cabling length 2 (m) |
39,621 |
40,304 |
- |
- |
|
|
AC LV cabling length (m) |
- |
- |
69,486 |
69,513 |
|
|
AC MV cabling length (m) |
- |
- |
8,673 |
6,914 |
|
Reduced electrical BOS thanks to shorter cabling length, fewer modules and strings to install or the more competitive cost of combiner boxes.These reductions inevitably translate into a lower CAPEX for the Vertex 660W+ modules, mainly thanks to three reasons:
- Reduction of the tracker supply and installation cost.
- Reduction of module transportation cost thanks to the innovative packaging design of the Vertex which allows the reduction of containers by about 10%.
This explains why both institutions agree that the Vertex 660W+ allows reductions in CAPEX and LCOE of projects compared to the 182mm-535W module. If we compare the CAPEX obtained by both modules, the reduction is 2% according to the Fraunhofer ISE study and 2.4% in the case of DNV GL.
When analyzing the LCOE, both organizations also conclude that Vertex 660W+ modules allow a reduction of 2.3% and 1.9% respectively.
If you would like to read about the studies in more detail, such as the plant designs or the CAPEX or OPEX calculation, you can download the case studies by clicking here.
