Greentech Lead Europe: LDK Solar has announced next generation solar modules that help deliver high quality value for money solutions to the solar energy industry. Several improvements are now provided in a new generation of LDK Solar Mono- and Multi-Crystalline Modules.
The light new frame design benefits installer handling as well as total system load on the roof as it reduces the weight for all 60- and 72-cell-modules significantly up to 5 percent.
This also applies for the new 48-cell-module which is offered to the residential market and will be available also in a full-black edition. While the new design is allowing unchanged mechanical strength of the module, the slightly reduced module dimensions serve an increased power density.
All LDK Solar modules are now designed to withstand potential induced degradation (PID), the company said. Additionally the performance of LDK Solar modules under higher temperatures could be improved through an almost 7 percent lower temperature coefficient.
Starting in 2012 with M2 power wafer technology, LDK Solar further developed the M power wafer technology for the new module generation now presented at Intersolar in Munich for the first time.
Together with a special LDK cell process, the new M3 power wafer enables the multi-crystalline modules a cell efficiency of up to 19 percent leading to a total power of up to 270 Wp for 60-cell- and up to 310 Wp for 72-cell-modules.
“High performance and high efficiency are the key drivers for the introduction of any new product to the LDK portfolio. With our in-house R&D facilities and system experts we are dedicated to delivering ever increasing energy efficiency across the whole PV chain – from production, through logistics and finally installation, aimed at the lowest possible kW-hour generation cost,” said Sam Tong, CEO of LDK Solar.
LDK Solar is facing deep financial crisis due to the challenging marketing conditions like oversupply and anti dumping duties imposed by Western countries. The company reported a gross loss for the first quarter of fiscal 2013 was $59.5 million, compared to gross loss of $97.0 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012, and gross loss of $131.0 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2012.
To survive in the market, the company is shifting its focus to new markets like Southeast Asia, Africa and India. The company is focused on increasing its market share in these regions. The company recently signed a module supply contract with a leading PV project developer in Thailand.