Greentech Lead Asia: Hanwha SolarOne has launched its new generation modules – the HSL Series.
The company claims the new HSL Series offers a smaller and lighter design, higher power output and enhanced durability, with new features like anti-PID (potential induced degradation) technology, anti-salt mist corrosion and increased snow and wind loads.
According to Hanwha SolarOne president Min-Su Kim, the new polycrystalline modules deliver high performance at a competitive cost.
Hanwha SolarOne’s HSL Series is built for utility, commercial and residential applications. Approximately 2 percent smaller than the previous generation, these modules yield an average 2 percent higher module efficiency.
With 30 percent greater protection against snow and 65 percent better wind resistance, they can withstand a snow load of up to 7000pa and a wind load of up to 4000pa. Additionally, at 1.5kg lighter than the previous generation, the new HSL Series is easier and more cost-effective to pack, transport and install.
HSL60 Poly and HSL72 Poly are the first among HSL Series modules to have passed the stringent TUV Rheinland PID test.
Earlier in December, Hanwha SolarOne signed South Africa’s largest solar deal till that date — a 155 MW solar module supply agreement with Cobra, Gransolar and Kensani — to distribute its high-performance modules to the country’s Letsatsi and Lesedi Projects, which were selected by the South Africa Department of Energy (DOE) in the first round of bids under the South Africa Renewable Energy Program.
By contributing 75 MW to each of the Letsatsi and Lesedi Projects, Hanwha SolarOne in collaboration with Cobra, Gransolar and Kensan will help the coal-dependent South Africa reduce carbon emissions and meet its commitment to developing 8,400 MW of solar PV energy by 2030. The delivery of the solar modules is expected to be completed by the end of June 2013.
According to EnergyTrend, the PV demand distribution by continents is expected to be Asia 44 percent, Europe (including the Middle East and Africa) 36 percent and America 20 percent.