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:

  1. Reduction of the tracker supply and installation cost.
  2. 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.

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