Wuxi Suntech, the PV module manufacturing arm of Shunfeng International Clean Energy (SFCE) said it was upgrading all of its cell and module manufacturing capacity from three- to four-busbar technology to boost product performance.
SFCE had expected to complete the re-commissioning of Wuxi Suntech’s entire manufacturing capacity by the end of 2014, which included 2.2GW of solar cell capacity and 2.4GW of module capacity.
According to Suntech the upgrade from three-busbar configuration to four began in December 2014.
“We are proud to begin providing enhanced modules to our customers around the world,” said Xiong Haibo, president of Suntech. “Not only is the four busbar module more durable than its predecessor, the module generates more power. Our upgraded panel sustains higher power output at 200W/m2 compared to conventional module in weak lighting conditions.”
Suntech claimed the move to the four-busbar design would reduce current loss by approximately 10% and create less residual stress on the busbars, in turn reducing the potential for micro-cracks and hotspot formation, which can lead to module power degradation and failure.
Suntech noted that its future four-busbar cells are expected to generate a further 5W in module performance, enabling its 60-cell monocrystalline modules to produce 275W and 325W for 72-cell configuration.
Multicrystalline modules would be in the range of 265W in 60-cell modules and produce 315W in 72-cell configuration.
SFCE recently reported module shipments of 682MW in 2014 and had over 1.4GW of PV power plant projects under construction.