The commercial and industrial building sector, which includes non-residential facilities such as such as shops, restaurants, offices, hotels, schools and hospitals, is responsible for around 25% of overall electricity use and 10% of total carbon emissions in Australia. Reducing power use and costs on new and existing developments makes good business sense for developers and property managers, so much so, the National Australian Built Environment Rating System (NABERS) acknowledges that a building’s green credentials improves a property’s value.

Onsite renewable energy such as solar panels contributes to a site’s NABERS rating, and since 1997, Trina Solar, the world-leading photovoltaic (PV) and smart energy total solution provider, has played a leading role in Australia’s solar panel sector and assisted commercial and industrial property developers deliver energy-efficient buildings. With a long history of innovation and investment in research and development, Trina Solar’s PV solutions have been trusted by leading Australian and international companies, with solar panels being utilised/installed on major projects including Brisbane Airport, Canberra Hospital, Adelaide Airport, Uniting Aged Care properties, ALDI and Leichhardt MarketPlace shopping centre.

The Vertex N NEG18R.20

To help meet the commercial and industrial sector’s energy efficiency requirements and add greater value to future commercial and industrial sites, Trina Solar will be launching the NEG18R.28 n-type Vertex module this year.

Specifically designed for commercial and industrial applications and currently being approved by the Clean Energy Council (CEC), this new Trina Solar Vertex Series panel, will suit rooftops, covered pedestrian walkways, car parks, and other under-utilised business spaces of shopping centres, offices, factories, and other industrial buildings.

Suitability, Power, and Efficiency

Measuring 1961mm x 1134mm with a width of 30mm, the  NEG18R.20 is a lightweight product weighing only 23.5kg. Each panel’s size and weight makes installation straight-forward while ensuring panels are robust enough for larger scale commercial installation. Lighter-weight panels, due in part to the NEG18R.28’s 1.6mm x 1.6mm thin dual-glass, make installation in hard-to-reach spaces easier. The light-weight panels may also suit older buildings whose roofs were not originally designed to hold extra load long-term.

Despite its medium size, the soon to be released N Series panels will yield industry-leading maximum power output of 500W and deliver a high efficiency of 22.5 per cent.  This power and efficiency is due in part to market-leading N-type technology which ensures the  NEG18R.20 enjoys a longer lifespan, less light-induced degradation, and delivers a higher conversion efficiency than P-type panels.  The front glass panel’s AR coating also helps deliver efficiency by reducing reflection and delivering the highest visible light transmission possible.

Importantly, the NEG18R.20’s unique design provides optimised energy production under inter-row shading conditions, which can be prevalent in commercial and industrial installations. If not addressed, inter-row shading can reduce efficiency and total power output.

Long Term Reliability

Adding to dual-glass panels’ higher power generation and improved reliability, the NEG18R.20 panels’ ultra-low degradation rates, including an extremely low 1 per cent first year and 0.4 per cent annual degradation, longer 25-year product warranty and 30-year performance warranty give greater peace of mind to commercial and industrial property owners and managers seeking to improve their site’s energy efficiency long term.

Potential Induced Degradation (PID) caused by the high voltage potential between a solar module and ground can be a significant cause of power degradation in large rooftop solar panel installations. The NEG18R.20 includes PID resistance through cell processes and module material to reduce deterioration due to unwanted charge carrier movements. This feature further improves the long-term value of the solar panels to a commercial property.

Further boosting property manager confidence, the NEG18R.20’s heat-strengthened glass provides increased scratch, crack, and impact resistance, helping the panels pass 35mm hail tests. The mono-facial dual-glass panel meets IEC fire ratings (Class A+C) and Australia’s harsh environment performance requirements, ensuring the panel’s compatibility with coastal, inland and desert conditions. Independent test data collected by Desert Knowledge at its demonstration site in Alice Springs revealed Trina Solar’s modules consistently held the top two positions compared to modules from several leading European, Japanese, and American brands.

Solar panels are increasingly being included by developers in new commercial and industrial buildings to reduce energy consumption and energy costs for tenants, while site managers seek to improve existing buildings’ carbon footprint. Trina Solar continues to bring market-leading solar panels to assist with this transition to a clean energy future.

For more information, visit www.trinasolar.com/au.