YashTrina Solar is a Chinese company that was founded in 1997 by Mr. Gao Jifan. Since then, it has received many international awards and has broken many world records on solar cell efficiency and module power.
In this post, I’ll discuss everything about Trina solar panels that will help you in taking the right decision.
Trina solar panels are the world’s most bankable module brand by Bloomberg.
It is also listed on Shanghai Stock Exchange.
It is selling its products in more than 100 countries.
Regional headquarters:
Dubai, Fremont, and Maimi (USA), Japan, Singapore, Switzerland, Tokyo, Zurich
Global sales and office centers:
Australia, Brazil, Chile, Columbia, France, Germany, India, Italy, Mexico, Spain, and UAE
Production base:
- Vietnam and Thailand
Some financial figures as of December 31, 2020:
- Operating Income: $ 4.26 billion (YoY growth over 26%)
- Total assets: $ 6.99 billion
- Total Module shipment: 15.915 GW
Trina Solar Panels Series
Trina has a wide range of solar panels that includes bi-facial solar panels.
The maximum power it offers is 605 watts in its Vertex series of solar panels.
- Vertex (Backsheet): 485 watts to 605 watts
- Vertex (Bi-facial): 480 watts to 600 watts and an additional 25% gain due to bi-facial gain.
- Vertex S: 380 watts to 405 watts
- Honey M: 360 watts to 380 watts
- Tallmax M: 435 watts to 460 watts
- Duomax Twin (Bifacial) 144: 430 watts to 450 watts and additional 25% gain in power due to bi-facial gain
Solar Panels Technology
Trina uses highly efficient mono-crystalline solar panels.
1) The mono-crystalline solar cells are made from the wafers of silicon and when they are combined, a solar panel is made.
In addition, Trina is using 210 mm of silicon wafers, much bigger than the traditional size of 166 mm.
It means you are going to get more current than the traditional solar panels in the market.
2) Busbars are thin strips of copper or aluminum that connect cells and collect current from them to our electrical appliances.
The multiple bus bars (MBB Technology) reduce the current path and increase the current collection capacity.
3) With high-density encapsulation technology, the cell spacing (the vacant space between 2 cells) is reduced to 0.5mm, much less than the traditional spacing of 2mm.
It increases panel yield and reduces the chances of micro cracks.
4) Trina is using 1/3 cut technology (The cell is cut into 3 equal parts) in its Vertex series of solar panels. It is one step ahead of ½ cut technology.
It helps in achieving more power output by reducing hot spots, low shading effects, fewer heat losses due to current.
5) Its bi-facial solar panels are capable of producing from both sides, producing more power than the traditional mono-facial solar panels.
The Efficiency
Trina solar panels are highly efficient in converting sunlight into electricity with a maximum efficiency of 21.4% in the Vertex series.
The efficiency of any solar panel can be calculated as follows:
Efficiency (%) = Power Output/Power Inputs x 100%
= Pmax per unit area/Sunlight per unit area at STC x 100%
= (Pmax/(Area of solar panel (m)²x 1000 w/m²) x 100%
- Vertex backsheet: 20.1% to 21.4%
- Vertex (bi-facial): 19.9% to 21.2% and additional 25% bi-facial gain
- Vertex S: 19.8% to 21.1%
- Honey M: 19.6% to 20.7%
- Tallmax M: 19.9% to 21%
- Duomax Twin (Bifacial) 144: 19.5% to 20.4% and additional 25% due to bi-facial gain
How well do Trina solar panels perform at high temperatures?
The cell resistance increases with the rise in its temperature beyond 25°C.
And
The solar panel power output starts decreasing.
The temperature coefficient of power tells us the amount of power any solar panel is going to lose with every degree rise in temperature beyond 25°C.
It is written in %/°C and you will find its value is negative, showing a loss in power.
People assume ambient temperature is the same as cell temperature.
It is not;
The cells might be performing at 45°C to 50 °C when the ambient temperature is 25°C
The formula to calculate the power loss in a solar panel is:
- Power loss (%) = (Cell temperature – 25 °C) x Temperature coefficient of power
Trina solar panels have a temperature coefficient of power of -0.34%/°C
Assuming cell temperature is 45 °C
The power loss (%) = (45 °C – 25 °C) x -0.34%/°C
= 20 °C x -0.34%/°C
= -6.8%/°C
Trina solar panels will lose 6.8% of Pmax when its cells are operating at 45 °C.
Strength of Trina solar panels
The solar panels are going to remain outside on your roof for decades.
They will be of little use if they cannot withstand harsh weather conditions.
The strength of solar panels is determined through their snow load rating and wind load ratings.
Snow load rating tells us the ability of the solar panel to bear the snow weight.
The wind load rating gives the idea of its ability to withstand wind pressure.
The Trina solar panels are very strong and have the following values:
- Vertex, Honey M, Tall Max, Duo Max Twin (Bi-facial): 5400 Pa and 2400 Pa
- Vertex S Series: 6000 Pa and 4000 Pa
Warranties
Long Warranty keeps you tension-free and lets you enjoy smooth electricity for decades.
The solar panels have 2 types of warranties:
Product warranty protects your solar panel against any manufacturing defect, early wear and tear, and other defects due to environmental conditions.
While
The performance warranty assures that the solar panel will produce a certain percent of Pmax after 25 years or 30 years.
It offers 15 years product warranty on Vertex S series solar panels
And
a 12 years product warranty on Vertex, Homey M, Tall Max, and Duo Max Twin (bi-facial)
Performance warranty of 30 years on its bi-facial solar panels (2% degradation in the 1st year and 0.45% from 2nd year to 30 years)
and
25 years on the mono-facial solar panels (2% degradation in 1st year and 0.55% from 2nd year to 25 years).
Solar panels certifications
Trina solar panels have all certifications that are required to make them reliable and trustworthy.
They are certified for:
- ISO 9001: Quality Management System
- ISO14001: Environmental management system
- ISO 14064: Green House Gas emission verification
- ISO 45001: Occupational health and safety management system
- Salt and Mist Resistance (IEC 61701)
- Hail Resistance (IEC 61215)
- IEC 61730: Global standard for photovoltaic module safety qualification
- IEC 62716: Ammonia Resistance
- UL 61730: Fire Resistance
Price of Trina solar panels
Trina solar panels are affordable and you can find them in the price range of $0.60 per watt to $ 0.65 per watt.
Units produced by 5 kW solar panels
The output of the solar power system depends on many parameters such as:
- Sunlight
- Cell temperature
- Temperature coefficients of power
- Performance of the solar panels
- Shading loss
- Heating loss and other losses
When I consider all the above losses, the 5-kW solar power system using Trina solar panels will generate 19-20 units per day in good sunlight.
Pros of Trina solar panels
i) Reputed Brand: Trina is a 24 years old renowned international brand that has broken many records for cell efficiency and has received many international awards.
Its presence in more than 100 countries shows that Trina solar panels are popular and are liked by many.
Its strong network around the world makes that you get prompt service.
ii) The solar panels are highly efficient with maximum efficiency of 21.4% of its Vertex series. It means you get more power in a limited space.
iii) Excellent technology: Trina is using the latest technologies (such as 1/3 cut solar cell technology, high-density encapsulation technology, Bi-facial technology) to produce more power by reducing shading losses, micro-cracking, hot spots, and other losses.
iv) When you look at the strength of the Trina solar panels, they are quite strong and durable with the highest snow load rating of 6000 Pa and wind load rating of 4000 Pa in its Vertex S series.
v) Long warranty: You need not worry about any problem (product-related or performance-related) that arises in Trina solar panels as it offers long warranties on its products.
You get 12 years to 15 years product warranty and 25 years to 30 years performance warranty.
vi) Reliable and trusted: One can use Trina solar panels in any location and diverse weather conditions. Trina solar panels are made under stringent qualities and are Ammonia resistant, hail resistant, Salt and mist resistant, and fire resistant too.
vii) Affordable: Trina is offering so much at such an affordable price is commendable.
Cons of Trina solar panels
i) Temperature coefficient of power: I find that Trina solar panels have a temperature coefficient of power of -0.34%/°C. It is fair to have this value and works well in hot climates.
But
I see other manufacturers are coming out with temperature coefficient of power values as low as -0.26%/°C, Trina’s value seems a bit higher.
I would be happy to see Trina coming out with new series of panels with a lower temperature coefficient of power.
ii) Wind load rating: Trina panels have a wind load rating of 2400 Pa (except the Vertex S series that has a wind load rating of 4000 Pa).
This is quite good and can withstand the pressure generated by the wind with a velocity of 140 mph.
This value is low when we see Trina as an international brand.
iii) Performance Warranty: Trina offers 25 years performance warranty on its mono-facial solar panels with 2% degradation the first year and 0.55% from the 2nd year to 25 years.
The annual degradation of 0.55% from 2nd year onwards is slightly on the higher side.
Trina has the potential to offer panels with low degradation values.
Verdict
Trina is a reliable and durable brand that has a strong network in many countries.
It is suitable for:
- People looking for a good quality product at affordable prices.
- People having space constraints but want solar solutions to meet their energy needs. Trina solar panels can do that.
- These solar panels are salt and mist-resistant. They are good for people living near the sea and other water bodies.
- People in livestock businesses like dairy farms or poultry can go for solar with Trina as its panels are ammonia resistant.
- People living in cold climates where snowfall is regular can go solar with Trina because its solar panels have snow load rating of 6000 Pa and are hail resistant.
Profitability
Financial feasibility is equally important as the technical viability of the project.
Design the complete solar power system and know its financial feasibility in minutes using my solar feasibility spreadsheet.
Have you installed Trina solar panels on your roof?
Please share your experience of going solar with Trina in the comment section.
Thank you
Yash
