EMPOWERING, INSIGHTFUL, ENGAGING
VOL 2 | ISSUE 3 | APRIL-MAY 2022
South East Asia
W W W . S O L A R Q U A R T E R . C O M
CONTENT 06 NEWS
SouthEast Asia
Company Feature
Interview
15
Bor Hung Chong
16
Samresh Kumar
Head of Business Development & Managing Director (Malaysia), NEFIN Group
23 24
Trina Solar GoodWe
Chairman and CEO, SkyX Solar
Research
18 20 21
Policy Analysis Policy Debrief Opportunities And Challenges Of Large Format Module
Product Feature
Guest Column
25
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To roof or not to roof That’s the DILEMMA
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APR-MAY ISSUE 2022 | PG 05
SOUTHEAST ASIA NEWS The U.S. Drops Tariffs on Southeast Asian Solar Panels for 2 years Joe Biden, the United States President, is eliminating tariffs on solar panel imports from Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Thailand. According to the White House, this was done “To ensure that the United States has enough modules to meet its electricity generation needs while domestic production ramps up.” The tariffs on solar panels imported from four Southeast Asian countries will be suspended for two years as part of efforts to address “the urgent problem of a changing climate.” However, China was not included in the agreement.
Malaysia: RESERVOIR LINK BAGS TWO ROOFTOP SOLAR CONTRACTS TOTALLING 9.7 MEGAWATTS IN MALAYSIA Reservoir Link Energy Bhd, an energy-related services provider, announced that its subsidiary RL Sunseap Energy Sdn Bhd, with collaboration between Reservoir Link and Sunseap Energy (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, has secured a letter of award from Osram Opto Semiconductors (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd to develop solar rooftops as well as Building Integrated Photovoltaics power generation facilities on rooftops, existing covered car parks and BIPV car parks located in Kulim, Kedah with a combined installed capacity of 7,708.6 kWp and export capacity of 6,285 kW. This solar agreement is expected to have a tenure of 25 years. RL Sunseap Energy has also been contracted to perform the operations and maintenance of the solar photovoltaic system through the contracted tenure.
PIMPINAN EHSAN BERHAD TO ACQUIRE 2 SOLAR POWER ASSETS OF 90 MWP CAPACITY
SHIZEN INTERNATIONAL ENTERS INTO ALLIANCE WITH KYUDEN INTERNATIONAL TO DEVELOP RENEWABLE ENERGY BUSINESS PRIMARILY IN SOUTHEAST ASIA Pixon Shizen International Inc. (Shizen International), a Shizen Energy Group company, announces that it entered into a capital alliance with Kyuden International Corporation (Kyuden International), the overseas business arm of the Kyushu Electric Power Group (Kyuden Group), to jointly develop the renewable energy business, primarily in Southeast Asia. Kyuden International is actively developing its energy business in Asia and around the world, by utilizing Kyushu Electric Power Co. Inc.’s technological strengths and expertise.
Pimpinan Ehsan Berhad announced that it has entered into a second supplemental and restated share sale agreement with B.Grimm Power (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, reNIKOLA Sdn Bhd, Boumhidi Adel, and YAM Tengku Zaiton Ibni Sultan Abu Bakar, in relation to the proposed acquisition of reNIKOLA Holdings Sdn Bhd and its subsidiaries. PEB is currently classified as a Cash Company under the Main Market Listing Requirements but has charted its future direction to be a pure-play renewable energy company. It had on 24 May 2021 announced the proposed acquisition of 100%-stake in reNIKOLA Holdings Sdn. Bhd. for RM373.0 million. reNIKOLA Holdings owns solar power assets in Arau, Perlis; Gebeng, Pahang; Pekan, Pahang; and will develop a large-scale solar plant in Bukit Kayu Hitam, Kedah (pending issuance of license), all totalling 418 MWp on completion.
GAGASAN SOLAR SIGNS MOU WITH FABULOUS SUNVIEW TO DEPLOY RM200 MILLION FOR ITS C&I SOLAR ASSET SEGMENT Gagasan Solar signs MoU with Fabulous Sunview to deploy around RM200 million for its targeted commercial and industrial (C&I) solar asset segment. Joseph Lee, Founder and Managing Partner of Gagasan Solar said the solar industry currently is inclined toward multinational companies and small and medium enterprises do not receive much attention even after showing interest in adopting solar solutions. This partnership will strengthen product offerings and market access for both companies and also increase the availability of solar energy for small companies. Malaysia anticipates having its installed renewable energy capacity of 18,000 MWs by 2035. The country also plans to reduce its dependency on coal by 2033.
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APR-MAY ISSUE 2022 | PG 06
AFFIN BANK AND AFFIN ISLAMIC BANK LAUNCHES AFFIN SOLAR FINANCING-I TO PURCHASE AND INSTALL SOLAR PV SYSTEM IN MALAYSIA Affin Bank Berhad and Affin Islamic Bank Berhad launched AFFIN Solar Financing-i, a sustainable and personal financing plan for its retail customers to purchase and install Solar Photovoltaic systems at residential and non-residential properties. SPV systems are solar panels that capture the energy of sunlight which is converted into electricity. Tapping into this power source with its versatility and many benefits, AFFIN Solar Financing-i offers a simple and easy way for home and building owners to lower their monthly electricity bills, reduce their carbon footprint and see a fast return on their investment. AFFIN Solar Financing-i provides flexible financing tenure of up to ten (10) years with a maximum amount of RM150,000, with various payment mode options.
TENAGA NASIONAL BHD STATES THAT COLLABORATION IN RENEWABLE SOURCES WILL BE CRUCIAL FOR SUSTAINABILITY AND ENERGY SUFFICIENCY Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) stated that collaboration in energy trading, particularly from renewable sources, will be crucial for sustainability and energy sufficiency. Project Director of Project Management Office Sustainability Pathway 2050 Strategy and Ventures Division, Dr Noor Miza Muhamad Rahal stated that grid-interconnection is good for power systems everywhere beyond energy transfer because it provides stability to the systems. She said that this is dependent on each country’s internal consumption of renewable energies and how they view the sustainability agenda. TNB signed a tripartite deal in September 2017 that saw them agree to purchase 100MW from Laos and use the transmission grid of their mutual neighbor Thailand.
UZMA SECURES RM101.8 MILLION CONTRACT TO BUILD 29.99 MWAC SOLAR PV PROJECT IN MALAYSIA Uzma Nexus Sdn Bhd, a UZMA Bhd’s company secured an RM101.8 million contract from Nextenaga Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Nexuscorp Group Sdn Bhd for engineering, procurement, construction, and commissioning (EPCC) works. Uzma will build a 29.99 MWac large-scale solar (LSS) photovoltaic (PV) plant in Bestari Jaya, Selangor. “UNSB shall complete and hand over the works to Nextenaga by Dec 31, 2022, for initial operation date (IOD) and commercial operation date (COD) by March 9, 2023,” said Uzma.
SOLARCITY MALAYSIA SIGNS TWO 25-YEAR PPAS WITH CHIN WELL GROUP’S SUBSIDIARIES TO BUILD 5.38 MW SOLAR PV SYSTEMS SolarCity Malaysia Sdn Bhd signed two 25-year power purchase agreements (PPAs) with Chin Herr Industries (M) Sdn Bhd and Chin Well Fasteners Co Sdn Bhd. SolarCity is a 70% owned subsidiary of G Capital Bhd (GCAP). SolarCity will design, construct, install, own, operate and maintain the solar photovoltaic system with a total capacity of 5,380.56 KWp (2,380.32 KWp and 3,000.24 KWp). “We welcome and are pleased to witness Chin Well group of companies transitioning into renewable energy (RE). The installation of the solar power generating facilities shall reduce Chin Well’s energy expenditure and carbon footprint, which is in line with Malaysia’s RE agenda,” GCAP Executive Director, Datuk Yap Yee Ping said.
RESERVOIR LINK WITH SUNSEAP ENERGY TO BUILD 20MWP CAPACITY OF SOLAR PPAS IN MALAYSIA Reservoir Link Energy Bhd, an energy-related services provider, announced that its subsidiary Reservoir Link Renewable Sdn Bhd will be collaborating with Sunseap Energy (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (“Sunseap”) to ink a term sheet for a joint venture, with an initial paid-up share capital of RM1 million. The JV will codevelop, build, own and operate rooftop and ground-mounted solar PV projects (“Solar PPAs”) in Malaysia. Both parties will also use their best efforts to deliver approximately 20MWp worth of Solar PPAs to the JV by the end of 2023. Reservoir Link will hold a majority share capital of 51% while Sunseap will hold the remaining 49%.
PEKAT GROUP BAGS RM38.3 MILLION SOLAR PV CONTRACT FROM SUN ESTATES Pekat Group Berhad secures an RM38.3 million contract from Sun Estates Sendirian Berhad for constructing a large-scale solar photovoltaic farm in Malaysia. Pekat Group Berhad is a solution provider specializing in the design, supply, distribution, and installation of the lightning protection system, earthing system, and surge protection system and its related technologies. The Company expanded and ventured into Photovoltaic (PV) Renewal Energy technology in 2006. Sun Estates also signed a 2-year agreement with Pekat for the maintenance of the solar farm. The project is anticipated to be commissioned in December 2023.
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APR-MAY ISSUE 2022 | PG 07
TNB & S P SETIA SIGN MOU ON GREEN ENERGY INITIATIVES IN MALAYSIA Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) has entered into a strategic partnership with S P Setia Berhad (S P Setia) to provide smart energy and renewable energy (RE) solutions as the future main source of electricity to potential buyers of residential and commercial buildings developed by the property developer. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed to enable the installation of a rooftop solar PV system as well as ensuring the properties are future-ready to support the installation of battery solutions in S P Setia’s upcoming residential and commercial development projects.
GCAP COMPLETES 3 MWP SOLAR PV PROJECT FOR MUDA PAPER G Capital Berhad (GCAP) completes the installation and starts the operation of 3 MWp solar photovoltaic for Muda Paper Converting Sdn Berhad (MPC), a subsidiary of Muda Holdings Bhd. Solarcity Malaysia Sdn Bhd holds a 70 percent stake in its subsidiary, GCAP. The agreement is for 25 years. Recently, Solarcity completed a 3 MWp solar project for Muda Paper Mills Sdn Bhd in February 2022. Muda Holdings Berhad is the pioneer in the paper milling and paper packaging industry in Malaysia.
SHIZEN ENERGY TO SIGN MOU ON ONE OF THE LARGEST FLOATING SOLAR FACILITIES IN SOUTH EAST ASIA Shizen Energy Inc. (Shizen Energy) has announced that Shizen Energy and the Nusa Baiduri Consortium in Malaysia has agreed to implement a feasibility study through its fully owned subsidiary Shizen Malaysia Sdn Bhd. (Shizen Malaysia) for the development of a floating solar facility with a capacity of 150 MW which will be signed through an MOU at the Asia Green Growth Partnership Ministerial Meeting (AGGPM) Public-Private Forum. This project is positioned as one of South East Asia’s largest floating facilities and in aligning with the Asia Energy Transition Initiative (AETI) promoted by the Japanese government.
Philippines PRIME INFRA TO BUILD THE WORLD’S LARGEST SOLAR POWER PLUS STORAGE PROJECT WITH TERRA SOLAR PHILIPPINES Prime Infrastructure Holdings, Inc., the critical infrastructure arm of Enrique K. Razon, Jr., embarks to deliver the world’s largest solar power facility with a capacity of 2,500MW to 3,500MW combined with a 4,000MWh to 4,500MWh battery energy storage system boosting the supply of renewable energy in the country. The project will be undertaken by Terra Solar Philippines, a unit of Terra Renewables Holdings, Inc., which is a renewable power subsidiary under Prime Infra’s control and in partnership with Solar Philippines Power Project Holdings, Inc. From this power facility, Terra Solar will supply 850MW to offtaker Manila Electric Company.
SOLAR PHILIPPINES AND MEDCO ENERGIE INKS PPA FOR 50 MW SOLAR FARM Filipino-owned Solar Philippines (SP) and its joint venture partner Medco Energi Inc. (Medco) inked a power purchase agreement (PPA) with Indonesia’s state-owned power utility PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) for a 50-megawatt solar farm venture to be sited in Bali. The power supply pact will be for a duration of 20 years. The solar farm will comprise 25MW installation in East Bali and the other 25MW development in West Bali. Project construction is expected to start next year. For that deal in Indonesia, Solar Philippines has given its subsidiary – Solar Philippines Nueva Ecija Corporation (SPNEC) – an option “to subscribe for SP’s share in the JV, in which it holds 49 percent.”
DEPARTMENT OF NATIONAL DEFENSE OF PHILIPPINES AND KESCO SIGN AGREEMENT TO BOOST SOLAR POWER PROJECTS In line with the vision of shifting to sustainable energy resources, the Department of National Defense (DND) of the Philippines and Korea Electrical Safety Corporation (KESCO) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Solar Power Projects at Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City. The MOU is for the development and implementation of solar panel projects in selected DND facilities throughout the country, including Camp General Macario Peralta Jr, Jamindan, Capiz in Central Visayas, and Camp Kibaritan, Kalilangan, Bukidnon in Mindanao, as well as other defense facilities, with an initial rated capacity of 50 and 100 megawatts, respectively.
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APR-MAY ISSUE 2022 | PG 08
ABOITIZPOWER AWARDS EPC CONTRACTS TO HANSEI CORPORATION AND SUMEC ENGINEERING FOR SECOND SOLAR PROJECT IN PANGASINAN Aboitiz Power Corporation (AboitizPower), through PV Sinag Power, Inc., a special purpose vehicle of its subsidiary, Aboitiz Renewables, Inc. (ARI), recently entered into Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) agreements for its 159MWp Laoag and Laoag 2 solar power project in Barangay Laoag, Aguilar, Pangasinan. The EPC contracts were awarded to SUMEC Complete Equipment and Engineering Co., Ltd. (SUMEC Engineering) and Hansei Corporation for DC and AC, respectively. SUMEC specializes in EPC contracting for both international and domestic markets, while Hansei Corporation is a Philippine-based EPC and Operation and Maintenance (O&M) company and contractor for electric power transmission, distribution, and substation utilities services that support the global initiatives towards renewable energy.
ACEN AND CLEANTECH FINALIZE CAGAYAN SOLAR FARM JV ACEN, the listed energy platform of the Ayala Group, ACE Endevor, Inc. (“Endevor”), and CleanTech Renewable Energy 4 Corp. (“CleanTech”) have formed a joint venture company, Natures Renewable Energy Development Corporation (NAREDCO) to develop, own and operate a 133 MW solar farm and transmission line project located in Lal-lo, Cagayan. The companies recently signed a shareholders’ agreement for the strategic partnership, with ACEN and Endevor to have a combined 60% ownership stake in NAREDCO, and CleanTech owning the remaining 40%.
MINDANAO DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF PHILIPPINES’ SOLAR POWER PROJECT WILL BE OPERATIONAL BY NOVEMBER
NESTLÉ PHILIPPINES REAFFIRMS USE OF CLEAN AND RENEWABLE ENERGY IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ABOITIZPOWER With the goal of reducing its carbon footprint and achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions, Nestlé Philippines reaffirms its commitment to using clean and renewable energy as it renews its partnership with AboitizPower for a Cleanergy supply. The partnership enables Nestlé PH to use clean and renewable energy for six of its facilities, sourced from the Tiwi and MakBan Geothermal Power Plants, operated and managed by AP Renewables, Inc. (APRI), an AboitizPower subsidiary. AboitizPower, together with its partners, is the Philippines’ largest owner and operator of renewable energy based on installed capacity.
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Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) said that the 600kilowatt (kW) solar power project in Tawi Tawi, Philippines will be operational by November. Maria Belen Sunga-Acosta, MinDA Chairperson, stated that the solar project in Sibuto (Tawi-Tawi) targets increasing economic activity, particularly in the seaweed farming communities. “This will help the seaweed farmers as they can now sell semi-processed seaweed products instead of raw materials which have a lower value. With the help of the facility, the farmers can produce quality products which can be exported to the European countries and our neighboring ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations),” Acosta said in a statement. Acosta hopes that the solar project will lead to more processing facilities, as it will lower the costs of farmers and increase their income.
ACEN AND CITICORE ENERGIZE SOLAR PLANT IN PAMPANGA The Arayat-Mexico solar farm, a joint venture between Citicorp and ACEN, Ayala group’s listed energy platform, reached its full capacity last March 23, 2022, and is expected to add muchneeded capacity to the grid in time for the demand surge during the hot summer season. After its successful energization, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) will be conducting its own set of testing for grid compliance, which is expected to be completed by the second week of April. Once fully operational, the 72 MW solar farm will produce 105 GWh of renewable energy annually, enough to power 45,000 households while avoiding approximately 72,000 MT of CO2 emissions annually. The solar project has a potential expansion of up to 116 MW.
APR-MAY ISSUE 2022 | PG 09
VENA ENERGY PARTNERS WITH MGREEN FOR 68 MW SOLAR PROJECTS IN PHILIPPINES Vena Energy announced that it has entered into a joint-venture agreement with Meralco Renewable Energy Inc (MGreen) for the development of the 68 MW “Garcia 2” Solar Project, located in the municipality of Currimao in Ilocos Norte in the Philippines. The Garcia 2 Solar Project is expected to commence operations in the first quarter of 2023. The Garcia 2 Solar Project will feature 157,000 photovoltaic solar panels spanning a total area of 85 hectares, capable of satisfying the annual electricity requirements of up to 132,103 local households while reducing approximately 124,468 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions, and saving an estimated 138 million litres of water compared to thermal energy generation.
Vietnam: VIETNAM IS LEADING ENERGY TRANSITION IN SOUTH-EAST ASIA According to an article recently published, Vietnam is leading the South-East Asia transition to clean energy and is a shining spot on an otherwise grim map. The article stated that the percentage of solar electricity generated in Vietnam has increased from almost nothing to nearly 11% over the period of 4 years. This is a faster increase than any other country in the world and a larger share than countries like France or Japan. It stated that Vietnam was the tenth-largest producer of solar energy in the world last year. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh pledged last November to end the construction of new coal-fired power stations and reduce Vietnam’s carbon emissions to zero by 2050. According to the article, other South-East Asian nations can learn from Vietnam’s success in increasing their efficiency. Vietnam has quadrupled its solar and wind power capacity since 2019.
VIETNAM AND GERMANY ARE JOINTLY PROMOTING ROOFTOP SOLAR IN COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL SECTORS
ACEN PIONEERS ENERGY TRANSITION FINANCING TO ENABLE MORE RENEWABLES IN PHILIPPINES ACEN, the Ayala group’s listed energy platform, successfully signed an Amended and Restated Omnibus Loan and Security Agreement for its wholly-owned subsidiary, South Luzon Thermal Energy Corporation (SLTEC) with Bank of Philippine Islands and Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation as lenders. The loan facility of up to ₱13.7 billion is intended to (a) refinance SLTEC’s outstanding ₱9.8 billion loan facility (b) fund the partial redemption of capital in SLTEC held by ACEN, subject to regulatory approvals; and (c) finance other transaction-related expenses. ACEN, in turn, shall use the proceeds of the equity redemption to reinvest in renewable energy projects.
As a tropical country, Vietnam has a great potential for solar energy, especially rooftop solar power, which is often dispersed and mostly consumed at the point of generation. The Government has encouraged the use of rooftop solar because its strategic deployment can contribute to reducing the load on the grid and impact land-use planning. By the end of September 2021, more than 100,000 rooftop solar systems were installed and operated with a total capacity of nearly 10 GW which accounts for more than 10% of the total installed capacity of Vietnam’s power system, according to Vietnam Electricity (EVN) reports.
KSTAR TO PRODUCE 1 GW SOLAR INVERTERS IN VIETNAM KSTAR, the global power conversion expert, announced that its first Vietnam manufacturing factory, called KSTAR Vietnam Project Phase I has officially topped out. Occupying an area of 47,715 square meters, KSTAR’s new Manufacturing-Base is located in Haiphong City, the biggest port city in Northern Vietnam. It’s being built to meet the surging demand of its export orders and to support its strong growth in the global market. This facility has a two-phase construction plan with a total investment of over USD 22 million. The first phase of the project will be completed in June. New equipment could be installed and production started by the end of this year. Construction for the second phase is expected to begin in 2024.
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APR-MAY ISSUE 2022 | PG 10
KKR LAUNCHES RENEWABLES PLATFORM ‘ASTER RENEWABLE ENERGY’ TO DEVELOP SOLAR PROJECTS IN TAIWAN AND VIETNAM Global investment firm KKR announced the launch of Aster Renewable Energy (“Aster”), a newly created renewables platform to develop, build, and operate solar, wind, and energy storage projects in Taiwan and Vietnam, with a view to expanding to other markets in Asia. Headquartered in Singapore, Aster looks to invest in high-quality renewable energy assets by leveraging the team’s leading development expertise. Aster will be led by CEO Chen Wei, an industry veteran with more than 20 years of experience managing and building renewable energy businesses across Asia. Mr. Chen brings to Aster deep expertise and an extensive network, as well as significant experience leading a successful pan-Asia renewables platform.
BLACK & VEATCH, THE GREEN SOLUTIONS SIGN MOU TO ADVANCE GREEN ENERGY PRODUCTION IN VIETNAM Black & Veatch and The Green Solutions (TGS) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance the production and supply of green hydrogen and green ammonia in Vietnam. Specializing in renewable energy project development, manufacturing, and services, TGS leads efforts to harness green energy in Vietnam for the manufacture of green hydrogen and green ammonia. Black & Veatch, a global leader in hydrogen energy development, brings its vast expertise in clean energy technologies and ammonia processing to the project team. Under the MoU, Black & Veatch and TGS are targeting to produce 180,000 tons of green ammonia and 30,000 tons of green hydrogen per year to support regional decarbonization efforts.
CORO ENERGY TO BUILD ROOFTOP SOLAR PROJECT IN VIETNAM Coro Energy Plc, the South East Asian energy company supporting the regional transition to a low carbon economy, is pleased to announce the entry into a 25 year Power Purchase Agreement (“PPA”) for its rooftop solar project in Vietnam. The PPA has been entered into by Coro Renewables Vietnam (85% owned by Coro and 15% owned by Coro’s local partner Vinh Phuc Energy JSC) and will see Phong Phu, a listed Vietnamese high volume manufacturer of textiles, purchase 3MW of electricity annually from the previously announced 5MW project for the 150MW rooftop solar project previously announced.
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Thailand: GULF JOINS FORCES WITH GUNKUL TO JOINTLY DEVELOP 1,000 MW OF RENEWABLE ENERGY WITHIN 5 YEARS IN THAILAND GULF announced the establishment of a joint venture company with GUNKUL to jointly drive the nation’s investment and development of renewable energy projects with the aim to reach a target of 1,000 MW within 5 years. The joint endeavor is in line with Thailand’s National Energy Plan to achieve carbon neutrality. This collaboration leverages the strengths of each partner, as GULF is well-established in the power business with a portfolio of green energy projects in domestic and overseas markets and has an extensive business network, while GUNKUL has expertise in integrated renewable energy business and construction.
CLEANTECH SOLAR COMMISSIONS 1 MW ROOFTOP SOLAR PV SYSTEM FOR SENIOR AEROSPACE IN THAILAND Cleantech Solar has commissioned a 1 MW on-site rooftop solar PV system at the manufacturing facility of Senior Aerospace Thailand in Laem Chabang. The project provides solar power to Senior Aerospace under a long-term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), signed between Senior Aerospace (Thailand) Ltd., a subsidiary of Senior plc – an international manufacturer of hightechnology components and systems for the principal original equipment manufacturers in the worldwide aerospace, defense, land vehicle, and power & energy markets, and Cleantech Solar, a leading provider of renewable energy solutions to corporations in Southeast Asia and India.
KAB INKS 5 ROOFTOP SOLAR PPAS WORTH RM46.8 MILLION WITH COMBINED CAPACITY OF 4,284 KWP IN THAILAND Kejuruteraan Asastera Berhad (“KAB”), an electrical and mechanical engineering services provider in Malaysia, through its indirect subsidiaries, KAB Gree Solar Thai Co Ltd, announced that it has inked five Rooftop Solar Power Generating System Construction and Power Purchase Agreements (“PPAs”) with an estimated aggregate capacity of 4,284 kilowatt-peak (kWp) in Thailand. The agreement, amongst others, requires KAB to construct, install, operate, and maintain the Grid-Connected Photovoltaic (“GCPV”) solar system for Siam Machinery and Equipment Co Ltd and four subsidiaries of Aapico Group of Companies (“Aapico Ayutthaya”), namely Aapico Hitech Public Company Limited, Aapico Hitech Parts Company Limited, Aapico Hitech Tooling Company Limited, and Able Sanoh Industries (1996) Company Limited.
APR-MAY ISSUE 2022 | PG 11
Indonesia: ACEN PARTNERS WITH PURI USAHA GROUP TO INVEST IN SURYAGEN, A RENEWABLE ENERGY DEVELOPER IN INDONESIA
BAYWA R.E. TO BUILD FIRST FLOATING SOLAR FARM IN THAILAND WITH UBE BayWa r.e. has collaborated with Ubon Bio Ethanol PCL, one of Thailand’s most respected manufacturers and distributors for processed cassava products. Ubon helped to establish its first floating solar platform at Ubon Ratchathani (about 615km northeast of Bangkok). The Floating Photovoltaic Farm, also known as “floatovoltaic”, will generate approximately 4,440 MWh of electricity in its first year of operation. It is BayWa r.e.’s first floating platform project. The UBE in Ubon Ratchathani is home to the 2.83 MW farm. Two floating platforms technologies were deployed on two ponds. One used a pure pontoon technology, the other with a pontoon-and-metal support structure floating technology.
SPCG TO BUILD SOLAR FARM OF 516 MW IN THAILAND SPCG acquires land for building renewable power units in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) with 3 billion baht. The company acquired land that covers 23 areas of the EEC zone. Pipat Viriyatranon, SPCG’s vice-president for financial affairs said that the company plans to build a solar farm that can generate 316 MW of electricity in the first phase, and in the second phase, it will generate 200 MW. SPCG as a pioneer and leader in the clean energy business from solar energy In addition to reducing global warming, equivalent to reducing carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere of the world by more than 200,000 tons CO 2 per year from the operation of 36 solar farm projects, the company is still committed to protecting the environment. SPCG has 36 solar farm projects in Thailand, scattered in 10 provinces, namely Nakhon Ratchasima, Khon Kaen, Sakon Nakhon, Nong Khai, Udon Thani, Nakhon Phanom, Loei, Surin, Buriram, and Lop Buri, totaling more than 5,000 land plots.
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ACEN, the Ayala Group’s listed energy platform, and the Puri Usaha Group have agreed to work together on a platform for the joint development of groundbreaking renewable energy projects in Indonesia focusing on large-scale solar power plants, battery energy storage systems, and green hydrogen projects, subject to applicable regulatory approvals and execution of definitive documentation. The proposed joint venture entity is Suryagen Capital Pte. Ltd.
TOTALENERGIES SIGNS SOLAR ROOFTOP PROJECT IN INDONESIA Beiersdorf, one of the world’s largest skin care brands with more than 100 years of success, signed a long-term agreement with TotalEnergies for a rooftop solar PV installation to power 20% of the needs of Beiersdorf’s plant with green energy. Under the agreement, Beiersdorf’s manufacturing site will be equipped with a 540 kWp solar power system installed by TotalEnergies. The 830MWh of electricity generated by the system each year will reduce carbon emissions by around 660 tons every year, equivalent to charging 71 million smartphones annually. In addition to reducing the environmental footprint, Beiersdorf will be able to increase cost savings with the clean energy produced by the system for 25 years without any upfront investments.
PERTAMINA NRE – HYET SOLAR AGREES TO DEVELOP PV FOIL IN INDONESIA Pertamina Power Indonesia as Subholding Power & New Renewable Energy (Pertamina NRE) agreed to sign a cooperation agreement with Hyet Solar Netherlands BV (Hyet Solar) to develop photovoltaic (PV) foil manufacturing. The MoU signing ceremony was witnessed by the Indonesian Embassy to the Netherlands, which was attended by the Dutch Ambassador to Indonesia Mayerfas. The signing was carried out virtually by Dannif Danusaputro as Chief Executive Officer of Pertamina NRE and Rombout Swanborn as Chief Executive Officer of Hyet Solar.
APR-MAY ISSUE 2022 | PG 12
Singapore: ALPHAESS AND MAXEON SOLAR ANNOUNCE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP FOR CUTTING-EDGE INTEGRATED SOLUTION TO OPTIMISE SOLAR AND STORAGE
PT INDIKA ENERGY WITH SAMPOERNA KAYOE GROUP TO BUILD 12 MWP SOLAR PV PLANT IN INDONESIA An energy company with a diversified business portfolio, PT Indika Energy Tbk, through its subsidiary PT Empat Mitra Indika Tenaga Surya (EMITS), signed an agreement with PT Mangole Timber Producer which is part of the Sampoerna Kayoe Group to build a ground-mounted PLTS with a capacity of 12 MWp and a 3 MWh battery system in the operational area Sampoerna Kayoe Group located in Mangole, North Maluku, with a contract period of 20 years. The PLTS is expected to start operating in June 2023. The signing of the agreement was carried out in Jakarta, witnessed by Arsjad Rasjid, President Director of Indika Energy and Michael Sampoerna, President Commissioner of PT Sumber Graha Sejahtera, the parent company of PT Mangole Timber Producer.
QUANTUM POWER WITH IB VOGT TO BUILD US$5 BILLION SOLAR PLUS STORAGE FACILITY IN INDONESIA Quantum Power Asia (Quantum Power) collaborates with ib vogt for building a US$5 billion solar power and storage facility. The project is spread across 4000 hectares in the Riau Islands, Indonesia. The project is expected to be completed by 2032 and once completed, it will meet 8% of the country’s electricity demands. It has capacity to generate 3.5 GW of solar PV and can store 12 GWh of renewable energy to be exported to Singapore. Quantum engineers, finances, installs and operates renewable energy systems across Southeast Asia and is focused on delivering high-quality and reliable electricity that is generated by clean and renewable energy.
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Maxeon Solar Technologies, Ltd., a global leader in solar innovation and channels, and AlphaESS, one of the world’s leading energy storage solutions and service providers announced they have entered into a global strategic partnership to develop integrated clean energy solutions for residential customers. The partnership combines AlphaESS’ state-of-the-art power conversion and storage solutions and next-generation technology services with Maxeon’s world-class solar panel technology and industry-leading global go-tomarket channel comprising a partner network of more than 1,400 installers and resellers in over 100 countries.
NEFIN GROUP PARTNERS WITH SNAKEPIT AND ECHO BASE TO POWER RAZER SEA HQ WITH SOLAR ENERGY NEFIN Group is Asia’s most prominent developer and investor in carbon-neutrality solutions. It has partnered with Snakepit-BP LLP as well as Echo Base-BP Capital Pte Ltd to build Razer Inc at its Southeast Asia Headquarters located in Singapore. The Razer SEA Headquarters was developed by Snakepit and managed and maintained by Echo Base. It is sustainablyminded and has been awarded the Green Mark Gold Plus Plus by Singapore’s Building and Construction Authority. Razer, the global leader in gaming lifestyle, has set a 10-year sustainability plan to #GoGreenWithRazer.
SEMBCORP OPENS SINGAPORE’S FIRST SOLAR FARM WITH AN INTEGRATED RAINWATER HARVESTING SYSTEM Sembcorp opened Singapore’s first solar farm with an integrated rainwater harvesting system. The combined solar power of the Sembcorp Tuas Solar Farm is 17.6MWp. It is located on two sites. The solar farm, estimated to cover close to 10 hectares of vacant land, is modular and flexible. It uses mobile solar panels, hybrid SPPG substations, and a mobile transformer. A total of 33,580 solar panels have been installed across both sites, providing renewable energy channeled to the grid. The system is expected to produce about 22,025 megawatt-hours of power annually, which is enough renewable energy to power about 4,681 four-room HDB flats for a year. This will also help to avoid over 8,900 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions a year, equivalent to planting close to 150,000 trees.
APR-MAY ISSUE 2022 | PG 13
DNATA INSTALLS 3.5 MW ROOFTOP SOLAR SYSTEM AT CHANGI AIRPORT, SINGAPORE dnata, a leading global air and travel services provider, continues to invest in infrastructure and equipment to further improve resource efficiency globally. The company has installed a 3.5 megawatt-peak rooftop solar power system across its operations, including its cargo and catering facilities, at Changi Airport (SIN). The rooftop power plant comprises of over 6,500 individual solar panels and will generate more than 4,300 megawatt-hours of green power a year, enabling dnata to reduce its electricity-related carbon emissions by 20% annually in Singapore.
PARKROYAL COLLECTION MARINA BAY, SINGAPORE INSTALLS 210 SOLAR PANELS PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, Singapore, owned by Pan Pacific Hotels Group, has installed 210 solar panels, which generate more than 350kwh of electricity daily, sufficient to power 540 typical households in Singapore in a day. The hotel also established its position as Singapore’s first ‘Garden-in-aHotel’ with over 2,400 plants and trees spread across 15,000 square feet of space in the hotel. The overall energy consumption is now reduced by 1.4%. With an expected lifespan of 25 years, the solar panels are projected to save SGD450,000, which can help fund other sustainability projects.
TERRENUS ENERGY WINS 70 MWP SOLAR PROJECT FROM HDB, EDB
UNION POWER NAMED AS PARTNER FOR ANANTARA ENERGYS US$5 BILLION PLAN TO EXPORT RE FROM INDONESIA TO SINGAPORE
Terrenus Energy Pte. Ltd. (Terrenus Energy) and Digo Corporation Pte. Ltd. (Digo Corporation) have been jointly awarded a 70 megawatt-peak (MWp) solar contract by the Housing Development Board (HDB) and Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB). This project is the sixth solar leasing tender under HDB’s SolarNova programme which will see the installation of solar panels across 1,198 HDB blocks and 57 government sites. When completed, it will become Singapore’s largest collection of distributed solar systems capable of generating at least 90 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of solar energy annually. According to Terrenus Energy’s estimations, this amount of energy is enough to power around 20,000 4-room HDB flats for one year and help to offset carbon emissions by about 38,000 tonnes per year. This is also equivalent to planting around two million trees or taking 8,000 cars off the road.
Union Power Pte Ltd, Singapore’s national electricity retailer, has been named distribution partner for the proposed US$5 Billion project promoted by Anantara Energy Holdings Pte Ltd. (Anantara). The project will generate renewable energy in Indonesia and then export up to 4TWh to the city-state. Anantara’s project will generate up to 3.5GW of solar photovoltaic energy from a site of 4,000 hectares in the Riau Islands. A battery that can store up to 12GWh, one of the biggest in the world, will be connected to Singapore by an undersea cable.
SUNSEAP SIGNS MOU WITH RIAU ISLANDS FOR LARGE-SCALE SOLAR ENERGY AND STORAGE PLANTS Sunseap Group is Singapore’s largest provider of clean energy solutions. Sunseap signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Riau Islands provincial government to jointly develop large-scale solar energy storage and energy plants that will supply electricity to Singapore and the Riau Islands. The MoU covers land available for Sunseap to construct solar energy plants and energy storage system (ESS) on 3,000 hectares. Sunseap conducted surveys, location mappings and technical planning on many islands in Riau Islands Province. This includes Combol and Citlim.
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CK POWER INSTALLS 6 SOLAR PANELS WITH A CAPACITY OF 400 WATTS CK Power continues the 6th year of the Firefly project under the CSR strategy to create value for society, which is “Fill-To- JoinCreate” to fulfill educational opportunities for students in Hin Hua Suea Kindergarten, Saisomboon Province, Lao PDR by bringing renewable energy innovations to install solar cells and necessary utilities and to promote and improve the quality of life of students and people in the community.
APR-MAY ISSUE 2022 | PG 14
INTERVIEW
Bor Hung Chong Head of Business Development & Managing Director (Malaysia), NEFIN Group SolarQuarter South East Asia magazine had an exclusive conversation with Bor Hung Chong - Head of Business Development & Managing Director (Malaysia), NEFIN Group, wherein he spoke about the evolving solar landscape in Malaysia, NEFIN’s key business areas and milestones, challenges, and opportunities. He also gave us an idea about the company’s major projects in the region.
Q
HOW HAS THE SOLAR LANDSCAPE EVOLVED IN MALAYSIA OVER THE LAST 5 YEARS?
Malaysia’s solar industry has been one that is growing not at the fastest, but I would say the most consistent speed in SEA in the past 5 years. Several GWs of rooftop solar and LSS projects have been rolled out, with additional projects with innovative business models yet to come. The supply chain has definitely matured as the industry grew, with financing becoming increasingly accessible.
Q
WHAT ARE SOME KEY BUSINESS AREAS NEFIN SPECIALIZES IN? WHAT HAVE BEEN SOME MILESTONES?
NEFIN delivers carbon neutrality solutions to our customers, which includes rooftop solar for the majority of our customers. Additionally, energy efficiency solutions, energy storage, carbon offsets, ESG reporting, etc. are services that we provide to work as partners for our customers to achieve their carbon reduction targets. A recent milestone for us is that customers are increasingly involving us earlier in their carbon reduction journey, with customers engaging us for scopes such as baseline assessment and target setting.
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Q
WHICH HAVE BEEN SOME MAJOR PROJECTS EXECUTED BY NEFIN RECENTLY? WHAT NEW PROJECTS ARE IN THE PIPELINE?
In the past few years, we have delivered such services for many Fortune 500 companies across the Asia Pacific, including the largest commercial PPA project in Malaysia, and customers some of which are public information, such as Intel, Lotus, Bosch, etc.
Q
AS A DEVELOPER, WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES YOU ARE FACING CURRENTLY? WHAT CORRECTIVE ACTIONS ARE NEEDED TO COMBAT THEM?
There have been many microeconomic shocks in the past 3 years which have led to changes in the way customers approach their long-term investment plans, affecting their willingness to commit to long-term PPAs. We work closely with our customers and engage them earlier in their carbon reduction plans to involve in the planning, monitoring as well as execution of carbon reduction projects to adjust our resources accordingly.
Q
HOW DO YOU SEE SOUTH EAST ASIA'S SOLAR SECTOR DEVELOPING IN THE COMING YEARS?
With increasing energy costs and the increasing attractiveness of solar energy, whether from an ESG perspective or from an economic perspective, there will be exciting growth coming from SEA’s solar sector in the coming years. Innovative business models and international collaboration will be required for realizing the full potential of renewable energy in the region.
APR-MAY ISSUE 2022 | PG 15
INTERVIEW
Samresh Kumar Chairman and CEO, SkyX Solar In an insightful interview with SolarQuarter South East Asia magazine, Samresh Kumar Chairman and CEO, of SkyX Solar talks about the comprehensive solutions provided by the company, their highlights, and the future vision. He also elaborates on the improvements needed in the rooftop scenario in the region.
Q
TELL US ABOUT THE COMPREHENSIVE SOLAR SOLUTION PROVIDED BY SKYX SOLAR AND THE HIGHLIGHTS THAT MAKE YOUR SOLUTION STAND OUT?
Over the last few years, SkyX Solar has established itself as a world-class rooftop solar developer and partner for leading commercial and industrial clients (“C&I”) in Vietnam. We present ourselves as the renewable energy partner of choice for C&I customers. We provide a zero CAPEX, zero OPEX, end-to-end rooftop solar solution to meet the sustainable energy needs of our customers. Specifically, we Invest: From our own balance sheet. Design: Our strong technical in-house team performs site evaluations, custom system designs, and all necessary permitting procedures to ensure local compliance. Build: We provide turnkey project delivery, which includes procurement, installation, and connection to the grid. With world-class tier 1 components, we ensure the highest quality solution and zero disruption to client operations.
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Operate: We perform active monitoring as well as preventive and reactive maintenance with solid expertise in monitoring and operating solar assets. We sell the solar power thereby produced to our rooftop customers at a significant discount to the price they otherwise pay to EVN, thereby helping them save more than USD 5 mn per MWp of the solar system installed (over 30 yrs) by SkyX.
Q
WHICH HAVE BEEN THE MAJOR PROJECTS EXECUTED BY SKYX SOLAR? WHAT HAVE BEEN SOME ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS DERIVED OUT OF THEM IN TERMS OF CO2 SAVED?
SkyX currently has around 100 MWp of rooftop solar projects in different stages of operation, under construction, and development whereas we have an additional 150 MW in the pipeline. We have clients across countries (Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese, Chinese, Thai etc), across sectors (Steel, F&B, Textiles, Cold Storage Warehouses, Hotels, etc), and across regions (South, Central, and North Vietnam). A few notable projects: A 9 MW project across 12 roofs for Japanese SMES. A 5 MW project over probably the largest single-site cold storage warehouse in the country. Multiple projects for OEM Manufacturers for Decathlon, Nike, Adidas.
APR-MAY ISSUE 2022 | PG 16
Q
WHAT IS THE ROOFTOP SCENARIO IN THE SEA REGION? WHAT IMPROVEMENTS ARE NEEDED?
By 2050-2065, SEA aims to achieve net-zero emissions. As the majority of Southeast Asian nations currently rely on fossil fuels to meet their energy needs, achieving these goals will require significant effort. Indonesia (61%), the Philippines (57%), Malaysia (51%), and Vietnam (50%) have made coal-fired power more than half of SEA's power in 2020. Some SEA countries use less coal, but Singapore and Thailand rely heavily on natural gas. With the shifting of US production to the south of China, there is definitely still a lot of room and demand for solar rooftops in SEA to develop. Starting primarily in the year 2020, Vietnam has added significant rooftop solar capacity and has become No.1 in SE Asia by far- official figures are 9,000 MW, but only a small fraction of it is on industrial rooftops. The potential still is a few thousand MWs in the next few years. In Singapore, given the land constraints, only rooftop and floating solar can be developed. In Indonesia, utility-scale is the key development direction. It has small rooftop solar development at the moment. Philippines could see an accelerated development of rooftop solar after the latest Solar Rooftop Adoption Act. Thailand has been slow in development in recent years because of policy reasons.
Q
WHERE DO YOU SEE SKYX SOLAR IN THE NEXT 5 YEARS?
SkyX Solar aims to be the leading renewable energy partner of choice for C&I customers. In the next 5 years, hopefully, we should have many hundreds of MWs operating rooftop solar systems, hundreds of leading companies as our customers, and hence annually creating a very significant positive impact on the environment. We will also provide Energy Storage as a solution to our clients when the conditions are appropriate in due course. SkyX has full support from its shareholders, Vinacapital (the leading investment management group in Vietnam) and EDF Renewables (one of the world's leading renewable energy companies), and plans to invest more than $100 million over the next few years to develop more green power systems in the country.
In Malaysia, rooftop solar is developing significantly. The key improvements required are on the policy front- a clearer, enabling policy will help further the development of rooftop solar across the region- the good thing is that financial incentives from the Govt are not required as its commercially attractive for investors to build without it.
AS THE MAJORITY OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS CURRENTLY RELY ON FOSSIL FUELS TO MEET THEIR ENERGY NEEDS, ACHIEVING THESE GOALS WILL REQUIRE SIGNIFICANT EFFORT."
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APR-MAY ISSUE 2022 | PG 17
Thailand’s Draft Third Party Access (TPA) Code For Electricity Network System And Its Implication On Renewable Energy Market Thailand’s private Solar energy generation is going to get open access to both the transmission and distribution grids to sell the power to their customers far away if the proposed Third Party Access (TPA) Code guidelines for the country’s electricity network system get approved by Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).
CURRENT ELECTRICITY MARKET : Thailand’s electricity market works based on an enhanced single buyer model. The current structure of the country’s electricity market is given below.
Electricity Regulatory Commission (ERC)
Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT)
High Voltage Transmission
Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA)
Wholesale Electricity Market
Distribution Grid
Retail Power Market
Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA)
Distribution Grid
Retail Power Market
Source: SolarQuarter Research
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APR-MAY ISSUE 2022 | PG 18
Thailand’s high voltage transmission system and wholesale electricity market i.e. power purchases from all private power producers are being controlled by the Electricity Generating Authority Of Thailand (EGAT). The country’s distribution grid and retail power market are controlled by Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) and Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA). There are some exceptions in power purchase procedures from the country’s private power producers. The exceptions are as shown here (on the right):
Power produced from a small power plant with less than 10 MW capacity can be sold to either the MEA or the PEA.
DRAFT THIRD PARTY ACCESS (TPA) CODE GUIDELINES : As per the draft Third Party Access (TPA) Code guidelines issued by the ERC, designated TPA code issuers will issue TPA codes to private power producers. The TPA codes have to be drafted in accordance with the Third-Party Access Framework guidelines attached in the ERC notification. According to draft TPA code guidelines, designated issuers of the TPA code will be EGAT, the MEA, and the PEA. ERC will also have the authority to designate additional transmission licensee and distribution licensee as TPA code issuers. According to the draft regulation, TPA code issuers would need to permit thirdparty power producers, who have asked to use or connect to the issuers' electricity network systems, to make use of allocated capacity.
KEY PRINCIPLES OF THE TPA CODE BASED ON THE TPA FRAMEWORK GUIDELINES ARE GIVEN BELOW.
1
TPA code issuers i.e. EGAT, the MEA, and the PEA, will provide TPA codes to eligible applicants on first-cum-first-serve basis and use-it-or-list-it basis, that is, any capacity not used by a user within the specified time and conditions can be allocated by the issuers to other users or applicants.
2
The TPA codes should contain provisions that allow for the evaluation of capacity allocations and available transferred capacity (ATC), of the TPA service provider in order to stabilize the system.
3
The TPA issuers will be eligible for service fees which will be approved by the ERC
4
The TPA needs to integrate steps and restrictions that help to ensure that the issuer's affiliates will not receive preferential treatment to other players with respect to their applications to utilize or connect to the electricity network systems.
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Private power producers with very small-scale facilities like rooftop solar are allowed to sell the power directly to either the MEA or the PEA.
IMPLICATIONS : The current electricity market in Thailand is based upon the enhanced single buyer model. This monopolizes the high voltage transmission system, wholesale electricity markets, and retail electricity market. It also controls the high-voltage electricity market. The government must open up the electricity market to private producers to increase competition in the power industry. This will allow them to access the transmission and distribution networks system, which allows them to sell power directly to distant consumers. The draft third-party access code notification, which was recently heard by ECR, has the potential to open the door for a liberalized power sector in the country. Many companies that have made a commitment to zero carbon emissions within a certain time frame will be able, after the regulation is approved, to purchase power from renewable sources. The regulation will allow companies that have committed to net-zero carbon emission within a specified time frame to be able to directly purchase power generated entirely from renewable sources (i.e. Solar, Wind, etc). This regulation will eventually liberalize the whole electricity market, benefitting end consumers with lower power costs.
APR-MAY ISSUE 2022 | PG 19
1
US Solar Module Import From South East Asia Nations Will Be Duty-Free For The Next Two Years.
In a recent order, US president Joe Biden invoked emergency authorities to impose a two-year duty-free solar module import from four southeast Asia nations named Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. This duty waiver came as a relief for many US solar developers whose module procurement was frozen for a long time, due to uncertainty following a department of commerce investigation into a complaint by a local panel manufacturer. Further, president Biden also authorized the Department of Energy (DOE) to use the Defense Production Act (DPA) to incentivize strategically important domestic manufacturers like PV modules and components. The order also noted that US domestic solar manufacturing is expected to be 22.5GW by 2024.
2
Thailand’s Renewable Energy Transition: Third Party Access (TPA) Code Guidelines For Electricity Network System.
Thailand’s private solar energy generator is going to get open access to both the country’s transmission and distribution grids to sell power to their customers in the distance if the proposed Third Party Access Code (TPA) guidelines for the country’s electricity network system get approved by the Electricity Regulatory Commission (ERC). ERC held a public hearing recently on the draft notification on "Criteria, guidelines, and preparation of the third-party access code for the electric network system".The TPA code issuers will be either the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA), or the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA). The regulation will allow companies that have committed to net-zero carbon emission by a specified timeframe to be able to directly procure power from renewable sources (i.e. solar, wind, etc). This regulation will also liberalize the entire electricity markets, which could lead to lower electricity prices for end consumers.
3
Philippine’s Green Energy Auction Program (GEAP).
Recently the Department of Energy (DOE) of the Philippines, released a 2GW renewable energy (RE) addition auction program under the Green Energy Auction Program (GEAP). The RE plant must be qualified under renewable portfolio standards, a marketbased mechanism that mandates industry players to source a portion of electricity from eligible renewable facilities. The Electricity Regulatory Commission (ERC) is yet to release the final auction prices. But the initial reserve price for solar was P3.6248 per kWh.
4
Vietnam’s Recent Power Development Plan.
The draft of Vietnam's Power Development Plan 8 (PDP VII), for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision towards 2045, has been greatly delayed. However, a finalized draft will be submitted to the Prime Minister in May 2022 to be approved. The PDP8 has been through many drafts. This latest revision proposes to increase electricity capacity to 146,000MW by 2030. It also includes diversified sources of renewable power and other fuel sources like hydrogen and ammonia. Vietnam will stop building new coal-fired power stations. This would result in coal being cut to 9.5% of the total capacity, compared to 15% to 19% previously. Vietnam also aims to increase its share of solar and wind power to 50 percent by 2045, compared with the 40 percent previously set.
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APR-MAY ISSUE 2022 | PG 20
RESEARCH
OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES OF
There has been a lot of innovation in solar module technology over the past few years. The emergence of large-format high-power modules is one of the most important trends. These mega-modules have peak power ratings exceeding 500 watts and pushing towards 600 watts or more. Another photovoltaic technology trend is the shift beyond 72-cell modules with 156/166-mm cells to larger modules made of cleverly manipulated 182- or 210-mm silicon slices. To increase the power output of these large modules, manufacturers have used cell-splitting and shingling, multi-busbar architectures and dense cell-to-cell interconnect schemes. Developers, engineers, procurement and construction (EPC), and operators and maintenance (O&M providers) face both challenges and opportunities when it comes to large-format modules. This article will discuss some of the issues surrounding the new big modules, from the perspectives of all three business sectors.
1
MORE POWER = LOWER COSTS
The increase in production capacity resulting from large-sized products has reduced the cost of labor, maintenance, and other expenses per unit of output. This promises to reduce balance system costs and level the electricity cost. However, the size and form factors of solar modules are changing, creating ripple effects across the industry. This requires tweaks and modifications to existing construction and project development practices.
2
MOUNTING & INSTALLATION
The adjustments can be more significant than anywhere else in the module mounting industry, especially when it comes to trackers. Manufacturers will need to adjust for changes in size, weight, environmental, and operational variables that are brought on by a new module size. PV modules with larger capacities result in higher loads. These loads are primarily on the module supporting components, but they also affect the tracker structure as well as the foundation. Two distinct problems arise from an increased tracker load. One is dead weight load in an installed row, and the other is dynamic weight during severe weather and wind events. The tracker can't support as many modules as possible due to dead weight. It is important to note that every new standard form factor must undergo extensive usage testing, extreme weather resistance testing, and project-level considerations to ensure that trackers and hardware are compatible with new modules in all usage cases. Installing the modules has remained relatively unchanged. Two workers are required to install the larger, more modern modules. It's different for two-in-one (2P) installations, where the trackers and modules are higher off of the ground. In this case, installers are managing modules that are probably five feet larger and probably fifteen pounds heavier than they are used to if any. These heavier and larger modules are a challenge to manage when they are above the installer's head.
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APR-MAY ISSUE 2022 | PG 21
3
HIGHER WIND LOAD
The major mechanical changes in the module have been driven by the snow and wind pressures. Larger modules can take snow and wind pressures and convert them into higher forces against the tracker and the module. This aspect required extra analysis during the design process. When there is an increase in size, there is a lot more weight. To tackle these challenges some installers are using mounting clamps with greater material and reach, such as purlins. Wind load is the most important on modules located at either end of a row. Modules with exposed ends may need additional fasteners in order to withstand higher winds. The tracker drive motors, which turn the panel's rows to track sunlight, were an area of great focus.
4
PACKAGING CHALLENGES
The standard module is approximately 2,000 mm x 1,000 mm x 35 mm in size and weighs around 20 kg. However, many large-format modules are larger at 2,300 mm x 1,200mm x 35 mm and more than 30kg. There are also larger modules on the market. The new generation's large-format modules pose a challenge to all stages of the logistics supply chain. Modules greater than 2 m2 in size and higher weight are not suitable for single-person handling. When it comes to shipping, the standard 40-foot shipping container door height limits module widths to no more than 2,343mm and lengths to no more than 2,280mm. This is a problem for manufacturers who want to make use of shipping containers' capacity. Trina Solar, a Chinese manufacturer of large-format PV modules, has developed a new packing method that claims to reduce shipping costs and maximize the space within the shipping container. Trina Solar announced a new addition in its Vertex ultra-high power Vertex line. The company claims that the Vertex series will deliver 670W. Trina Solar developed a packaging method that allows the modules to be placed vertically within containers. According to the company, 558 modules of 600W+ can be spread over 18 pallets and transported in standard 40-foot containers.
Source: Trina Solar
This in turn lowers shipping costs by approximately 12%.
5
QUALITY ASSURANCE
Two recent trends that have affected PV module design could make cell crack susceptibility more common, either individually or in combination. Manufacturing shifts to a larger format and higherpowered PV modules can increase cracking risks. They contain larger silicon wafers that will be subjected to pressures over a larger surface area. Modules could be subject to greater deflection under high wind or snow loads. Manufacturers are using thinner glass or frames to reduce weight. This can reduce rigidity, durability, and strength. Furthermore, decreasing inter-cell spacing through shingling, or other cell-to-cell interconnection techniques could cause mechanical stress to solar cells. To avoid microcracks and stressing cut cells, paving has a small cell gap. To reduce the sheer force of the thinner ribbon, a thicker encapsulant will be required. Multi-wire ribbons (e.g.MBB), require precision at the tabbing stringing station in order to avoid misalignment or cold soldering problems. Due to its lightweight, thin glass (2mm), it has been a strong contender in bifacial module manufacturing. Half tempering reduces its mechanical strength. It is less able to withstand hailstone impact.
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Source: CEA APR-MAY ISSUE 2022 | PG 22
COMPANY FEATURE
RUN OF SUCCESS
Trina Solar has once again made it to the list of Tier 1 PV module makers in the Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) market outlook for the second quarter, thanks to its outstanding reliability, 100% bankability and expanding production capacity. With the AAA rating, the highest category, in the PV ModuleTech Bankability report published last week, Trina Solar has become the only module supplier achieving both AAA rating by PV Tech and Tier 1 PV module maker by BNEF. BNEF has developed a tiering system for PV module products based on bankability and a set of strict criteria, to create a transparent differentiation between the hundreds of manufacturers of solar modules on the market. Trina Solar’s continued presence on the Tier 1 list demonstrates global industry recognition for its quality modules, brand credibility and strong market competitiveness.
RELIABILITY: PASSING RIGOROUS TESTS OF PVEL AND RETC The outstanding performance of Trina Solar 210mm Vertex modules has been thoroughly confirmed by the comprehensive and stringent test sequences. The 210mm Vertex modules have been tested by PVEL, RETC and many other world-renowned third-party reliability testing agencies. The entire Vertex series, including 600W+ ultra-highpower modules, have passed PVEL’s Product Qualification Program test sequences, and for the eighth year in a row, Trina Solar was named top performer. Among the companies on the Tier 1 list, only seven took part in both tests, Trina Solar being one of them.
BANKABILITY: 100% AND AAA RATING VALIDATING GLOBAL TRUST Trina Solar has earned the trust and recognition of customers worldwide with its highly reliable products. Additionally, its bankability remains at the top level. Trina Solar scored 100% in the BNEF Bankability Survey in each of the six years to 2021 and is a Tier 1 PV module maker, following the AAA rating in the PV ModuleTech Bankability report last week.
PRODUCTION CAPACITY REACHING 65GW IN 2022 Trina Solar said in its financial report for 2021 that it plans to reach 65GW in module production capacity this year. PV InfoLink projected early this year that 210mm cell capacity will reach 297GW in 2022, and module capacity will rise to 300GW. The new capacity is essentially the result of 210mm downward compatibility, indicating that use of the 210mm has become an industry trend. As a leading global PV and smart energy total solution provider, Trina Solar has long been committed to advancing technology research and development, and facilitating the application and popularization of green energy worldwide.
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APR-MAY ISSUE 2022 | PG 23
COMPANY FEATURE
IDAC Energy establishes/inaugurates showroom and signs MOU to strengthen cooperation with GoodWe
The GoodWe showroom located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
On June 16th 2022, a new showroom of GoodWe was completed and ushered in a grand opening ceremony, with lion dance and champagne to celebrate together. On that day, more than a dozen valued guests came to the scene and expressed their congratulations and blessings. The showroom is established with support from GoodWe local distributor IDAC energy, which aims to expand the GoodWe market layout in Malaysia, for products display and solution explanation. Both the parties inaugurated the ceremony by cutting the ribbon and signed a 50 MW Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), starting a new era of Malaysia PV industry. GoodWe business director of Southeast Asia, NG. Siew Chun participated in the opening ceremony, he expressed the excitement and said “The new representative showroom will be used for presentation of GoodWe products, welcoming guests and meetings with business partners. Customers can enjoy immersive experience and understand GoodWe PV solutions at a glance.”
It is worth mentioning that GoodWe showed their energy storage system operation logic in this showroom. The three-phase high voltage ET series hybrid inverter with 2 MPPTs, allows up to 110% overloading to maximize power output and features Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) for critical loads such as air conditioners or refrigerators within 10 ms. Exploring and utilizing smart technologies and advanced expertise, GoodWe is relentless about offering users storage solutions to protect users from rising electricity costs, striving to create reliable solutions for users to maximize self-consumption, ensure power safety during an outage, take smart control of home power management, and realize energy independence. GoodWe also announced and signed a 50MW MOU with IDAC energy, with the aim of driving greater sustainability with low carbon emissions, supporting Malaysia ambition of reaching 31% of total power capacity from renewable energy sources by 2025. “We’re proud to partner with GoodWe to support the Malaysia’s environmental and solar energy demand. This agreement will help us enhance the confidence of developing PV system businesses and providing high quality solar energy in the region.” said Fanny Chan Wai Fang, CEO for IDAC energy. GoodWe is committed to make best efforts and keep providing creative and smart PV solutions to all over the world, fully supporting the partners who uphold the same philosophy and mission on the road. We together, driving the world’s smart energy future.
About GoodWe
The ‘MoU’ was signed between the two organizations on 16 June, 2022
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GoodWe is a world-leading PV inverter and energy storage systems manufacturer listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange (Stock Code: 688390). The company has more than 3,000 employees located in 20 different countries and a team of over 500 engineers working at its R&D centers to continuously optimize and advance energy storage technology. GoodWe storage inverters were ranked No. 1 globally by Wood Mackenzie in 2020, with over 15% market share, and the company was ranked one of the world’s Top 10 inverter suppliers by IHS Markit. Having achieved over six consecutive TÜV Rheinland "All Quality Matters'' awards and consistently being ranked at the top in terms of overall product quality, GoodWe’s comprehensive portfolio of products and solutions for residential, commercial, and utility-scale PV systems is guaranteed to deliver high performance and reliable quality across the board. For more information, please visit goodwe.com.
APR-MAY ISSUE 2022 | PG 24
GUEST COLUMN
MIGUEL A. FERRER, PH.D. MANAGING DIRECTOR, SHIRE OAK INTERNATIONAL
Under the light (pun intended) of the long-awaited Power Development Plan (PDP), it crossed my mind that both developers and rooftop owners are in a certain state of “spiritual limbo” created by the uncertainty of the reactions, comments, and interpretations that may/will arise from it. In a market where 6,000 new MWp x year are added to Vietnam’s electricity demand and 53% of this consumption is driven by the Commercial and Industrial (C&I) sector (Source: The Electricity Regulatory Authority of Vietnam (ERAV)), there is a clear indication that the market of renewable energy is not only growing organically, but it is vital to the future fulfilling of constantly growing electricity needs. The role of the Rooftop Solar systems (RTS) is likely to remain at the center of an environment where self-generation must be prioritized, as it helps unload the grid from a flow of energy that can be directed to the different usage and at a higher value x kWh to EVN. Basically, balancing the high-value & high revenue kWh that are at the center of the incumbent’s financial model, while limiting the supply of highly discounted kWh in favor of systems like RTS that can easily fuel the functioning of the C&I productive activity, with no investment from the public sector. One wonders then, why after a stellar growth period since 2018, the RTS market is presenting a “disoriented façade”? The answer to this question may lie in the fact that the actual system (legal, technical, and otherwise) encompassed within the scope of the Decision No. 428/QD- TTG of 2016 approving the PDP VII, did set some precedents that promoted behaviors that defied the actual basic economics that would set high revenue stream to EVN by allowing self-generation of heavily discounted energy. The beneficial rates of the Fit in Tariff (FIT) happened to shift the focus of some investors and companies, from benefiting from a rather stable energy source to fuel highly productive, economy-driving activities; to setting up systems without real self-consumption just trying to get some revenue, that incidentally, does leave a gap on the high revenue stream that EVN had planned for. This situation created a practical conundrum for serious rooftop owners and developers that clearly understand the role that RTS systems have in the renewable energy mix where the deployment of such systems has been slowed down due to the conflicting actions of local offices versus clear objectives set by the Prime Minister during November’s 2021 COP26 conference, to phase out coal-fueled power generation by 2040.
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While other countries have set similar objectives to be achieved by 2030, the road for Vietnam’s decision and execution apparatus is clearly set. Investments in green energy sources (public and private) and devising indications of pilot programs like DPPA, must continue and attract serious attention from all sectors of Vietnam's productive life. Then, what happens with the need for RTS in the country? From a very humble point of view, the management of the public grid’s capacity to allow for the still-growing carbon-fueled generation + any utility-scale renewable energy initiative needs more than ever generation systems that minimize the need for energy transport and distribution. The public investment needed to expand and manage the grid either in original economic and technical models or by replicating successful settings used in other countries will be positively affected by unloading an important percentage of the C&I consumption from the distribution system. When it comes to effectively achieving such targets, RTS systems are a clear player in efficiency, deployment time, and the instant supply of green energy to both: real consumers of highly discounted electricity and high consumers of retail-priced energy. More solutions in the field are being promoted and developed as, apparently, it is more difficult to generate solar power at night; yet both the impact on the distribution network and the actual benefits to the self-generating consumer are clear and a concerted view on how to effectively manage them is essentially needed. One of the tools that actually backfired in the latest PDP VII, the FIT tariff, can be one of the keys to promote the growth of the RTS industry. By definition, the role of the FIT tariff is an aid to accelerate green energy investments. This was misconstrued by some as “let’s get benefits from RTS systems without self-consumption”. It seems that in Vietnam, the implementation of a FIT tariff that would not be seen as “extra margin” but more like “no lose, no win” or -paraphrasing the green energy lingo- “net-zero profit” on the small overspill created on non-working hours or holidays by RTS system’s users, would allow investors to confidently ease rooftop eligibility requirements and give EVN a better tool to control indiscriminate (not to say illegal) RTS system deployments. All in all, the pressure for green and sustainable energy, industrial growth, and the improving working framework in all clean energy matters, seem to show that the Rooftop Solar market keeps growing and there are many opportunities where the public and the private sector can accelerate and stabilize the deployment of systems in a beneficial way to all stakeholders involved. Revisiting my initial question, to roof or not to roof? I think it is maybe best to ask a new question: what choice do we have?
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PRODUCT FEATURE
Ultra-high Power Module for the Ultimate 600W+ Era TECHNOLOGY SPECIFICATIONS As a global leading provider for photovoltaic (PV) modules and smart energy solutions, Trina Solar delivers PV products, applications, and services to promote global sustainable development. Since its establishment in 1997, Trina Solar has been driven by innovative, reliable quality and customer value. With its top-notch research and development of ultra-high power modules, Trina Solar has led the industry into the 600W+ era, with a host of highpower, high-efficiency, high-yield, and highly reliable products, offering new opportunities to further save the system costs of projects and ensure the interests of customers.
ULTRA-HIGH POWER MODULE FOR THE ULTIMATE 600W + ERA Trina Solar Vertex series modules, with a module conversion efficiency of over 21.4%, boasts of a power output of over 600 W. Incorporating 210mm cells, the new Vertex series modules are designed for utility and rooftop installation in large commercial & industrial projects and come in two versions -the bifacial doubleglass modules and mono facial back sheet modules.
Based on Trina Solar’s leading multi-busbar technology, Vertex modules incorporate 210mm silicon wafers, non-destructive cutting and high-density interconnect technologies, allowing over 600W power output and 21.4% module efficiency. By virtue of low-voltage and higher module string power output, the new Vertex series unlocks huge potential for further reducing balance-of-system costs. Fraunhofer ISE, the world’s leading applied research third-party organization, has conducted research on the LCOE advantage and value of 210mm Vertex modules in all scenarios. It is found that the CAPEX and LCOE of the new generation of 210mm (G12) Vertex modules are lower than those of the 182mm (M10) modules and the traditional 166mm modules. In the mode of 210mm mono-facial module + fixed tracker, the LCOE of the G12 Vertex 670W modules is 4.5% lower than the M10 585W modules and is 7.4% lower than the M6 455W modules. In the era of grid parity, the advanced Vertex 210mm series of modules have a prominent edge in BOS and LCOE costs. It sets a new cost-saving standard, ultimately ensuring the project’s earnings and maximizing customer value, making PV solar energy more cost-competitive.
210mm silicon wafer brings the highest power output: The 500W+ Vertex module employs cells based on 210mm silicon wafers, which is the largest possible wafer size provided by the semiconductor industry and brings the highest power output.
NDC technology brings the best cell performance at chip-level: Non-destructive cutting technology is adopted to achieve the best cell bending strength and section appearance, resulting in the best performance for the minimum cell unit.
MBB technology leads to a 0.4%-0.6% increase in module effi- ciency: Multi-busbar, with the capability to increase light absorption, perfectly matches the large-area cell. Technology integration enables the Vertex series modules to achieve higher power and power generation capacity per watt.
High-density interconnection technology optimizes module effic iency: By flattening cell connection areas of welding tape, the cell spacing is reduced to 0.5mm to optimize power output and effic iency, which will leave a certain gap to reduce yield risk, micro-cracks and damage to the modules.
Trina Solar’s bifacial dual-glass Vertex 600W module- DEG20C.20
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PRODUCT FEATURE TECHNOLOGY ADVANCEMENTS
BENEFITTED CUSTOMER SEGMENT Trina Solar’s Vertex series modules are designed for utility and rooftop installation in large commercial & industrial projects. Over the past year, the 600W+ Vertex modules have proven to be highly reliable and adaptable. Plants equipped with 600W+ modules can be found worldwide, including in the 850 MW super large project in Brazil and the 112MW PV agricultural project in Da Chaidan in Qinghai, northwestern China.
Product Warranty
Years
Trina Solar’s 2MW commercial project was successfully completed on the roofs of a large-scale factory building in Linyi, Shandong Province. In the first phase, around 40,000 m2 roofs were installed with PV modules, with an installed capacity of 2MW. The project uses Trina Solar’s 210mm Vertex ultra-high power modules, including 1.5MW of 600W mono-facial modules and 0.5MW of 670W mono-facial modules.
Additional Power Gain FROM THE REAR SIDE IN DIFFERENT INSTALLATION ENVIRONMENTS
The installation of the modules took only around 20 days from the beginning to the end of last October. The construction period has been greatly shortened compared to the past which indicates the truly convenient installation of ultra-high power modules! The 210mm Vertex 600W+ modules guarantee power generation for 25 years, saving the Linyi factory’s electricity costs and contributing to the target of carbon emission reduction. This rooftop installation is expected to generate 2.6 million kWh in the first year, reduce 2,160 tons of carbon dioxide emissions, and save about RMB 1.4 million in electricity costs. In the 25-year service life of the PV power station, the total power generation is expected to reach 62.53 million kWh, reducing carbon emissions by approximately 52,000 tons and saving the factory nearly RMB 33.76 million in electricity costs! In addition, Trina Solar provides a 25-year power warranty and a 12-year product warranty for the Vertex 600W+ ultra-high power mono-facial modules, ensuring the long-term successful operation of the project. The project is expected to be connected to the grid by the year-end.
Power Warranty
Better temperature coefficient LOWER WORKING TEMPERATURE RESULT IN MORE GENERATED POWER
Excellent IAM (INCIDENT ANGLE MODIFIER) AND LOW LIGHT PERFORMANCE,
CONCLUSION: So far, more than 50% of industrial and commercial projects globally have selected and applied 600W+ modules. The reason for choosing Trina Solar Vertex 600W+ modules is that the ultrahigh power modules are designed to reduce the cost of the distributed power stations and significantly increase their revenue. The 210mm ultra-high power modules are getting inevitably popular in the era of grid parity when distributed scenarios have been fully upgraded. Products with a higher power range and high energy yield represented by the 210mm Vertex modules will fully guarantee the investment income of distributed projects by virtue of their outstanding advantages.
Did you know?
5400 Pa
The 210mm Vertex 600W+ modules guarantee power generation for 25 years, saving the Linyi factory’s electricity costs and contributing to the target of carbon emission reduction.
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2400 Pa
Mechanical performance
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PRODUCT FEATURE
Trina Tracker Vanguard 2P INTRODUCTION: Trina Solar, founded in 1997, is the world-leading PV and smart energy total solutions provider. The company engages in PV products R&D, manufacture and sales; PV projects development, EPC, O&M, smart micro-grid, and multi-energy complementary systems development and sales, as well as energy cloudplatform operation. By 11 April 2022, Trina Solar has delivered more than 100 GW of solar modules worldwide and ranked on the list of “Top 500 Private Enterprises in China”. In addition, Trina’s downstream business includes solar PV project development, financing, design, construction, operations and management, and one-stop system integration solutions for customers. Trina Solar has connected over 5.5GW of solar power plants to the grid worldwide.
ABOUT TRINATRACKER TrinaTracker specializes in the design, manufacturing, installation, and maintenance of fixed tilts and solar trackers. With more than 5 GW developed worldwide, the company has offices on the five continents and has more than 300 projects carried out. TrinaTracker is thus the perfect partner for largescale solar projects. Trina trackers offer flexible solutions adapted to the client’s needs. We offer customized services and the widest portfolio of products across the entire value chain. The highly qualified team and state-of-the-art R&D department offer responsive support to our clients’ needs. TrinaTracker has a worldwide reputation for delivering high-quality and reliable solutions. TrinaTracker’s in-house production facility and worldwide supply chain network offer the highest quality with reduced lead times ensuring the best client support.
VANGUARD 2P Trina Tracker’s Vanguard 2P is a 2 in portrait independent tracker with very high flexibility to suit different complex terrains. It reduces piles by 45% thus remarkably diminishing construction costs and difficulty. Vanguard 2P is equipped with a wireless communicator for the effective implementation of extreme weather protection. SCADA system enables Vanguard 2P to perform system monitoring, early warning, smart diagnosis, and troubleshooting facilitating cost reduction and increase in the energy output. Vanguard 2P thus increases reliability and reduces O&M costs significantly.
TECHNOLOGY SPECIFICATIONS Trina Tracker’s Vanguard 2P is an ultra-advanced tracker which delivers optimized performance for large-scale solar projects. The extraordinary features of Vanguard 2P are:
Extremely Compatible with Larger Modules: Vanguard 2P is compatible with modules up to 670W+. The tracker is designed such that it helps to reduce LCOE by 2.4%~4.5% with larger modules.
Upgraded Multidrive System: Vanguard 2P is equipped with an upgraded multidrive system that helps in better wind tolerance, high adaptability, and synchronization. This system is adopted to effectively reduce torsional loads from buffeting. Therefore, the upgraded multidrive system greatly improves the stability of the system.
Innovative SuperTrack Technology: The smart algorithm of the tracking system optimizes tracking angle (up to 30% angle adjustability) according to the real-time weather and actual terrain conditions (Optimized terrain adaptability up to 15% N/S). This leads to an increase in receiving radiation and a reduction in shading loss. A total tracking yield gain of up to 8% can be derived! Vanguard 2P is thus the best for challenging sites such as irregular layout, undulated terrain, and high wind regions.
More Modules Per Tracker: Vanguard 2P is designed with a two-in-portrait configuration (2P), with up to 4 strings of 1500V system per row. A total of up to 120 modules per tracker can be accommodated.
Fewer Piles Per MW: The standard configuration is 7 piles per row (standard configuration), the number of piles per MW has thus been optimized in Vanguard 2P. Up to 45% fewer piles!
Optimized Bearing Design: The global patented spherical bearings offer up to 30% angle adjustability. They alleviate the damage caused by uneven foundation settlement during operation. They also release the extra stress caused by the deformation of the tracker system, which leads to a significant reduction in the load and failure rate of each component.
Wind tunnel tested by RWDI: TrinaTracker collaborated with prestigious agency RWDI to conduct a series of wind tunnel tests for continuous tracker design improvement. The optimized components and reinforced structure guarantee lower failure risk and better system stability.
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PRODUCT FEATURE TECHNOLOGY ADVANCEMENTS TrinaTracker has achieved a considerable reduction in the failure rates by upgrading its previous 2P model with a new tracker design in Vanguard 2P that incorporates a smaller number of components. This means that the upgraded Vanguard 2P requires fewer maintenance activities, lower O&M expenditure, and lower power loss!
The reduction of critical tracker components per MW is: Bearings (-49%) Motors (-50%)
There is a 26% decrease in the bolted joints per MW (which are potential failure points) in the new Vanguard 2P.
Each Vanguard 2P tracker can handle 0.062 MW (+101%) compared to 0.031 MW installed in the previous 2P series.
17 Vanguard 2P trackers are enough to complete 1 MW (-50%), compared with 33 previous model 2P trackers required to complete the same capacity.
Vanguard 2P design is compatible with large-format modules 670+W. Therefore, less number of modules are needed for the same installed capacity.
Tracker weight was reduced (-16%) per MW, from the previous 2P model (≈ 59.60 ton) to Vanguard 2P (≈ 49.60 ton).
Hence, Vanguard 2P leads to a remarkable increase in reliability and reduction in the O&M costs The estimated O&M cost reduction achieved with TrinaTracker Vanguard 2P with regard to the previous 2P tracker model, is 33%!
VANGUARD 2P SUITS ANY & EVERY TERRAIN AND WEATHER CONDITIONS: Vanguard 2P can withstand extreme weather conditions like severe wind and heavy snow scenarios. Vanguard 2P trackers perform exceptionally well even in harsh environments such as hot and humid places, chilly regions, and corrosive areas. Time and again, the Vanguard 2P trackers have proved to be reliable under high wind speed, hailstorms, heavy snow, rugged and mountainous terrains, in the most humid climes, and even in deserts.
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APR-MAY ISSUE 2022 | PG 29
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