CEA-INES and EDF introduce new lightweight PV module at EU PVSEC

A new lightweight module weighing only 6 kg/m² has been developed by CEA-INES and EDF-Photowatt. The Solight module, which is 50% lighter than conventional PV modules, was unveiled this week at the EU PVSEC exhibition in Amsterdam.

The lightweight panel has met all of the IEC 61215 standard test conditions and CEA says that the technology is as efficient and resistant as a traditional module.

The module is tested for twice the testing conditions mentioned in the IEC 61215 standard for Si-crystalline PV modules. CEA said that the modules were tested at 5400Pa mechanical load, and showed no microcracks, with the electrical performance also unaffected.

In a climate chamber tests, withstood two cycles of combined tests, UV precondition test, 50 thermal cycles, and 10 humidity-freeze cycles. Similarly, the module passed two cycles of combined tests that included 1000 h damp heat with mechanical load up to 5400Pa, plus a wet leakage current test at 1,500 V.

After the second test cycle of combined hail and 1000h damp heat, the module exhibited just less than 5% reduction in maximum power.

Solight has been designed for the residential and C&I rooftop sectors, and its development was funded by Agence National de la Recherche in France.