3Sun

Italy’s 3Sun, a unit of Enel Green Power, has developed new monofacial PV modules based on n-type heterojunction (HJT) G12 solar cells. The M40 series for rooftop applications has power ratings ranging from 440 W to 480 W and an efficiency of up to 25%.

As efficiency records tumble and devices become more stable, Europe is seeing the beginnings of a race to commercialize high-efficiency perovskite-silicon tandem solar products, reports Valerie Thompson.

Poland was the EU’s biggest solar jobs market last year, thanks to a national rooftop incentive program, but Germany’s push to repatriate solar manufacturing will help the bloc’s PV powerhouse back to the number one slot in three years’ time, according to SolarPower Europe.

The manufacturing facility, idled a few years ago, will produce bifacial modules. The company claims panel efficiency exceeds 20.5% and the factory has an annual production capacity of around 200 MW.

Funded by the EU with €14 million ($14.9 million), the AMPERE project was launched at Enel Green Power’s PV module manufacturer 3SUN’s headquarters in Catania, Sicily. Further funding of €14.1 million currently under evaluation.

The Italian utility is laying the foundations for solar cell production at its PV panel manufacturing facility. The final goal of the project is 1 GW commercial cell production. Meanwhile, Enel Green Power has secured the PPA for a 34 MW PV facility in Zambia, and has broken ground on a 238 MW solar park in Mexico.

Italy’s ENEL will invest €80 million ($84.4 million) to convert its PV module manufacturing facility, in southern Italy, from amorphous silicon to bi-facial heterojunction modules. ENEL expects to launch its new modules in 2018 and to reach a capacity of 240 MW in 2019.