Updated on: 14/03/2014
Suntech Solar Panels Review
Suntech (STP) was the world’s biggest producer of solar panels in 2010 and was one the first companies to set up operations in China. Its example was followed by a host of other Chinese companies. Suntech has been slow to expand compared to the fast growing small companies in China and has lost marketshare to them. It has started to vertically integrate in order to meet the low cost challenge from Trina and Yingli. Suntech makes one of the best quality Solar Panels in China.
The company was founded in 2001 by the solar scientist Dr. Zhengrong Shi and is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Suntech offers solar products for every application and market, from off-grid systems, to homes, to the world’s largest solar power plants. Their solar modules are installed in over 80 countries. Suntech has offices in 13 countries, including regional headquarters in San Francisco, California; Schaffhausen, Switzerland; and Wuxi, China. The manufacturing sites are located in China, Japan and the United States.
MODULE PRODUCTION
Cells with similar electrical characteristics are matched during module assembly to minimize efficiency losses. Laminated modules are equipped with corrosion-resistant frames and weather-proof electrical components to create a durable, water-tight product.
Types & Features of Suntech Modules
The Suntech Solar Modules can be broadly divided for: Residential, Commercial, Utility Scale & Agricultural purposes.
1) Residential
WdS (240 – 265 Watts)
- Monocrystalline silicon 156*156 mm
- No. of cells 60 (6×10)
- Dimensions 1640 x 992 x 35 mm
- Tempered front glass with anodized aluminium frame
- Positive tolerance upto 5%
- Nominal operating cell temperature 45+/-2 degress C
- Withstands wind and snow loads of 3800 Pascal and 5400 Pascal respectively
i) Available wattage 240W, 245W and 250W with Module efficiency varying between 14.8% to 15.4%
ii) Available wattage 255W and 260W with Module efficiency varying between 15.7% to 16%
iii) Available wattage 265W with Module efficiency 16.3%.
2) Commercial
Wd (230 – 260 Watts)
- Polycrystalline silicon 156*156 mm
- No. of cells 60 (6×10)
- Dimensions 1640 x 992 x 35 mm
- Tempered front glass with anodized aluminium frame
- Positive tolerance upto 5%
- Nominal operating cell temperature 45+/-2 degress C
- Withstands wind and snow loads of 3800 Pascal and 5400 Pascal respectively
i) Available wattage 230W, 235W and 240W with Module efficiency varying between 14.1% to 14.8%
ii) Available wattage 245W, 250W and 255W with Module efficiency varying between 15.1% to 15.7%
iii) Available wattage 260W with Module efficiency 16%.
3) Utility-Scale & Agricultural
Ve(poly) (285 – 305 Watts)
- Polycrystalline silicon 156*156 mm
- No. of cells 72 (6×12)
- Dimensions 1956 x 992 x 40 mm
- Tempered front glass with anodized aluminium frame
- Positive tolerance upto 5%
- Nominal operating cell temperature 45+/-2 degress C
- Withstands wind and snow loads of 3800 Pascal and 5400 Pascal respectively
i) Available wattage 285W, 290W and 295W with Module efficiency varying between 14.7% to 15.2%
ii) Available wattage 300W and 305W with Module efficiency varying between 15.5% to 15.7%
Suntech Solar Panels’ Warranty & Certification
i) 97% in the first year, thereafter for two years for 25 years, 0.7% of maximum decrease from module’s nominal power output per year, ending with 80.2% in the 25th year after the defined warranty starting date.
ii) 10 years material and workmanship warranty.
ISO 9001:2008, ISO 14001:2004, ISO 17025:2005 certified.
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