The REC TwinPeak Series:

Innovative module design gives improved yield performance in shaded conditions

The innovative design of REC TwinPeak Series solar modules offers customers a number of significant
improvements over standard 60-cell panels. Through intelligent system layout, customers can benefit from
increased energy yield, even when the installation is affected by shade at certain times of the day or year,
enabling continued production in shaded conditions long after other modules have ceased generation.
The innovative design of the REC TwinPeak Series Testing the performance of a single REC TwinPeak Series
One of the most striking features of the REC TwinPeak Series is its use In order to assess the behavior of the new design in shaded conditions,
of smaller cells. These are in fact, regular 156 mm (6 in) cells cut in half. tests were performed on the REC TwinPeak Series under different levels
The smaller size reduces internal resistance, increasing output, and has of shading to measure the effect on energy production. By taking the IV
allowed REC to take a new approach with the layout, removing one cross trace of the modules under the different amounts of shade coverage,
connector, which enables greater inter-cell spacing and an increase in the cell strings could be monitored and measured (fig. 2):
captured light. The removal of the cross connector is aided by a three-
Fig. 2: How shading of strings affects a single standard and REC TwinPeak module
part junction box, placed in the middle of the rear of the module. The
effect of this is to split the cell strings into two, i.e., six strings in total, Shading Standard module REC TwinPeak module
controlled by three bypass diodes as shown below (fig.1). With this,
2a:
the module takes on a different behavior pattern in shaded conditions
which can help achieve an increase in overall energy yield. All diodes inactive All diodes inactive
Zero shading
Fig. 1: Standard and REC TwinPeak modules showing representative flow of current
through cell strings (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) and bypass diodes (a, b, c)
a b c Voltage (V) 100% Voltage (V) 100%
Current (A) 100% Current (A) 100%
Power (Wp) 100% Power (Wp) 100%
2b: Diode a is active,
1 2 3 Diode a active bypassing shaded
string. Top string
1 string Diodes b & c inactive

Shade
Shade

continues to
generate energy.
1 2 3 a b c Voltage (V) 66% Voltage (V) ~66%*
Current (A) 100% Current (A) 100%
Power (Wp) 66% Power (Wp) ~66%*
4 5 6 * Diode will turn on to allow
excess current through
depending on MPP tracking.
2c:
Diode a active Diode a active
Shade

Shade

Standard Module REC TwinPeak Module 2 strings Diodes b & c inactive Diodes b & c inactive
With three internal strings of cells With six internal strings of cells

The effect of shading on a solar module Voltage (V) 66% Voltage (V) 66%
Solar modules convert sunlight into energy, so any drop in irradiation, Current (A) 100% Current (A) 100%
through shading, will reduce the amount of power produced. Depending Power (Wp) 66% Power (Wp) 66%
on the cause, and its position relative to the installation, the loss may be 2d:
only seasonal, or for a few hours each day, but spread across a module Diodes a & b active
string or an array, the overall production level may drop considerably, 2 strings All diodes inactive
Diode c inactive
Shade

Shade

reducing earnings and savings from the installation.

Cells in a module are connected in series, like links in a chain. Setting up
Voltage (V) 33% Voltage (V) 100%
the cells and modules in this way means that they all produce the same
Current (A) 100% Current (A) 50%
current under the same irradiance. Most cases of shading however,
are not uniform across the module string, so if the current drops at one Power (Wp) 33% Power (Wp) 50%
point, the whole chain is restricted and output is reduced. This creates 2e:
a mismatch - a difference in the characteristics of an electrical system
which reduces the electricity flow to the level determined by the All diodes active All diodes inactive
3 strings
Shade

Shade

lowest performer in the series – for example, if all modules in one string
are working to produce a current of 8A and then a shaded module can
no longer conduct these 8A, then the string will only be able to produce Voltage (V) 0% Voltage (V) 100%
the current that the shaded module can conduct. Current (A) 0% Current (A) 50%
Power (Wp) 0% Power (Wp) 50%
In order to manage such situations, solar modules use bypass diodes
to divert current around cells unable to conduct in line with others. In Testing demonstrated that production stops across the length of
standard modules, a bypass diode covers 20 cells out of 60, meaning a standard module as each bypass diode is activated, whereas the
that when activated, one third of the module is lost to production. REC TwinPeak Series loses less surface area to shading compared to
a standard module. The way module power is affected by changes in This advantage is best seen in installations where inter-row shading
voltage and current depends on the extent of shading, which in turn can cause the system to stop generation (fig. 4). By splitting the
determines whether a bypass diode is activated or not. REC TwinPeak into two sections, the string will continue to produce
electricity in at least 50% of the panel until the other section is also
Where module level power electronics (MLPE) such as micro-inverters
shaded (fig. 3b) improving the overall energy yield.
or optimizers are used on REC TwinPeak modules, this behavior
pattern can offer a substantial advantage in electricity generation and Fig. 4: Inter-row shading in an array can lose production in a complete string with standard
overall energy yield. Due to the way the MLPE unit turns the modules modules while still exposed to sunlight
into independent generators connected in parallel, the influence of
mismatches can be negated and each module operates at its own MPP.

Testing the performance of an REC TwinPeak Series string

Most solar installations however, consist of more than one module and
so it is the performance in shaded conditions of the entire string that is
of more importance, i.e., how does the string react when mismatches
are present. Testing across a string of modules showed that as per a
single module, lower irradiance does not turn on the bypass diodes,
meaning the currents from each cell string continue to be added
together to give the module current. Depending however, on where
the inverter tracks the MPP, the current may be brought down under
certain conditions.
An open string with no shading will produce 100% voltage, 100% current
and 100% power whether it is a standard module or an REC TwinPeak.
Dependent on the optimum power point chosen by the inverter, and
the point at which bypass diodes are activated, there may be a small
benefit in yield with the choice of REC TwinPeak modules for when
only a few modules are shaded, but usually, one or two shaded REC The impact on installations
TwinPeak modules in a string will behave as a standard panel and be As the testing above demonstrates, customers can achieve a clear
bypassed in favor of keeping current high. In general, if more than one advantage from REC TwinPeak modules – with half of every panel
module remains unshaded, the Mpp operates at full Imp, and the shaded continuing to contribute to electricity generation for a longer period,
module is totally bypassed. If, however, shading is equal over half of an customers will see improved yield. Installation of the REC TwinPeak
REC TwinPeak string, then the other section will continue to operate Series parallel to the shade will result in both of the twin sections of
and the string will work at 50% Imp and 50% power, where a standard the module (top and bottom) being equally shaded and there will be no
panel would normally stop working all together (fig. 3). major benefit over a standard module (fig. 2c).
Fig. 3 Uniform shading in an string of standard modules can lose 100% of production, Of course, if the installation is designed so that no shade falls on
where a string of REC TwinPeak will continue generation in 50% of the string the array, the owner will benefit even more from the other power
3a: technology enablers inherent in REC TwinPeak Series solar modules,
A string of standard panels increasing overall energy yield and profit.

How do I get the best performance of REC TwinPeak modules?

... If shading of the installation is unavoidable and the path of any regular
Shade
shade can be predicted before installation, e.g., by a building or other
row of modules, it makes sense to install the modules so that only half
of the REC TwinPeak module is shaded at any time. This can reduce
When the bottom half of a string is shaded, Voltage (V) 0% the area of the module that is switched off by the bypass diodes and
voltage drops, activating bypass diodes and Current (A) 0% allow the opposite side of the module to continue producing energy,
all modules are bypassed. Power (Wp) 0% increasing output and earnings.
3b:
A string of REC TwinPeak modules Conclusion
Use of the REC TwinPeak Series can offer a big advantage and improved
performance in shaded conditions where the shading across a string is
... generally even, for example where caused through obstacles such as
Shade other rows or walls, as long as the modules are correctly positioned to
the path of shading.

When the bottom half of a string is shaded, Voltage (V) 100% Aligned with other energy generation advancements in the REC
voltage is kept high, diodes remain inactive Current (A) 50% TwinPeak Series, a significant increase in overall energy yield is
and electricity generation continues. Power (Wp) 50% achievable, making the new panel a better option for energy production
in confined or limited spaces.

REC Solar Pte. Ltd. REC is the largest European brand of solar panels, with more than 15 million high-quality panels produced at the end of 2014. With
NE-18-21 - 06.2015

20 Tuas South Avenue 14 integrated manufacturing from polysilicon to wafers, cells, panels and turnkey solar solutions, REC strives to help meet the world’s
Singapore 637312
Singapore
growing energy needs. In partnership with a sales channel of distributors, installers, and EPCs, REC panels are installed globally.
Tel: +65 6495 9228 Founded in 1996, REC is a Bluestar Elkem company with headquarters in Norway and operational headquarters in Singapore. REC’s
1,800 employees worldwide generated revenues of USD 680 million in 2014.
www.recgroup.com