Optimal Choice for the Shagehuang Base: 100MW Gain of 2.396 Million Yuan
On March 20, Trina Solar unveiled a high-value product solution specifically designed for the Shagehuang base. This solution is fully based on the market demand for electricity, rethinking the design and investment return logic of photovoltaic power plants. By focusing on the lowest cost per kilowatt-hour, high reliability against sandstorms, and efficient operation and maintenance products, Trina aims to maximize revenues from market transactions while achieving the dual goals of increasing both the quantity and quality of photovoltaic power generation.
Dr. Zhang Yingbin, head of global products, strategy, and marketing at Trina Solar, explained that the product solution, which comprises the i-TOPCon Ultra modules and Trina’s tracking system, effectively meets the photovoltaic application needs at large-scale bases. Through high overall efficiency, increased generation under low irradiation, and optimized tracking bracket algorithms, this solution enhances the power output per watt and total energy production over the lifecycle. Additionally, it enables more energy generation during high-price periods while reducing the Balance of System (BOS) costs, leading to a lower Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE).
Compared to the combination of BC products and industry-standard 1P tracking solutions, Trina Solar’s large base solution can enhance system value by ¥0.126/W and reduce LCOE by 4.37%. For a 100MW power plant, the annual gain can reach up to ¥2.396 million, providing customers with greater returns.
Lower Cost per Kilowatt-Hour + High Generation during Peak Price Periods = High Returns for Large Bases
The Shagehuang region, blessed with abundant solar resources, has become the preferred site for large-scale ground-mounted projects. According to the National Energy Administration and the National Development and Reform Commission, it is expected that by 2030, the total capacity of wind and solar bases will reach 455GW, indicating significant development potential for large-scale bases. The Shagehuang area features a high surface reflectivity that benefits bifacial module generation, but it also faces challenges from harsh climatic conditions such as strong winds, sandstorms, and large temperature variations.
Dr. Zhang highlighted that after thoroughly researching the characteristics of large bases, Trina Solar introduced this Shagehuang solution to meet the demands for minimal cost per kilowatt-hour, high reliability against sandstorms, and efficient operation and maintenance products. Furthermore, this solution is rooted in the logic of market-based power trading. Under the market reform of new energy prices, there is a need for more competitive costs per kilowatt-hour to maximize returns.
Data from the Shandong Electric Power Trading Center indicates that the maximum output period for photovoltaic power plants coincides with the lowest electricity prices. Therefore, increasing photovoltaic generation during high-price periods can enhance investment returns and overall profitability. Dr. Zhang pointed out that achieving a more competitive LCOE hinges on reducing initial system investments while enhancing total energy production and generation during peak price times.
The Trina Solar large base solution reduces BOS costs and initial investments through the more efficient i-TOPCon Ultra modules, which offer higher power output per unit area and string power. By leveraging the advantages of generating more energy during low irradiation and combining high-efficiency modules with optimized tracking bracket algorithms, it achieves increased energy production during high-price periods and greater overall energy generation throughout the lifecycle, ultimately leading to a lower cost per kilowatt-hour. This reduced cost translates into increased profitability.
LCOE Reduced by 4.37%: i-TOPCon Ultra Modules + Trina 1P Tracking System as the Optimal Choice for Large Bases
Trina Solar’s product solution for large bases utilizes the high bifacial rate and excellent low irradiation performance of the i-TOPCon Ultra modules, combined with the intelligent algorithm advantages of the Trina 1P tracking system. This results in notable advantages in BOS costs, generation capacity, and LCOE, making it the superior choice for the Shagehuang large base scenario.
TOPCon modules are known for their high bifacial rates and low irradiation performance. When paired with fixed mounting systems, they already provide higher overall value compared to TBC modules. Upgrading to the i-TOPCon Ultra technology, Trina’s superior N-type modules boast a bifacial rate 10-15% higher than TBC modules. In the Shagehuang project area of Golmud, with a surface reflectivity of 25-30%, the i-TOPCon Ultra modules can achieve a 2.53% increase in generation compared to TBC modules, boosting overall value by ¥0.0524/W and reducing LCOE by 2.27%. Considering a TBC price premium of ¥0.05/W, the advantages of i-TOPCon Ultra expand even further, with overall value increasing to ¥0.1024/W and LCOE advantages reaching 4.08%. Under tracking systems, the overall value is significantly greater than that of fixed mounting systems.
According to calculations, the Trina Solar i-TOPCon Ultra modules combined with the Trina 1P tracking bracket offer a 4.71% higher overall generation compared to TBC + industry-standard 1P tracking, with system overall value improved by ¥0.126/W and LCOE lowered by 4.37%. This combination is the optimal choice for projects pursuing minimal cost per kilowatt-hour. If a TBC price premium of ¥0.05/W is factored in, the value of the i-TOPCon Ultra + Trina 1P tracking solution relative to TBC + industry-standard 1P tracking increases to ¥0.176/W, with LCOE advantages expanding to 5.98%.
Market Logic: More Generation during High-Price Periods Leads to Annual Gains of ¥2.396 Million for 100MW Power Plants
As new energy continues to engage with market-based trading, Trina’s large base product solution benefits from the i-TOPCon Ultra modules’ excellent low irradiation performance, which can yield 5%-10% more generation in the early morning and late evening compared to BC modules. Additionally, the Trina 1P tracking brackets can intelligently adjust angles based on algorithms to enhance generation by 10% during the higher-priced early morning and late evening periods, raising the weighted selling price of each kilowatt-hour by at least ¥0.011.
The Trina large base solution can increase annual revenue for a 100MW power plant by ¥2.396 million, improving the Internal Rate of Return (IRR) by 0.97%. Notably, thanks to the high bifacial rate, excellent low irradiation performance, and the high yield advantages of the Trina 1P tracking system, this product solution not only provides significant gains for the Shagehuang large base scenario but is also applicable to bifacial generation scenarios worldwide where there are price differentials in the market.
According to InfoLink, it is predicted that between 2025 and 2028, the global share of bifacial scenarios will reach 86%-88%, significantly expanding the application scope of Trina Solar’s product solutions.
In the Shagehuang large base scenario, it is crucial to ensure the reliability of photovoltaic products, especially given the frequent occurrence of strong winds and sandstorms categorized above level 8. To ensure product and system reliability, Trina Solar has reinforced the frames of its TOPCon modules and tracking brackets, utilizing multiple patented technologies to reduce failure rates. The large base solution also incorporates assembly robots and crawler cleaning robots to significantly improve installation efficiency while autonomously sensing environmental data for cleaning, which can enhance generation by 5%-10%. This intelligent operation and maintenance throughout the lifecycle ensures that photovoltaic modules consistently operate at their optimal generation state.
Furthermore, for the Shagehuang large base, Trina Solar can offer a high-protection design energy storage system that guarantees stable returns for customers even in harsh environments. Trina Solar is the only company in the industry that provides a comprehensive solution for modules, brackets, and energy storage. Its TOPCon modules, brackets, and energy storage systems have all been successfully applied in the Shagehuang large base scenario, receiving high recognition from customers worldwide. Looking ahead, Trina Solar will continue to uphold its spirit of innovation, deeply engage in photovoltaic technology advancements, and consistently contribute to global energy transition and sustainable development with comprehensive solutions.
