BP has achieved technical pre-eminence in four areas:
BP Solar uses various high volume processes to produce a range of products with its conventional cell technology. Depending on the types of product required by our customers, these may include combinations of, or all of the following process stages:
Conventional cell production capability is currently available at all BP Solar cell production sites.
LGBG CELLS
BP Solar's high efficiency LGBG cells, with an efficiency of conversion of light to electricity of almost 17%, compare to an industry average of between 12.5% and 15% We believe, these to be the highest efficiency solar cells available in volume commercial production today.
The increase in electrical efficiency is achieved by using a laser to cut a fine grid, deep into the body of a silicon wafer, rather than employing the usual silk-screen process, to print a grid of metallic paste upon the wafer surface, which usually obscures some 10% of the wafer's active surface area. We fill these grooves with conducting metal, by an electro-plating process. This laser-grooving technique is based on work originally done at the University of New South Wales and has been extensively developed by BP Solar in its research laboratories. Because the grid is buried deep within the silicon, the collection of electrons is enhanced. This, combined with the fact that the grid takes up very little surface area of the cell, raises the electrical efficiency to some 17%.
Modules assembled from LGBG cells, are produced at BP Solar's manufacturing plant in Madrid. They provide an output of up to 90 watts from a conventionally-sized 36 cell configuration. In addition to their class-leading high efficiency (which is particularly valuable where roof-space is restricted) LGBG modules deliver greater power per kW installed than rival products, by prolonging the daylight hours over which useful power can be generated. A further advantage of the LGBG process is its ability to produce coloured cells, while retaining the electrical efficiency of a conventional cell. While these perhaps are less relevant to applications in the developing world, they are valued where aesthetics are at a premium, for example, for grid-connected building cladding applications, where architects are seeking a visually striking effect on a prestige building project.
BP585 Module
The BP585 is made with 36 laser-grooved buried-grid single-crystal
silicon cells, which are currently the most efficient commercially available
cell made. Their efficiency is 20% higher than other single crystal cells
in a full sun, and they give better performance in low light and overcast
conditions. The BP585's high efficiency can translate into overall cost
savings. The hinged junction box with built-in bypass diodes features a
cage clamp mechanism to reduce wiring time and ensure secure connections
with bare wire. Each module comes with two waterproof cable clamps, so
no special module interconnects are required. The face of the module is
tempered, 3mm high light transmission glass and the rear is a tri-laminate
of PVF, polyester and PVF. The frame is made of extruded anodized aluminum.
Includes bypass diodes. UL listed. 20 year warranty.
MONO-CRYSTALLINE CELLS - higher efficiency for superior performance.
| BP Module
List Price |
BP585
$600 |
BP275
$499 |
| Rated Power: | 85 Watts @ 25° Cel. | 75 Watts @ 25° Cel. |
| Voltage @ maximum power: | 18 Volts | 17.1 Volts |
| Current @ maximum power: | 4.72 Amps | 4.45 Amps |
| Short Circuit current: | 5.0 Amps | 4.75 Amps |
| Open circuit voltage: | 22.03 Volts | 21.40 Volts |
| Dimensions:
Weight: |
46.8" x 20.87" x 1.52"
17.64 lb. |
46.8" X 20.87" X 1.52"
17.64 lb. |
High
efficiency BP Solar Modules
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