To say that 2019 was a banner year for the solar industry would be an understatement. From record-breaking US installation numbers to our own transition to a smart energy solutions provider, 2019 will be one for the history books. And throughout all of it, Trina Solar has been leading the pack in helping provide renewable energy to the world.

Solar Continues to Grow in Leaps and Bounds

The U.S. solar market installed 2.6 GW of solar electricity capacity during the third quarter of 2019, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association. Not only is this the most on record, it represents a staggering 45 percent increase over Q3 2018 and a strong 25 percent jump from Q2 2019. By the end of Q2 2019, the U.S. utility-scale solar pipeline hit a record 45.5 GW. Meanwhile, residential solar reached a high-water mark of 712 MW of solar installations during Q3.

All in all, the solar industry is set to experience a 17.5 percent growth rate for the year, as decreased costs continue to appeal to companies, utilities and homeowners. In fact, costs are dropping so much that in nearly 66 percent of the world, renewable energy is the least expensive form of power, according to BloombergNEF.  

Trina Solar is proud to have contributed to this growth, and the company remains committed to growing the solar industry throughout 2020 and beyond. 

Trina Breaks Solar Cell Efficiency Record

In May, Trina’s State Key Laboratory of Photovoltaic Science and Technology notched another milestone for solar cell conversion efficiency. The large area version of the N-type, crystalline, industrial tunnel-oxide passivated contact (i-TOPCon) claimed a 23.22 percent conversion efficiency rate. 

This set a new world record for conversion efficiency. ISFH CalTeC in Germany independently confirmed the result. This makes the i-TOPCon the first multi-crystalline bifacial cell to receive third-party certification for registering a 23 percent conversion rate. 

Trina Solar utilizes the i-TOPCon cell in the N-type i-TOPCon double-glass bifacial modules. When at optimal usage, the bifacial module reaches 425 Wp with an efficiency rating of 20.7 percent. The back side design of the modules also produces an additional 5 to 30 percent power generation. 

Trina Solar Launches TrinaPro - The Smart Solar Solution

In addition to the technological records broken, earlier this year Trina Solar also took a major step forward with the official launch of TrinaPro, the first-of-its-kind smart solar solution. 

TrinaPro combines Trina Solar’s industry-leading modules and components with the company’s global supply chain and decades of service to provide a one-stop solar shop. When coupled together, the bundled components and expert service optimize supply chain management, reduce installation times and lower project costs.

Although the year might be over, the work has just begun. Trina Solar is looking forward to breaking more records in 2020 and providing new, differentiated and high-end PV modules and solutions to customers around the world.