Trinasolar, a leader in smart PV and energy storage solutions, has launched its Shield Extreme Climate Solution at the Smart Energy Conference held in Sydney on April 9 & 10.
Equipped with NED19RC.20 series modules and an intelligent tracker control system, the solution aims to address the growing trend of extreme and unpredictable weather in Australia. It offers multiple resilient features designed to maintain power generation even during severe weather events. The NED19RC.20 series module features glass that is up to 25% thicker than conventional alternatives, providing 2.5 times greater resistance to energy impact. Additionally, a specially engineered frame enhances its load-bearing capacity. As a result, the system can withstand hailstorms with hailstones up to 50 mm in diameter, and even up to 75 mm at angles of 0° and 60°, respectively, when it receives protective angle commands in response to short-term severe weather forecasts.
To optimize the balance between risk mitigation and energy output during high winds, the Shield solution automatically adjusts to a stow position based on wind speed thresholds. This intelligent adjustment is enabled by seamless integration with the Tracker Control Unit (TCU) and Network Control Unit (NCU), both of which utilize real-time wind speed data from the Trina Smart Cloud platform. The module’s robust mechanical structure supports a load capacity of up to +3,600/-3,000 Pa. In fixed mounting system installations, the Shield solution can withstand wind pressures of up to +8,000/-6,000 Pa, according to Trinasolar.
In addition to withstanding high winds and hailstorms, Shield also addresses snow load risks – specifically uneven snow accumulation along the module’s 2.2-meter length in fixed tilt systems. Using real-time snow thickness data from Smart Cloud, O&M personnel can proactively initiate snow removal as a preventive maintenance measure.
The credibility of this solution is backed by field test data from a site in Queensland, says Trinasolar, where the Shield Extreme Climate Solution was deployed. Incorporating modules with i-TOPCon ultra PV cells, the project achieved a Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) reduction of up to 2.84% compared to traditional configurations.
