A Redesign of Full-Screen
A key highlight of Seraphim’s product display at the show was its full-screen module. This module from the Sable series features a steel frame that matches the thickness of the glass-glass laminate, combined with 4 sectional aluminum frames placed along the length of the module.
Unlike traditional PV module fabrication, the steel frame combined with sectional aluminum frames is integrated into the glass-glass sandwich before the lamination step. In this unique approach, the module is laminated with a pre-integrated frame.
While the steel frame enhances the module’s mechanical durability, the sectional aluminum frame, equipped with a clamp, enables fast and smooth installation. Drawing inspiration from Seraphim’s earlier frameless module design, it also incorporates a rubber within the aluminum frame that holds the steel-framed laminate and provides cushion. On top, the aluminum frame incorporates a unique clamping mechanism. According to Zhang, this design can be easily adapted to a variety of rooftop installations.
Thanks to its Full-Screen design with no front-side frame groove, the module prevents dust and water accumulation along the bottom edge over time. Dust-accumulation-free design has been a hot topic within the module products for some time now. Zhang further explained that, unlike traditional anti-dust module designs where the short-edge frame height is typically lower than the long side, this module features a steel cover on all 4 sides with a lower profile than the aluminum frame sections. As a result, even when installed at a low tilt angle, rainwater and dust can easily run off the surface, keeping the module cleaner and more efficient.
Zhang also highlighted that this module has a slightly lower manufacturing cost vis-à-vis traditional designs, attributing it to innovative fabrication techniques and new materials. However, he emphasized that the real value lies in its improved mechanical durability and long-term reliability. Despite the absence of a full aluminum frame, this bifacial module, featuring a steel frame paired with sectional aluminum reinforcements, maintains strong load-bearing capacity and has successfully passed hail impact testing.
Currently, the module is undergoing extensive reliability testing, including TC600, DH2000, and HF60, to further validate its durability, noted Zhang. During the design phase, Seraphim carefully considered key factors such as low Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE), optimized logistics, and manufacturing efficiency. These priorities led to the adoption of a layout using 132 G12R half-cut cells. This module delivers a power output of 620 W with an efficiency of up to 22.95%, with a bifaciality of up to 80% (±5%). Measuring 2,382 × 1,134 × 26 mm and constructed with 2 mm-thick glass on both the front and rear, the module weighs 32.5 kg, according to its datasheet. Seraphim offers a 15-year product and a 30-year performance warranty for this module.
Sailing Through a Tough Time
It is well known that both the global and European PV markets are currently navigating a difficult phase, marked by overcapacity, steep price declines, and other challenges. To address these headwinds, Juan Carlos, Sales Director for Europe at Seraphim, shared the company’s strategic direction.
Seraphim’s product portfolio has long stood out for its aesthetics, full-black modules catering to design-conscious residential customers. But as Juan Carlos explained, the company’s priorities have shifted in recent years. “We now focus mainly on the utility sector, but we are going back to residential through the DG segment,” he said.
While utility remains the company’s dominant segment, Seraphim is building a new European team to revitalize its residential presence via local distribution networks. Aesthetic products like all-black modules remain in the lineup, but the company is also introducing flexible module solutions aimed at niche applications that were previously unexplored. Like many players in today’s oversupplied PV market, Seraphim is adjusting its strategy to remain competitive amid industry headwinds.
Seraphim currently operates between 15 and 20 GW of annual PV module capacity, underscoring its position as a major global manufacturer. In addition, the company is scaling its footprint in the energy storage segment, with current capacity reaching between 2 and 2.5 GWh. This also means that the company has ventured into the storage business. According to Carlos, the company is leveraging its combined PV and battery energy storage (BESS) capabilities to deliver integrated solutions for co-located and hybrid power plants. “We can be a one-stop shop where customers can combine both technologies—PV and BESS—especially for hybrid or co-located systems,” he explained.
Seraphim’s vertically integrated storage business enables it to offer flexible, modular solutions. One example is its medium-voltage transformer solution, which benefits from a significantly reduced lead time – just 4 to 6 months – compared to over 10 months for standard solutions in Europe. This logistical advantage allows the company to respond faster to market demands, adding value for utility-scale developers seeking bundled PV and storage packages.
