| | November - 202219E ERGYTech ReviewCXO INSIGHTSFor years, manufacturers have increased wafer sizes for PV modules as the industry debated how big wafers should be. We see that debate coming to an end, with the opportunity to standardize around the 210mm wafer size. The industry is heading to settlement in the "how big" debate that will last at least several years. That's a considerable amount of time in a dynamic, tech-base industry such as solar. At the same time, federal, state and local governments, as well as a vast majority of corporations, all have ambitious carbon-reduction goals. Many are committed to being carbon-neutral or even carbon-negative by a declared point in time. Achieving these goals will require accelerating the shift to renewable energy at a massive scale. And because PV-generated power generation will need to be a centerpiece technology, otherwise-wonky questions--like wafer size--really matter.And there's a reason we're arriving at a standard wafer size of 210mm. It enables panels to successfully deliver the value and scalability needed to meet the surging demands for this clean energy revolution. With high-powered, high-efficiency 210mm large format PV modules now available in the North American market, the next era of solar has begun.Let's dive into what makes the 210mm different, how it achieves the lowest LCOE and why standardization of the 210mm PV industry is going to be crucial.What makes the 210mm different?During more than five years of fine tuning to improve efficiency and reduce costs, PV wafers have grown larger, increasing from 156mm to 166mm, and then to 182mm. The introduction of the 210mm wafer represents the latest iteration of this wafer manufacturing trend.However, unlike the smaller sizes, the 210mm will be future-proof for the next 5-10 years. Why? The 210mm sits at the upper limit of economical sizing. Go much bigger, and the technology encounters diminishing returns due to the increased cost of raw materials, more logistical headaches and a lack of major component compatibility.The 210mm produces the biggest power while staying just under the ceiling of maximum financial returns. We see it having a much longer runway when compared to 182mm or smaller.With access to 210mm, solar EPCs, developers and installers can now relegate the legacy sizes to the history books.WHY 210MM SOLAR DELIVERS THE LOW LCOE AND SCALABILITY NEEDED FOR THE CLEAN ENERGY REVOLUTIONBy Ryan Simpson, Head of Product Management, Trina SolarRyan Simpson
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