Available to customers in mainland Europe from May and in the UK from June 2021, the new options mean that for the first time high-quality in-roof solar can be installed with only three panels per kWp, according to Viridian Solar. A higher power rating makes roof-integrated solar an even more cost-effective option for customers since fewer panels and roofing kits are needed to reach a given energy target, with knock-on benefits for installation time too.
The new panels also mark a move away from a 156mm cell size for the company. Cells of this size have been the industry standard for many years, but many manufacturers are re-tooling factories to manufacture PV modules based on larger cell sizes and for its new Clearline fusion panels Viridian Solar has opted for mono-crystalline PERC G1 cells at 158.75mm.
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The increase in cell size has a knock-on effect on the overall dimensions of the panel, so compatible G1 roofing kits will be available alongside the new G1 modules. The company has taken the opportunity to change the colour of the roofing kits to an anthracite grey, which tones better with the panels to further improves aesthetics for the larger installations that are becoming more common. (mfo)
