Trina Solar has unveiled its integrated delivery solution that is being applied to the delivery of larger format size modules, namely 600W+ Vertex modules.
The solution involves packing the modules vertically, rather than horizontally, to maximize the space inside the shipping container.
This highly reliable solution significantly increases loading power and maritime freight efficiency, reducing freight costs. It also means fewer shipping containers are needed to ship a given quantity of panels, thus reducing CO2 emissions from ocean transport by up to 8%.
Packaging and transportation solutions for 600W+ modules are critical. Panels delivered to customers need to be packaged, transported, stored, transferred and unpacked before reaching the installation site.
Dr Zhang Yingbin, Trina Solar head of product strategy and marketing, says compared with conventional horizontal packing, the new solution can increase loading power by 10% and space utilization by 5%, maximizing the use of containers.
“At a time of rising shipping costs, this solution saves 0.3 cents per watt on maritime freight costs, assuming that a container is fully loaded with 558 modules and each module is 660W, calculated at the current mainstream price of $10,000 per container.” The saving could vary due to port freight price.
Meanwhile, the CO2 emissions from ocean transport can be reduced by 4-8%. Take the trip from Shanghai port, China to Rotterdam port, Europe as an example. The Vertex 660W module’s CO2 emission will be about 75kg lower per container; the CO2 emission can be 2,000 tons less every 10GW.
The vertical packing method has passed the International Safe Transport Association (ISTA) 3E international packaging test, Dr Zhang says.