The Future of Solar: Predictions from AIKO and OpenSolar
This year has proven to be a rainbow of change for the solar industry, with growth in some aspects such as batteries and EVs, and challenges in other respects, driven by the economy.
Future trends
The increased penetration of EVs, higher uptake of batteries (needing charging), working from home and cheaper air conditioning is placing greater demand on each solar PV system. This “electrify everything” trend in turn drives the need for higher output solar arrays on already space-constrained rooftops and fields.
Thus, one of the very clear trends in solar internationally is to look for the best use of space – efficiency – through an answer to the question: what comes after TopCon? Industry leaders such as Martin Green see Back Contact technologies as a path to fit more power onto modern rooftops*^. Advanced N-type back contact panels save space and provide more yield per watt. With this in mind, OpenSolar’s partner, AIKO, has introduced advanced ABC panels to the Australian market with module efficiencies as high as 24% already†, ensuring installers down under get the maximum power possible onto their systems, without breaking the bank. Through the advanced back contact technology in the popular NeoStar panels, AIKO installers are already offering their customers tomorrow’s technology, today.
Additionally, higher saturation of rooftops in some markets is seeing an increased focus on safety and the need to install on marginal sites. These marginal sites often feature minor shading, soiling and orientation challenges. The shading optimisation features of AIKO’S advanced 2nd generation ABC technology helps address this need, as this newer type of back contact has the ability to manage shade at the cell level and operate at cooler temperatures while doing so. While this technology works with string inverters, it opens the door for clever use of MLPE solutions by installers to offer “double safe” and “double shade optimised” systems.
Importance of scaling solutions
AIKO is confident their installers are the best in the business, which is why it is important to present AIKO’S partner solutions professionally to the homeowners and business decision makers. And, with a mature market, there is also a need for installers to differentiate and to use smart workflows to achieve scale. One way that AIKO dealers can do that is using the OpenSolar platform. In support of installers, AIKO has invested with OpenSolar to create a product showcase on the portal, which ensures easy access to videos and datasheets, and lets installers quickly create persuasive presentations and even offer finance to prospective customers. At the same time, using OpenSolar can save time and also allows for the work to be more systematic. This makes staff training easier and opens the door to scale small businesses to become medium sized players.
Partnership
OpenSolar is one of the best ways solar professionals can improve their workflows, whilst at the same time, AIKO represents one of the best options for installers looking to save time, save space and differentiate. As AIKOinstallers find themselves growing above industry rates, they are well placed to benefit from the time savings that OpenSolar provides, making the partnership between AIKO and OpenSolar an enduring one. Create your OpenSolar account and start designing projects with AIKO products.
#TheBestChooseTheBest
References
* https://taiyangnews.info/opinion/snec-exclusive-interview-with-professor-martin-green
^ https://www.pv-tech.org/my-belief-is-that-ibc-technology-will-win-eventually-says-martin-green/
† https://taiyangnews.info/topmodules/top-solar-modules-listing-january-2024
