Mitsubishi Electric Launches Stand-Alone Photovoltaic
Electricity Generation System
Tokyo, Japan, Mar. 02, 2004 - (JCN Newswire) - Mitsubishi Electric
Corporation has announced the launch, on March 1st 2004, of
a stand-alone photovoltaic (PV) electricity generation system. The
system, which uses lead-free PV solder modules, will go on sale outside
of Japan and is targeted at users living in areas around the world where
the local electrification infrastructure is insufficient or nonexistent.
The market for PV products has seen rapid growth of late. Sales are
expected to
continue rising as worldwide efforts aimed at reducing harmful carbon
dioxide emissions intensify. The majority of PV systems currently in use
in Japan, Europe and the United States are connected to commercial grid
systems. However, a stand-alone PV system is able to supply electricity
without being connected to a grid system, and does not require costly
infrastructure such as power plants or cables. The number of people
currently living in "non-electrified" areas around the world is
estimated to be approximately 1.6 billion(1), primarily in Asia and
Africa.
Mitsubishi Electric intends to take an active role in the
electrification of currently non-electrified areas in countries such as
China. The stand-alone PV system was developed with just such an
intention in mind. Annual PV production capacity will increase to 130MW
after 2005, and the company aims to improve the popularity of clean
energy resources by adding a smaller sized module to the product lineup.
Product Information
Model name PV-MF120EC3 PV-MF110EC3
Cell type Polycrystalline silicon Polycrystalline
silicon
Max. power rating [Pmax] 120W 110W
Max. power voltage [Voc] 17.6V 17.1V
Max. power current [Imp] 6.82A 6.43A
Max. system operation voltage DC 780V DC 780V
Weight 11.5kg (25.4lb) 11.5kg (25.4lb)
Dimensions 1425 x 646 x 46mm 1425 x 646 x
46mm
(56.1 x 25.4 x 1.8") (56.1 x 25.4 x
1.8")
Module conversion efficiency 13.0% 11.9%
Standard compliance UL1(2), TUV(3) UL1(2), TUV(3)
NB: Electrical performance represents values under Standard Test
Conditions (STC: 25 degrees centigrade, AM1.5, 1000W/m2)
Main Features
1. Optimization of cell array
The stand-alone system employs a 36-cell array capable of achieving
effective
generation at 17.1V/17.6V.
2. Japan's first lead-free PV solder modules(4)
Mitsubishi Electric's newest PV modules entail high quality
construction, excellent
energy conversion efficiency, and a complete absence of lead, thereby
greatly decreasing the negative impact on the environment. Previous PV
modules used soldered parts with a lead volume of 864 grams per housing
(24 modules with 40 cells each).
3. Industry's top module conversion efficiency rate of 13.0%, thanks to
Japan's first solderless cell(5)
The company's newest modules boast a conversion efficiency rate of
13.0%, the
highest in the polycrystalline silicon module manufacturing industry.
The use of a solderless cell makes this result possible as it increases
the silver electrode reflection efficiency to over 90%.
Notes
1) IEA World Energy Outlook 2002.
2) As of January 2004: first among Japanese crystalline silicon
photovoltaic cell manufacturers.
3) As of January 2004: first among Japanese crystalline silicon
photovoltaic cell manufacturers.
4) Underwriter's Laboratories Inc.: widely recognized as an
authoritative testing and certification organization based in the US.
Certified
products are considered to have a high value in the US.
5) Technischer Überwachungs-Verein: widely recognized as an
authoritative testing and certification organization based in Germany.
Certified products are considered to have a high value not only in
Germany but also in other EU countries.
About Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
With over 80 years of experience in providing reliable, high-quality
products to both corporate clients and general consumers all over the
world, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation is a recognized world
leader in the manufacture, marketing and sales of electrical and
electronic equipment used in information processing and communications,
space development and satellite communications, consumer electronics,
industrial technology, energy, transportation and building equipment.
The company has operations in 35 countries and recorded consolidated
group sales of 3,639 billion yen (US$30.3 billion) in the year ended
March 31, 2003.For further information, please visit the Mitsubishi
Electric Corporation home page at: global.mitsubishielectric.com/
<http://global.mitsubishielectric.com/>
Contact
Product & Catalogue Inquiries:
Mitsubishi Electric Nakatsugawa Works
Photovoltaic Power System Business Center
Tel: +81-120-314-382
http://www.global.mitsubishielectric.com/bu/solar
