Solitek translucent solar panels for greenhouses became 2 times cheaper

Engineers at Lithuanian solar panel manufacturer Solitek (a division of ophthalmic lens manufacturer Global BOD) introduced the M40, a translucent glass-to-glass monocrystalline solar module with an output of 235W for use in agrita.

The module is being produced in Lithuania at a recently launched 180 MW annual production facility.

“The M40 panel has 235 watts and a transparency factor of 40%, which means that up to 40% of its surface transmits natural light – more than in our previous modules,” said Julius Sakalauskas, head of Solitek.

The new solar module has 40 cells and an energy conversion efficiency of 12.6%. The device can operate with a maximum system voltage of 1,500 V. Its no-load voltage is 26.60 V and the short-circuit current is 11.01 A.

The dimensions of this frameless solar panel are 1,770 x 1,049 x 7.1 mm and the weight is 30 kg. The thickness of the front and back glass is 3 mm. The operating temperature range is -40 to 85 degrees Celsius, and the temperature coefficient of power loss is -0.47% per degree Celsius.

The manufacturer offers a 30-year linear power output warranty and a 30-year product warranty. Its output power is guaranteed at 87% of original efficiency for 30 years.

Solitek said the M40 is nearly half the price of previous versions of the panel.

Sakalauskas explained that the company gained a lot of experience from a 1.5-MW rooftop agroelectric project in Malaysia, for which it provided its conventional double-glass modules.

“Even then, it was clear that growing peppers in drier, hotter locations in the shade of the solar modules resulted in much higher yields and significantly reduced the amount of water needed for irrigation. Yields of vegetables and fruits can increase two to three times compared to conventional farming, with crops ripening 30% faster than under conventional conditions,” said the head of the company, adding that water loss has been reduced by 65%.

Solitek currently assembles solar modules at its facility in Lithuania. The company sold its IBC solar cell production lines to Finnish manufacturer Valoe in December 2020.