The global demand for photovoltaic installations continues to soar, with total installations surpassing 1 TW by the end of 2022. This growth is especially pronounced in Europe, where installations have doubled over the past five years. Among various segments, rooftop PV holds a significant market share in Europe, with Germany and the Netherlands leading the charts with over 60% and 85% installations respectively, as stated in a 2023 report by Fraunhofer-Institute für Solare Energiesysteme ISE.

Rooftop PV, however, often faces challenges such as limited space and partial shading from chimneys, antennas, and trees. To address these issues, AESOLAR introduced shade-resistant PV modules HSF with integrated bypass diodes in 2018. This module demonstrated an impressive performance gain of up to 80% under partial shading conditions. Endorsed by Fraunhofer CSP and Anhalt University of Applied Sciences, the first-generation modules showcased exceptional energy yield, durability, and reliability.

Mass production set for 2024 launch

In 2023, AESOLAR built upon this success with the introduction of its second generation of shade-resistant modules--ShadeStar, featuring half-cut solar cells and a reduced number of bypass diodes. Unveiled at Intersolar and Solar Solution, the new modules incorporate PERC and TOPCon technologies and offer multiple performance advantages over standard PV modules.

We are pleased to announce that mass production of these second-generation modules is slated to begin in 2024, with an initial capacity of 100 MW. Specifically designed for rooftop installations, these modules will be available in a sleek, fully black design, enhancing the aesthetics of buildings while delivering superior performance.

Partnership with Fraunhofer CSP

To ensure the highest reliability and energy yield, we have partnered with Fraunhofer CSP for the development and testing of these modules under the “SegmentPV” project, funded by the Federal Ministry of Economy and Climate Actions. ”SegmentPV aims to deliver reliable, shade-resistant PV modules, based on our knowledge and know-how, which we have amassed since 2018,” says Dr. Hamed Hanifi, the coordinator of the project and the director of product development of AESOLAR.