Sharp showcases PV module and energy management platform

At Intersolar, Sharp Energy Solutions Europe will show the results of heavy investment in product development over the past 12 months. This includes a highly efficient and award-winning 48-cell back-contact module as well as the flexible "Smart Chap" energy management platform. The platform features a multitude of functions that are easy to use, and is compatible with hardware from a wide range of manufacturers.

"In Europe, we have increased sales' volume in the last six months by more than 20 percent as compared with the previous year, and we are continuing to grow," said Peter Thiele, President of Sharp Energy Solutions Europe.

"Due to Foxconn's investment in Sharp, we are now able to promote our business more aggressively. Sharp has always been known for its visionary focus and innovative force and we are focused on developing new, future-oriented solutions. We are pleased to introduce our latest products, such as Smart Chap and our new back-contact module at this year's Intersolar in Munich. Interested parties can also find out about our comprehensive portfolio and opportunities for partnership."

New 48-cell back-contact high-performance module with a module efficiency of 19.8 percent

The NQ-R256A (256 Wp) is a mono-crystalline PV module with a "Best-in-class" module efficiency of 19.8 percent and award-winning design. In Japan, the module has already been successfully established, and has been awarded the "Good Design Award," a prestigious design award.

The back-contact technology is responsible for the module's efficiency, which increases the amount of solar radiation used and enables maximum performance on a minimal roof surface area. The large number of contacts on the back of the cell ensures an even and efficient energy dissipation. On hot summer days, an above average solid temperature coefficient of -0.377 percent/°C ensures the highest yields. 

Due to its size, 1318 x 980 x 46 millimeters and weighing only 17 kilograms, the module is easy to install, especially in difficult installation conditions - mounted either upright or horizontally. The corresponding IEC certifications (IEC/EN 61215 and IEC/EN 61730) confirm the module's safety, quality and long service life. A frame featuring two additional support bars and a copper layer on the back of the cell ensure a high degree of stability; the module has also been tested according to IEC 61215 for a snow load test exerting 5,400 Pa. In addition, the connector box is encapsulated within resin and is thus optimally protected against water or contact damage.

Visually, the module has a discreet matt black finish. Reflections are minimized because the electrical contact wires are on the underside of the panel and it uses anti-reflection glass, making the panels less conspicuous.  

Sharp Smart Chap is an intelligent, modular home energy management system. The Smart Chap energy manager includes control over battery storage to save the energy produced during the day, which can be used efficiently at any time, even at night. This means that during the summer months, consumers can expect to reduce their dependence on the public electrical grid by up to 95%, with an overall annual average of up to 80%.

The system's flexibility on the market is unique. It is an open platform so it can connect to hardware (battery storage, inverter, heat pumps, etc.) made by various manufacturers and its system interfaces can be continually expanded. In addition, the system's capacity and performance are easy to scale by connecting multiple battery storage devices or battery inverters. The system is suitable as a supplement to any existing photovoltaic system on the market, regardless of which PV inverter was used.

Smart Chap also distributes solar energy produced in the home in a sensible and cost-saving manner. Electrical devices can be switched on via Smart Chap, e.g. when the sun is shining. Sharp also offers various technical solutions for connecting consumers to the system. The control of devices via the app can be done using Smart-Grid-Ready interfaces, wireless plug sockets or relays. The devices can be switched on or off according to predefined conditions.

For Android and iOS devices, a Smart Chap app is available, which can be viewed anywhere using a PC, tablet or smartphone. Customers can use the app to monitor and control energy flow in the home at any time and from any location. It also displays the amount of electricity that the solar system is currently producing, the battery's charge status, and the energy consumption level in the house. The app makes it easy to determine how much self-generated electricity is being consumed at any particular time during the day, how high the degree of self-sufficiency is, and how this percentage can be increased. The information is stored and can be evaluated graphically for any time period.