Harbin demonstrates the four climate adaptability characteristics of CdTe modules, ensuring stable power generation even on rainy days

2025/8/30 11:56:13 admin 阅读 175【次】

Since its grid connection on May 4, 2025, Harbin's MW-class CdTe rooftop solar power station has been operating stably for several days, generating a cumulative 283,992 kWh of electricity, with a peak daily output of 15,863.6 kWh. The maximum daily equivalent generating hours reached 5.4 hours. Particularly noteworthy is that even in May, when rainy days accounted for 70%, the station still achieved a cumulative daily equivalent generating hours of 96.60 hours. Empirical data validates the technical advantages of CdTe thin-film modules in complex climatic conditions: they provide stable outdoor power generation, and their performance on cloudy days outperforms that of crystalline silicon modules.

Songbei District, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, is located in the core area of the national-level Harbin New Area and belongs to the high-latitude, cold climate zone of Northeast China. The high rate of sunny days in winter, coupled with the enhanced sunlight intensity from snow reflection, perfectly complements the low-temperature power generation characteristics of CdTe modules. Its diverse climatic conditions provide an ideal environment for testing the performance of photovoltaic modules. Especially under the non-ideal installation conditions common on building rooftops, south- and north-slope modules maintain stable output.

Multi-climate empirical evidence reveals technical advantages
Excellent performance in low-light and high-temperature scenarios

PV modules operate mostly under irradiance levels below 1000W/m². Therefore, the better the low-irradiance performance, the higher the module's per-watt power generation capacity. Low-irradiance is common in most parts of China, and the module's low-irradiance performance directly impacts customer investment returns. Cadmium telluride thin-film modules maintain high power generation during cloudy and rainy weather, significantly outperforming crystalline silicon modules. Cadmium telluride thin-film cells absorb scattered light better than crystalline silicon cells, resulting in less efficiency drop in low-light conditions, resulting in excellent power generation performance and low-light power generation characteristics.

Secondly, cadmium telluride thin-film modules do not experience significant efficiency degradation due to rising ambient and module temperatures, resulting in higher average power generation than crystalline silicon modules and stronger high-temperature power generation capabilities.

To further analyze the advantages of CdTe modules in specific climates, the project team combined Harbin's typical climate characteristics (high latitude, severe cold, snow reflection, etc.) with operational data from a pilot power plant. They found that CdTe modules exhibit outstanding characteristics in four key areas:

Temperature adaptability: Measured data shows that CdTe modules maintain stable output even at temperatures as low as -25°C, making them highly compatible with Harbin's winter low temperatures. The CdTe module's temperature coefficient of -0.29%/°C significantly outperforms crystalline silicon modules (-0.36%/°C). At 65°C, CdTe modules achieve a 12% higher power generation capacity than crystalline silicon.

Weak-light power generation: CdTe achieves 15% higher power generation efficiency than crystalline silicon in low-light conditions such as cloudy days, early mornings, and evenings. It also has a lower starting voltage and can generate power more than an hour earlier. Crystalline silicon, on the other hand, has a weaker response to low-light conditions.

Utilizing snow reflection: Harbin's winter snow reflection enhances light intensity. Due to its broad spectral absorption range (absorbing over 95% of sunlight), CdTe achieves significant power generation gains.

Architectural Adaptability: CdTe adapts to complex architectural shapes, with adjustable transmittance (0%-50%), better suiting architectural aesthetics.

Therefore, in Harbin's high-altitude, cold, low-light, and highly reflective snowy environment, CdTe outperforms crystalline silicon in terms of overall power generation performance, safety, and architectural integration, making it particularly suitable for BIPV scenarios.

With the continued optimization and large-scale production of CdTe thin-film technology, its cost advantage will become even more pronounced. The successful operation of this MW-scale demonstration power station not only demonstrates the superior power generation capabilities of CdTe thin-film modules in complex outdoor environments but also provides a new technical path for building photovoltaic integration. In particular, in cloudy and rainy regions such as Northeast and Southwest my country, CdTe thin-film technology will become a key solution to overcome bottlenecks in photovoltaic application. In the future, with the development of more power station projects, Zoom Solar Green Energy will continue to promote the reliability verification and commercialization of CdTe photovoltaic technology.

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Harbin demonstrates the four climate adaptability characteristics of CdTe modules, ensuring stable power generation even on rainy days

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