March 20, on PV Expo, Tokyo, JinkoSolar officially launched its first lightweight anti-glare modules. This product precisely addresses key challenges facing the Japanese distributed solar market, including insufficient load-bearing capacity of existing rooftops, sensitivity to light conditions, and an aging workforce. Leveraging Tiger Neo 3.0 technology platform, it achieves a synergistic breakthrough in lightweight design, anti-glare performance, and reliability, providing an innovative solution that combines safety and environmental friendliness for the deep integration of solar power in densely populated areas.
I. 45% Weight Reduction to 6.5 kg/m², Targeting Low-Load Roofs
Addressing the practical constraints of limited load-bearing capacity on a large number of existing roofs in Japan and the aging installation workforce, the new product takes lightweight design to new heights: while conventional modules of the same size weigh 24 kg (12 kg/m²), this lightweight module weighs only 13 kg (6.5 kg/m²), representing an overall weight reduction of 45%. This performance significantly outperforms some lightweight glass solutions (which still weigh over 7 kg/m²), allowing a single person to handle both transportation and installation. This not only enhances construction efficiency but also opens up technical feasibility for PV installation on a wider range of low-load-bearing roofs.
II. Gloss < 1.5 GU, with anti-glare performance far exceeding Japanese subsidy standards
Regulations on light pollution in densely populated residential areas and near airports and major transportation routes are key hurdles for the implementation of PV projects in Japan. The module surface features a special anti-glare coating and embossing process, and tested under laboratory conditions compliant with the JSZ8741 standard (at an incidence angle of 60°), resulting in a gloss level below 1.5 GU—far exceeding Japan’s anti-glare subsidy requirement of 7GU. Whether installed on sloped roofs or street-facing facades, the system minimizes ambient light reflection, effectively avoiding visual interference for nearby residents and traffic, and ensuring the harmonious coexistence of the PV system with the surrounding community.
III. All-Glass Encapsulation Solution: Addressing Reliability Concerns in Lightweight Modules
In response to reliability disparities among the diverse technical approaches for lightweight modules, JinkoSolar adheres to an all-glass encapsulation technology route. This ensures structural strength and safety performance throughout the module’s entire lifecycle while achieving extreme weight reduction:
- Superior reliability: Compared to polymer-based solutions, glass encapsulation offers superior moisture barrier properties and resistance to UV-induced aging, eliminating the risks of yellowing and cracking associated with long-term outdoor use of polymer materials at the source.
- Superior Fire Resistance: As a non-combustible material, glass significantly enhances the module’s overall fire resistance rating, precisely meeting the stringent fire safety requirements of Japan’s densely populated residential areas.
- Stronger structural support: Full-glass encapsulation ensures the module’s resistance to deformation in high-temperature and high-humidity environments, preventing the softening and sagging that can occur with certain polymer materials under prolonged exposure to sunlight. This ensures the module remains flat and maintains consistent power generation performance throughout its decades-long lifespan.
IV. Comprehensive Protection System: Balancing Long-Term Reliability and Personal Safety
Addressing Japan’s rainy, high-humidity climate and emphasis on workplace safety, the new product features a comprehensive protection matrix:
- Patented Dust-Resistant Frames: Utilizing JinkoSolar’s proprietary patented corner bracket design, these frames achieve superior mechanical performance without requiring frame cutouts. Specially contoured surfaces guide dust to slide off with rainwater, effectively reducing power generation losses caused by dust accumulation and minimizing cleaning frequency.
- 360° Personal Safety Protection: The frame corners have been optimized from right angles to rounded chamfers, completely eliminating the risk of cuts. This ensures truly “worry-free handling” in scenarios with limited rooftop workspace and frequent transportation.
Balancing safety and efficiency is the fundamental principle for the deep integration of photovoltaics into society. In Japan, photovoltaic systems must not only contribute green electricity but also serve as a safe and user-friendly component of urban infrastructure. JinkoSolar’s lightweight anti-glare modules, through their “lighter, safer, and more user-friendly” design philosophy, address the cautious expectations of densely populated areas for green energy. This marks the evolution of distributed photovoltaics from a standalone energy device to urban infrastructure that integrates architectural aesthetics, community friendliness, and personal safety.
