Sharp Energy Solutions Europe at Intersolar 2017
Sharp Energy Solutions Europe presented an impressive array of products at Intersolar 2017, reaffirming its heavy investment in product development over the past 12 months.
Intersolar plays host to over 900 providers of products and solutions for photovoltaics, solar thermal technologies and solar plants, grid infrastructure and solutions for the integration of renewable energy, and receives well over 50,000 visitors, making it the perfect showcase for Sharp Energy Solutions Europe products and services.
Our stand this year covered everything from a highly efficient and award-winning 48-cell back-contact module to the flexible and easy to use “Smart Chap” energy management platform.
The stand was busy for all three days of the show, with a great reaction from visitors, one commenting: ‘Sharp Energy Solutions Europe is the only supplier with a long history and a strong mother company behind. This makes them very reliable.’
For those who were unable to make it to Germany to visit the Sharp stand at Intersolar 2017 this year, we have brought together the highlights so you can experience the show as it happened.
Sharp NQ-R256A (256 Wp) 48-cell back-contact module
The Sharp stand showcased the full line-up of our PV module portfolio, ranging from high-end modules to low cost project modules, highlighting that Sharp can comfortably satisfy all customer requirements.
However, the star of the booth was the Sharp NQ-R256A (256 Wp), which is a mono-crystalline PV module with an efficiency rating of 19.8 per cent. This rating makes it the most efficient 48-cell module on the market (Last check: PV Sol premium (2017/R9 on 08/06/17). In Japan, the module has already been awarded the prestigious “Good Design Award”.
Visually, the Sharp NQ-R256A module has a discreet matt black finish, while reflections are minimised thanks to the electrical contact wires being on the underside of the panel. What’s more, it uses anti-reflection glass to make the panels even less conspicuous when in situ.
Due to its size, 1318 x 980 x 46 millimetres and weighing only 17 kilograms, the module is easy to install, especially in difficult installation conditions – mounted either upright or horizontally.
The large number of contacts on the back of the cell ensures efficient energy dissipation, while the back-contact technology increases the amount of solar radiation used, enabling maximum performance on a minimal roof surface area.
The Sharp NQ-R256A Back Contact Module was popular with our visitors and sold well across the course of the show, so much so that we may need to increase production for the next quarter.
Smart Chap Energy Management System
Elsewhere on the stand, the Sharp Smart Chap modular home energy management system also created buzz. The Smart Chap energy manager includes control over battery storage to save 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 per cent, with an overall annual average of up to 80 per cent.
Sharp Smart Chap’s unique selling proposition is that it is an open platform, allowing end users to connect a wide range of hardware, from battery storage, inverter, heat pumps, etc. made by various manufacturers, for the most flexible setup possible. Also, the system’s capacity and performance are scalable simply by connecting multiple battery storage devices or battery inverters.
The Smart Chap app for Android and iOS devices means the system can be used to monitor and control energy flow in the home at any time and from any location. The app also displays the amount of electricity the solar system is producing, the battery’s charge status, and the energy consumption level in the house.
Smart Chap appealed to visitors to the Sharp stand, as it offered a deeper insight into how the market is evolving and is becoming both more automated and more consumer friendly.
If you would like to know more about Sharp Energy Solutions Europe and how our technologies can help you make the most of renewable energies, please contact Solarinfo.europe@sharp.eu or visit us here www.sharp.co.uk/energysolutions.
