Vikram Solar will launch its new line of integrated smart modules with Tigo during Intersolar Europe 2018. The Solivo series is the latest addition to Vikram Solar’s crystalline silicon PV module product portfolio with the highest efficiency to date: up to 19.07% for 72 cells and up to 19.36% for 60 cells.

“Vikram Solar’s newest addition of smart modules to this series harvests more power through module-level power optimization technology, wherein each module can be optimized for energy generation, virtually nullifying the effect of shading, soiling, or mismatch loss. Smart modules are our innovative offering to a fast changing solar industry with a focus on reliability and cost competitiveness,” said Ivan Saha, CTO and BU head of solar manufacturing at Vikram Solar.

The new range of modules integrate Tigo’s flexible module-level power electronics (Flex MLPE), which provide multiple smart features including module-level remote monitoring, rapid shutdown, power optimization, and longer string designs. Tigo’s TS4 platform performs similarly to standard junction boxes, but with more functionalities for a higher reliability–from ‘smart-ready’ TS4 diodes to monitoring, safety, optimization and long strings. The TS4 platform maximizes the energy production for the best return on the investment in compromised installation conditions due to partial shading, current mismatch, or module output tolerance. Additional smart module functionalities include: allowing superior heat dissipation from modules; achieving lower resistive loss in strings; identifying faults; maximizing area usage; lowering O&M costs; and increasing the system uptime compared to conventional modules.

“Tigo is pleased to bring the unique modularity of our TS4 platform to Vikram’s impressive product portfolio,” said Mirko Bindi, EMEA director of Tigo. “With this compatibility, Vikram can now offer a new tier of reliability with integrated smart modules. The cost effective functionalities of our Flex MLPE will allow Vikram Solar to cater to any customer or project need worldwide.”