By Isabella Kaminski

Kyocera’s 60-cell KD245GH-2PB solar PV module will be officially unveiled at the 26th Symposium on Photovoltaic Solar Energy in Bad Staffelstein, Germany, which is taking place on 2-4 March 2011.

The solar PV module is designed for large-scale building and open-space installations, although it can also be used for conventional residential installations. The company says overall installation costs are reduced because fewer modules are required to achieve a high output volume.

Two additional cross-struts on the rear give stability to the module, which measures 1662 mm by 990 mm, and the TÜV technical control board has certified the module for snow and wind loads of up to 5400 N/m².

Kyocera uses highsoldered joints, rather than clamped joints, in the contacts for the junction boxes offering protection against fire hazards. The junction box meets the requirements of the highest non-combustibility rating of 5V-A in compliance with UL94.

The new solar PV module’s predecessor, the 240 Wp KD240GH-2PB, will also be launched onto the general market. Mass production of this module has already begun at Kyocera’s European solar module assembly plant in the Czech Republic, and it will soon be available for the European market.