Trina Solar is pleased to announce that it provided Osaka Sangyo University ("OSU") with its newly developed Interdigitated Back Contact (IBC) cells and modules for OSU's Solar Car, the "OSU-Model-S".
The OSU-Model-S is fueled solely by solar power which is converted into electricity via 565 highly efficient solar cells, and has just finished its first test run in Shirahama Old Airport, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. The IBC cells provided by Trina Solar have demonstrated efficiencies up to 24.4% in laboratory tests and 23.1% in pilot industrial production. The OSU-Model-S will compete in early August in the IFA Suzuka Solar Car Race, the largest international solar car race taking place in Japan.
Prof. Hisakazu Fujita of Osaka Sangyo University commented, "We are extremely excited to have Trina Solar as our partner in the OSU-Model-S for the upcoming IFA Suzuka Solar Car Race. We believe Trina Solar's IBC cells, a similar technology of which that has already been successfully applied to Solar Impulse-2, a solar-powered aircraft flying around the world recently, will put us ahead of the competition in a race designed to favor the most energy efficient race cars. Furthermore, our cooperation with Trina Solar has not only inspired us to achieve our vision of promoting the most advanced future car technology, but has also given us the technological expertise to maintain our position in the race, as we look to build on our 3 consecutive championships since 2012."
Zhiguo Zhu, COO and President of Trina Solar Module Business Unit commented, "We are very happy that OSU has selected us to be its partner in such a prestigious competition, and this cooperation has broadened our outreach from solar power generation to technology and research applications. This marks a milestone for Trina Solar as we branch out our differentiated products to various projects beyond our existing portfolio. I believe our high-efficiency cutting-edge modules will help OSU outperform the overwhelmingly strong competition from other different university teams. With the best team and the best product, Trina Solar and OSU are looking forward to set new world records on the Suzuka Circuit."