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2.3MWp grid connected photovoltaic array on Auckland Airport’s new outlet centre. Auckland Airport’s modern retail outlet centre, Mānawa Bay at opening had the largest rooftop solar system in New Zealand, on top of the 35,000m2 building.
There is about 200 MW of rooftop solar on residential buildings across New Zealand. The rest is commercial and industrial solar installations, where the business uses some or all of the solar generation on site. Any leftover generation is fed into the distribution network for other businesses and households to use.
At 2.3-megawatts, the solar array is expected to generate the equivalent of 80 per cent of the 100-store centre’s power usage. Auckland Airport’s Chief Commercial Officer Mark Thomson said sustainability is a core feature of the purpose-built premium outlet shopping centre.
Flyover of the Manawa Bay Outlet Centre roof-top solar, at Auckland Airport Mānawa Bay, Auckland Airport’s modern retail outlet centre, currently under construction, is set to have the largest rooftop solar system in NZ, at 2.3 megawatts.
In 2012 Sanyo (later acquired by Panasonic) successfully launches industrial production of bifacial PV modules, based on its HIT (Heterojunction with Intrinsic Thin layer) technology. By 2010, ECN releases results on its research on BSCs, based on the by then classical p + nn + Back Surface Field BSC.
The technology behind solar panels continues to evolve and improve. Manufacturers are now able to produce bifacial panels, which feature energy-producing solar cells on both sides of the panel. With two faces capable of absorbing sunlight, bifacial solar panels can be more efficient than traditional monofacial panels – if used appropriately.
Bifacial solar panels are not suitable for rooftop installations but may work well with residential ground-mounted solar systems. The ideal use case for bifacial solar panels is in commercial and utility-scale solar installations.