| Alternative-Heating-Info.com |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
Types of Solar Electric Panels
Monocrystalline Cell Panels (Lowest internet price $235)
This type of solar cell is made from a single (mono) large crystal cut
from a silicon ingot. Each cell measures 125 x 125mm, or slightly
less than 5"x 5".
Modules made with monocrystalline cells are the most efficient and
boast ratings between 14% and 17% but can now be found for
hundreds of dollars less than the polycrystalline type panel.
They are also 1% more efficient in low light conditions than the
other cell types. One percent doesn’t sound like much, but it
represents a 6% increase in power for a panel that is rated at 16%
efficiency.
This type of solar cell is made from a single (mono) large crystal cut
from a silicon ingot. Each cell measures 125 x 125mm, or slightly
less than 5"x 5".
Modules made with monocrystalline cells are the most efficient and
boast ratings between 14% and 17% but can now be found for
hundreds of dollars less than the polycrystalline type panel.
They are also 1% more efficient in low light conditions than the
other cell types. One percent doesn’t sound like much, but it
represents a 6% increase in power for a panel that is rated at 16%
efficiency.
There are basically three types of solar electric panels: amorphous, polycrystalline
and monocrystalline. Although silicon is always the main ingredient, each type of
panel consists of a different silicon cell structure which determines its composition,
efficiency, price, and appearance.
and monocrystalline. Although silicon is always the main ingredient, each type of
panel consists of a different silicon cell structure which determines its composition,
efficiency, price, and appearance.
Amorphous Cell Thin Film Panels (Lowest internet price $271)
Amorphous means "without shape". When the term is applied to
solar cells it means that the silicon material that makes up the cell is
not highly structured or crystallized.
Amorphous solar panels are created by spraying silicon on to glass in
very thin layers and are commonly known as thin film solar panels.
When produced as a solar panel (a collection of solar cells) it will
appear to have several thin parallel lines running across its surface.
These thin lines are actually breaks in the silicon substrate and
create the boundaries of individual cells in the panel.
Amorphous means "without shape". When the term is applied to
solar cells it means that the silicon material that makes up the cell is
not highly structured or crystallized.
Amorphous solar panels are created by spraying silicon on to glass in
very thin layers and are commonly known as thin film solar panels.
When produced as a solar panel (a collection of solar cells) it will
appear to have several thin parallel lines running across its surface.
These thin lines are actually breaks in the silicon substrate and
create the boundaries of individual cells in the panel.
Amorphous panels are only 7% energy efficient and have a service life of 5 years.
This type of panel is primarily used for off grid battery charging applications such as
cabins, recreational vehicles, remote power, back-up power, and 12-Volt battery
charging.
Since amorphous silicon also is flexible it is used as a thin film solar laminate for
roofs and is found in roll-up/folding battery chargers for small electrical devices.
This type of panel is primarily used for off grid battery charging applications such as
cabins, recreational vehicles, remote power, back-up power, and 12-Volt battery
charging.
Since amorphous silicon also is flexible it is used as a thin film solar laminate for
roofs and is found in roll-up/folding battery chargers for small electrical devices.
Polycrystalline Cell Panels (Lowest internet price $725)
Polycrystalline cells are cast blocks of silicon which contain many
(poly) small crystals. The polycrystalline type panel are considered
the work horse of the solar industry for commercial and residential
grid tied systems.
This type of panel ranges in efficiency from 12%-16% depending on
the manufacturer. The Sharp panel pictured at left is 13% efficient
while the d.Blue series modules from Kyocera (not shown) are 16%
efficient.
The efficiency percentage refers to the conversion efficiency rate
(sunlight to power) for the entire module. However, the efficiency of
Polycrystalline cells are cast blocks of silicon which contain many
(poly) small crystals. The polycrystalline type panel are considered
the work horse of the solar industry for commercial and residential
grid tied systems.
This type of panel ranges in efficiency from 12%-16% depending on
the manufacturer. The Sharp panel pictured at left is 13% efficient
while the d.Blue series modules from Kyocera (not shown) are 16%
efficient.
The efficiency percentage refers to the conversion efficiency rate
(sunlight to power) for the entire module. However, the efficiency of
individual cells within the panel is actually 2%-3% higher. This loss of energy results
from resistance in the wiring connecting the cells.
from resistance in the wiring connecting the cells.
Sunforce 50 Watt
Amorphous Solar
Panel #50042
Amorphous Solar
Panel #50042
| Sharp 216 Watt Solar Panel ND-216U1F |
| Suntech 170 Watt Solar Panel STP170S-24Ab-1 |
Hybrid Solar Cell (Lowest internet price $842)
The Sanyo HIT (Heterojunction with Intrinsic Thin Layer) solar cell is
made of a thin single crystalline silicon wafer surrounded by ultra
thin amorphous silicon layers.
The combination of mono-crystal and amorphous silicon offers a cell
conversion efficiency of 19.3% with a module conversion efficiency
of 16.8% - the highest in the industry at the present time.
Additional benefits include increased output under diffuse and low
light conditions and high efficiency at high temperatures.
The Sanyo HIT (Heterojunction with Intrinsic Thin Layer) solar cell is
made of a thin single crystalline silicon wafer surrounded by ultra
thin amorphous silicon layers.
The combination of mono-crystal and amorphous silicon offers a cell
conversion efficiency of 19.3% with a module conversion efficiency
of 16.8% - the highest in the industry at the present time.
Additional benefits include increased output under diffuse and low
light conditions and high efficiency at high temperatures.
| Sanyo HIP-195BA19 195 Watt Solar Panel |
Solar Panel Pricing
Overall the cost of solar panels has come down owing to increased supplies from
China. The biggest beneficiary of this price decline is the monocrystalline type panel
which now can had for as little as $235. Also, quantity purchases of 20 panels (one
pallet) or more for commercial applications can be discounted by as much as 30%.
Another piece of good news is the extension of the 30% federal energy tax credit
for solar energy systems until 2016 - with no upper limit on the system's total cost.
Solar Panel Warranties
Most solar panels have separate warranties to cover the product and power
output. A typical warranty looks something like this:
5-Year Limited Product Warranty
Limited Power Output Warranty:
92% at 10 years, 84% at 20 years, 80% at 25 years (of minimum power)
Warranties on solar panels for marine use are usually limited to 10 years.
Overall the cost of solar panels has come down owing to increased supplies from
China. The biggest beneficiary of this price decline is the monocrystalline type panel
which now can had for as little as $235. Also, quantity purchases of 20 panels (one
pallet) or more for commercial applications can be discounted by as much as 30%.
Another piece of good news is the extension of the 30% federal energy tax credit
for solar energy systems until 2016 - with no upper limit on the system's total cost.
Solar Panel Warranties
Most solar panels have separate warranties to cover the product and power
output. A typical warranty looks something like this:
5-Year Limited Product Warranty
Limited Power Output Warranty:
92% at 10 years, 84% at 20 years, 80% at 25 years (of minimum power)
Warranties on solar panels for marine use are usually limited to 10 years.