SOLAR Panels
(PV Modules)
Today PV Modules are used as a basic building block in renewable electrical energy systems. A solar panel or PV module is a extremely reliable product with a life expectancy of 40 years and beyond. Our PV modules carry a 25 year warranty. Module cost represents around 50 - 60% of the total installed costs of a solar energy system.
Different types of solar modules and basic information.
This section is covering the different technologies, what companies are on the marketplace and how they work in practice.
I. Mono crystalline - ("the steak") - made from a single large crystal, cut from ingots. Most efficient, best production per square meter but also more expensive. Better in low light conditions. Longest time around. (50 + years)
II.
Poly
or multi crystalline
- (" lean ground meat") - basically, blocks of silicon which contain many small crystals. The
molted silicon is poured into a mould and then sliced into cells. This
is the most common type on the market. Less efficient than single
crystal, but once set into a frame with other cells, the actual
difference in watts per square foot is acceptable.
III.
Amorphous
- ("hamburger patty"). Here the silicon is spread directly on large plates,
usually stainless steel
or plastic backing. "Thin film"
- as it
is also called, are often less efficient, so it will take up more room for the same power
output - on
the other hand they work better in very hot climates due to not losing quite as much
power at high temperatures.
The above amorphous thin film technology would appear to be an overwhelming argument
for this type of panels. This is not necessarily so. Their heat advantage is only
really worthwhile above 28 degrees C (80 F). A big downside for many is
that, because they are less efficient, the surface area is much much larger (40% or so) than
of other modules. *Uni Solar panels with their technology produce more power in the first 3 - 4 months as
rated from the manufacturer. After that, they drop down to their rated output. In practice it is safe to assume that you will get over
the lifetime of a panel 70 watts from an 80-watt most-anything module, and about
48 watts from a 64-watt Uni-Solar module.
* Uni Solar now concentrates more on BIPV (building integrated PV) applications and discontinued recently one of his most popular framed PV panel, the US 64.
IV. Vaporware - this is the 4th type - "spray on solar to any surface with nano technology" - the one that pops up in the news about every 6 months, proclaiming the next major breakthrough. Making regularly solar headlines that it will cost around 5 cents a watt. Well, there are a lot of inventions out there so we have to wait as time will tell.
For all practical purposes, how the three types work in applications is very similar. What is important when buying panels is to choose the right panel for the application. Based on how much power you need, how much room you have, and where they will be mounted. They will all do the same thing - make electricity when the sun hits them.
You will see some manufacturers and websites claiming that panel "A" is better as panel "B" because it is more efficient at "low light" because of the technology used. While it is true that - as an example - mono crystalline ARE better in overall quality and lifetime, the difference in average daily production though is less than 2%.
You
see - if you have low light,
you also have low sun energy. So converting 18% of very little is not much
better than converting 12% of very little. So - yes, it is true, but about #33 on
the list of things to worry about when buying solar panels.
What Counts.
Ground mounts, roof mounts, top of the pole mounts side mounts, trackers, homemade structures - or simply thrown "on the rocks" PV is best suited for remote site applications that have small to large power requirements, or for small - medium power consuming applications even where the grid is in existence.
More and more power companies are promoting grid-connected PV systems, see grid tie info and we too promote grid tie applications because they are simple to install and work great, but the real world market for solar is still for stand-alone (off-grid) applications - see off-grid info - where power is not available but needed.
Solar panels range in size from 5 watts up
to 135 watts @ 12 volt. Higher powered solar panels (100 – 400 watt per single
panel) are available in 24 volt. Some
panels like the Sanyo HIP series or the Kaneka thin films or Day 4 are 48 volt. Most popular in
home systems are 80 watt
– 175 watt panels depending on the location where the panels are being shipped
too and mounted.
MAIN Manufacturers
SolarWorld - Most of there modules are single crystalline often referred as "mono crystalline". SQ modules (the former Siemens SM series) are widely used in home and industrial applications. Known the world over as the finest in photovoltaics. Many weather, communication, and observation satellites are using them.
BP/Solarex - British Petroleum has refashioned itself as "Beyond Petroleum". Their products are top of the line.
UniSolar - Unisolar panels are thin film "no glass" panels making them vandal proof in remote locations with high public traffic and are a good choice for very hot dessert climates.
Photowatt
- brings an old name in photovoltaic
back to the market.
"Matrix Solar of
France" - now manufactures these quality poly-crystalline panels
in Albuquerque New Mexico USA.
Kyocera's - corporate motto is "Respect the Divine". Its management rational is to serve society and humanity. These follow our belief that business activities must respect individual human beings and contribute to the continuous growth of society. Kyocera is one of the oldest names in the business and is manufacturing their own cells.
Sharp - makes multi and mono crystalline cells. One of the biggest players in the world of solar. High quality products.
Suntech - A manufacturer from China which entered the market 6 years ago. The technical backround came from Siemens / Shell Solar. The products are as good as any product of the competition. Number 5 worldwide. Their range covers high quality mono and multicrystalline modules from 50 - 190 watts, set in sturdy frames.
Other market brands include Sanyo, REC, GE, Mitsubishi, Sanyo, Evergreen, Isofoton, RWE, Kaneka, Solar Fabrik, Conergy, Schott, Atersa, Helios, Sunset, Webasto, Solara, Solarwerk, Day 4, Total Energy, Yingli and so many more. Note, however that "not all modules are equal". In other words, brand, technical attributes and certification do matter.
Standard warranty is 20 – 25 years. All our panels are UL / CSA listed unless other specified.
Our Prices
Retail prices are usually between 4.00 – 7.00 $ CAN per watt -depending on product, quality and quantities ordered.
5 - 30 watt framed and flexible solar panels are more expensive and retail between $ 10.00 - $16 .00 + per watt. If you have questions - call (306) 298 - 2088 or e-mail us. We are just a phone call away.
Solar panels are usually available and shipped within 2-5 working days. Pick up is welcome.
