SOLON is a Germany-based, international solar PV maker and supplier involved in the development and manufacturing of solar PV panels and solar PV system solutions. SOLON has more than 15 years’ experience in the solar PV sector, subsidiaries throughout Europe and North America, 1 gigawatt of panels installed world-wide, and a growing presence in Australia. SOLON solar panels are suitable for a range of installation types, including residential, BIPV, commercial, and utility-scale systems.

Solon Solar: Strict quality control for reliable yields

SOLON prides itself in manufacturing its panels using high-quality components, with a high degree of oversight. Panels are made in SOLON’s manufacturing plant in Berlin, Germany, where cells undergo a strict quality-assurance process to ensure that they perform to specification. The company manufactures both monocrystalline and polycrystalline panels, with peak efficiencies of up to 15.9%, and backs up its claims to quality with one of the most competitive warranty services in the industry.

SOLON Solar: Points of Difference

-Peak module efficiencies (sunlight to electricity) of up to 15.9%

-Wide range of modules for all applications–more options for system design

-Modules are engineered to be free of Potential-Induced Degradation (PID)–efficiency and performance remains relatively stable over a module’s lifetime

-10 year product warranty on all panels, plus a 25+ year 5-step performance warranty that guarantees a minimum efficiency of 80% of the original specifications:

After 5 years >95%

After 10 years >90%

After 15 years >87%

After 20 years >83%

After 25 years >80%

-Individualised, professional technical support world-wide

-SOLON is an award-winning solar technology innovator with over 1 gigawatt of installed capacity world-wide

-International experience–SOLON’s international presence means Australian customers and installers have access to service locally through contact partners in the region

-In addition to conventional solar panels, SOLON also produces innovative roof-mounting systems for building-integration of systems, for those seeking an aesthetic, holistic solar solution

SOLON Solar Residential Product Range

Modules: Blue and Black 230/07

SOLON Blue Solar Panels 230-07

SOLON Black Solar Panels 230-07

SOLON Blue 230/07: 230W, using polycrystalline solar cells

SOLON Black 230/07: 230W, using monocrystalline solar cells

Download: SOLON Black Blue Solar Panels 230-07 Spec Sheet (pdf)

(Read more: Monocrystalline vs Polycrystalline solar panels)

SOLON Solitaire roof-integrated solar systems

SOLON SOLitaire: Fully integrated rooftop system

SOLON Blue and Black panels, used in combination with a roof-integrated mounting system.

Download: SOLON SOLitaire Black&Blue Spec Sheet (pdf)

SOLON SOLraise

Utilising SolarEdge module-level inverter technology, highly accurate system performance monitoring and troubleshooting, plus overall system yield improvements of up to 25% are possible through SOLON’s SOLRaise line.

Download: SOLON SOLRaise Blue Spec Sheet (pdf)

SOLON Solar Panels: Certifications

-SOLON Blue, SOLON Black, and SOLON SOLitaire modules are on the list of CEC-approved components

-CE mark– SOLON panels are compliant with European Union regulations

-TUV Certification means that claims made by SOLON about their panel specifications have been independently verified by TUVRhineland

- PV Cycle– SOLON is a member of the PV Cycle program

Additional information about SOLON

Headquarters:

Berlin, Germany

(Read about the SOLON headquarters and its approach to energy efficiency and use)

Production facilities location:

Greifswald and Berlin, Germany

An additional production facility in Fujairah, UAE will also be in operation from mid-2012.

History in the solar industry:

SOLON was founded in 1997, and was the first German solar panel manufacturer to go public

Manufacturing capacity:

200 megawatts by the end of 2012

All images and spec sheets via SOLON

© 2012 Solar Choice Pty Ltd

WINAICO Solar is a high-end solar PV panel manufacturer that puts an emphasis on the quality and reliability of its products. The WINAICO module range includes models for residential, commercial, and BIPV applications.

WINAICO Solar Panels: Top-shelf components and guaranteed yields

WINAICO solar panels are set apart from other manufacturers in primarily two ways: The quality of the components used in its products, and the strict quality controls in assembly that ensure the end-product are manufactured to the highest standards.

The company prides itself in the selection of its partners. All components that make up a WINAICO solar panel are manufactured by industry leaders in their own fields. Glass is manufactured by Saint Gobain, and the foils and backsheets are made by Bridgestone and DuPont. WINAICO Solar is a subsidiary of Taiwanese Win Win Precision Technology, which has its origins in the semiconductor industry, and the knowledge and experience to understand what is involved in manufacturing high-grade silicon products. The silicon photovoltaic (PV) cells within the modules themselves are highly pure and each is individually flash-tested for faults and weaknesses to guarantee high yield over the lifetime of the system–25+ years.

The quality of components is monitored and managed at every stage of the production process–from incoming quality control through the complete production sequence to a 100% visual, micro-optical, mechanical, and electrical final inspection. With this rigorous oversight of all aspects of the production process, WINAICO is confident that it delivers a ‘perfectly assembled photovoltaic installation made with the best components available on the market.’

WINAICO Solar Module Product Lines

WSP Poly – Polycrystalline panels – 230-255 watts peak

Download: WINAICO WSP Poly Solar Panels – Datasheet (pdf)

WSP Mono – Monocrystalline panels – 240-270 watts peak

Download: WINIAICO WSP Mono Solar Panels – Datasheet (pdf)

WSP Poly (Blackline) – 180-195 watts peak

Download: WINAICO WSP Poly (Blackline) Solar Panels – Datasheet (pdf)

WINAICO also manufactures lines of laminates, thin-film panels, and roof-integrated PV systems.

(See the full range of WINAICO products.)

WINAICO Solar Points of Difference

-WINAICO uses only branded components of outstanding quality in its solar panels

-Linear performance warranty of 25 years. This means that having two or three ‘tiers’ of warranty as is the industry standard (90% of nameplate panel capacity guaranteed for the first 10 years, and 80% guaranteed for the next 15 years), WINAICO’s panels are guaranteed at about 94% for the first 5 years, 90% for the first 10, 87% for the first 15, etc. This more finely graduated warranty system means that system owners can have higher, more specific expectations about their panels’ performance than with many other installers. (Download PDF: WINAICO solar panels Limited Warranty.)

-10 year product guarantee (excluding laminates)

-Positive power tolerance of +0/+5%: WINAICO panels are guaranteed to produce power at their nameplate capacity or greater

-Innovative frame design for maximum stability

-Cell efficiencies of up to 19%, module efficiencies of up to 16.6%

-Each module undergoes infrared and micro-optical testing to ensure the highest level of quality

-Systems using WINAICO panels guaranteed for up to 10 years

Certifications

-All models of WINAICO solar panels are certified by the Clean Energy Council (CEC) of Australia, and are on the list of CEC-approved components

-PV Cycle– WINAICO is a member of the PV Cycle program

-CE mark– WINAICO panels are compliant with European Union regulations

-Claims made by WINAICO about their panel specifications have been independently verified by TUVRhineland

-WINAICO Solar panels have shown excellent performance on Photon Magazine’s Solar Module Yield Measurement test–regarded as the most rigorous and thorough 3rd party testing authority in the solar power industry. WINAICO WSP-235PG 235W panels came in 7th place of 130 modules; WINAICO WSP-230P6 230W modules ranked in 21st place.

About WINAICO Solar

Company Headquarters: Creglingen, Germany

Australian Headquarters: Sydney. The company also has warehouses in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Perth.

WINAICO also has offices in Italy, the Netherlands, the UK, and the USA

Manufacturing plant location: WINAICO solar panels imported to Australia are manufactured in Taiwan

Manufacturing Capacity: 150MW

Year founded: 2008

Parent company information: Win Win Precision Technology, founded in 2003 in Taiwan. Win Win is involved in the manufacture of LED lighting products, as well as the development and production of semiconductor manufacturing technology for use in crystalline PV modules.

All images via WINAICO

© 2012 Solar Choice Pty Ltd

LG (“Life’s Good”) is a leading global technology innovator in electronics, mobile communications, and home appliances. The energy solutions division of LG manufactures solar panels for residential and commercial solar PV installations. In addition to the fact that they bear a trusted brand name, LG solar PV panels boast a number of features that make them stand out from the pack.

LG Solar Panels: High-yields, guaranteed quality, and a trusted brand name

LG Solar is a growing player in the Australian solar PV market. The LG brand name is already widely recognised as one of the most trustworthy manufacturers of white goods, mobile phones, and other electronics in the world, and its reputation carries over easily to its solar product lines.

LG Solar Panels Yecheon, Korea solar farm installation.

One of the most important considerations for someone considering making the move to solar power is whether to go with high-end components or with one of the ‘tier 3′ components that compose the majority of Australia’s solar market. Although rock-bottom prices may be attractive to many customers, for those wanting longevity and consistently high energy yields and return on investment over the lifetime of their system (25+ years), it is imperative to choose components carefully. LG panels immediately tick 2 of the most critical ‘highly desirable’ boxes in the search for quality solar modules: they are manufactured by a trusted brand with a diversified manufacturing portfolio, and the panels themselves are manufactured to high standards.

LG’s panels are vertically manufactured–meaning that LG undertakes all aspects of manufacturing, from silicon production to solar module assembly, and is serious about being in the solar game for the long-term: parent company LG Electronics has acquired more solar-related patents (172) between 2009 and 2011 than any other solar panel manufacturer. This sort of dedicated research and development is another indicator of the likelihood of the company’s being around in 25 years’ time to service warranties.

LG Solar Panel Product Lines

MonoX LG250s1c, LG255S1C, LG260S1C — Monocrystalline panels — 250-260 watts

Download: LG Solar Panels MonoX Spec Sheet (pdf)

MonoX Black LG250S1K — Monocrystalline panels — 250 watts

Download: LG Solar Panels MonoX Black Spec Sheet (pdf)

MultiX LG230R1C, LG235R1C, LG240R1C, LG245R1C — Polycrystalline panels — 230-245 watts

Download: LG Solar Panels MultiX Spec Sheet (pdf)

Off-grid Solar Module LD135R9W, LD130R9W, LD125R9W — Multicrystalline panels — 125-135 watts

Download: LG Solar Panels Off-grid Spec Sheet (pdf)

LG Solar Points of Difference

-Positive power tolerance of +0/+3%: LG Solar Panel linear output warranty: Every LG solar panel is flash tested to guarantee that it will produce power at their nameplate capacity or 3% greater when they are installed–many manufacturers’ panels have a positive/negative power tolerance of +/-3%. Panels with a positive power tolerance allow system owners to avoid disappointment due to unexpectedly low output.

-Designed for durability: LG solar panels undergo both internal and 3rd party testing above and beyond the minimum standards required for solar PV modules. All products undergo: electroluminescence (EL) testing to identify cracks and flaws invisible to the human eye, an extended reliability test that subjects panels to high levels of irradiation to simulate conditions that a panel would see over its lifetime, comprehensive durability testing in which panels undergo long-term monitoring in a variety of climates, and extreme mechanical tests that assure the panels’ resilience against heavy loads, hail, and other heavy impacts. Additionally, the manufacturing environment in which LG panels are produced is virtually dust free–on par with those of highly sensitive semiconductor manufacturing facilities. This prevents imperfections that can cause inefficiencies and decrease efficiency down the line.

LG solar panels: Designed for durability

-LG signs off on every cell: Each solar cell in each solar module is individually checked for integrity and stamped with the LG logo, so customers know they can rely on their modules to perform over the course of their expected working lives.

-LG module frames are designed to reliably serve through module product and output warranties. Design features that enable them to do so include: Anodised aluminium frames designed to stay off external corrosion, ‘perfect’ water-draining design in frames prevents the accumulation of water inside parts of the panels over time and the associated corrosion that may result, frame bindings that use screws which lower the risk of physical distortion, and the ability to endure the heaviest loads that panels are likely to bear during their lifetimes. Modules also undergo precise size control to ensure that each component is lined up exactly to specification and that modules will perform to expectations over the course of their working lives.

LG solar panels ‘perfect’ water drain design prevents frame corrosion from moisture buildup inside the frame.

-Linear performance warranty of 25 years. This gives customers peace of mind for each of the 25 years. Instead of having two or three ‘tiers’ of warranty as is the industry standard (90% of nameplate panel capacity guaranteed for the first 10 years, and 80% guaranteed for the next 15 years), a specific percentage of the rated output of LG panels is guaranteed for each year of the panels’ lives. After the 1st year, the output is guaranteed at 97% of nameplace capacity, with a further drop of 0.7%–so that by the 25th year output is still guaranteed at 80.2%. This more finely graduated warranty system means that system owners can have higher, more specific expectations about their panels’ performance than with many other installers.

LG Solar Panel linear output warranty

Certifications

-All models of LG solar panels are certified by the Clean Energy Council (CEC) of Australia, and are on the list of CEC-approved components

-PV Cycle– LG Solar is a member of the PV Cycle program

-CE mark– LG panels are compliant with European Union regulations

-Claims made by LG about their panel specifications have been independently verified by TUVRheineland

About LG Solar

Headquarters: With LG Electronics headquarters in Seoul, South Korea

Headquarters in Australia: Eastern Creek, Sydney, NSW

LG Solar has 96 offices worldwide, including Germany, USA, Japan, India, and China

Manufacturing facilities: Gumi, South Korea

History in the industry: LG Electronics has been involved in solar research and wafer production for over 20 years through other companies in the LG Group. LG Solar module production commenced in 2009.

Manufacturing capacity: 500 megawatts and expanding quickly. Multi-gigawatt capacity is expected in the long-term.

All images and spec sheets via LG Solar

© 2012 Solar Choice Pty Ltd

Bosch is a 125-year-old German engineering company with a globally recognised name. Known mainly for its  automobile parts and power tools, Bosch has also been involved in the solar PV industry since 2008 as Bosch Solar Energy, bringing its reputation for excellence to bear in the production of high-end solar panels.

The Bosch Solar Panel range in Australia

The Bosch solar panels currently available in Australia all use monocrystalline silicon cells. Bosch Solar Energy also manufactures a range of polycrystalline silicon and amorphous thin-film silicon solar panels; however, these are not available in Australia at the time of writing.

For residential solar power systems–

-Bosch Solar Module c-Si M 48: 185-200 watt panels with 48 cells

Download the spec sheet: Bosch Solar Module c Si M 48

-Bosch Solar Module c-Si M 48 S: An all-black version of the c-Si M 48

Download the spec sheet: Bosch Solar Module c Si M 48 S

For residential & commercial-scale solar power systems–

-Bosch Solar Module c-Si M 60: 225-255 watt panels with 60 cells

Download the spec sheet: Bosch Solar Module c Si M 60

-Bosch Solar Modules c-Si M 60 S: An all-black version of the c-Si M 60

Download the spec sheet: Bosch Solar Module c Si M 60 S

Bosch Solar Panels: Points of difference

-Bosch solar panels boast ‘excellent quality assured through the best European standard components‘, through excellence in processing for long-term solar panel reliability and higher power yields over their lifetime. Bosch routinely sets quality standards for its products that go above and beyond the required minimum; the same goes for solar PV modules.

A Bosch monocrystalline solar cell

-With vertically integrated manufacturing, Bosch closely controls all aspects of the production and value chain of its solar panel to ensure quality: from silicon wafer manufacture to the assembly of the panels themselves, using only high-quality glass, frames, and wafers.

-Ongoing investment in product innovation and research and development (R&D)

-Positive power tolerance of -0%/+4.99Wp: Panels will perform at least at their nameplate capacity (in standard test conditions) or greater (up to 4.99 watts greater). Compare this to an industry standard of +3%/-3%.

-Salt corrosion resistance-tested (standard IEC 61701): Modules are built to withstand corrosion due to salt spray, making them ideal for installations near the ocean.

-Ammonia resistance-tested (standard IEC 62716): Regular exposure to ammonia can compromise the long-term production of solar panels. Bosch’s panels have been built to perform well even in high-ammonia environments, such as agricultural properties.

-Excellent weak light performance, capturing the sun’s light earlier in the morning, later in the evening and producing more power throughout low light (cloudy) conditions, ensuring that Bosch panels demonstrate industry-leading performance in terms of ongoing annual yield production.

-Bosch c-Si M60 panels have recently been tested by an independent test facility in Australia to the highest standard ‘Cyclone Testing’, ensuring the robust high quality panel from Bosch is fit for the worst mother nature can dish out.

Certifications

-All models of Bosch solar panels are certified by the Clean Energy Council (CEC) of Australia, and are on the list of CEC-approved components

-PV Cycle– Bosch Solar Energy is a member of the PV Cycle program

-CE mark– Bosch solar panels are compliant with European Union regulations

-Claims made by Bosch about their panel specifications have been independently verified by TUVRheineland

About Bosch Solar Energy – 15 years Solar Experience

Bosch Solar Energy is the solar wing of Germany’s Robert Bosch GmbH. In 2008 the Robert Bosch Group purchased controlling shares of Germany’s largest PV cell manufacturer, ersol Solar Energy AG (ersol was formed in 1997), with the change of name into Bosch Solar Energy AG in 2009. In 2009 Bosch Solar Energy also became majority shareholder of the German premium module manufacturer, aleo Solar AG. In 2010, Bosch Solar Energy built a complete module manufacturing plant in Arnstadt, Germany, providing headquarters, research and production under one roof. Bosch Solar Energy (Australia) provides Sales and Marketing as well as Technical Support for the PV Modules, with headquarters located in Clayton, Victoria.

Bosch Headquarters

Bosch global headquarters: Gerlingen, Germany

Bosch Solar Energy global headquarters: Erfurt, Germany

Bosch Solar Energy Australian headquarters: Clayton, Victoria

Bosch solar panel manufacturing facilities

Bosch Solar Energy has manufacturing sites in Germany, France, Spain, and China, and sales offices on all inhabited continents. The panels available in Australia are manufactured in Germany and France (c-Si M 60, and c-Si M 48, respectively).

Images and spec sheets via Bosch Solar Energy AG

© 2012 Solar Choice Pty Ltd

SolarBridge Technologies is a US-based company whose mission is to facilitate uptake of rooftop solar photovoltaics (PV) by reducing its complexity and improving its cost-efficiency, developing and manufacturing reliable, high-quality AC microinverters for integration with solar panels.

SolarBridge: AC solar power solutions

SolarBridge is at the forefront of a growing trend in solar PV: AC solar power.

A bit of background: Solar panels by default produce direct current (DC) electricity. However, the type of electricity that the power grid uses and which most appliances in your home require is alternating current (AC) electricity. The DC power produced by solar panels must therefore be converted to AC power in order to be used. This is done via a device called an inverter.

SolarBridge is a microinverter manufacturer that partners with solar panel manufacturers to produce ‘roof-ready’ AC solar panels, eliminating the need for a centralised inverter, and bringing a number other potential benefits.

A SolarBridge AC solar system is composed of 3 separate parts: Solar PV modules with integrated SolarBridge Pantheon microinverters, a Power Manager, which collects information from each panel via Power Line Communications over AC cabling, and a Power Portal, which makes that data available via an internet connection.

(Click to enlarge. Image via SolarBridge Technologies.)

Types of solar PV system layouts

In order to understand what SolarBridge offers customers, it’s good to have a basic understanding of what kinds of solar systems are available on the market and how they differ from one another.

There are essentially 4 variations on these arrangement varieties.

1. Conventional, centralised inverter arrangement

In this arrangement, DC power is pumped through lengths of cabling to the inverter, where it is converted into usable AC electricity. This is by far the most common layout for residential and commercial solar PV systems. Centralised inverter efficiencies can be higher than 98%, but whole ‘strings’ of solar panels are susceptible to efficiency losses if even one panel is affected by a fault or by shading. It is also impossible here to monitor the performance of individual panels or easily troubleshoot power production issues.

2. DC to DC optimiser with centralised inverter arrangement

In this set-up, DC power from the panels is still converted to AC at the central inverter, but DC power is optimised on the module level (either integrated into the modules or attached on the mounting). This avoids the problem of underperforming modules bringing compromising solar panel string or whole system output, and can potentially improve overall solar system power yields. However, failure of the main inverter still results in the entire system being disabled, and having the module-level DC optimisers in addition to the main inverter makes troubleshooting and repairs potentially complicated. If they are not panel-integrated, the additional mounting and labour to install all the DC optimisers will also add to the cost of the system compared to a conventional one.

3. Detached microinverter arrangement

Here, power is converted from DC to AC on the module level, with ‘microinverters’ mounted to the solar panel array racking, but not to the modules themselves. This affords many of the same benefits of the DC-DC optimiser set-up, but without the added complication of a centralised inverter.

Like the DC-DC optimiser set-up, however, this arrangement requires additional components and labour for installation, which means additional costs. The relatively short warranty period for most microinverters (5-15 years) also means that, when replacement time eventually rolls around, the owner has to make a decision whether to replace just the faulty one or the whole lot. (A centralised inverter will typically have a warranty of about 5-10 years, but replacement is relatively simple and usually does not even require accessing the roof or the panel array.)

Installations using microinverters also bring certain safety benefits. As DC electricity is more dangerous than AC, the shorter lengths of DC cabling that go with microinverter systems decreases some of the risks that may be associated with conventional systems or DC-DC optimiser systems.

4. AC solar module arrangements

AC solar modules (such as SolarBridge’s) afford all the same benefits as microinverters, but without the added installation headaches associated with having a greater number of separate parts, because the inverter and the panel are integrated into a single unit. Installing an array of AC modules is therefore even simpler than installing a DC solar panel array because no inverter installation is required. An AC solar module set-up is still potentially vulnerable to the same problem as microinverters as mentioned above–i.e. that when replacement time comes around, the owner will have to weigh their options about whether to replace all the panels or just the underperforming one.

SolarBridge: Engineering quality and reliability in AC solar

SolarBridge, aware of this potential weakness of AC solar modules, have engineered their microinverters with panel integration in mind, making them reliable enough to offer them with a 25 year warranty. This is the standard warranty period for an ordinary DC solar panel, and up to 5 times the standard warranty period of a centralised inverter.

The company intends that AC solar modules that use its Pantheon microinverters provide a way to ensure higher overall system yields across the system’s operational lifetime without all the same complications and potentially higher up-front costs of a microinverter set-up or a DC-DC optimiser set-up. In doing so, it could change the way that rooftop solar power is conceptualised, with solar-going customers routinely being offered a choice between DC or AC solar systems.

Further info:

Watch a video about SolarBridge’s commitment to reliablility:

Another video comparing the installation of a microinverter system vs an AC solar module installation:

All images via SolarBridge Technologies.

© 2012 Solar Choice Pty Ltd

The clean energy applications of solar PV, powering everything from our homes and schools to large sports stadiums, are well-documented but less well known is thier potential to provide us with clean drinking water. Thanks to the research and technological developments of Australian company, F CUBED, the town of Ceduna in South Australia will be the first Australian recipient of the companies Carocell system.

The Carocell system, developed by F CUBED:

“emits no greenhouse gas emissions, uses no chemicals, no costly membranes, no filters, no electronics and no ongoing power source is required other than solar radiation. It produces safe, high quality potable water from any source, including seawater, groundwater and contaminated or polluted water.”

When the Carocell panels are placed in a series additional Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) technology can be employed, this converts waste brine into drinking water and a product called fractionalised salts (sodium chloride and magnesium chloride) which is a valuable byproduct and used for dust suppression in the mining industry.

In addition to producing panels that are low-cost, robust, modular and can be ground or roof mounted, the Carocell system is also almost twice as effective as similar systems. When combined with ZLD technology the system is also significantly cheaper than traditional reverse osmosis.

This Australian-first has already garnered international attention, with organisations in 20 different countries, including the United Nations Office of Project Services and World Bank, indicating significant interest in the technology. The company has previously deployed the system in India helping to bring clean drinking water to people in rural areas.

all images via F CUBED

© 2012 Solar Choice Pty Ltd

At Solar Choice we find ourselves in the very fortunate position that some of the world’s biggest solar manufacturers are happy to give up some of their time to visit our Sydney office, this week we welcomed Rod Sears of Canadian Solar. Rod has over 10 year experience in the solar industry, previously working for BP Solar at their manufacturing facilities in North Sydney before moving to Canadian Solar. Rod gave us an interesting tutorial on the production of solar PV cells and an in depth look into CAnadian Solar products in Australia.

About Canadian Solar

Canadian Solar was founded in 2001 by Shawn (Xiaohua) Qu, the company’s current Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer. The head office and North American manufacturing facilities are based in Ontario, Canada. The remaining manufacturing facilities are located in China, these supply the rest of the world, including Australia, customers can request that their panels come for the Canadian manufacturing plant but this doubles the cost of each panel. More information on Canadian Solar panels can be found on our blog.

Solar PV cells – Monocrystalline vs. Multi(poly)crystalline

There are two types of solar panel on the market, monocrystalline and multi(poly)crystalline. The Australian market is dominated by monocrystalline panels despite being more expensive to produce, this may be a result of many manufacturers advertising poly as ‘old’ technology. The main difference between the products is the manufacturing process of the cells.

Monocrystalline cells are produced by growing crystals of silicon. The process involves molten silicon being ‘pulled’ (right hand image) from a quartz crucible and rotated to produced a rounded ingot of single crystal material(monocrystalline boule left hand image), this can then be sliced thinly to create the mono cells ready for combination in solar PV cells. The process for manufacturing monocrystalline cells is energy intensive as the temperatures need to reach approximately 1,400 degrees.

Multi(poly)crystalline cells are made by placing poly silicon chunks in a plaster mould and heating in a specially designed furnace (see right hand image). The temperature required to melt the chunks is much lower than this needed for monocrystalline production.

The cost and performance of both types of cells is very similar. Monocrystalline cells remain the more expensive of the two but have higher performance due the the uniform direction of the silicon pyramids (see below) compared to the layout of the silicon chips in the poly cells which are visible to the naked eye.

Microscopic view of monocrystalline cells

Canadian Solar

Canadian Solar’s market share has been growing year on year, during the first quarter of the 2012/13 financial year Canadian solar was the fourth biggest solar PV manufacturer in the world after Yingli, Suntech and Trina. As of the end of quarter two they expect to be level with Trina.

Canadian Solar is working to increase the productivity of their panels and currently offer a an ELPH High Power (back contact cell) with a 21.7% efficiency. In early 2013 Canadian Solar will launch the first integrated solution with an inverter manufacturer, the design involves an integrated inverter and panel pairing to ensure ‘best fit’ as well as new technology that will reduce installation times. The inverters will be branded with the Canadian Solar logo and be covered by the Canadian Solar 25 Year Warranty.

Solar Power Systems

The partnerships with inverter manufacturers will allow Canadian Solar to streamline the development of solar power systems and cover multiple products with a single warranty. Customers concerned about the future stability of the solar industry can be comforted with the knowledge that Canadian Solar warranties are underwritten by PowerGuard Specialty Insurance Services.

Canadian Solar products are available through installers on the Solar Choice website, for both residential and commercial scale projects. To generate a quote for a solar PV project please complete the Solar Quote Comparison to the right of the page, selecting either the residential or commercial tab, alternatively you can call a Solar Broker directly on 1300 78 72 73.

© 2012 Solar Choice Pty Ltd

Solar panels are proving to be a popular investment option in Queensland, even after the reduction of the state’s Solar Bonus Feed-in Tariff incentive. The economics of installing solar panels in Queensland are still compelling in spite of the incentive changes brought about under the new government; a steady number of homes and a growing number of businesses are looking into going solar as a way to save on energy bills.

Queensland solar panels: Why invest in a solar system?

There are essentially 3 reasons for the current level of popularity that solar panels enjoy in Queensland.

First of all, Queensland is home to some of the sunniest regions of the country, and it is aptly named the Sunshine State. The amount of sun that shines in an area has a direct impact on the theoretical upper limit for the amount of power that a solar panel system can produce. More sun equals more solar energy, which equals greater savings on power bills.

Secondly, the price of installing solar panels in Queensland has fallen dramatically in the past few years, thanks to both global and local factors. Solar Choice publishes a monthly article on the current average and median prices of solar systems in all of Australia’s capital cities, called the Solar PV Price Index. System prices are broken down by city (Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, Hobart, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Perth) and system size (from 1.5kW to 5kW).

(See the most recent Solar PV Price Index.)

Lastly, the price of electricity is rising across the state, and homes and businesses are looking to cut down their bills. Combined with energy efficiency and smart power usage, installing solar panels in Queensland is one of the best way to reduce the amount of power purchased from electricity utilities.

These three factors mean that solar panels offer a great return on investment (ROI) for the right household or business, with annual ROIs of over 10%–much better than the interest rates on offer from most banks for standard savings accounts.

Who should invest in solar panels in Queensland?

Since the reduction of the rate for the state’s feed-in tariff scheme, the case for going solar has changed from what it was previously. The segment of the population for whom solar panels are a good investment is now narrower than what it was when the feed-in tariff was in place.

Since benefiting from having solar panels in Queensland requires using the solar energy as it is being produced, solar would most benefit businesses that operate during daylight hours or homes that are occupied by one or more residents when the sun is out. Since the government is only offering 8c per kilowatt-hour (kWh, or unit) of power that is exported to the grid (whilst 1kWh of power purchased from the grid costs well over double that)–and this 8c/kWh is only a temporary offering–any home or business in Queensland that has solar panels should endeavour to use as much of that power as possible.

This is known as ‘self-consumption’, and it is the key to getting the most out of a solar system. (Read more: Solar Feed-in Tariffs vs Solar Buybacks.)

How to get the most out of solar panels in Queensland: Self-consumption

In order to get the most financial benefit out of solar panels in Queensland (without solar energy storage, which remains prohibitively expensive), it is necessary to time power use as much as possible to coincide with solar energy production. The amount of power being produced by a solar panel array at any given point in the day varies depending on the sun’s position in the sky, and therefore the amount of solar radiation falling on the solar panels. The sunlight is weaker during the morning and evening, and most intense in the middle of the day–between about 11am and 2pm. In the solar industry, the total amount of solar energy is tallied up in a measurement called ‘peak sun hours’ (PSH). As you can see, as much as practicable it makes sense to slowly ramp up energy usage as the sun rises, and then gradually reduce energy usage as the sun begins to go down.

Intensity of the sun throughout the day. (Image via JS Solar.)

© 2013 Solar Choice Pty Ltd

Solar panels remain a popular investment option for Melbourne residents, even after the state’s feed-in tariff incentive was recently reduced. The economics of installing solar panels in Melbourne remain compelling, and steady number of homes and a growing number of businesses are investigating going solar as a way to reduce their energy bills.

Melbourne solar panels: The benefits of going solar

There are basically 3 drivers behind the current level of interest in solar panels in Australia, including in Melbourne.

1) All cities in Australia–including Melbourne–are blessed with a healthy amount of sun. Solar panels are proving to be effective as a means of power generation (not to mention a worthwhile investment) even in colder, darker countries such as Germany and the UK. The amount of sun that shines in a region directly influences the maximum possible amount of power that a solar system can produce.

2) The cost of going solar has fallen dramatically across Australia in recent years, due to both global and local factors. Solar Choice publishes a monthly column on the current prices on offer from installers in major cities around the country: the Solar PV Price Index. System prices on offer are broken down by city (Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, Hobart, Adelaide, and Perth) and by system capacity (from 1.5kW to 5kW).

(See the current Solar PV Price Index.)

3) Electricity prices are rising across Victoria and the rest of Australia. In combination with undertaking energy-saving and energy efficiency measures, investing in solar panels is one of the best ways for a Melbourne home or business to reduce their reliance on the power grid and reduce their power bills.

The combination of these 3 factors means that return on investment (ROI) remains attractive for the right household or business. ROIs for typical systems are generally over 10%.

Thinking about going solar but not sure where to start? Request a free Solar Quote Comparison and get an instant look at the solar market in your area of Melbourne. Just fill out the form on the right of this page or call Solar Choice on 1300 78 72 73.

Should you invest in solar panels in Melbourne?

Since the reduction of the rate for the state’s feed-in tariff scheme, the dynamics of going solar have changed. Solar panels will now most benefit homes and businesses that use power during the daylight hours. For others, the business case is less compelling.

Taking advantage of solar panels in Melbourne means using the solar energy as it is being produced. Since the current incentive rate in Victoria is only around 8c per kilowatt-hour (kWh, or unit) of power that is exported to the grid (whilst 1kWh of power purchased from the grid costs well over double that). Any home or business in Melbourne that has solar panels should aim to utilise as much of that power as possible. Using the power directly is sometimes referred to as ‘self-consumption’, and it is the essential for getting the most out of a solar system.

(Read more: Solar Feed-in Tariffs vs Solar Buybacks.)

Taking advantage of having solar panels in Melbourne: Self-consumption

In order to obtain the greatest financial benefit out of a solar panel system in Melbourne (short of solar energy storage, which is still too expensive in most cases), it is key to time power consumption to coincide with solar energy production. The amount of power being produced by a solar panel array at any time of the day depends on where the sun is in the sky, which directly influences the amount of sunlight that hits the solar panels. The sun’s rays are weaker in the morning. They reach their highest intensity  around midday–between about 11am and 2pm. In the solar industry, the total amount of solar energy is added up in units called ‘peak sun hours’ (PSH). As you can see, as much as practicable it makes sense to slowly increase energy usage as the sun moves higher into the sky, and then reduce energy usage as the sun sets. (Achieving this goal is of course easier with a solar system performance monitoring device.)

Intensity of the sun throughout the day. (Image via JS Solar.)

© 2013 Solar Choice Pty Ltd

Solar panels are a popular investment option for Perth homes and businesses, even without a strong state-sponsored feed-in tariff. Because of the high cost of electricity across Western Australia, the business case for installing solar panels in Perth remains compelling. This article is an overview of what needs to be considered when going solar in Perth, WA.

The advantages of installing solar panels in Perth

There are basically 3 reasons why solar panels have gained such enormous popularity across Australia–including in Perth.

1) Perth is blessed with a healthy amount of sun. Solar panels have proven to be a popular money-saving options across countries with significantly less sun than Australia–Germany is the undisputed world leader, and even the UK has a sizeable amount of solar. The more sun that shines on a region, the more power that solar panels can potentially generate there. Australia has a massive amount of solar energy potential.

2) Solar panel prices have dropped significantly in recent years, owing to both global and local factors–meaning good returns on investment. Solar Choice’s monthly Solar PV Price Index shows average solar PV system prices for all the capital cities in Australia besides Darwin. System prices on offer are broken down by city (Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, Hobart, Adelaide, and Perth) and by system capacity (from 1.5kW to 5kW).

(See the current Solar PV Price Index.)

3) Electricity prices are rising across Australia–and Western Australia is no exception. In combination with undertaking energy-saving and energy efficiency measures, investing in solar panels is a good way for a Perth home or business to reduce their dependence on the electrical utilities and cut their power bills.

Thanks to these 3 factors, the home or business that invests in a solar panel system could see returns on investment of well over 10%–if the conditions are right.

Request a free Solar Quote Comparison and get a free look at the Perth solar panel market. Call Solar Choice on 1300 78 72 73 or fill out the form to the right of this page.

Who should install solar panels in Perth?

Western Australia’s feed-in tariff scheme is now closed to new applicants, but that doesn’t mean your home or business can’t benefit from installing a system. Solar panels now offer the most benefit to those whose homes are occupied during the day, or whose business operates during daylight hours.

Perth homes and businesses who go solar need to use the solar power as it is being produced. This is sometimes called ‘self-consumption’, and it is essential for getting the most out of your solar panels. The present feed-in tariff rate in WA (i.e. the amount you get for solar power you don’t self-consume) is only around 8c per kilowatt-hour (kWh, or unit) of power–electricity purchased from the grid ordinarily costs more than twice that. Those who opt to install solar panels in Perth should endeavour to use them as much as possible.

(Read more: Solar Feed-in Tariffs vs Solar Buybacks.)

Solar panels for businesses in Perth and across WA: Solar Choice can help you get the best deal

Solar Choice has assisted hundreds of businesses make an informed choice of solar installer across Australia, and many of them have been in Western Australia. Solar Choice Commercial manages tenders for a range of clients and a range of system sizes. If you’re interested, get in touch with our Commercial Tender Management team (contacts below) or fill out a request for a request for a Commercial Solar Quote comparison.

90kW across multiple facilities for East Pilbara Shire, WA (Tender managed by Solar Choice Commercial)

Justine O’Neill

Top image: 80kW solar installation on commercial rooftop in Derby, WA. (Read more about this project)

© 2013 Solar Choice Pty Ltd

The people behind Q CELLS solar panels believe that “Claiming leadership means proving it”, highlighting that R&D is the main focus of the company. Founded in 1999, Q CELLS was acquired by Korea’s Hanwha Group to form Hanwha Q CELLS in 2012. Hanwha’s 60-year history as a highly diversified, global industrial giant adds an additional measure of confidence to Q CELLS’ already strong global reputation for reliability and excellence.

Q CELLS solar panels: Product Range

Q.PEAK

The monocrystalline Q.PEAK solar module with power classes up to 265W is one of the most powerful 60 cell standard modules on the market globally, thanks to full square black monocrystalline cells. 12 year product and 25 year linear performance warranty. MADE IN EUROPE.

Download a datasheet: Q.PEAK (pdf)

Q.PEAK BLK

The same size as Q.PEAK panels, the BLK series panels come with an all-black frame and back sheet for aesthetics. Rated outputs are 245-260W. 12 year product and 25 year linear performance warranty. MADE IN GERMANY.

Download a datasheet: Q.PEAK BLK (pdf)

Q.PRO-G2

Polycrystalline solar panels with rated outputs of 250-265W. Top performers at the Desert Knowledge Australia Solar Centre benchmark comparison of over 20 different module brands.* 12 year product and 25 year linear performance warranty. MADE IN EUROPE.

Download a datasheet: Q.PRO-G2 (pdf)

Q CELLS solar panels: Points of difference

-Hanwha Q CELLS guarantees for the longevity of Q CELLS modules with the Q CELLS Triple Yield Security as well as with the Quality Tested certificate of the German certification body VDE.

-Q CELLS solar panels utilise Anti-PID (Potential-induced Degradation) technology, which eliminates yield losses over the course of their operational life due to leakage currents.

-Q CELLS’ Hot-Spot Protect (HSP) quality control measures ensure high levels of performance and safety. Invisible defects in solar cells can result in a ‘hot-spotting’ effect, in which the cells heat up in partial shading conditions, causing power loss and potentially even module fires.

An example of a ‘hot spot’.

-Each Q CELLS solar cell receives a distinct Data Matrix Code, applied by the unique Traceable Quality (Tra.Q) laser marking technology, before entering the production process. This allows Hanwha Q CELLS to directly match their solar cells with particular production parameters, allowing better analysis of defects as well as enhancements like improved efficiency.

Component standards met/awards

-All models of Q CELLS solar panels are certified by the Clean Energy Council (CEC) of Australia, and are on the list of CEC-approved components

-PV Cycle– Hanwha Q CELLS participates in PV Cycle’s voluntary take-back PV recycling program

-CE mark- Q CELLS panels are compliant with European Union regulations

-VDE Quality tested (pdf)- Hanwha Q CELLS is the first solar module manufacturer to participate in the Quality Tested program of the German independent certification authority VDE. Quality Testing by VDE considerably expands the well-known module tests of IEC 61215 and IEC 61730, in terms of the approval certification, and the quality controls during the production process and the frequency of the testing cycle. Unlike any other quality program, Quality Tested by VDE ensures the continuously high safety and quality of Q CELLS modules over the long term.

Other products and services by Hanwha Q CELLS

Hanwha Q CELLS, as a vertically integrated solar panel manufacturer, produces all of the components in its solar panels. The company also designs and installs solutions for commercial and utility-scale projects.

About Hanwha Q CELLS

Company Headquarters: Global head office: Thalheim, Germany

Australia head office: Level 2, 56 Berry St, North Sydney NSW

Factory locations: Q CELLS solar panels are manufactured in Germany and Poland.

History in the Solar Industry: Q CELLS was formed in 1999 and has been producing solar PV cells since 2001 and modules since 2010, making it one of the most experienced solar PV manufacturers in the world. With the launch of Hanwha Q CELLS in 2012, Q CELLS is part of South Korea’s Hanwha Group – a diversified Fortune GLOBAL 500 company and now the third largest solar manufacturer globally. Q CELLS’ track record of quality, world record-breaking PV cells and modules, and pioneering technology matches perfectly with the Hanwha Group’s financial resources and manufacturing expertise to form one of the most reliable solar companies globally, ready to lead the industry into a new era.

*Desert Knowledge Australia, the Australian Government, the Government of the Northern Territory, and the project manager of CAT Projects accept no legal responsibility for results and conclusions arising in connection with the data of the DKASC.

© 2013 Solar Choice Pty Ltd

Solar panel prices could fall in price from current rates of about 50c per watt to 36c/W by 2017, according to a report (“PV Technology and Cost Outlook: 2013-2017“) from GTM Research. Solar panels (or modules) are the most expensive component of a solar photovoltaic (PV) installation, and reductions in the cost of their production have significant implications for both end-users as well as the companies who manufacture them.

Solar PV technology prices have fallen dramatically in the past few years, and previous predictions of future prices have turned out to be above the mark nearly across the board. In 2009-2010, $1.00 per watt was seen as a realistic medium-term goal for the industry; in 2013, leading Chinese manufacturers are already nearing $0.50/W.

Depending on the city, region, and solar system size in question, the current cost of installing a full solar system in Australia–including panels, inverter, wiring, and other ‘balance-of-system’ components–can be as low as $1.40/W, sometimes lower. This is down from around $4/W in 2008.

GTM Research, while admitting the inherent fallibility of predictions of this nature, nevertheless endeavours to make some educated guesses about how manufacturers could reduce costs further, looking at trends to date and their likely role in the future. While price declines over the past few years were driven largely by the falling cost of the most integral part of the common solar panel–crystalline silicon–GTM anticipates that the bulk of future cost reductions will come from technological advances in the production process.

Solar panel cost reductions from 2013 to 2017. (Image: GTM Research)

Although certainly lower than current prices, these future reductions may not trickle down to end users in the same way that they have done to date. Although fundamentally based on falling material costs, the price reductions in the past few years have been widely viewed as unsustainable for panel manufacturers, with prices unhealthily low relative to the cost of production. This has translated into slim or negative margins for most of the game’s biggest players, even resulting in insolvency for more than a few.

The companies that survive the current turmoil will need to become profitable again, meaning that not all of the cost reductions will necessarily be passed on to end-customers. On the other hand, it will also mean an overall more resilient solar industry, with fewer high-profile bankruptcies. For the end customer, this also means solar panel warranties that remain serviceable well into the future.

© 2013 Solar Choice Pty Ltd

Solar panels have grown hugely in popularity in the past few years, with over 1 million Australian homes having installed solar systems. Adelaide remains one of the best places in the country to install solar panels for a number of reasons. This article is about solar panels in Adelaide, as well as some advice for Adelaide residents considering getting their own solar panels. Let Solar Choice help you compare solar panel prices and installers in Adelaide, SA!

Solar panels in Adelaide: Why make the investment?

Although there are significant environmental benefits to broader uptake of rooftop solar panels in Australia, the main motivating factors behind the growing number of installations has to do more with the increasing affordability of the technology and awareness of how it is a smart investment. Some of these reasons for going solar in Adelaide (and more broadly in SA and Australia) are outlined below.

Adelaide, like other Australian cities, receives a lot of sunshine.

More sunshine means more power production from solar panels. Germany is the #1 country in the world in terms of installed rooftop solar capacity, despite having a solar resource significantly smaller than Australia’s. If it can work in Germany, it can certainly work in Adelaide.

Solar panel installation prices have dropped significantly in recent years

There are both global and local factors at play behind this fact, but the main reason is the greatly reduced cost of the technology itself, thanks to global competition. You can see current prices for solar PV systems in Adelaide and the rest of Australia by reading Solar Choice’s most recent Solar PV Price Index.

Electricity prices have increased dramatically in the past few years

Everyone who uses electricity from the power grid has felt the sting as power prices have climbed seemingly inexorably over the last 2-3 years. Adelaide has not been exempt from this trend. Installing a solar panel system is one of the best ways for a home or business to become more energy independent and lower their reliance on expensive grid electricity.

Government incentives for solar panels in Adelaide

Federal: The federal government provides what are in effect a kind of up-front discount on the cost of installing any system under 100 kilowatts (kW) in capacity. For Adelaide residents, this discount works out to approximately 65c off per watt of installed capacity.

State: Furthermore the state government currently offers a ‘transitional’ feed-in tariff (application deadline 30 September 2013) which rewards solar power production. To explain further: the electricity that a solar system produces by default goes first into the appliances of the building it is connected to, while the rest is ‘exported’ to the electricity grid. SA’s feed-in tariff pays a set amount for each unit that is exported. So in addition to allowing homes and businesses who have a system installed to avoid charges (by using the solar power directly while the sun is shining), with the feed-in tariff they will also receive credits on their power bill for the excess power.

City: Adelaide city council offers a post-installation rebate through its generous solar panel rebate scheme.

Get started: Shop around and compare solar prices in Adelaide

The combination of all these things means that annual return on investment for a typical solar system in Adelaide works out to over 10%, and that systems will pay themselves off in as little as 4-7 years. This is why so many homes and businesses have decided to make the move to install a system.

Of course, those who will benefit most are the ones who have shopped around and found the best deal possible on their installation. This is where Solar Choice can help. If you’re thinking about going solar in Adelaide but not sure where to start, request a free, no-obligation Solar Quote Comparison by filling out the form to the right of this page to get an instant look at the solar market. You can also speak to us directly by calling 1300 78 72 73.

© 2013 Solar Choice Pty Ltd

One of the much-touted advantages of solar panels as an energy generation technology is their low maintenance requirements. Once installed, a solar panel array will continue to produce power for 25+ years, with inverters requiring replacement only 2 or maybe 3 times during that period. One of the only regular maintenance activities that is recommended is cleaning, as dirt that settles on panels can block sunlight and compromise power output–especially in dry areas where dust is an issue. Ritec ClearShield is a product that promises to make panel cleaning easier, as well as protect the glass in the panels from staining and chemical degradation over time.

The importance of clean glass in solar panels

Glass is one of the most important components of a solar panel. Part of the ‘supporting cast’ of parts, glass serves the vital role of protecting the silicon wafers, which actually generate the electricity that comes from the panels, whilst simultaneously allowing sunlight to pass through and reach the cells in as unaltered a form as possible. But glass is not impervious to routine wear, and contaminants can embed themselves in the microscopic peaks and troughs that glass naturally has on its surface. Staining can occur due to air & water-borne pollutants, not to mention harsher substances such as bird droppings. On top of this, there is the matter of routine cleaning in order to remove dust and debris that inevitably accumulate on them.

How the ClearShield System can help

ClearShield has been used in protecting glass for over 2 decades, including in challenging marine environments. Different from a coating, it is a transparent, polymeric resin that bonds with the surface of glass to render it chemically inert. This yields a number of benefits, including a significantly lowered need to clean the panels (about half as frequently as without), greater ease in removing dirt, and resistance to staining and discolouration.

More about the ClearShield System in Australia

The ClearShield System, a product of Ritec, can be applied during panel manufacturing, in a devoted facility after they have been imported (in the case of most panels used in Australia), or even onsite in the case of large-scale utility or commercial solar installations. Interested installers and manufacturers can learn more by contacting Mark Lennon of Roylston (a licensed applicator of ClearShield) at mark@roylston.com.au.

© 2013 Solar Choice Pty Ltd

Sun-Earth is one of the oldest solar panel manufacturers in the PV industry, with nearly 35 years’ experience producing complete solar PV modules. The company has its production plants and headquarters in China, plus regional branche offices in Australia, Germany, the United States, and other locations throughout Europe and Asia. Sun-Earth produces a range of dependable, time-tested solar panel technologies for residential and commercial solar applications. Since module production is vertically integrated–from silicon production through to panel assembly–Sun-Earth is one of the most affordable brands on the market, making their panels a popular choice for all types of installations.

(A number of accredited solar installers in the Solar Choice installer network use Sun-Earth panels. Get a free comparison of solar quotes from the installers who operate in your area!)

Where do these solar panels come from? A frequently-asked question

One of the first things Solar Choice customers inquire about in considering installing a solar power system is the system components’ country of origin. This is a factor that tends to be given disproportionate weight by those who are in the process of deciding whether or not to go solar. Many people have a preference for German-made products, mainly thanks to German corporations’ reputations for having a dedication to excellence. The fact is, however, that there are a number of other high-quality components available on the market from a number of different countries. Each component needs to be judged on its own merits. It is also important to remember that if solar system components didn’t meet the specifications required by Australian law, they wouldn’t be allowed onto the market. In addition to the company having a compelling and impressive history in the industry, all Sun-Earth panels have been approved by through the Clean Energy Council solar accreditation program.

The Sun-Earth solar panel range

Sun-Earth produces ranges of both monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar panels.

Monocrystalline Sun-Earth panels

Sun-Earth Solar Panels 80w-85w-90w-95w

Sun-Earth Solar Panels 175W-80W-185w-190w

Sun-Earth Solar Panels 235w-240w-245w-250w

Polycrystalline Sun-Earth Panels

Sun-Earth Solar Panels 225w-230w-235w-240w

Sun-Earth Solar Panels 275w-280w-285w-290w

Sun-Earth Solar Panels: Points of difference

- Affordable panels from a credible manufacturer: Having begun solar panel production in Ningbo, China in 1978, Sun-Earth is one of the first manufacturers of solar panels in the world. The company was involved in the production of semiconductor materials even before its solar panel manufacturing activities began, making a total of 45 years in business. With 650MW of solar panel production capacity in 2010, Sun-Earth is one of the largest producers of solar panels in the world. This is an important factor when thinking about the future serviceability of panel workmanship warranties.

- Positive power tolerance of 0-5%: Sun-Earth panels are guaranteed to perform at their rated capacity or greater.

- Long service life with a 25-year warranty: All solar PV materials lose productivity over time. Sun-Earth panels are guaranteed to perform to at least 90% of their rated output for the first 10 years of their working lives, and to 80% for 25 years.

- 3 to 4 bypass diodes per module: Bypass diodes help to mitigate the effects of partial shading and faulty cells on the module-level, thereby improving the overall yield of a solar system over time.

Standards met and Awards received

-All models of Sun-Earth solar panels are on the list of CEC-approved components

-CE mark– Sun-Earth panels are compliant with European Union regulations

-TUV Certification means that claims made by Sun-Earth about their panel specifications have been independently verified by TUVRhineland

- PV Cycle– Sun-Earth is a member of the PV Cycle program

Warranties

25 year performance warranty guarantees no more than an 80% drop in efficiency over this period, and no more than 90% over 10 years

(Your installer may also offer additional warranties for your entire system.)

About Sun-Earth

-Headquarters-

Ningbo, China

-Australian Office-

Burwood, Victoria

Resources and Links:

Sun-Earth: 45 Years (pdf)

Sun-Earth Solar Panels brochure (pdf)

Sun-Earth 190W Solar Panel spec sheet (pdf)

Sun-Earth 250W Solar Panel spec sheet (pdf)

All images and fliers via Sun-Earth

© 2011 Solar Choice Pty Ltd

The Chinese government released a report detailing its ambitious near-term targets for solar PV manufacturing over the course of the nation’s 12th 5-year plan, which began in 2011. The plan calls for 50,000 tons of annual polysilicon production and 5 gigawatts of solar PV cell production capacity by 2015, as well as a number of other goals related to solar efficiency and price.

China: Shaping the global solar panel industry

China dominates the solar PV cell manufacturing. (Click to enlarge. Image via Cleantechnica, via Washington Post.)

What happens in China will have major impacts on the both the short- and long-term future of the solar PV industry. In the short term, the plan will drive competition in an already tight market that witnessed the collapse of several key American solar manufacturers in 2011. A flood of Chinese solar system components onto the global market is one of the major factors driving the price of solar PV systems down globally, forcing many manufacturers to scale back production or sell panels just to keep inventory moving.

Some Chinese manufacturers are suspected to be selling below cost, enabled in part by a buffer of government support, but also copping losses on their own bankbooks just to stay in the game. There are huge amounts of solar panels currently being made in China (there are literally hundreds of manufacturers), and nearly half the global solar market belongs to China.

A good proportion of the China’s manufacturing capacity currently belongs to smaller, ‘generic’ companies, which have no unique selling points or research & development teams of their own. Bloomberg predicts that the hundreds of manufacturers will consolidate into approximately 15 companies within the next 5 years due to global oversupply of stock and increased competition. The survivors will likely be the big players–Suntech, Trina, Yingli, Sun-Earth, and a handful of others. The losers will be the Chinese generics, as well as possibly some North American and European brands.

China’s government-directed economic system is the key to the setting of such clear and bold goals. Manufacturers in Europe and North America are not backed as strongly as their Chinese counterparts by government subsidies, nor have any Western governments made such a bold and explicit goal of directly supporting their domestic solar manufacturing industry to this degree. It was the issue of subsidisation that became the focus of a trade row between US and Chinese solar PV manufacturers, in which the Chinese industry was accused of unfair trade practices and of ‘dumping’ stock on the market. Judging by the targets set out in the government report, however, it does not appear that China will be allowing this trade row to prevent its rise to global dominance in solar.

This paints a picture of the current situation: North American and European solar companies–who generally offer high-end products–having difficulty competing with Tier 1 Chinese products, which are affordable and generally good quality (without necessarily being premium). All the while, the Chinese industry sheds its expendable generic companies.

For the rest of the world, all of this means that solar PV prices can be expected to continue falling until domestic demand in China picks up and begins to absorb most of the extra capacity. This seems to be China’s ultimate aim, having increased its cumulative installed solar generation capacity target by 50%–up to 15 gigawatts–by 2015. This target will be backed-up and complemented by the country’s nation-wide solar feed-in tariff.

Other solar power targets

The report trumpeting China’s solar manufacturing goals includes a number of other targets related to solar PV. These included a general call for increased research & development in the solar industry, and a more specific call to see monocrystalline solar cells of 21% efficiency, polycrystalline cells of 19% efficiency, and amorphous thin-film cells of 12% efficiency. (More on the types of solar panels.) It also calls for a reduction in the price of solar PV to the equivalent of USD$1 per watt by 2015.

© 2011 Solar Choice Pty Ltd

The world’s largest manufacturer of solar panels, Suntech Solar, has achieved a new level of efficiency in one of its products. Its proprietary Pluto technology was demonstrated to hit an efficiency of 20.3% (sunlight–>usable electricity) in laboratory conditions using its standard commercial-grade polycrystalline silicon solar PV cells. The company expects to reach an efficiency of 21% within the next year, and is planning on commercialising the technology.

High Pluto solar cell efficiency thanks to R&D

The company credits the improvements in efficiency to its ongoing research collaborations with research institutes world-wide. Most notably, Suntech collaborates with founder Zhengrong Shi’s alma mater, the University of New South Wales, which is renowned for its Photovoltaics Centre of Excellence. Ongoing research and development ventures have yielded Suntech’s signature Pluto cell, which uses multiple ultra-thin busbar ‘fingers’ to pick up more electricity from the sun than conventional cells. The most recent advance came about thanks to a redesign of the rear surface of the Pluto cell, allowing higher efficiency using the same materials.

The fact that the company is making the improvements on a time-tested technology (polycrystalline silicon), as opposed to developing a newer or less well-developed technology (such as CIGS thin film) indicates that it intends to deploy the panels on a broad scale at affordable prices.

© 2012 Solar Choice Pty Ltd

Source: PV magazine

The first installation using Australia’s own Tindo Karra 240 solar panels has been installed in Adelaide.

The 1.44kW system is composed of six 240W panels. As each module contains its own micro-inverter, the ground-mounted solar system is unconventional in that it contains no central inverter.

Adelaide receives an annual average of about 4 sun hours per day. The system is expected produce a daily average of approximately 6kWh of electricity.

© 2011 Solar Choice Pty Ltd

Images via Tindo Solar

Trina Solar, one of the biggest vertically-integrated manufacturers of solar PV panels in the world, released 2 new lines of modules using its ‘Honey’ solar PV cell at the beginning of 2012. TUV Rheinland, an independent solar PV module testing organisation, verified the peak output of one of these–the PC/05A 60-cell module–at 274 watts in laboratory tests. This means a module efficiency of 15.9%, making it the most efficient commercially available 60-cell polycrystalline module in the world.

Trina Honey Solar Panels: Affordability balanced with performance

Trina's 60-cell Polycrystalline TSM-PC05A/TSM-PA05A Solar Panels, using the company's Honey Cell technology

One mark of a good solar PV manufacturer is its investment in research and development (R&D) for its products. R&D investment is evidence not only of the likely quality of a company’s products, but also of its financial viability and the likelihood of its remaining in the industry in the long-run. As solar systems can be expected to produce power for 30+ years, a manufacturer’s long-term viability should be a key consideration in the selection of components; if the company goes under, the warranty will be unservicable.

Trina Honey solar cell technology is indicative of Trina’s intention of staying in the solar power game long-term. The technology name, according to Trina, comes from the company’s desire for it to sit in the ‘sweet spot’ between the cutting-edge and the cost-effective, as well as to evoke the image of ‘a sweet summer gift harvested from nature’.

Panels using Trina’s Honey technology come with the added bonus of a positive power tolerance of 0-3%. This means that panels will operate at their rated performance or greater when installed. Lower quality panels come with a +/-3% power tolerance, meaning that panels may actually perform below their nameplate capacity if customers ‘lose the lottery’.

What is Honey PV cell technology?

Without delving into all of the technical details, just one of a suite of technological enhancements that Honey solar cells employ an improved method for texturing the surface of the polysilicon wafers. This texturing reduces surface reflectivity, which means the cell absorbs more of the sun’s light, resulting in higher rates of electricity production for every unit area of cell. In addition to the texturing, there are a number of other technological advancements that improve the power output of Honey solar modules, coming together to produce a 1-2% efficiency improvement (5-10% power increase) compared to panels of similar area. As solar PV systems produce electricity during sunshine hours every day for up to 30 years, this extra production adds up over time.

Trina Honey Solar Panels are priced in a range comparable to or better than other polysilicon solar panels of the same size, making them a cost-effective choice for those in the market for a solar PV system.

Trina Solar Panels using Honey technology

There are two solar panel lines that use Trina’s Honey cell technology in Australia: The 60-cell PC/A05A and PC/C05A modules for residential solar power systems, and the 72-cell PCA14A for commercial solar installations.

Download a Trina PC/05A and PA/05A Spec Sheet (pdf)

Trina Honey Module Warranties

Trina Honey Solar Panel Linear Performance Warranty

Trina modules using Honey cell technology come with a 25 year linear performance warranty. This means that having two ‘tiers’ of warranty as is the industry standard (90% of nameplate panel capacity guaranteed for the first 10 years, and 80% guaranteed for the next 15 years), Trina’s Honey panels are guaranteed at about 95% for the first 5 years, 91% for the first 10, 89% for the first 15, etc. This more finely graduated warranty system means that system owners can have higher, more specific expectations about their panels’ performance than with many other installers.

Where to find Trina Honey panels in Australia

Solar PV system installers in the Solar Choice installer network use Trina solar panels in their installations. Request a free comparison of solar PV system installation quotes by filling out the form to the right of this page, or contact Solar Choice by phone on 1300 78 72 73.

(You can see real-time performance of Trina’s monocrystalline modules on the Desert Knowledge Australia Solar Centre website, or find systems that use Trina modules on pvoutput.org.)

All images via Trina Solar

© 2012 Solar Choice Pty Ltd

One of the most common comments that the Solar Choice Energy Brokering team hear from our customers relates to the issue of monocrystalline vs polycrystalline (or ‘multicrystalline’) solar panels. Although monocrystalline panels had the initial advantage of being seen as the superior technology in the Australian market, as time goes on and both technologies improve, it becomes increasingly apparent that the the quality and reliability of the manufacturer is far more important than which of the two technologies is chosen.

What’s the difference? Monocrystalline vs Polycrystalline solar panels

Sun-Earth Solar Panels using monocrystalline cells

The typical monocrystalline solar cell is a dark black colour, and the corners of cells are usually missing as a result of the production process and the physical nature of monocrystalline silicon. Polycrystalline, on the other hand, is identifieable by its signature light or dark blue colour, but not uniformly so: some patches are lighter than others. The differences in appearance come about as a result of the manufacturing process. (Read more: The manufacturing and science behind solar cells.)

Tindo Solar Panels using polycrystalline cells

When solar PV first boomed in Australia in 2009-2010, monocrystalline solar panels were thought to be superior to polycrystalline solar panels. There were a number of reasons for this thinking. Monocrystalline solar cells have historically had a higher peak efficiency, and were more readily available than polysilicon solar cells. The blanket statement that monocrystalline panels are better than polycrystalline cells, however, is not accurate. Each panel and its manufacturer should be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Some comparisons and examples

It is not difficult to find examples that illustrate the above points. The below comparisons are not intended to imply that one panel brand is of higher quality than another, but simply to show that some polycrystalline solar modules are more efficient than monocrystalline ones.

First, to compare mid-range products of comparable quality and price, GermanSolar brand 60-cell monocrystalline Premium Line panels have a maximum efficiency of about 15.47%, whereas Conergy’s polycrystalline PowerPlus modules have a maximum efficiency of 14.13%. This is not far off from the 14.9% that Sun-Earth’s 190W monocrystalline module boasts.

It is possible to see the same trend in high-end modules as well. For example, premium US manufacturer Sunpower’s monocrystalline panels see peak module efficiencies of up to 20.7% (22.8% efficiency for individual cells), a few percentage points ahead of Suntech’s polycrystalline Pluto technology–certain cells of which were recently confirmed as having hit 20.3% in lab conditions. Although commercially produced modules using Suntech’s Pluto technology will inevitably have lower peak efficiencies than this impressive rate, it still serves to demonstrate that monocrystalline is not an intrinsically better choice than poly.

A note about solar panel efficiency: How important is it for your system?

Remember that, especially for buildings with ample roof space, a panel’s peak efficiency is not the primary consideration for most solar system owners-to-be. Unless there are no budgetary constraints, it is more important to consider the system as a whole, balancing price with quality. In some cases, a high peak efficiency can act as a sales point, and proof that the product is ‘high-tech’ or cutting edge and therefore deserving of a higher price tag. For the budget-conscious, however, the number to look at would be dollar per watt for the entire installed system.

In the end, the cost and performance of your system will depend not only on the panels you use, but also your solar inverter, your installer’s labour costs, and the orientation of your home’s roof and tilt angle of your panels.

Looking beyond the module and its efficiency: The importance of the company behind the product

Although quality technology is important in selection of solar panels, it is also critical to keep in mind that both monocrystalline and polycrystalline silicon solar cells are proven technologies, and one should not automatically be considered better than the other. Manufacturing equipment for silicon wafers is now more readily available now than it ever has been in the past, however, so panels are relatively easy for companies to manufacture. A key differentiating factor between the quality manufacturers and the bottom-line ones is whether the company in question invests in research and development (R&D). R&D investment by a manufacturer is usually indicative of the company’s commitment to creating innovative and quality products, but it also shows that the company is planning to be in the game for the long-term, and is not a fly-by-night operator.

For most households, balancing affordability with reliability is key. Solar power systems are ordinarily expected to continue operating for 30+ years; solar panel warranties generally cover products for up to 25 years. Warranties are will only continue to be serviceable if the manufacturer behind them remains a solvent company. Although it is impossible to know for sure what will happen a quarter century in the future, when selecting a panel, it is still advisable to try to imagine whether the product’s manufacturer is likely to be around at that point in time, just in case something goes wrong in the meantime. Otherwise, if the panels need repairing, the cost could end up being greater than an an initial investment in more reputable product would have been.

(Read more: Questions to ask your solar panel manufacturer.)

© 2012 Solar Choice Pty Ltd