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

Glass anti-reflection coatings have been the low-hanging fruit for improving PV module efficiencies, but reaching for it requires the right mix of low-cost approaches and smart science.

Researchers at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) think they may have cracked it. Dr. Zhiyong Fan and his group have developed a novel coating made of silicone (the material used to make soft contact lenses) with tiny nano-cones on its surface, which can be directly applied onto glass or even onto a silicon wafer for much cheaper than other similar nano-textured films.

Without an anti-reflection coating, the glass surface of a PV module can reflect 4-5% of the light that falls on it, causing module efficiency and energy output to drop. While traditional anti-reflection (AR) coatings are simple to apply, they are engineered to work only in a narrow range of the sun’s spectrum. More importantly, such coatings become less effective when the sun rays hit the module at a large angle – such as in the morning or evening.

The key to capturing this light is creating a textured surface on the AR coating (as opposed to the standard smooth/flat films). However, dirt can be more easily lodged in the ‘bumps’ (think hills and valleys) that form the texture if they are too big, making the soiling losses outweigh any gains due to the texturing. To prevent soiling, it is critical to keep the features of the texture very small – in the order of a few nanometres (1 nanometer is 1/100,000,000^th of a metre). Such fine texturing typically requires expensive, time-consuming and material-intensive processes like photo-lithography or chemical etching, often on the glass itself. All this completely changes the cost equation and makes textured AR coatings infeasible.

Fan and his team have managed to walk the fine line by creating a thin layer of silicone with nanometre-sized cones on its surface using a mould-patterning technique. The process used to create the mould involves multiple electro-chemical processes, but once a mould is created, preparing the film simply involves pouring on the liquid silicone, drying it and peeling it off the mould. Then, thanks to the special type of silicone used, this layer can be applied onto any glass easily even without an adhesive.

When applied to a small thin-film cadmium-telluride module (see top image), the coating halved the reflection losses and increased the energy output not only at noon (when sunlight hits the module directly) but also in the morning and evenings, where the suns rays hit the module at a larger angle (see in-set image in the graphic below). The net result – a neat 7% improvement in the energy output throughout the day.

Click to enlarge (image credit: Zhiyong Fan via SPIE)

In addition to improving the energy output, the film is also super-hydrophobic (strongly repels water), making it self-cleaning and very effective against soiling, which is a major contributor to maintenance costs in large-scale solar plants.

The researchers at the so-called ‘Fan lab’ at HKUST aim to continue exploring other silicone and non-silicone materials so they can tailor the films to different types of glass used with various PV cell technologies.

However, the researchers seem confident that the film will attract fans in the PV industry, with details soon to be published about a high-throughput fabrication method to produce the films cheaply and at a large scale.

Whether the production costs will make it a feasible alternative to existing sol-gel based AR coatings and whether the anti-soiling properties remain stable throughout the lifetime of commercial modules (typically 20-25 years) remains to be seen.

Top Image Credit: Siu-Fung Leung et al

 © 2014 Solar Choice Pty Ltd

Update 30 May 2012: SilexSolar has ceased solar panel manufacturing. As SilexSolar parent company SilexSystems is remains operational, however, warranties on SilexSolar products will still be serviceable.

Silex is Australia’s leading home-grown solar panel manufacturing brand, offering 3 sizes of solar panel–all assembled at Silex’s Sydney Olympic Park facility, the largest solar panel manufacturing plant in the southern hemisphere. In a market where the vast majority of panels are imported, Silex is an easy choice for those who want to support Australian industry. The most powerful Silex solar panels (SLX180) have a module efficiency of 13-14%, and panels are vigorously tested to ensure longevity.

SILEX SLX Panels: rigorously-tested, Australian-made panels

-Silex 125 Monocrystalline Solar Cells-

The range of Silex SLX solar modules all use monocrystalline solar cells. Silex cells incorporate an anti-reflective coating, which increases light absorption by the cells and results in more output per kilowatt than the bare cells themselves would. Each cell undergoes individual visual inspection for defects, and are also tested electronically to identify current groups accurately. Advanced and high-grade silver/aluminium pastes are used to ensure strong connections, and screen printing techniques are also used to ensure high-precision electrical contacts in the panels.

-SilexSolar SLX Solar Modules: Key Attributes and Points of Difference-

-Modules assembled in Australia, with cells imported from overseas

–Relatively easy to install, with quick connect leads to enable safe and fact interconnection and installation

-Relatively high module efficiency (13%+, depending on module) also allows for less space to be used in roof-mounting the panels

-The panels have undergone rigorous testing to ensure reliable long term performance

Photos of the Silex Solar panel assembly process

-Product Specifications/Electrical Characteristics-

Silex SLX Solar Panel Specifications

-Component standards met/awards-

Conforms to European directives (CE mark)–meets the standards for being sold in the EU

TÃœV certified according to:  Extended version of the IEC61215:2005 (Crystalline silicon terrestrial photovoltaic panels design qualification and type approval),  IEC61730-1 (Photovoltaic panels safety qualification), and IEC61730-2  (Requirements for construction and testing)

Listed on the Clean Energy Council’s current list of accredited modules

-Warranty-

Manufacturer’s Warrantee: 90% rated power output over 12 years, 80% power output over 25 years

Materials/Workmanship warranty: 10 years

About Silex

-Company Headquarters and Factory location-

Silex’s headquarters and factory can be found in the same location:

2 Australia Avenue
Sydney Olympic Park
Homebush Bay, NSW

-History in the Industry-

Silex has been producing solar panels since 2009, since acquisition of the former BP production facility at Sydney Olympic Park.

Solar Choice is a solar installation comparison service: we don’t undertake our own solar array installations, but we do offer free independent solar quote comparisons of what’s on offer from trusted solar system installers nationally. Our installers may use components from different manufacturers, and if you’re new to solar power installations, you will probably want to know what distinguishes one company’s panels, inverters, batteries, and other system parts from those of their competitors. This article is one of a series written to help you make an informed decision about purchasing your solar power system.

Written by James Martin

Analyst

© 2011 Solar Choice Pty Ltd

Sources and links:

Silex Solar homepage

Silex Solar brochure

Silex SLX series Solar Panels

Solyndra solar tube technology has been widely praised as one of the most innovative approaches to solar electricity generation in the world. Solyndra modules utilise ordinarily lower-efficiency (compared to mono- and poly-crystalline silicon) thin-film CIGS photovoltaics technology in an ingenious configuration that enables higher module efficiencies, and simplifies and reduces the cost of array installation. Already widely used throughout the world in large-scale rooftop installations worldwide, the number of solar installations that utilise Solyndra panels has also been increasing steadily in Australia.

Solyndra 3MW rooftop solar system in Zellik, Belgium. (Image from Solyndra.)

(Update 2 October 2011: Since the writing of this article, Solyndra has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Panels are no longer available through the manufacturer in Australia.)

Solyndra’s technology has already seen significant uptake in a number of large-scale rooftop solar power installations. Among the thousand+ installations worldwide are a 3-megawatt (MW) installation in Zellik, Belgium, 1.5MW on the roof of a shopping centre in Rome, and a 488kW installation on the roof of the Norkus grocery store chain in New Jersey. To date, Solyndra has manufactured over 100MWs’ worth of its solar tubes worldwide–mainly for mid- to large-scale projects like these.

488kW Solyndra installation on Norkus foods chain roof, New Jersey Shore. (Image from Solyndra.)

Previously, when Solyndra solar tubes were first featured and explained on the Solar Choice site, Solyndra was only just beginning to make its way into the Australian solar photovoltaics (PV) scene. Since then a number medium, large, and even small-scale installations have appeared throughout the country. Solar Choice has overseen the installation of a number of systems using Solyndra’s technology, including a 10kW system in Manly, NSW.

Solyndra modules require no drilling, roof penetration, or special tools to install: modules come with Solyndra’s customised snap-together mounting frames.

The signature design and construction of Solyndra modules makes them resistant to the effects of strong wind. Wind passes between the tubes instead of pushing against it, as is the case with traditional panels.

Higher efficiency solar power and more

Besides relatively high efficiency, Solyndra’s unique approach to solar power technology affords a number of bonus advantages for installers and owners. Many of these benefits are related to how the modules can be used on a rooftop. For example, Solyndra modules are self-ballasting; they come with snap-together mounting frames and install easily and quickly on no-slope or low-slope roofs–up to four times faster than ordinary solar panels, which require drilling and mounting brackets to secure the panels on the roof.

Solyndra modules thrive on reflective roofs by collecting diffuse sunlight

Solyndra panels are composed of a series of cylinders. Cylinders, by definition, have a continuous surface, so the CIGS thin-film photovoltaic material contained in Solyndra tubes runs all along the around the inside. At first glance, this may seem like a waste, as one side of the tubes will always be facing away from the sun. Paradoxically, this apparent disadvantage offers a great opportunity to take full advantage of the intrinsic photovoltaic characteristics of the properties of CIGS thin-film photovoltaics.

Thin-film photovoltaic materials are ordinarily known for their low conversion (sunlight-to-electricity) efficiency, but they are also more resistant to the effects of partial shading and are better at collecting diffuse/indirect light than conventional crystalline silicon flat panels. Plus, as you can see from the photos above and below, there are gaps between each tube, which means that light can pass between them, hitting not only the increased surface area that comes as a result of the tubes’ curved nature, but also the surface behind them (i.e. a roof or wall). Provided the surface behind a Solyndra module is reflective or lightly coloured, its rear part will collect the diffuse sunlight that would ordinarily not have occurred at all with a conventional flat panel. At the end of the day, modules can reach efficiencies of up to 14%–the same as the efficiency of many crystalline silicon panels.

Solyndra and energy savings go hand-in-hand: “Cool roofs”

As an additional benefit, a light-coloured roof has significant energy-saving properties that make pairing them with Solyndra modules an easy choice; they do not absorb as much heat as a dark roof would, and therefore cut down on the need for air conditioning in the summer. This would of course offer improved thermal comfort for occupants as well as financial benefits for owners/operators in hot climates by mitigating the need for air conditioning in the summer.

Solyndra is aware of this low-hanging fruit, and it is common practice to paint roofs as a part of the installation process. At the Blacktown, New South Wales RSL club, where Solar Choice recently oversaw the installation of a commercial-scale 100kW Solyndra system, roof-painting was one of the first steps in the process. (See pictures below.)

The roof of the Blacktown RSL has been painted white in preparation for the installation of 100kW of Solyndra solar modules.

Solar inverters on the Blacktown RSL commercial solar installation. (Photo by Iain McGregor, Solar Choice Commercial Tenders Manager.)

The sun shining through the clouds on the installation. (Photo by Rob Burnett, Solar Choice Broker.)

Another application for Solyndra: Solar Greenhouses

The shape and characteristics of Solyndra’s panels make them ideally suited for another application that not ordinarily associated with solar panels: Solyndra Solar Greenhouses.

Solyndra has put its solar tubes to use in greenhouses, where their ability to cast even shade on whatever lies underneath makes them perfect for use in greenhouse roofs. The panels above collect sunlight and generate electricity, while the plants below are allowed to soak up the sun’s beams without withering under its heat–a great example of building-integrated photovoltaics. One such greenhouse (598kW) is already in operation in Villa del Conte, Italy.

Solyndra solar modules used in the roof of a greenhouse in Italy. The slots between tubes provide even shading for the plants within while generating electricity from sunlight. (Image from Solyndra.)

Solyndra module 200 series

All 5 modules available in the Solyndra 200 series have the same dimensions (2.28m x 1.09m x 0.06m) and 31.8kg, but rated power ranging from 182 to 220W.

About Solyndra:

-Headquarters and Factory location-

Freemont, California, USA

-Components standards met/awards-

All Solyndra modules are accredited by the Clean Energy Council of Australia.

Solyndra has appeared on Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s ’50 Most innovative companies in the world’ list, the ‘Global Cleantech 100’ list, and has won a ‘Business Journal’ award for Emerging technology: Green/Clean Technology.

© 2010 Solar Choice Pty Ltd

Resources and Links:

Solyndra homepage

Suntech Solar, the world’s largest producer of solar panels in the world, has recently released two new panels into the North American market: Hiperforma 245-watt panel using Suntech’s PlutoPower(TM) technology for residential, commercial and utility-scale applications; and its 290-watt Vd series for commercial solar installations. Although these solar panels are not yet available in Australia, most of the rest of Suntech product range is.

Looking for Suntech solar panels? Request a free comparison of solar quotes or give us a call on 1300 78 72 73 to learn about which installers in your area use Suntech components.

Suntech Hiperforma 245w and Suntech 290W Vd Superpoly: Bound for Australia in the future?

Here is a look at what Australia has to look forward to when the the Suntech Hiperforma 245W and Suntech 290W Vd panels hit the Australian shelves. Also keep in mind that Suntech has a range of panels using the same technologies as the modules described below, already currently available in Australia.

Suntech Hiperforma Solar Panel: 240-245 watts

The Hiperforma series utilises Suntech’s Pluto(TM) cell processing technology, which increases the efficiency of individual cells by increasing their usable surface area, with a denser array of thinner-than-industry-standard conductive ‘fingers’ across the face of the cell. This type of processing can result in efficiencies of up to 14.8%. Check out the spec sheet below for more information.

Suntech Hiperforma Solar Panels–Spec Sheet

Suntech 290W Vd Superpoly Solar Panel

The Suntech 290W Vd Superpoly solar panel uses a special silicon processing technology which protects the panels agains long-term efficiency losses due to light-induced degradation (LID). Module efficiency for these solar panels is up to 14.9%. Check out the spec sheet below for more information.

Suntech SuperPoly 290W Vd Spec Sheet

Keep an eye on our blog for updates on the solar industry and solar policy throughout Australia or follow us on Twitter.

Written by James Martin

SolarServer.com: “Suntech launches two new PV modules at Intersolar North America”

Conergy manufactures 3 lines of monocrystalline solar power modules: PowerPlus, P 170-185M series, and SR05-170. This article will focus mainly the PowerPlus series.

Conergy PowerPlus Series Solar Panels: German-made reliability

Conergy PowerPlus Solar Panels

-PowerPlus Solar Panels-

Conergy PowerPlus panels are manufactured in Germany

German engineering has a reputation for efficiency and precision. Conergy uses PowerPlus solar modules’ German manufacturing origins to their marketing advantage. The manufacturing process is fully automated, using state-of the art technology that ensures high, consistent panel outputs and reduces production costs in a country with one of the highest costs of living in the world.

-PowerPlus Solar Module Key Attributes and Points of Difference-

-Fully automated production line ensures consistently high output from panels

-3 busbars (as opposed to the usual 2) per cell for more usable electricity from captured sunshine

-Special 4mm low reflection structured solar glass means more captured sunlight
+0-2.5% positive power tolerance means reliable production from time of purchase (compared to an industry standard of +/-3%)

-One of very few global manufacturers certified to pass the IEC (61707) Salt Mist Test–PowerPlus panel frames are well-suited for coastal areas where salt corrosion can be a persistent problem.

-Product Specifications/Electrical Characteristics-

Conergy PowerPlus Solar Module Series Specifications

-Component standards met/awards-

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

-Warranty-

-5 year product warranty (extendable to 10 years on request)
-12 year warranted power output of 92% of nominal power
-25 year warranted power output of 80% of nominal power

-Other products by Conergy-

In addition to the PowerPlus line, Conergy manufactures two lines of solar panels under license and under strict quality control at factories in China.

Conergy P 170/180M

Designed for a wide range of applications, panels from this line are available in rated capacities of 170W, 175W or 180W, with a power tolerance of ± 3%. These panels are physically smaller than PowerPlus panels–1580 x 808 x 45mm, making them slightly more versatile where space is tight.

Conergy SR05-170

These panels may be the most cost-effective Conergy solar panel for large solar PV (photovoltaic) systems. SR05-170 panels are available only in the 170W module, and have a power tolerance of ±5%.

Other solar system components

In addition to solar modules, Conergy also produces a wide array of components for solar power systems, including inverters, batteries for stand-alone power systems, and mounting systems.

About Conergy

-Company Headquarters-

Frankfurt, Germany

-History in the Industry-

Conergy Pty Ltd (founded in 2005) is the Australian subsidiary of Germany’s Conergy AG (founded in 1998). This puts Conergy amongst the oldest players in the world solar power industry.

Solar Choice is a solar installation comparison service: we don’t undertake our own solar array installations, but we do offer free independent solar quote comparisons of what’s on offer from trusted solar system installers nationally. Our installers may use components from different manufacturers, and if you’re new to solar power installations, you will probably want to know what distinguishes one company’s panels, inverters, batteries, and other system parts from those of their competitors. This article is one of a series written to help you make an informed decision about purchasing your solar power system.

Written by James Martin

Analyst

© 2011 Solar Choice Pty Ltd

Sources and Links:

Conergy Solar Australia Homepage

The world record for solar panel efficiency goes to SunPower‘s solar panels: 24% cell efficiency (sunlight  –> usable electricity in laboratory conditions) and 19.6% conversion efficiency (sunlight –> usable electricity in real-life conditions) with the SunPower E19 / 320W solar modules. SunPower prides itself in its hard-earned reputation for world-leading technology and excellent customer service. SunPower panels are commonly used in residential solar, building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), commercial solar, and utility-scale solar installations.

SunPower Solar Panels: World-leading 19-20% efficiency

-SunPower monocrystalline solar panels: E19 and E20 series-

Monocrystalline solar cells have a reputation as the most efficient kind of solar photovoltaic (PV) cell, and the first query from many Solar Choice and Solar Selections customers is, “Are monocrystalline solar panels better than polycrystalline solar panels?” In the Solar Choice blog we have previously discussed the issue of efficiency and solar technology, and pointed out that more important than efficiency or technology type is the quality of the brand of solar PV panel in question. The question of durability, quality, and the credibility of the manufacturer trump nominal efficiency every time. (Solar Selections also has an excellent article about the importance of efficiency in choosing your solar panels.) The technology utilised in SunPower’s monocrystalline solar panels does indeed enable high efficiencies, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that all monocrystalline panels can reach such high efficiencies–in fact, the average is more in the range of 14-16%.

E19 and E20 are SunPower’s signature lines of solar panels use monocrystalline silicon technology. Their names stand for their nominal efficiencies–19% and 20%, respectively. These numbers are the highest that can be found on the solar panel market, and it is only with care and precision in design and engineering that SunPower was able to achieve these impressive figures. The company takes pride in its accomplishments, and has a reputation that is hard-won and well-earned.

-SunPower E19 and E20: Key Attributes and Points of Difference-

-SunPower E19 and E20 lines for solar and residential solar power-

SunPower E19 series – Industry-leading 19% efficiency

SunPower’s E19 series solar panels 238 watt (W), 72-cell panels, while the E20 series is available in either a 327-W, 72-cell panel, or a 333W, 96-cell panel. The 72-cell panels are generally used in residential solar applications, while the 96-cell panels are more likely to be used in large-scale commercial applications.

-As noted above, SunPower panels have the highest efficiencies of any solar photovoltaic panels on the market. This means up to 50% more power per unit area than you would expect to get from conventional designs. This in turn means reduced installation costs because fewer panels are required to get the same amount of power.

–Dependable, sturdy design means you can count on your panels continuing to operate over the years through all types of weather. Tempered front glass over the PV cells and an anodised alloy frame mean that the units will be slow to corrode or degrade.

–Transformerless inverter compatibility means that SunPower panels can be used with the solar inverters with the highest efficiency: A winning combination.

–Positive Power Tolerance of +5% for E20 modules: Some solar panels have a power tolerance of +3%/-3%, which means that the panels you install may actually have a lower output than their nameplate capacity. With SunPower’s E20 series, the nominal capacity is guaranteed to be met or exceeded. (E19 panels have a tolerance of +5%/-3%.)

–10 year limited product warranty, 25 year limited performance warranty.

-Product Specifications/Electrical Characteristics-

SunPower E20 series solar panel datasheet (pdf)

SunPower E19 318W solar panel datasheet (pdf)

SunPower E19 238W solar panel datasheet (pdf)

You can see how SunPower panels compare to a number of other name brand panels on the Desert Knowledge Australia website, an invaluable resource for those shopping around for solar panels.

-SunPower Technology: What is Maxeon cell technology?-

SunPower Maxeon solar cell technology. Unlike conventional cells (which use busbars), electricity is collected at the rear of each cell, thereby maximising surface area for sunlight collection.

Maxeon is SunPower’s patented solar cell technology that enables the company’s reputation for world-leading efficiency. Most crystalline solar cell technologies have metal busbars–strips of electronically conductive material–that sit on the face of each solar cell. Instead of having such busbars, electricity generated when SunPower panels capture photons from the sun is transferred to a conductive plate at the rear of each cell. This means that more of each cell’s surface area is used in the capture of sunlight, which in turn means higher efficiency.

Another feature which has enabled SunPower to make the headway that it has with its panel efficiency is the way that individual cells are shaped. They can be tiled closely within the solar module frames, which means a greater number in a smaller area. SunPower panels also employ an anti-reflective glass which helps to trap in sunlight and maximise power output.

-Other Information about SunPower Panels-

-Other products by SunPower-

SunPower also has an E18 series panel, which has efficiencies of around 18%.

Ford Motor Co and SunPower recently formed a strategic partnership to offer photovoltaic carport charging stations for electric vehicles.

-Component standards met/awards-

-All E19 series SunPower solar panels are certified by the Clean Energy Council (CEC) of Australia, and are on the list of CEC-approved components

–PV Cycle– SunPower participates in PV Cycle’s voluntary take-back PV recycling program

–CE mark– SunPower panels are compliant with European Union regulations

-TUV Certification means that claims made by SunPower about their solar panel specs have been independently verified by TUVRhineland

-Warranty-

25 year solar cell performance warranty

10 year workmanship warranty

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

Read about solar panel and solar system warranties.

-About SunPower-

-Company Headquarters-

Global Head Office: San Jose, California, USA

Australian Head Office: Belmont, Western Australia

-Factory locations-

Malaysia and the Phillipines

-History in the Solar Industry-

SunPower is one of the oldest players in the solar power industry, starting around 25 years ago. Founder Dr Richard Swanson first conceived of the company during the 1970s oil crisis. Later, in the mid-1980s, when a professor of electrical engineering at Stanford University, SunPower was incorporated after Swanson won grants from the US Department of Energy to research solar power and secured financial backing from venture capitalists. By the mid-1990s, SunPower had installed 10 megawatts of capacity in various locations through the US and Europe. SunPower panels can now be found around the world.

© 2011 Solar Choice Pty Ltd

Solarwatt is a solar photovoltaic (solar PV) module maker based in Dresden, Germany. In addition to standard solar modules, the company also provides off-grid solar and building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) solutions.

What are the advantages of building-integrated photovoltaics?

Solarwatt BIPV Easy-In Roofing solar panels on a commercial building in Germany. (Photo via Solarwatt.)

BIPV is a fast-growing section of the solar photovoltaics (PV) industry in both Australia and around the world. In addition to the power generation benefits that standard solar PV arrays afford those who install them, high-quality BIPV installations also improve the overall energy efficiency of a building, and the associated cost savings.

Although initially more expensive than ordinary roof-mounted solar panel arrays, for those who were considering installing solar anyhow, BIPV modules can reduce construction and renovation costs; BIPV acts as a seamless substitute for conventional building materials, as well as cutting down on the labour costs associated with solar system installation and roof construction/replacement. More benefits may be found in a well-designed BIPV component’s potential to reduce a building’s operational costs by acting as a form of insulation. For all these reasons, when considering going solar in the context of the entire working lifespan of a building, BIPV can be an attractive option and a good investment for your home.

Solarwatt Easy-In BIPV modules

Solarwatt BIPV Easy-In Solar Panels (black) blend seamlessly into a standard roof. (Photo via Solarwatt.)

Solarwatt’s Easy-In modules are high-performance monocrystalline solar panels (up to 19% efficiency using the most tried-and-tested solar PV technology commercial available) that also serve as a weather-proof roofing material. Installation is simple and intuitive–they attach directly to roof battens, slot together with tongue-and-groove joints, and no additional mounting system is required. A passive ventilation system behind the panels means that heat build-up is minimised, allowing for better performance than conventional frame-mounted panels. Easy-In modules are available with either natural-coloured aluminium or sleek, all-black frames (top image).

Interested in BIPV? Although Solarwatt Easy-In modules are not yet available in Australia, other BIPV solutions are. Request a Solar Quote Comparison by filling out the form to the right of the screen. Solar Choice provides free, impartial advice and comparisons of solar PV system prices, components, and installers Australia-wide.

Resources and links:

Solarwatt Website (All images via Solarwatt)

With lifespans of 25+ years, installing a solar PV system is something that most people will only ever do once. This makes it imperative to ensure that the components used in your installation are of high quality, dependable, and that the company has credibility, staying power and offers good warranties. Sourcing good product should go well beyond simply looking at spec sheets and comparing the rated efficiencies of different solar modules. What questions should you ask the maker of your solar panels?

Questions to ask your solar panel maker

The following list of questions was compiled to assist those who are considering going solar to arm themselves with the knowledge to make a good decision. It is based on a list produced by  Suntech, the world’s largest manufacturer of solar PV modules, with input from Solar Choice’s team of experienced Solar Energy Brokers, who have a bird’s eye view of the solar market across Australia.

Disclaimer:

As the list was comprised by Suntech Solar, it goes without saying that Suntech’s answers to all the questions reflect favourably on the company. Solar Choice, while recognising that Suntech is a major and well-reputed player in the solar PV module industry, does not endorse Suntech as the ‘best’ solar PV manufacturer in Australia or the world. Instead, we offer unbiased views and advice regarding what products are on offer in the Australian market. The following list of questions, therefore, should be taken with the understanding that they may have a slant. They are not the only questions worth asking your manufacturer, or your installer.

Q1: How long have they been manufacturing solar PV modules?

Most quality manufacturers will have a minimum of 5 years’ experience producing solar panels. In the years since the beginning of Australia’s incentive-driven solar power boom, the market has been flooded with panels from companies with only short histories in the industry. Make sure you ask if they have withstood the test of time.

Q2: How many megawatts (MW) of solar PV panels did they sell last year?

If a company has a production volume of 1000 megawatts (MW) or more, it has likely cleared a number of financial and production hurdles to get to this point. Generally speaking, production volumes of this size are necessary in order to attain efficiencies of scale and and establish thorough production production process competencies and testing programs.

Q3: What is the company’s annual spending on research and development, and where was the technology developed?

Solar photovoltaic (PV) technology is constantly evolving, and only a company that is investing in research and development for new processes and materials will keep abreast of industry trends. Countries like Germany, the US, and Japan have reputations for excellence in technology development. A number of high-performance solar PV technologies have also come out of Australia, most notably from UNSW’s Photovoltaic Centre of Excellence.

Q4: What backsheet material is used in the modules?

Backsheets are the layer material behind the solar PV cells themselves in the module. Backsheets are ordinarily comprised of three layers that are bonded together. Backsheets are a vitalal component of the PV panel, and what enables quality modules to withstand 25 years outdoors. The world’s leading backsheet manufacturers include Tyco and IcoSolar.

A solar PV module's junction box and cables are statistically one of the more likely places for module failure.

Q5: What junction box and cable connectors are used?

Junction boxes and cable connectors are a common source of module failure. These are the bIack boxes that sit on the back of the solar panel and harness the electricity that is produced. It is important to select modules that use genuine junction boxes and cable connectors from globally recognised suppliers such as Huber&Suhner, Amphenol, Multi-Contact or Tyco.

Q6: What process control techniques are used in the manufacturing process?

SPC, six sigma, Quality Function Deployment, and Design of Experiments are techniques used to ensure that modules are produced at a consistently high quality.

Q7: Are the manufacturing facilities certified to ISO 9000 and ISO 14000?

ISO 9000 is the internationally recognised quality management accreditation, and ISO 14000 is accreditation for environmental quality control.

Q8: What extended accelerated testing is conducted to test the photovoltaic modules? How is the panel’s ability to withstand 25 years outdoor exposure ensured?

There are numerous gradual process and material changes that may have an effect on the lifespan of a PV module. A comprehensive and rigorous durability test program should go beyond the minimum standard IEC 61215 (International Standard: Crystalline silicon terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules – Design qualification and type approval). One such example would be TUV’s long-term sequential test.

Q9: Do they have an office locally in Australia?

Many panel manufacturers supply modules from abroad without a local presence in Australia. This could indicate that these companies are using Australia as a dumping ground for solar panels (of which record numbers are currently being manufactured), with no long-term plans to remain operating in the country. This could indicate that any warranty on system components might be unserviceable should that company collapse or withdraw from Australia, not to mention the unavailability of customer support or troubleshooting.

Q10: Is the business an economically sustainable and responsible company?

With the solar boom of the past few years, many investors have diversified their investment portfolio to include solar system component manufacturers. Many of them have no experience in solar and run the business in an unsustainable way. What does the company do to demonstrate its commitment to performance, innovation, sustainability, and growth? Is it held solely in the sway of fickle investors, or does it have a long-term vision?

Dyesol is positioning itself to revolutionise the solar photovoltaics (PV) industry by making available an innovative but still largely uncommercialised PV technology: the Dye Solar Cell (DSC). DSC is a 3rd generation solar PV technology that uses a ‘sandwich’ of materials to mimic the photosynthetic process of plants in order to create electricity from sunlight. It has numerous applications, including Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) and portable PV.

Non silicon-based solar power?

Silicon PV cell structure and the photovoltaic effect. (Image: Creative Commons via Wikipedia.)

Conventional solar PV

Although dominated by conventional silicon-based solar panels, there are also a number of non-silicon solar PV technologies (usually used in thin-film PV) available on the market, but most function in a way similar to silicon-based modules: light strikes a semiconductor substrate with contains a positive-negative (p-n) junction, and electrons are jostled into moving through it, then flowing into an electroconductive material (such as aluminium) to produce harnessable DC electricity.

DSC Solar Cell Technology Diagram (Image Via Dyesol)

Dyesol’s Dye-based solar PV

DSC technology, on the other hand, in the place of a dense film or substrate semiconductor, incorporates a triple layer of nano-particulate titania (Titanium Dioxide, used as a pigment in paints and, rather oddly, toothpaste), a long-life dye, and an electrolyte. The first layer is a nanotechnology material, while the latter two work to emulate the natural photosynthetic process that occurs in the leaves of plants. The end result is that sunlight is converted into electricity as opposed to being trapped in sugars, as happens in plants. The ‘bread’ of Dyesol’s material sandwich takes the form of two electroconductive materials–one transparent on the light-facing surface, and another acting as a substrate behind the cell. These lead the electricity out of the cell to whatever its end use may be.

Key Advantages of Dyesol solar PV technologies

-Simpler production processes mean lower cost than conventional silicon-based PV technologies, as well as lower embodied energy in manufacture

-Can be applied like a film to the surface of a number of different substrates, including conventional building materials

-Can replace conventional glass panels and windows in buildings instead of taking up roof space

-Can be produced in a variety of different colours, for flexibility in building design

-Produces electricity even in low-light, real world conditions including cloudy and hazy days, dappled lights, dawn and dusk

-Avoids the use of expensive raw materials and has no toxic emissions

-In 2008 saw peak conversion efficiencies of up to 11% (sunlight to electricity) in laboratory conditions (comparable or greater than peak efficiencies for many other thin-film solar PV materials)

To whom are Dyesol materials and technology available?

Dyesol’s DSC materials are available for purchase in the Dyesol online shop for academics and others learning about the technology. Concurrently, Dyesol is working with key multinational companies to bring DSC integrated products to the mass market in a variety of applications, including in steel roofing and glass windows. Projects are currently underway with Tata Steel, one of the world’s largest steel producers and with Pilkington North America, one of the world’s largest glass makers. Dyesol is a truly global company with headquarters, laboratory and engineering facilities in Queanbeyan, NSW (recently visited by Australian PM Julia Gillard) and operations in Italy, the UK, Japan, and South Korea, among other countries.

Dyesol’s bold vision: grid price parity in the UK

At least for the near-term future, it seems that conventional solar PV modules are likely to remain the most readily available and cost-effective option for roof-top retrofit residential solar installations. Meanwhile, however, Dysol is pushing the envelope in its efforts to commercialise DSC, and in a joint demonstration project with Tata Steel in the UK, has made an explicit goal of ensuring that the electricity produced by its modules is competitive with that produced by the electrical grid, thereby eliminating reliance on the UK’s feed-in tariff for economic viability.

This is an impressive goal, especially considering that most solar PV installation companies in the UK are trying to come to grips with the recent, premature slashing of these very government incentives–many forecasting a kind of solar Armageddon. Should Dyesol achieve its goal, there will likely be repercussions for the entire solar PV industry. As the whole point of subsidisation of renewables is to enable competitiveness with fossil fuel generation, solar electricity at grid prices could completely transform the way that solar PV is seen as a renewable energy source, and possibly even shape the future trajectory of subsidisation for solar PV–doubtless much to the ire of Dyesol’s competitors.

© 2011 Solar Choice Pty Ltd

Kyocera Solar boasts some of the most efficient and arguably the most reliable solar photovoltaic (solar PV) panels in the extremely competitive emerging global solar industry. A strong player in the solar field since long before solar power reached its current status as a mainstream and well-regarded electricity generation source. Kyocera Solar has made steady progress since its inception in 1975, in both the quality of its products as well as its service, working hard to get its well-earned reputation as one of the best manufacturers in the industry.

Kyocera Solar: Unparalleled performance and reliability

-Kyocera KD modules: High-efficiency, dark-blue polycrystalline silicon cells-

Kyocera Solar might be said to have mastered polycrystalline silicon solar cells, having pioneered the silicon casting technique developed within its ceramics divisions. Polycrystalline, along with monocrystalline silicon cells, are known as the two most efficient solar technologies that are commercially available. Typically, polycrystalline modules have module efficiencies (input sunlight to output electricity) ranging between 12 and 14%. As always with solar panels, however, it is crucial to look beyond the generalities of technology type and into the details of the brand and its product lines. It is impossible to state as a rule that, for example monocrystalline solar cells are categorically ‘better’ than their polycrystalline equivalent.

Kyocera has refined its technology to attain efficiencies of up to 18.5% in the laboratory, typically translating to over16% during everyday use. One of the technologies that the company uses to enable this impressive level of efficiency is known as Reactive Ion Etching (RIE); RIE gives the Kyocera d.Blue cell line its unique and attractive dark blue hue, as well as its name.

A note about solar panel efficiency vs. durability and manufacturer credibility

Nominal efficiency is not the only or necessarily even the most important factor in when deciding which solar panels best suit your needs, but perhaps because it is the easiest number to point to, it understandably tends to be the first figure that gets a potential solar owner’s attention. There are in fact a number of questions to ask when considering buying a solar power system, and ‘How efficient is this solar panel?’, while important,  is just one of them.

First of all, nameplate efficiency of the solar panels may not reflect the efficiency of the system over the course of its lifetime. Other factors in the balance of system (BoS) such as the inverter–or if you have an off-grid system, the batteries–play an integral role in delivering the power from your panels to your appliances or the electrical grid. Secondly, provided there is ample space for panel mounting, efficiency should be a lower priority than dependability and durability; how long will your panels continue to perform as you want them to?

When considering buying a solar system, it is therefore also integral to consider what sort of solar warranty is on offer, the size and reputability of the manufacturer, the panel’s performance in the climatic conditions of your area (e.g. is it hot? often cloudy?)

Kyocera panels are winners by all accounts. They offer high yeilds than many panels over the course of their lifetimes, and the company has real-life case studies to back this up–the company has recently celebrated the 25-year anniversary of the

Kyocera Sakura Solar Centre - Panel Efficiency Degradation over 25 years

Sakura Solar Energy Centre. This world-renowned facility is the site of a 43kW grid-tie system, installed in 1984. The system consists of more than 1000 modules exposed to over 45,000 hours of solar irradiation. Research has proven that these panels have shown a degradation of an impressively low 9.6%. The company’s technology has also been performing well at the Desert Knowledge Australia Solar Centre, located outside Alice Springs. On top of their proven real-life performance, there are also warranties on Kyocera panels that guarantee no more than a 20% loss of production over 20 years (e.g. the capacity of a panel rated at 100W will not drop below 80W over 20 years.)

Durability is also a key consideration in the manufacture of Kyocera’s solar panels. They are the first in the world to pass TUV’s extremely stringent long-term sequential test, a test lasting 9-12 months in which one individual panel is subjected first to damp heat, then thermal cycling, followed by a humidity freeze and a bypass diode test.

The take-home point is, the spec sheet of a solar module should not be the final stop when considering which solar panels to install in your system; the credibility of the company itself needs to be considered. Kyocera Solar is a leader in efficiency, power yield, and dependability, and with a 36-year history in solar and a even older and more diversified and profitable parent company, there is little need to worry whether the company will be around to service warranties in the event that something does go wrong at some point after installation.

-Kyocera KD d.Blue Solar Modules: Points of Difference-

-Solar Panels for a full range of applications: residential, commercial-scale, and projects-

-Some of the highest efficiency polycrystalline silicon panels commercially available. 16+% conversion efficiency (sunlight to power), and outstanding yields across their entire lifetime

-First panel manufacturer to use 3 busbar technology (vs only 2)–one of the design technologies key in attaining 16+% efficiency

–Kyocera’s patented Reactive Ion Etching (RIE) technology increases surface area of cells, allowing higher conversion efficiency and resulting in Kyocera cells’ signature dark blue colour

–Manufactured by the world’s first serial producer of polycrystalline silicon solar panels–more experience with the technology than any other manufacturer, and a proven record of steady improvement

-Larger modules such as KD240+ are integrated with 2 back brace support structures that withstand high winds and protect the cells from stress fractures

–20 year warranty on nominal module output–output of solar cells typically falls with time; Kyocera panels have proven to remain remarkably productive over the first 20 years of their lifetime compared to the industry standard, with proven field results at Sakura in Japan, where performance has dropped by only 10% in 25 years. The fact that Kyocera has had 51 years without any losses as a company means that it is a company that can be trusted to service warranties well into the future.

–Proven performance, demonstrated through a variety of sites around the world delivering better than expected power yields; one of the only companies that has long-term data on large installations

–Superb customer service from before purchase through to post-installation troubleshooting–Kyocera takes pride in its products and offers advice and help for all aspects of an array’s life

–First solar panels in the world to pass the harsh new ‘long term sequential test’ developed by TUV

-Vertical integration of panels means Kyocera has direct oversight of all components that comprise modules

-Product Specifications/Electrical Characteristics-

Kyocera KD P series technical specifications (pdf)

You can compare how Kyocera panels compare to a number of other name brand panels on the Desert Knowledge Australia website, an invaluable resource for those shopping around for solar panels. Please keep in mind that one variable not accounted for, however, is the age of the installation in question. Kyocera panels are amongst the very first technologies installed at Desert Knowledge Australia in 2008. Kyocera also demonstrates that their panels deliver a higher yield (kWh/kWp) than technologies claiming a higher efficiency.

-Other products by Kyocera-

In addition to its KD line of solar panels, Kyocera is also a supplier of solar inverters and charge controllers

-Component standards met/awards-

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

–PV Cycle– Kyocera is a member of the PV Cycle program

–CE mark– Kyocera panels are compliant with European Union regulations

-EC 61215 ed.2 IEC 61730 and Safety Class II

-EC 61701 (Salt Mist Corrosion Testing)–Corrosion-resistant even in areas close to the ocean

-TUV.com-ID: 0000023299

-Kyocera is ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certified and registered

-Warranty-

20 year performance warranty guarantees no more than an 20% drop in efficiency over this period

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

Read about solar panel and solar system warranties.

About Kyocera Solar

-Company Headquarters-

Global head office: Kyoto, Japan

Australia head office: North Ryde, Sydney NSW

Kyocera Solar owns and operates numerous offices throughout the world in order to provide prompt and personal service

-Factory locations-

Centre of Cell Production: Yohkaichi, Japan

2nd production centre: Yasu, Japan

Kyocera Solar also has assembly plants  in the US, North America, China, and the Czech Republic

The panels available in Australia are assembled in Mexico.

-History in the Solar Industry-

Kyocera Solar has been researching solar technology since 1975 and producing solar cells since 1978.

Parent company Kyocera was established in 1959.

© 2011 Solar Choice Pty Ltd

Sources and links:

Kyocera Australia Home Page

Previous related Solar Choice articles: Solar Panels and Solar Modules – Questions to ask when considering buying a solar power system – Which solar panels are right for you? – Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) – Desert Knowledge Solar Centre solar panel comparisons – Solar Panel Tilt and Orientation in Australia

What is special about Tindo’s solar panels?

An Australian solar panel manufacturer

Australia is home to one of the world’s most widely recognised solar PV research centres: UNSW’s Photovoltaic Engineering faculty. This is where the seeds for the world’s largest manufacturer of solar panels–Suntech–were planted. It is also a hub for ongoing development of solar technologies. Despite this, nearly all solar panels available on the Australian market are manufactured overseas. Given Australia’s relatively small manufacturing base, this state of affairs may be inevitable, but it does not prevent shoppers from favouring a ‘Made in Australia’ label where one can be found. This is perhaps why news of Tindo’s emergence is causing such a buzz.

Supporting its home-grown image, Tindo’s name comes from the Kaurna Aboriginal language–the language of traditional inhabitants of the Adelaide plains, where the company’s manufacturing plant is located–and means ‘sun’. The name of the company’s first panel line–the Karra 240–gets its etymology from the Kaurna word for ‘sky’ or ‘heaven’.

Hand-selected solar system installers

The company prides itself in its commitment to more than just turning a profit, and hopes to appeal to customers who share a similar mindset. Tindo has hand-selected the installers who will install their panels based on their credibility, ethics, and motivations, hoping to build a great reputation through association with quality installations and excellent customer service. As community engagement is one of the qualities that Tindo requires in its installers, almost all of those selected are small businesses who similarly rely on their reputations and word of mouth to promote their businesses and grow their customer bases.

Solar panels that produce grid-compatible AC electricity

Most solar panels produce Direct Current (DC) electricity, which needs to be converted to 240-volt Alternating Current (AC) via a solar inverter in order for it to be compatible with the electricity grid and to be used by home electrical appliances. Most solar systems have centralised inverters into which all solar panels in a system feed. In such conventional systems, if there are variations in electrical output among panels in an individual string, the output of the whole of the array can suffer.

Tindo panels, on the other hand, each come equipped with micro-inverters made by Enecsys. These inverters allow each panel to function individually, converting DC to AC on the module level. This means that entire strings or arrays will not suffer dramatic output losses in the event of the failure or shading of an individual panel; this increases the yield of a system over its lifetime. Although inverters for each panel may mean a higher upfront cost for the panels themselves, decreased installation labour costs, and the elimination of the need for a central inverter offset much of the upfront cost of a whole system. Additionally, improved yields over the life of the system thanks to the micro-inverter technology make micro-inverter equipped panels a wise investment decision.

Enecsys Micro-Inverters for Tindo Panels–One panel failure does not bring down the whole array. (Image via Enecsys)

In addition to the obvious benefit of circumventing the need for a central inverter (often the most expensive individual part of a solar PV system), Enecsys micro-inverters offer a number of other potential benefits, including improved safety (avoidance of ‘arcing’ across strings of panels, for example), enhanced monitoring capability (the performance of each module can be tracked on a smartphone or a PC individually), and simplified system design and installation (no need to worry about matching panel wattage on strings or what the acceptable central inverter input voltage is).

(SolarEdge, as discussed previously, is a  technology similar to that used in Tindo panels, except that DC electricity is harnessed from each individual panel before all being centrally converted to AC in an centralised inverter. While still advantageous in terms of mitigation of output loss due to partial shading, SolarEdge does not afford the same safety features as the Enecsys micro-inverters used by Tindo.)

High-quality components make a high-quality panel

Where can I get Tindo Solar Panels?

As noted above, only around 60 installers who have been hand-selected by Tindo will be using their panels in installations. A number of these installers may be members of the Solar Choice installer network. If you are interested in Tindo solar panels, fill out the Solar Quote Comparison Request form to the right of this page to see if any Solar Choice Network installers in your area offer a Tindo option in their installations.

Resources and Links

Tindo Solar Karra-240 Brochure (pdf)

© 2011 Solar Choice Pty Ltd

Top image via Tindo Solar