Throughout history, the human race has always been on the quest for improvement, always evolving to something better and not stopping from discovering the next best thing. Today’s gadgets and devices that have been making our lives easier and more convenient on a daily basis are the perfect testament to this innate human nature.
For more information, please visit our website.
This desire to be better also shows with the technological development in energy efficiency. We’re now able to produce electricity from various sources such as the sun, water, and land.
But, in this article, we’ll focus on perc solar panels and how they have improved over the years to be more energy efficient.
The photovoltaic effect, discovered by French physicist Edmond Becquerel in , marked a significant milestone in understanding how exposure to radiant energy or light generates an electric current. This discovery laid the groundwork for future innovations, including inspiring French mathematician Augustin Mouchot. In the s, Mouchot began patenting solar-powered engines, showcasing the potential of harnessing solar energy. Today, advanced technologies like PERC solar panels (Passivated Emitter and Rear Cell) build upon these early breakthroughs, offering enhanced efficiency and performance in solar power systems.
A few decades later, the first solar panels were installed on a New York City rooftop in . This was done by Charles Fritts after creating the first solar cells by putting a thin layer of gold on selenium. This solar cell had an energy conversion rate of one to two percent.
The next 20 years showed great developments in electrical energy and solar energy.
In , Edward Weston had two patents that focused on transforming radiant energy from the sun into electricity. That same year, Aleksandr Stoletov, a Russian scientist, produced the first solar cell that’s based on the photoelectric effect, or when electrons are released after light falls on a material.
By , Melvin Severy, an American inventor, secured patents for apparatuses capable of generating electricity through solar heat and for systems to operate and mount thermopiles. Later, in , Harry Reagan, another American inventor, patented thermal batteries designed to collect and store solar heat, which could then be released as energy when needed. These pioneering efforts laid the groundwork for advancements in solar energy technology. Today, innovations such as PERC solar cells demonstrate how far solar technology has progressed, offering highly efficient solutions for capturing and utilizing solar power.
Further technological advancements were made during the s. The first practical solar cell was made by Bell researchers in . The country’s space satellites were powered by solar cells starting in the late 50s.
Things accelerated more during the s as the government started funding further research and development on solar energy caused by the energy crisis. Since the Solar Investment Tax Credit was passed in , the country has experienced an average growth of 50% yearly for solar energy. It also helped that materials used for solar energy have become more accessible and cheaper.
Solar cells have been mentioned a couple of times above. But, what exactly are they?
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), solar cells or photovoltaic (PV) cells are a nonmechanical device that works in converting sunlight into electricity. They are made of semiconductor material, and sunlight is made up of photons which contain energy that correlates to various wavelengths in the solar spectrum.
Once photons strike solar cells, the semiconductor material will absorb them (while some photons may either reflect off or pass through the cell). The absorbed photons are the ones used to create electricity.
Electrons are also involved in the process of solar energy. Its movement produces a negative charge, resulting in an imbalance of the front and back surfaces' electrical charges. This imbalance can be compared to a battery’s positive and negative terminals.
PERC (Passivated Emitter Rear Cell) panels are a type of photovoltaic panel and were first introduced in . perc pv cell are a variety of traditional silicon solar cells, which have an additional passivation layer on the rear side of the cell.
They were made in pursuit of being more energy efficient. Its early usage had some problems due to degradation. But inventors were able to solve this problem and this technology was able to achieve better solar generation up to 12% compared to its traditional counterpart.
Energy efficiency is achieved through the passivation layer which assists in lessening the rear recombination and not allowing longer wavelengths from becoming heat that would impact a cell’s performance. As a result, PERC solar panels typically have a higher power output compared to conventional solar panels, making them a more efficient option for solar energy generation, not to mention being more cost-effective in the long run.
Are PERC PV cell a better choice to have than the most common solar panels for day-to-day use?
The answer is yes.
PERC solar panels can generate the same amount of energy as a normal solar panel. But with them being more energy efficient, it is going to require fewer panels to gather the same amount of energy.
This meant less expense as fewer panels were needed to generate one’s needed energy. For example, a 2 pack - 410 Watt Monocrystalline Solar Panel may be enough to gather, store, and generate energy for one’s essential needs. A 410-watt panel can at least produce 1.2 to 3 or more kilowatt hours (kWh) on a daily basis. But if one’s house requires more power, there are different configurations one can play with. Here’s a link to different solar panel collections and configurations that people can take into consideration when building the perfect PERC panel combination.
Solar panel technology has come a long way since it was first installed on a rooftop somewhere in New York. But at its core, it aims to provide an alternative way of producing electricity.
One of its key innovations is the introduction of PERC solar panels, which provide more energy efficiency and are more cost-effective compared to their counterparts.
Jiwei contains other products and information you need, so please check it out.
But as history shows, things can only go brighter from here. Further development and discoveries will be made when it comes to solar energy, all in the hope of widespread adoption across the country, and, eventually, the world.
Do you want to install a solar panel in your house, but looking at terms like Mono PERC solar panel, TOPCon solar panel, PERC Half Cell Technology, and HJT solar panels intimidate you? We know that these big terms can be confusing, but once you understand the three main types of solar panels, you can easily understand the rest (variants of the three main types).
Choosing a solar panel is a lifestyle, a sustainable and money-saving one! Therefore, understanding the different types of solar panels can help you make an informed decision and get better returns from your solar investment.
We will discuss the three main types of solar panels: Mono PERC, TOPCon, and HJT. Let’s start by understanding each of these solar panels before discussing their differences.
Mono Passivated Emitter and Rear Cell Solar, aka Mono PERC solar panel, has an additional passivated layer at the rear end of the traditional crystalline solar panel. The PERC solar panels use the layer at the rear end to reflect the rays on the PV modules to increase electricity generation. Apart from the standard Mono PERC solar panel, there is also a Mono PERC Half Cut Solar Panel with more PERC PV cells.
The TopCon solar panel is like the Mono PERC but with an additional Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact layer. A thin tunnel oxide layer is added between the TOPCon solar cell and the rear layer. It reflects the sunlight on the cells to maximize energy production. Popular solar cells are standard TOPCon panels, Topcon Bifacial solar panels, and TOPCon half-cut solar panels.
The Heterojunction Technology (HJT) solar panel is the most advanced design in the current market. The HJT solar cells are sandwiched between a thin film of amorphous silicon. Indium Tin Oxide covers this layer from the top and rear side to maximize the sunlight exposure on the solar cells. Apart from the standard HJT solar panels, you can also choose HJT Bifacial Solar Panel or HJT half-cut Solar Panel.
While all three solar panels are popular, some differences in performance and design can help you get better returns.
Mono PERC and TOPCon solar panels are almost similar, except for the additional tunnel oxide layer on the passivated rear. The HJT solar panels are made using a completely different process and equipment.
Efficiency refers to the amount of sunlight the PV cells can absorb from total sunlight exposure. The higher the percentage, the more energy your solar panel will be able to produce. If efficiency is your primary concern, you can opt for HJT solar panels.
The energy efficiency of these three solar panels is as follows:
Due to the continuous heat exposure and usage, the solar cells degrade. The degradation is ideally 0.5%. In simple terms, the solar panel’s efficiency will reduce by 0.5% every year. Therefore, by the end of the solar panel’s life cycle, its efficiency will reduce to 90%. Regular cleaning and maintenance can help you maintain solar panels’ performance based on their lifecycle stage.
While solar panels thrive in the sunlight, each type of solar panel has an operational temperature range that creates maximum energy. If the temperature is lower, the panels won’t generate energy; if the temperature is higher, the panels will get overheated and damaged.
As mentioned above, the Mono PERC and TOPCon solar panels can be made in the same production plant. Therefore, most manufacturers charge only a little more for the TOPCon solar panels. However, the HJT is a new technology that needs different equipment. As the HJT is new in the market, there aren’t many producers, leading to an increase in cost.
If cost isn’t your limiting factor, you can choose an HJT solar panel. However, the TOPCon solar panels and HJT have similar performance and life spans. So, if you want high-performing solar panels, you can choose TOPCon solar panels. You can also choose Transparent Photovoltaic Panels for maximum sunlight exposure and energy generation.
Choosing a solar panel can be confusing. Therefore, Sunora Solar is here to help you find the best solar panel based on your energy requirements, budget, and the space for solar panel installation. From finding the best panel to installation, our team will assist you in each step! In our eight years of experience, we have helped more than customers install high-performing solar solutions. Whether you need a Mono PERC or TOPCon solar panel, we have solar panels for all types of projects.
From the rooftop resident project to the ground-mount commercial project, we can help you install solar panels effortlessly. Please send us your queries; we are eager to hear from you.
Understanding the difference between the Mono PERC, HJT, and TOPCon solar panels can help you better decide your solar investment. The Mono PERC is a cost-effective solution with average efficiency. TOPCon solar panels give you more efficiency without a drastic increase in price due to their similar design to PERC solar panels. The HJT solar panels are the latest designs with better efficiency at a slightly higher cost. Sunora Solar can help you choose and install the best solar panel based on your needs! Contact us with your queries now!
The Mono PERC solar cell panel has a passivated layer at the rear end to reflect back the sunlight on the solar cells. On the other hand, the TOPCon solar panels have an additional tunnel oxide layer over the passivated layer to reflect more sunlight on the cells. Therefore, TOPCon solar panels have more efficiency and a slight hike in price.
HJT solar panels perform better in terms of efficiency and lifespan. The HJT has more than 25% efficiency compared to 22-24% in TOPCon. The HJT lasts over 30 years compared to 25-30 years of TOPCon. However, the HJT solar panels are relatively new in the market and have limited suppliers. Therefore, they are costlier than TOPCon solar panels. Compare the features and choose what’s best for you.
Traditional solar panels are only exposed to sunlight on one side. However, bifacial solar panels have a transparent rear side that absorbs the light exposure or is reflected on the rear surface. It increases the efficiency of the solar panel. Mono PERC, HJT, and TOPCon bifacial solar panels are in the market.
The degradation rate refers to the decrease in the efficiency of the solar panel over its lifecycle. The average degradation rate is 0.5% per year. Therefore, by the end of the 25-30-year life cycle, the solar panel’s efficiency will decrease to 90%. Regular maintenance is essential to maintain the quality and efficiency of the solar panels.
Are you interested in learning more about PERC Mono Solar Panel PERC? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!