Next we will make a Comparison of existing solar panels in the solar market. Photovoltaic panels differ among others in technology, workmanship, price, efficiency and power. Modern solutions make it possible to achieve increasingly higher parameters of photovoltaic modules.
Comparison of solar panels
Manufacturers compete to get the most power out of the panels, but are they more efficient or just bigger? Can higher performance be achieved with the same dimensions?
Higher efficiency or size – 350W panel comparison
To see if higher power always goes hand in hand with higher efficiency, we compared monocrystalline panels with a power of 350 W from different manufacturers.
| Manufacturer / model | Talesun Solar HIPRO II TP672M-350 | Phono Solar PS350M-24 / T |
Sunport D6 | I Solar JAM72S01 -350 / SC / 1000V |
Jinshi Solar NBJ 350-72M | Trina Solar TSM-350W | LG Mono X Plus (LG350S2W-A5) |
Longi Solar Hi-Mo4 LR4-60HBD |
| Energy | 350 watts | 350 watts | 350 watts | 350 watts | 350 watts | 350 watts | 350 watts | 350 watts |
| Efficiency | 18% | 18.4% | 19.4% | 18% | 18.04% | 18% | 16.9% | 18.6% |
| Technology | mono, prec | infectious mononucleosis | mono, MWT, half cut | infectious mononucleosis | infectious mononucleosis | infectious mononucleosis | infectious mononucleosis | infectious mononucleosis |
| Number of cells | 72 | 72 | 63 | 72 | 72 | 72 | 72 | 60 |
| Dimensions [mm] | 1960 × 992 | 1956 × 992 | 1772 × 1016 | 1960 × 991 | 1956 × 992 | 1960 × 992 | 2024 × 1024 | 1755 × 1038 |
| Dimensions [m2] | 1.94 | 1.8 | 1.8 | 1.94 | 1.8 | 1.94 | 2.07 | 1.82 |
| Weight | 22 kilograms | 22.5 kg | 20 kilograms | 22.5 kg | 21 kilograms | 26 kilograms | 21.7 kg | 24 kilograms |
| Module degradation in the first year | 3% | 3% | two% | 3% | 3% | 3% | two% | two% |
| Guaranteed efficiency | 80% after 25 years | 80% after 25 years | 82% after 30 years | 80% after 25 years | 80% after 25 years | 80% after 25 years | 84.8% after 25 years | 80% after 30 years |
The individual models do not differ in power, but we can notice differences in the number of cells and dimensions of the panels. Most manufacturers, in addition to increasing the power of the panels, increase the number of cells and, therefore, the size of the modules. This causes the panels to take up more space on the ceiling, the installation puts more stress on the ceiling structure, and it is more difficult to plan the entire installation. Proposal? Not always more power equals technological progress and better performance.
High efficiency and small size.
If possible. An example is Sunport, which, thanks to the use of more efficient cells, created modules with a power of 350 W while maintaining dimensions. In addition, they are characterized by a high efficiency of up to 20% and a low degradation of the module over time. In addition, thanks to the use of the MWT back contact and half cut technology, they are classified as high-performance modules, that is, manufactured with our own technology that optimizes the operation of the module.
Thanks to the use of MWT technology, losses resulting from shading the front of the cell by busbars are eliminated, and they are cut in half, that is, the modules are cut in half, in addition to minimizing losses caused by the shade from the outside, also lengthening the life of the panels.
Comparison of the weight of photovoltaic panels
Another notable difference is the weight of the individual modules, which varies by manufacturer and model from 20 kg for Sunpower panels to 26 kg for Trina Solar TSM-350W. The Longi Solar module is also characterized by its high weight, but it is a bifacial glass-glass model, that is, double-sided glass with double coating, intended for installations on the ground where weight is not of great importance.
However, in the case of roof structures, weight matters, the lighter a single module is, the lighter the entire structure. In the case of large installations, for example 10 kWp, 29 panels with a capacity of 350 Wp are needed. Compared to Sunport and Trina Solar TSM-350W modules, it weighs 174 kg!
Comparison of photovoltaic panels – guarantee of efficiency
A linear performance guarantee means that after a set period of time, the solar panels will continue to produce electricity efficiently. The performance guarantee proves the quality of the product, the longer the better. As standard, manufacturers offer a 25-year linear warranty at 80% efficiency, but this is not necessarily the case.
In the market, we can also find shorter and longer warranty periods (eg Sunport: 82% efficiency guarantee after 30 years of use, additionally insured by Lloyds).
The price of photovoltaic energy is usually the main parameter when choosing elements of the set. However, in order for the installation to be efficient for many years, it is necessary to check what properties the given element of the installation has. Opinions on photovoltaics and the individual elements of the system are different, nothing demonstrates the quality better than the technical parameters.
In the case of panels, the most important are: technology, linear guarantee of efficiency or the relationship between the power and the size of the modules. It is also worth paying attention to the manufacturer of a certain component and their experience in the industry.