Network Connection Panels

Grid Connection Solar Panel

Physical characteristics of a panel of 60 cells

Solar panels with 60 cells, also called ‘grid connection’, are made up of 60 photovoltaic cells of 156mm x156mm in the vast majority of cases distributed in 6 rows of 10 cells each. The peak powers of these panels are currently between 250Wp and 275Wp and their most common measurements are 1650mm x 990mm with a perimeter frame of 40 or 50mm . Their weight is around 18-19 kg .

Technical characteristics of the grid connection panels

The grid connection panels have size characteristics that make them manageable to transport and install, unlike the higher power 24V panels that have dimensions close to 2 meters and are heavier. The difference is that the same installation with 24V solar panels can be much cheaper because it does not need an MPPT-type regulator or invest that difference in more panel power. Also keep in mind that a larger panel has a lot of sail effect when it is windy, so smaller panels can resist better on roofs and very exposed surfaces.

Grid connection panels are sometimes also known as 24V solar panels, but they are not at all , since at maximum power they usually deliver between 29.9V and 31.3V (models between 240W and 275W) and this voltage is completely insufficient. to charge a 24V battery, in case we use the panel for an isolated installation. It should not deceive us that the power production figure in Amps, between 8.03A and 8.79A for grid connection panels between 240W and 275W, is similar to the figure given by panels between 295W and 330W, but panels of higher power also provide a higher voltage, which is used to charge a 24V battery with a conventional regulator and without the need for an MPPT maximizer regulator.

If we look at them from the front we see that they have 60 cells arranged in 3 pairs of rows, which is why they are also called 60-cell panels to differentiate them from those with 72 and 36 cells, which correspond to 24V solar panels and 12V panels. respectively. On its back, as in all models, it has a waterproof connection box with 3 protection diodes and from which the two cables come out with MC4 terminals ready to connect.

Our grid connection solar panels are polycrystalline and monocrystalline since PERC technology offers a very interesting value for money

Solar panel for grid connection and battery charging

Solar panels with 60 cells have become very popular in isolated installations and solar kits for permanent homes. Initially conceived for large installations of grid connection solar kits, since due to the voltage characteristics they give, they are not profitable in isolated installations with batteries in isolated connection solar kits. A single grid connection panel provides too much voltage to charge a 12V battery, but not enough to adequately charge a 24V battery. And if we put them in pairs, we also exceed the voltage, which is why the use of MPPT regulators is mandatory , since they are capable of adapting the battery charging voltage independently of the input voltage, as long as it remains within the defined margins. by the manufacturer.The grid connection solar panels offer a power between 230W and 350W for the higher power models.

Network connection panels, many people do not know, but they can also be used to charge 12V batteries, through an MPPT regulator. The peculiarity is that this charge regulator reduces the panel voltage by raising the intensity in amps. Therefore, if we have a limited surface and we want to make the most of the space with these panels, we can charge a 12V battery, for example for a caravan.

What must be kept in mind is that the regulator does not limit production, for this we recommend consulting the technical data sheet of the regulator manufacturer.

In grid connection panels , we offer a varied offer, between recognized manufacturers such as Amerisolar or national ones manufactured in Spain such as Atersa. If you want a monocrystalline model or one with special characteristics, you can consult us for availability, since we usually have the models with the highest turnover published on the web.

How to check the operation of a 60-cell solar panel?

To check the operation of a solar panel we need a multimeter or digital multimeter to measure voltage and current. And if you have a better clamp meter.

– Measure the voltage of a 60-cell solar panel : First, the photovoltaic panel is placed in the sun (without connecting to the installation) and the tips of the multimeter or tester are connected to the cables of the solar panel, positive to positive and negative with negative. As the panel is working without load, that is, in open circuit, the voltage that we must measure must be within 30v – 32v. (the higher the temperature of the solar panel, the lower the voltage)

– Measure the current of a solar panel with an ammeter clamp : The positive cable of the solar panel must be connected to the negative cable, thus making a short circuit, there is no need to worry about damaging the plate since the maximum current that we will obtain is limited by the physical characteristics of the solar panel. Once the cables are connected, the ammeter clamp is placed and the direct current (CC or DC) is measured, the measurement must be close to the maximum current of the solar panel (in short circuit, isc) about 9A for 270W solar panels . The current obtained depends on the conditions of solar radiation, if the day is cloudy or the measurement is taken in the early or late hours of the day, the current will be proportionally lower.

– Measure the current of a 60-cell solar panel with a digital multimeter or multimeter (tester) : To measure with a multimeter, the wiring must be connected differently from the rest of the measuring devices. The black cable is connected to the COM terminal of the multimeter and the red cable to the current terminal marked with an A. The maximum current that the multimeter can measure must be taken into account, which is limited by a value next to the A, in many cases 10 amps. If we exceed this current, the multimeter is damaged.

Once these steps have been completed, the DC current must be selected on the multimeter and the test leads connected to the solar panel cables. In this way the current from the solar panel passes through the multimeter and the measurement can be made.

What charge regulator is necessary with a grid connection panel?

The 60-cell panels have a working voltage (Vmp) close to 31V. This working voltage varies according to the conditions in which the panel is, the higher the temperature, the lower the voltage, reducing at ambient temperatures of 30ºC to values ​​close to 27V . The PWM regulators are not capable of varying the working voltage of the photovoltaic panel and since the charging of the 24V battery banks is carried out at voltages higher than 28V, the panels are not capable of charging the batteries . This circumstance requires the use of an MPPT charge regulator capable of raising the voltage and reaching the necessary voltages for the correct charging of the battery bank.

The 60-cell solar panels are designed for grid connection installations with dimensions suitable for handling by one person . In this type of installation, by placing the panels in series forming strings, as batteries are not used, the circumstance described above does not affect them.

Installation of solar panel connection to the network

AutoSolar puts at your disposal the installation and commissioning service of the solar panels connected to the network with a guarantee of operation and start-up included.

AutoSolar has a department of professional installers who travel to any point in Spain to install any of the products on our website.

Maintenance of solar panels connected to the network

Grid connection solar panels do not require special maintenance, although it is recommended that their cells be as clean as possible to optimize the operation of the grid connection panel .

To clean the network connection panel, it can be done with soap and water.

Network connection panel warranty

The grid connection panels enjoy a warranty period of 25 years of power and between 5 and 10 years depending on the model due to manufacturing defects.

If you want to know in your specific case what warranty period your network connection panel enjoys, contact us.

Buy cheap grid connection panels

At AutoSolar we offer cheap grid connection panels from manufacturers with the best international recognition, all with a performance guarantee, free advice and, if you wish, installation service.

Finance purchase grid connection panels

AutoSolar, hand in hand with Cetelem, offers you the possibility of financing the purchase of grid connection panels without interest so that you can make the payment in easy installments.

If you wish to finance any of the products on our website, together with the payment methods, when you have selected the product to make the purchase, the option to finance your purchase will appear, follow the steps that Cetelem marks and when you send the requested documentation , Cetelem will inform you if the financing has been accepted.

At AutoSolar we remain at your disposal to advise you on what type of photovoltaic panel is recommended based on your characteristics and needs.

Efficiency solar panels Network Connection

The efficiency as far as solar panels are concerned, is the amount of solar energy that the surface of the panel receives and is converted into electrical energy. The conversion efficiency of solar panels has increased by 15% to 20% in recent years, this is mainly due to technological advances in solar cells. This increase in efficiency has managed to increase the nominal power output of standard size solar panels from 240-260W to 300-330W.

The efficiency of each solar panel connected to the network will be given by two factors primarily, the efficiency of the photovoltaic cell, which will be based on its design and the type of silicon; and on the other hand by the total efficiency of the panel given by the configuration of the cell and the design of the panel.

cell efficiency. It is determined by the structure of the cell and also by the material from which the base has been made, usually type P or type N is used. Efficiency is quantified based on the Fill Factor (FF), which is the efficiency of conversion that, at most, a photovoltaic cell has at an optimal current voltage.

The design of the cell, its type, its size or the number of Bus Bars, among others, also play an important role in efficiency. IBC cells are typically the most efficient (20-22%) and are made from high purity N-type silicon and do not typically suffer from bus bar shading losses, although they are also the most expensive. However, recent mono PERC cells have themselves achieved high levels of efficiency, exceeding 20%.

Solar panel efficiency. The efficiency will be given by the size of the solar panel, the size of each cell and its design. It can also influence how many cells you have and what type they are, the design of the Bus Bar, the distance between each cell and how they connect to each other. Although the color of the back sheet that protects the solar panel may seem irrelevant, it can generate changes in the efficiency of the assembly since if it is black it will absorb more heat and this in turn will decrease the efficiency of the cell.

The grid-connected solar panels that equip IBC cells are usually more efficient, then we would have the monocrystalline half-cell cells and multiple bus bars, the mono shingled cells and finally the standard 60-cell mono cells (4-5 bars) . Polycrystalline solar panels with 60 cells are normally the ones with the lowest efficiency and, therefore, the ones that cost the least: we must be aware that the efficiency indicated in the datasheet must be the total generated by the panel, not the efficiency of the cell , which will be greater.

Although we refer a lot to the term efficiency, not always the panel with the highest efficiency will be the same as a higher quality solar panel . We focus on the fact that efficiency is the best criterion for selecting a solar panel, but the criterion that should prevail is manufacturing quality, closely linked to performance, reliability, the company behind the product, as well as the conditions of the guarantee.

Efficiency gives an indication of long-term performance, especially as many high-efficiency panels use high-grade silicon with higher temperature performance and slight degradation over time, with many manufacturers offering warranties of 88%. or more power output even after 25 years of normal use.

Efficiency allows a lot of difference as to the installation area you need. Solar panels with higher efficiency require a smaller area to generate the same output power, which is ideal in situations where space is limited by any circumstance, and also allows systems with a higher capacity to be installed.

Efficiency in practice. On a day-to-day basis, operational efficiency is established based on external factors, which we will list below. These factors can drastically interfere with the total efficiency of the solar panel or the system in general:

– Panel orientation .
– Dust and dirt.
– Shading.
– Cell temperature.
– Location.
– Time of the year.

There are two points to keep in mind that have the most impact on the efficiency of the solar panel, which are the temperature of the cells and the shading. Obviously, if a solar panel connected to the grid is completely shaded, the output power will be practically zero, but if it is partially shaded it will also have a significant impact, not only on its efficiency but also on the total efficiency of the entire system. .