Solar Power World

  • Home
  • Top Solar Contractors
  • Solar+Storage
  • Articles
    • Most Recent Posts
    • News
      • Latest News Items
      • Solar tariffs
      • COVID-19 News
    • Featured
      • Latest Feature Stories
      • Contractors Corner
      • Installation Practices
      • Trends in Solar
      • Folsom Labs Solar Boot-Up
      • The Solar Explorer
  • Products
    • 2020 Top Products
    • Batteries and Storage
    • Inverters
      • Manufacturing Locations
    • Racking and Mounting
    • Software
    • Solar Panels
      • Manufacturing Locations
  • Leadership
    • 2020 Winners
    • 2019 Winners
    • 2018 Winners
  • Subscribe
  • Resources
    • About SPW
    • Digital Issues
    • Event Coverage
    • Podcasts
    • Product Databases
      • Solar Inverter Models
      • Solar Panel Models
      • Solar Racking Models
      • Battery Storage Models
    • Product Manufacturing Locations
      • Global Inverter Manufacturing Locations
      • Global Solar Panel Manufacturing Locations
    • Suppliers
    • Videos
    • Webinars
    • Whitepapers
  • COVID-19 NEWS

Trending in solar panels: PERC, new cell designs diversifying competitive market

By Kelly Pickerel | June 5, 2017

Share

While 60-cell panels are still dominant, it appears more powerful 72-cell designs are being used, according to Solar Media Ltd. This can mostly be attributed to more 72-cell panels being used in utility-scale solar—the largest solar market—as these projects are looking for the highest output.

Source: PV-Tech & Solar Media Ltd.

Some of the most cost-efficient ways to reach even higher outputs with larger solar panels are through PERC designs or increasing the number of busbars. Both can contribute to 72-cell panels producing outputs near 350 W.

More busbars means there are more paths for electrons to pass down, leading to increases in both power and efficiency. The International Technology Roadmap for Photovoltaic (ITRPV) finds that four- and five-busbar models will quickly assert their dominance, while advanced busbar-less technologies will eventually find their own footing.

Moving past “buzzword” status, IHS expects PERC to become a mainstream technology by 2020. Most major manufacturers have come out with a PERC line. The global production capacity of PERC cells is expected to reach 25 GW this year, doubling 2016’s output, according to Energy Trend.

Switching over to half-cut cells in solar panels can also boost power output by reducing the potential for resistance losses. REC made each of its module lines half-cut in 2016, and Mitsubishi and Canadian Solar are just two names that have also picked up on the trend.

In general, high-efficiency modules are in demand across all markets.

“High-efficiency panels are in more demand than ever in the residential solar market due to outright ownership getting more popular and homeowners seeking to maximize their production,” said Mukesh Sethi, manager of the solar products group for Panasonic Eco Solutions Company of North America (PESNA).

With the whole industry relatively even on price, the best way to differentiate today’s solar panels is by increasing power through slight manufacturing changes.

About The Author

Kelly Pickerel

Kelly Pickerel is editor in chief of Solar Power World.

Tell Us What You Think! Cancel reply

Related Articles Read More >

ICAST enlists Nikola Power modeling software for low-income multifamily housing solar + storage initiative
Construction begins on 300-MW solar, 561-MWh storage project in California
Foundations are the linchpin of proper solar carport installation
Solar FlexRack supplies single-axis trackers to Connecticut project portfolio

Stay Informed With Great Solar Power Content

Videos Podcasts Webinars Whitepapers

SPW Digital Editions

Solar Power World Digital EditionBrowse the current issue and archived issues of Solar Power World in an easy-to-use, high-quality format. Bookmark, share and interact with the leading solar construction magazine today.

Solar Policy Snapshot

Solar policy differs across state lines and regions. Click to see our monthly roundup of recent legislation and research throughout the country.

Read More >

Popular Posts See More >

Solar investment tax credit extended at 26% for two additional years
Think before trashing: The second-hand solar market is booming
The changing state of retiring solar panels
The winners and losers in U.S. solar manufacturing in 2020
Tweets by @SolarPowerWorld
Solar Power World
  • Top Solar Contractors
  • Solar Articles
  • Top Products
  • Leadership
  • WTWH Media
  • About/Contact Us
  • Advertising
  • Subscribe
  • Windpower Engineering & Development

Copyright © 2021 WTWH Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Site Map | Privacy Policy | RSS

Search Solar Power World

  • Home
  • Top Solar Contractors
  • Solar+Storage
  • Articles
    • Most Recent Posts
    • News
      • Latest News Items
      • Solar tariffs
      • COVID-19 News
    • Featured
      • Latest Feature Stories
      • Contractors Corner
      • Installation Practices
      • Trends in Solar
      • Folsom Labs Solar Boot-Up
      • The Solar Explorer
  • Products
    • 2020 Top Products
    • Batteries and Storage
    • Inverters
      • Manufacturing Locations
    • Racking and Mounting
    • Software
    • Solar Panels
      • Manufacturing Locations
  • Leadership
    • 2020 Winners
    • 2019 Winners
    • 2018 Winners
  • Subscribe
  • Resources
    • About SPW
    • Digital Issues
    • Event Coverage
    • Podcasts
    • Product Databases
      • Solar Inverter Models
      • Solar Panel Models
      • Solar Racking Models
      • Battery Storage Models
    • Product Manufacturing Locations
      • Global Inverter Manufacturing Locations
      • Global Solar Panel Manufacturing Locations
    • Suppliers
    • Videos
    • Webinars
    • Whitepapers
  • COVID-19 NEWS