L R AS Published on Sunday 6 September 2020 - n° 330 - Categories:cells, panels
Large cells and panels (4th): divided opinions
Observers often believe that solar panels of more than 500 W are not a technological breakthrough but a marketing phenomenon. In reality, these very powerful panels make it possible to reduce costs without any major technological innovation. The disadvantages are very widespread.
Only those who really know the subject are aware of it.
This trend towards very large panels benefits above all the large manufacturers who have the production lines to achieve this. The others have to invest in R&D and equipment. So large panels create a new monopoly.
Panels of 500 W and more are not necessarily better than 400 W panels. Many improve very little on aspects that manufacturers can modulate at will because of commercial interest, such as annual degradation, product guarantee and performance guarantee, i.e. nothing tangible that can be verified in the laboratory.
So is it a commercial war with marketing, or is it a lasting trend? Trina believes they are here to stay. The 210mm cells are the largest in the industry and their production capacity is constantly increasing. These panels allow for the integration of panels in chains. This means that other components such as trackers, inverters, ... have to be adapted. The entire industry has worked hard to develop optimal compatibility with this new panel model.
Spanish company Ingerteam states: "These panels allow us to further increase energy density and efficiency. They offer better costs per kWp".
The Spanish wafer manufacturer Aurinka believes that the half-cells and double-sided panels will remain. The very large cells will not be produced much because they are very fragile, with a lot of breakage. These large cells are first of all marketing to make themselves known.
Solarwatt believes that large panels with large cells will enter the market, but will be used for specific needs.
Baywa r.e. points out that manufacturers have always succeeded in increasing the efficiency of the panels. These panels with large cells will improve their technical quality and will be massively manufactured worldwide.
The German distributor Krannich believes that the trend towards large panels will continue and that there will be cost reductions. The coronavirus has slowed the movement, but "by the end of the year, there will be a strong demand for large panels due to the major projects underway, particularly in China". Demand for this type of module is higher than current production capacity, which is driving up prices.
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2020/09/03/light-and-shade-of-500-w-plus-solar-panels-part-iv/
PV Magazine of 3 September
