Tried and Tested solar panel models which have not changed last 20 years
Basics 101:Solar panels have wide differences, even within the same brand, so let’s deep dive
Home Owner , if you use Path to Green Homes, you will be able to choose the right equipment and get a quote from your nearest installer. We don’t stop at recommending brand names e.g. How is Canadian Solar ? PathToGreenHomes helps you drill down to matching series and model e.g. BiHiKu7 Bifacial with 575Wp as per requirements in Filter and Sort Section.
But 1st let’s get to the basics…….
Below picture shows role of various solar materials which are assembled to create a solar panel. Each manufacturer uses 3-5 different types of materials each for back sheet , solar cells EVA, glass and the less talked about Anti Reflective Coating on glass. The difference between materials makes all the difference in quality.
As you can see below different material impacts final product for the same brand. It leads to difference in warranty, weight, mechanical strength and requirements for fuse at inverter level.
| Brand | Sunpower | Sunpower | Installer near you |
| Series | X Series Residential (335-370)Wp | A Series Residential (390-420)Wp | Send Enquiry |
| Warranty after 25 years | 80.0% | 86.0% (better warranty) | Send Enquiry |
| Weight | 18.6 | 20.0 ( mechanically stronger) | Send Enquiry |
| Number of Cells | 96 | 66 | Send Enquiry |
| Reverse Current Rating (A) | 15 | 20 ( better protection) | Send Enquiry |
| Max Wind Pressure (Pa) | 3000 | 6000 ( superior) | Send Enquiry |
| Max Snow Load (Pa) | 6000 | 9000 ( superior) | Send Enquiry |
| Brand | Suntech | Suntech | Send Enquiry |
| Series | Ultra S (365-460)Wp | Ultra V Pro mini (410-430)Wp | Send Enquiry |
| Warranty after 25 years | 84.8% | 89.4% ( superior) | Send Enquiry |
| Weight | 20.3 | 22.1 ( superior) | Send Enquiry |
| Number of Cells | 120 | 108 | Send Enquiry |
| Reverse Current Rating (A) | 20 | 25 ( superior) | Send Enquiry |
| Max Wind Pressure (Pa) | 3800 | 3800 | Send Enquiry |
| Max Snow Load (Pa) | 5400 | 6000 ( superior) | Send Enquiry |
Below is the specification of solar panel which you will find commonly in data sheets, installation and warranty manuals. After understanding below, you will know more than the solar reseller, who comes to your home with a big smile. Know you will more than the CEO of a solar company, who is always behind what customers need.
| Manufacturer | Choose Brand or Manufacturer name in SUGGEST < Insert Pic > | Installer near you |
| Series Name | Series are group of related products e.g. ‘Tiger’ ‘Lemons’ ‘Bi Facial Series’ | Send Enquiry |
| Product Code | Wattage of panel followed by its Part number e.g. 500Wp YYXX.72.60YYCC | Send Enquiry |
| Datasheet Table | Send Enquiry | |
| PMAX (W) | The DC power of the solar panel at 25 degree and 1000W/m2 | Send Enquiry |
| VMPP | DC Voltage of each solar panel , used to calculate the no of panels to be connected in series | Send Enquiry |
| IMPP | DC current of each solar panel is used to select an inverter with higher current rating . e.g. if solar panel current has 10A current , then an inverter must accept more than 10A / string . Its not to confused with the overall input current rating of the inverter ( 20A /44A etc) | Send Enquiry |
| VOC | DC Voltage of each solar panel , used to calculate the no of panels to be connected in series | Send Enquiry |
| ISC | DC current of solar panel is used to select an inverter with higher current rating . Solar panel current with 10A current can only work with inverter > 10A / string | Send Enquiry |
| Efficiency (% ) | The nameplate rating only reflects the efficiency at 1000W/m2 . A low quality module will suffer a steep drop in efficiency under low irradiation, which will be most evident below 500W/m2 ( I plan to have this comparison in future) | Send Enquiry |
| Solar Cell | Different Solar cell technologies have the simple agenda to increase efficiency. Poly = lower efficiency ; Mono = Higher efficiency ; Mono PERC = higher efficiency than Mono ; Hetro Junction = Highest efficiency with additional 5%-10% energy gain | Send Enquiry |
| Number of Cells | When manufacturers want to increase panel wattage , they can scientifically increase efficiency by high technology investments ( e.g. HJT , Mono PERC, TOPCON , Thin Film ) or boost wattage SIMPLY by increasing the no of cells . In residential installations small panel maybe preferred. | Send Enquiry |
| Bi Facial | Bi Facial panels generate extra energy at the back side due to reflection. The increase of energy due to back side can be 10% -15% depending on the type of backside surface. | Send Enquiry |
| Backsheet | Best in class are “flouro film based” and “Polyamide (recycle)”. While PET is okay for mild climates the Coated are least durable | Send Enquiry |
| Anti Reflective Coating on Glass | Anti Reflective coating creates a 15Wp – 20Wp gain in panel wattage which is build in your panel Wattage already . So it must be top notch quality . Additionally ARC absorbs more sunlight at sun angles > 30. If you live in a dusty area you can ask installer to supply you solar panel with ASC ( Anti Soiling coating ) | Send Enquiry |
| Country of Origin | Send Enquiry | |
| Power Tolerance | Positive watt class sorting means all panels will at least have the minimum power amongst all panels delivered to you. This can be figured from the zero ( “-0“/+Wp). Interconnection of solar modules which do not have identical properties or which experience different conditions from one another will lead to losses. Which is why narrow band ( -0/+5) between lowest and highest wattage panel is preferred. | Send Enquiry |
| Temperature Coefficient of PMPP(%/°C) | All modules reduce their power output as temperature increases. In typical multicrystalline modules the rate of degradation is approx-0.5%/C for temperatures above 25C. | Send Enquiry |
| NOCT (°C) | Standard Test Conditions are not reflective of real-world performance. NOCT values are a global standard also and are measured at conditions that provide a better indication of real-world performance. | Send Enquiry |
| Max. System Voltage (V) | 1000V or 1500V will decide the no of solar panels which can be connected in series | Send Enquiry |
| Reverse Current Rating (A) | Residential market uses solar panel system of for ( delete) 1-6KWp which can have 3 strings in parallel. To put 3 strings in parallel, fuses are required to safeguard 1 string against sum of reverse current rating from other 2 strings. | Send Enquiry |
| Dimension | Standard / Small Size panel is better. A lot of manufacturers are just adding cells to increase wattage and get buyer attention | Send Enquiry |
| Junction Box (IP Rating) | Junction is at backside of solar panel . Its IP Rating is the ability against water exposure | Send Enquiry |
| Dimension | Standard / Small Size panel is better. A lot of manufacturers are just adding cells to increase wattage and get buyer attention | Send Enquiry |
| Junction Box (IP Rating) | Junction is at backside of solar panel. Its IP Rating is the ability against water exposure | Send Enquiry |
| Weight (kg) | Lower weight of panel is better for ease of installation but can reduce mechanical strength. | Send Enquiry |
| Max Wind Pressure (Pa) | 800Pa corresponds to wind speed of 130kmph , but a 3X gust factor is mandatory as per certification . Products offered can be checked and compared for higher glass thickness (4mm over3,2mm) leading to more glass weight and more profile thickness ( 30mm, 35mm, 40mm, 50mm…) | Send Enquiry |
| Max Snow Load (Pa) | To achieve high snow load prefer panels with thicker alumunium frames . Common frame thickness are 30mm ,35mm , 40mm , 45mm and 50mm | Send Enquiry |
| CERTIFICATION | Send Enquiry | |
| Salt Spray Certification (Level 1-6)-61701 | Panel to protect against “Salt” corrosion. The highest level 6 should be preferred at coastal areas | Send Enquiry |
| Ammonia Certification-62716 | Panel to protect against “Ammonia” corrosion | Send Enquiry |
| Product Warranty | Send Enquiry | |
| Product Warranty | To be free from defects in material and workmanship .Will remain safe and operational. Will not experience freezing up of the aluminium frames. The outer appearance of the Product, including scratches, stains, rust, mould, discoloration and other signs of normal wear and tear, which occurred after delivery or installation, do not constitute defects, provided the functionality of the Product is not affected. Glass breakage constitutes a defect only if not caused by any external influence. | Send Enquiry |
| Performance Warranty | Warranty year on year against natural solar panel degradation. | Send Enquiry |
| Warranty at End of Year 1 | Warranty at the end of year one against natural solar panel degradation, compared to initial panel wattage (100%) | Send Enquiry |
| Stepped or Linear Warranty | Linear warranty has performance guarantee for each year; while stepped warranty has the first milestone only after 10 years | Send Enquiry |
| Send Enquiry |
Note: Click on SUGGEST in PathToGreenhomes.com and apply FILTERS to get more recommended models. Use ☑ [Get Quote] to send your “Selected Models” to your nearest installer to receive a competitive quote !!
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