The usage of solar energy is spreading widely nowadays. Experts say that it would become the future of energy consumption. New dimensions have arrived here, and industries that deal with solar power brought new horizons. A customer who wants to go solar should know details about solar panels and their working process. That’s why solar panel size matters.
Solar Panel Size Measurements
When someone talks about solar panels, the space it takes comes as a crucial matter. The size of solar panels is significant because many technical things, including installation and maintenance, depend. Also, the size of a client’s roof is substantial. Sizes of solar panels vary from company to company. But there are average size measurements by which general customers can assume.
Like the total panel size, the number and measurements of the cells are vital too. It differs from the full size does. Not only that, but the numbers of cells also vary. In general, the standard size of a solar panel is roughly 65 inches by 39 inches. Of course, differences in size arrive in companies.
A solar panel includes many solar cells, Photo Voltaic or PV cells. It converts the sunlight into electricity. This square-shaped cell generally holds 56 inches by 56 inches measurement. The number of cells differs by residential and commercial usage. Home solar panels typically contain 60 cells, whereas commercial solar panels generally have 72 compartments. In many areas, the numbers of cells increase, sometimes panels with 98 cells appear.
Usual Sizes of Solar Panels
Although sizes of solar panels differ, standard sizes exist. That doesn’t mean that all of the companies have the exact measurements. They vary from each other but have some standard features.
The usual size of a home solar panel is 65 by 39 inches. On the other hand, a commercial solar panel usually is 77 by 39 inches—here, the quantity of cells matters; length and width depend on the number of cells.
In some cases, the number of cells varies in commercial usage. Not only that, size differs according to the company. Let’s take the example of SunPower. Home panels are 61 inches by 41 inches. A little shorter and slightly wider.
Depth and weight matter here as a usual quantification of solar panels as well. Usually, 1.4 to 1.8 inches is the ideal depth. Recently, 1.8 inches is being popular among different companies.
Solar Cells: Shape, Size, and Others
Solar cells are the minor units of solar panels. These cells convert sunlight into electricity.
Silicon is the primary building element of a solar cell. Generally, solar cells produce electricity in the plane of the earth, but a special kind works in space. One or multiple layers absorb sunlight, which becomes electricity by mechanical means. Unlike batteries, chemical reactions don’t take place here.
The word ‘wafer’ often goes for solar cells in popular dialect. Many kinds of wafers appear according to home, commercial or subtle scientific usage. Usually, the technical names of the wafers go with ‘M.’ Thus, M1, and M2 these names come to identify solar wafers. For example, M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M6, and M12 are the standard sizes. Their differences lie in length, area, diameter, and working capacity.
In these kinds of wafers, M1 and M2 are almost similar. Besides having a standard side length of 156.75 mm, their primary ingot sizes are different. The diameter of the M1 wafer ingot is 205 mm, and the diameter of the M2 wafer ingot is 210 mm. The area of the M1 wafer is 97.33 mm², while M2 covers an area of 131.33 mm². Today, many technicians prefer the M2 type for panels.
The M3 type wafer covers an area of 158.75×158.75 mm². Of course, sizes and locations vary from one to another, but the above measures are average at a glance. Recently, wafers are growing in size. The M4 wafer is 161.75×161.75 mm² in area. On the other hand, an M6 wafer generally covers an area of 166×166 mm².
Top companies that produce solar panels
Solar electricity products have become parts of significant industrial innovations. Recently, new horizons are appearing in making solar panels. Many new corporations are involving in this sector; that’s why the solar industry is emerging. Sunrun and Tesla are already famous as manufacturers, while JA Solar is gaining notable marketability.
The United States has a unique position in making and manufacturing solar panels. Although the USA often imports various parts and machinery from South East Asia, the country’s solar panels are more than tremendous. Here are some US companies that produce exquisite solar panels:
⦁ SunPower
⦁ Tesla/ Panasonic
⦁ SolSuntech
⦁ Auxin Solar
⦁ GreenBrilliance
⦁ Seraphim Solar
⦁ Solaria
⦁ SunSpark
⦁ SolarTech Universal
⦁ Lumos Solar
⦁ Global Solar
⦁ Certainteed Solar
⦁ Prism Solar
⦁ First Solar
⦁ Solar Electric America
Best Solar Panel Manufacturer Companies
Technologies develop faster; the same thing is true about solar panels. Currently, solar panel production has increased at a remarkable rate. Residential, commercial, and subtle scientific activities have experienced solar panels, which means the usage of renewable energy is rapidly spreading.
Today, many companies around the world are manufacturing solar panels that are very impressive. A large number of corporations came later in this field and performed unbelievable efficiently. Not only that, innovations are getting very popular. Here are some names of the companies which gained massive acceptance among buyers around the world.
These different corporations have different achievements for solar panels. For instance, in 2016, the Trina Solar corporation ranked as the best solar panel manufacturer in the world (HIS Markit).
Today, solar panel models of different companies have become famous for effectiveness, efficiency, and warranty matters. Because of plenty of choices, customers often fall into confusion about picking out the right product. Again, not all of the panels have the same competence in every quality. Here is a chart which could be helpful for the customers to think about the perfect thing for them.
Neon R (LG Energy): This panel is very light, with a skinny layer of glass protective front sheet (2.88 mm) made with polymer. It contains a remarkable covering area to grasp sunlight to generate power. It has less electrical resistance and high-temperature performance. Having good durability, it also includes an excellent efficiency that can be even 21.4%. In warmer weather, it can work without any problems.
Maxeon 3 (Sunpower): This panel achieved popularity recently for its performance with 19 kg weight and a 25 years warranty. It has a thin glass laminate, very good in durability with ammonia and salt mist resistance. Having 104 monocrystalline cells can generate more power using lower space.
Alpha 360 (Rec): In 2019, the Rec group brought out the alpha series, along with alpha 360. It’s a heterojunction cell with multi-busbar wire contact. It has remarkable power efficiency (21.7%) and less power loss. It also shows good performance at high temperatures. Having 25 years warranty, it provides 20% more extra energy than traditional panels.
Overvolt (Panasonic): In recent times, solar panels of Panasonic gained exceptional popularity. Overvolt has two particular types of panels, the 360W, and the 370W.
The first has 20.6% efficiency, while the other has 21.1%. It produces energy better on hot days, primarily. On the other hand, it has a warranty of 25 years.
Power XT (Solaria): Many customers consider it unique for residential usage. It has lesser inactive areas and no bus bars. Also, it has a unique feature; it works even in shades. Other conventional panels produce very little or no energy in shadows, but this one produces 10% less energy. That means, in this case, it’s different. It has a 25 years warranty.
QPeak Duo G9 (Qcells): This panel came to market in 2020. Its specialty is that very few vertical gaps ensure the density of the cell. Its efficiency is about 21%, and half-cut monocrystalline PERC cells and 12 micro busbars can give a good energy supplement. In high temperatures, due to black surfaces, performance can be less a little. It has a 25 years warranty.
If anyone wants solar power in his house, at first, he has to figure out the per our energy need of a household or commercial area. Not only that, but the time length of sunlight also matters here. According to this, the size of solar panels varies from country to country, although this variation confines only to minimal factors. Here are some dimensions of solar panels in different countries.
Countries Residential Size Commercial Size USA 65 inches by 39 inches 77 inches by 39 inches Canada 65 inches by 39 inches 78 inches by 39 inches Australia 63 inches by 31.5 inches 65 inches by 39 inches Germany 65 inches by 39 inches 76 inches by 38 inches UK 62 inches by 39 inches 74 inches by 39 inches France 62 inches by 39 inches 77 inches by 38 inches Sweden 63 inches by 38 inches 70 inches by 36 inchesUsually, the main power generating parts are not too heavy, but its additions like glass layers, aluminum frame, encapsulation foils, back sheets, and junction boxes increase the weight. Among all of these, glass and aluminum frames take a significant position.
By measuring the weight of solar panels, a customer can figure out his rooftop and its capacity to maintain solar panels. Before installation, one should know about the wright and its various effects. Again, weight differs according to residential and commercial usage. Research shows that the mean weight of a solar panel is about 3 to 4 pounds per square foot. So, it’s easy to grasp that residential and commercial roofs can bear this weight, but things can change in the case of old roofs.
Before installing a solar panel on a roof, a customer should realize the weight and its impact. Of course, there are standard measurements, but weight varies from company to company. Although these variations maintain a specific range, it’s requisite for a consumer to understand them.
Solar Panel Manufacturer Weight (60 cells residential panel) Sunpower 33- 41 lbs Trina 41- 50 lbs LG 38 lbs Solar World 40-47 lbs Hanwha Q CELLS 41 lbs Kyocera 42- 44 lbs Hyundai 38- 41 lbs Canadian Solar 40- 51 lbs Hanwha SolarOne 40- 42 lbs Axitec 39- 41 lbsIn general, maximum solar panels produce around 250 watts to 400 watts. Of course, some panels have more than 400 watts. Recently, new horizons are appearing- new panels with more producing power are coming into the market.
Here is a list of the wattage of different solar panel companies. In this list, facts about many individual corporations are present as remarkable entities.
Solar Panels Don’t Need Direct Sunlight: Astonishing, but it’s true. The photovoltaic system works by the sunlight, but it doesn’t need direct energy. It collects power from different spectrums of light. It means that on cloudy days’ panels don’t stop producing power.
Power Per Square Foot: Regular solar panels can produce 20 watts per square foot. It means that an average house needs at least 30 solar panels to meet the need.
Very Little Maintenance: It’s fantastic. Once a house goes with solar panels, very little or no maintenance can help. The owner only has to ensure the right place for sunlight. And sometimes a little cleanliness, not more than that at all.
Lasting of Solar Panels: A regular solar panel generally lasts for about 40 years.
It’s Becoming Cheaper: Although it was a little costly initially, now solar panels are becoming low-priced, surprisingly. It has become cheaper than coal in many countries of the world.
Comparison of Efficiency: By and large, monocrystalline solar panels are more efficient. It looks darker, while the polycrystalline looks blue.
Rigidity vs. Flexibility: Although most traditional solar panels are stiff, recently, new kinds of flexible panels have to market. Undoubtedly, it has its advantages.
Changing Price: In the past, solar panels were expensive. Recent innovations have changed this scenario. Data shows that since 2008, the price of solar panels has decreased by 80%.
Typically, the efficiency of solar panels doesn’t depend on the size. We can realize a panel’s efficiency by dividing the power rating by the total panel area. On the other hand, a larger area means more giant cells and more prominent space to work. That means, Larger panels increase the amount of power. Therefore, it improves efficiency.
In recent times, some new kinds of panels have come to markets with more giant cells and more efficiency. Many of these new types of panels can produce even 600W of electricity.
The size of cells also matters here. Research shows that half-cut cells reveal more efficiency than the traditional ones.
At present, new kinds of panel formation have taken place, which are larger than the former. Among them, 166 mm, 182 mm, and 210 mm are becoming popular. The wafers of these panels are more extensive and also technically advanced. Therefore, they have extra efficiency. Companies often make targets for these panels to produce 600 W of energy.
Conclusion
The solar panel is an excellent answer to the power supply in households and commercial areas. It has almost no pollution. Hence it’s good for the environment. In recent times, new updates have arrived, which have made a remarkable transformation in solar panels. As a result, unbelievable changes happened in size, efficiency, and working technology. In the newer future, more special editions will make renewable energy accessible.
Summary
Size is very crucial in the case of solar panels. It differs from company to company, but purposes also matter here. The size of home solar panels is not similar to the size of commercial solar panels. Not only that, the average size of standard solar panels has changed from time to time. Nowadays size of the solar wafer has numerous updates, with new technology and working process. Panels generally make electricity from sunlight, but in recent times conversion has experienced new horizons. These current changes brought new transformations. These updates revolutionized the sizes of solar panels.