Thin film yields flexible, lightweight solar panel modules

by Vianie Li & Cecile de Veyra

Based on silicon semiconductor materials, polycrystalline and monocrystalline solar panels or modules have been hogging the limelight in this renewable energy sector. The latter, in particular, is the more popular choice at present because of its high efficiency rating of 24 percent and a long operating life of 25 years.

In recent years, thin-film technology has been steadily gaining traction as an alternative that yields flexible and lightweight solar panels. This entails using other compounds such as cadmium telluride (CdTe), copper indium selenide (CIS), copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS), gallium arsenide (GaAs) and copper zinc tin sulfide (CZTS).

CdTe solar panels dominated global production in the thin-film category in 2020, representing 95.7 percent of output, according to Sohu News. This news site also reported that the worldwide thin-film solar panel market reached a total capacity of 10GW in 2020, posting a YoY increase of 5.5 percent.

In China, ventures into this technology include CNBM’s CdTe units with up to 20.2 percent efficiency, close to the industry-highest 22.1 percent achieved by American manufacturer First Solar.

Mainstream solar panels manufactured in China are polycrystalline and monocrystalline units. The former type currently leads output due to its mature technology and low cost, but the trend toward greater efficiency is expected to favor monocrystalline in the coming years.

Regardless of type, what’s widely available from Chinese suppliers have 60, 70 or 144 solar cells and an IP65, IP67 or IP68 rating. They are produced based on UL, CE, TÜV, IEC and RoHS requirements to ensure quality.

For key materials and components, including solar cells, glass, backsheet and EVA, manufacturers in China source from domestic and foreign providers. The cost of these inputs rose slightly in the past 12 months, forcing some companies to adjust their product prices accordingly. It remains to be seen whether the situation will improve in the months ahead.

Monocrystalline, 19.18% efficiency

The PMS300W from Guangdong Prostar New Energy Technology Co. Ltd is a monocrystalline solar panel module with 36V and 8.3A maximum power voltage and current, 45V open-circuit voltage, 0.01A short-circuit current and 300W maximum power. This IP67-rated unit, with 72 cells, has 19.18 percent efficiency. The minimum order quantity is 10 units. Lead time is seven days.

Inquire now

Polycrystalline, 335W maximum power

Model PPS335P-72 from Guangdong Prostar New Energy Technology Co. Ltd is a polycrystalline solar panel module with 72 cells. It has 38V and 8.82A maximum voltage and current, 47.2V open-circuit voltage, 9.18A short-circuit current, 15A maximum solar charge current and up to 335W power. The supplier requires an order of at least 10 units for delivery within seven days.

Inquire now

Monocrystalline, 18.8% efficiency

Guangdong Xindun Power Technology Co. Ltd offers the SN-M430 monocrystalline solar panel module with 48V and 8.96A optimum operating voltage and current, 57.6V open-circuit voltage, 9.85A short-circuit current, 430W maximum power and 0 to 3W tolerance. This IP65-rated unit, with 18.8 percent cell efficiency, operates in -40 to 80 C. It uses 96 cells, each measuring 156x156mm. An order of one unit is accepted and has a 15-day lead time.

Inquire now

Polycrystalline, 17.2% efficiency

This polycrystalline solar panel module from Guangdong Xindun Power Technology Co. Ltd, the XDG150W-36P, has 18V and 8.333A optimum operating voltage and current, 22.14V open-circuit voltage, 8.999A short-circuit current, 150W maximum power. Its cell efficiency is 17.2 percent. The 12-sheet minimum order is for delivery with 15 days.

Inquire now

Polycrystalline, 350W power rating

Shenzhen Lantaisi Technology Co. Ltd’s 350W polycrystalline solar panel module, the BSM350P-72, has 24V optimum operating voltage and 25- or 30-year service life, depending on buyer’s preference. For a minimum order of 10,000 units, delivery takes 15 days.

Inquire now

Flexible monocrystalline

From Shenzhen Lantaisi Technology Co. Ltd, the SP-01 flexible monocrystalline solar panel module has 20.05V and 6.48A maximum operating voltage and current, 23.36V open-circuit voltage, 6.84A short-circuit current and up to 130W power. Its operating temperature is -40 to 85 C. The 10,000-unit minimum order has a lead time of 15 days.

Inquire now