Solar PV Panels - Solar Photovoltaic Modules

Solar Photovoltaic Panels - An Introduction

Solar pv panels, also called solar photovoltaic panels or solar electric modules, generate power when exposed to high levels of light. The photovoltaic effect was discovered in 1839 by nineteen-year-old Edmund Becquerel.

Modern solar pv panels were first developed commercially for NASA and the space race in the 1950's. With no moving parts, solar pv is a silent and reliable method of producing electricity in remote locations.

Top quality solar modules have power performance warranties of 20 years, with an expected life of 60 years or more. An early commercial solar pv system, now 46 years old, is still producing power within warranty guidelines.

Solar pv panels are currently available in three main silicon-based technologies. Monocrystalline solar cells are the most efficient and also the most expensive. Polycrystalline or multicrystalline solar cells are almost as efficient as mono cells and are less expensive to manufacture.

Amorphous solar pv modules are the most cost effective technology. These modules perform better than the other types in cloudy conditions, however they are less efficient and therefore require more installation space.

More > How do solar panels work ?

Latest Solar PV Industry News

Over the last few years the solar pv industry has seen a huge growth. The feed-in-tariffs (FiTs) in Germany, Spain and more recently in the UK, have helped to create buoyant markets and inflate demand.

In 2008, worldwide module production increased 80% on the previous year. In 2009 worldwide production grew by 60%. As a result of the global economic slowdown and decreasing production costs, module prices are now at an all time low.

The price of solar pv has also been compounded by the recent Spanish reduction of their FiT rates, leaving many European manufacturers with cancelled or postponed orders.

Across the industry, many manufacturers have now signed up to PV Cycle, a mechanism designed to ensure that when modules reach the end of their life, they are easy to recycle.

Recent Solar PV Technology Developments

Sunpower's 'back-contact' cells are now hitting 21.5 % efficiency and the latest Sanyo HIT (hybrid monocrystalline & amorphous) solar pv panels are giving power outputs of approx. 200w per m2 in good sun.

Nanosolar have been developing printed solar cells, using a nano particle ink. Printed solar cells offer the chance to massively reduce the cost of pv manufacturing. Nanosolar have recently launched their product on the market, although prices are still high.

Meanwhile, biological solar pv materials are being developed by Biosolar - reducing the need for petroleum-based plastic solar cell components.

Flexible and folding solar panels have been on the market for a while, offering convenience, portability and ease of fitting. Popular in the leisure and marine markets, flexible solar pv panels need to be well designed and robustly constructed to withstand regular movement.

Off-Grid Solar PV & Wind Power Applications

At the EDC we supply commercial, industrial and domestic off-grid solar pv systems. This covers a diverse range of applications including remote data monitoring, water pumping, wireless communications and off-grid buildings.

Solar panels are also ideal for mobile battery charging use in boats, yachts, motorhomes and caravans. Solar panels extend the life of most battery based power systems, as batteries like being on a regular charge.

Find out more about your specific application for solar pv in our applications section.

Selecting Solar PV Panels

If you are looking for general information regarding the planning of an off-grid solar or wind energy system, you may like to visit the information section of our website.

If you would like any project specific advice or prices, our experienced system design team are able to design & cost a bespoke power system to your exact requirements.

For full technical data regarding our solar pv panels, please see our webstore links below where you can find the latest prices as well as download product brochures, data sheets and installation manuals.

 Sanyo solar panels - high efficiency HIT hybrid pv cells, 215w to 240w.

 Sharp solar pv panels - polycrystalline 210w solar pv modules.

 Kyocera solar panels - quality polycrystalline pv modules, 50w to 215w.

 Lorentz solar panels - high efficiency monocrystalline back contact solar pv cells, 20w to 175w.

 Suntech solar panels - polycrystalline solar pv modules, 20w to 70w.

 Flexible solar panels - triple junction battery charging modules, 5w to 32w.

 Folding solar panels - triple junction battery charging modules, 10w to 34w.

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