Question about discolored cells

Author: Helen

Sep. 02, 2024

Question about discolored cells



I'll post the Reply from Newpowa below:

"For me this is a scientific analysis, I would probably need to spend a week to dig in so I can put up an research paper with equations and calculations for you. Despite that I have bachelors with ME.

Since we only manufacture panels, honestly the solar cells industry is not in my knowledge. We use cells from top tier manufactures. For us, output and internal cracks are the most important things for a cell. But of course we are human we judge things by the outer appearance.
What we know is that each batch has color differences, not to mention different batches, we use color identify machine to pick and separate the solar wafers with obvious color difference.

I did spend a few hours already and right now it&#;s 2pm in CA and trying to gather all the informations so I can explain this. I will share you the links that I found worth the time to read.

One important thing is, most uniform colors u have seen are dying and coating, which will reduce the power significantly.
https://palmetto.com/learning-center/blog/colored-solar-panels-are-black-blue-the-only-options
&#;Solar panels are black and blue because those are the natural colors that silicon becomes during the manufacturing process. &#;
We call it pure silicon but actually it&#;s a 98% pure SI. With other compound the color can be different
&#;The 99.% pure SI still isn&#;t ready for mass production.&#;
https://sinovoltaics.com/learning-center/solar-cells/silicon-si-solar-cells-produced/

I would say the texturing process is the main process which will cause different colors, different angles and light absorption rates.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fZ1SC-vUe_I

I have been working with this company since , sold more than 20million worth of solar panels and you are my first client that using a camera to check the cells. I like your adventure spirit which can help me to learn more.

The B grade has obvious discoloration visually, not with camera. In the link from my colleague, if u enlarge the picture from the displayed &#;grade A&#; cells, u will notice obvious darker and lighter blue across the whole cells. It has clearly stated tiny color deviation is permitted. And no cameras was instructed.

If there is any issue, we just replace it for free. For consumers, quality is very important, but warranty is the insurance for quality.
If u are 10ft away from the panel and the color difference makes you uncomfortable, please do not hesitate to return the products at no cost. It&#;s a consumer products when I do shopping if I don&#;t like it just return it.

You may also purchase a panel from different brand and do the comparison, but since we have been back and forth for a while. Please do a long term review and see what we can offer in years. We have seen so many brands on eBay amazon come and goes.

Best
Jarad"

Yeah I got a pretty decent response from someone who actually I've seen post on this forum. I'll post at the end of thread. Pretty reasonable, I appreciate your suggestion on ensuring quality performance, I actually can test 2 other identical panels of very close age so I'm going to likely do that when I get a chance to test since that will be fast as I also have 2 identical in line trolling meters x2 to live comparison. Once I mount this in the 3 panel array I'll do these tests as angle will be as identical as possible. Thank you for your feedback it's super practical and I'll definitely be referring to your post when I'm testing!I'll post the Reply from Newpowa below:"For me this is a scientific analysis, I would probably need to spend a week to dig in so I can put up an research paper with equations and calculations for you. Despite that I have bachelors with ME.Since we only manufacture panels, honestly the solar cells industry is not in my knowledge. We use cells from top tier manufactures. For us, output and internal cracks are the most important things for a cell. But of course we are human we judge things by the outer appearance.What we know is that each batch has color differences, not to mention different batches, we use color identify machine to pick and separate the solar wafers with obvious color difference.I did spend a few hours already and right now it&#;s 2pm in CA and trying to gather all the informations so I can explain this. I will share you the links that I found worth the time to read.One important thing is, most uniform colors u have seen are dying and coating, which will reduce the power significantly.&#;Solar panels are black and blue because those are the natural colors that silicon becomes during the manufacturing process. &#;We call it pure silicon but actually it&#;s a 98% pure SI. With other compound the color can be different&#;The 99.% pure SI still isn&#;t ready for mass production.&#;I would say the texturing process is the main process which will cause different colors, different angles and light absorption rates.I have been working with this company since , sold more than 20million worth of solar panels and you are my first client that using a camera to check the cells. I like your adventure spirit which can help me to learn more.The B grade has obvious discoloration visually, not with camera. In the link from my colleague, if u enlarge the picture from the displayed &#;grade A&#; cells, u will notice obvious darker and lighter blue across the whole cells. It has clearly stated tiny color deviation is permitted. And no cameras was instructed.If there is any issue, we just replace it for free. For consumers, quality is very important, but warranty is the insurance for quality.If u are 10ft away from the panel and the color difference makes you uncomfortable, please do not hesitate to return the products at no cost. It&#;s a consumer products when I do shopping if I don&#;t like it just return it.You may also purchase a panel from different brand and do the comparison, but since we have been back and forth for a while. Please do a long term review and see what we can offer in years. We have seen so many brands on eBay amazon come and goes.BestJarad"

Check now

Black vs Blue Solar Panels: What's the Difference?

When it comes to choosing the right solar panels for your home, you may have seen homes with different colored panels. Why are some black while others are blue? Are black solar panels better? Should you know about the difference when making choices for your home?

This article will help you learn how the two types of solar panels are made, understand why they are different, the pros and cons of each option, and determine which one is best for your home.

See how much you can save by going solar with Palmetto

Step 01

Step 02

My electric bill is

$290

/mo

Is There a Difference Between Black and Blue Solar Panels?

Yes, there is a difference between black and blue solar panels and it depends on how they are made. Modern photovoltaic (PV) panels use silicon, one of the most effective semiconductor elements that can absorb sunlight and convert it into an electric charge.

There are two types of solar panels that exist in the market:

  • Monocrystalline (aka single-crystal silicon, mono c-Si, or mono-Si)
  • Polycrystalline (aka semi-crystalline silicon, polysilicon, poly-Si, or simply "poly")

The color of the panel you see depends on how the manufacturer used silicon in the manufacturing process, and how that particular type of panel reacts to light.

Some panels also appear blue because the manufacturer applied an anti-reflective coating to improve how well they absorb light and generate electricity. Just keep in mind that the color is the natural result of the way that the panels are manufactured, and they&#;re not just painted or dyed a specific color. (For other color options, check out Colored Solar Panels: Are Black and Blue the Only Options?)

Black Backsheets vs White Backsheets

Once the silicon crystals are manufactured, they are adhered to a backsheet that arranges them into a grid pattern. This backsheet can be seen through the gaps between the cells, and impacts the overall appearance of the panel.

Black backsheets create a more uniform look to the solar panel, which helps it blend in with darker roof materials. However, the black color does hold some heat, so black backsheets may get hotter than traditional white backsheets. That said, the tradeoff in efficiency may be worth it for a more visually appealing solar installation.

Monocrystalline Silicon Makes Solar Panels Black

Why are solar panels black? Manufacturers use high-quality silicon crystals to create monocrystalline solar cells. During the production process, the silicon arranges itself in a single direction to form one large crystal. Because of this arrangement, the light interacting with the monocrystalline cells appears black to the human eye.

Two production factors make black monocrystalline panels more expensive than polycrystalline panels:

  1. Forming a single large crystal uses more energy than creating the polycrystalline version.
  2. The process wastes silicon as the large crystal is sliced wafer-thin to get the right size and shape for the PV panel.

However, the increased costs are worth it to many people, because monocrystalline solar cell panels are more efficient at creating electricity than polycrystalline solar cell panels.

Polycrystalline Silicon Makes Solar Panels Blue

Why are solar panels blue? In the polycrystalline production process, silicon crystals are melted down, poured into a square mold, and then cooled in that mold to form polycrystalline solar cells. This process creates many, separate crystals, which produces a speckled, shimmering appearance that appears blue to the human eye.

The multiple crystals in the formation process create less silicon waste and require less energy than the monocrystalline process. It makes the blue-colored solar panels less expensive, but it also means blue panels are less efficient.

See how much you can save by going solar with Palmetto

Step 01

Related links:
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How BIPV Spandrel Panels Enhance Building Efficiency?
What Are Solar Shingles? How Do They Work?
What size inverter do I need for a 10kW solar system?
The Ultimate Buyer's Guide for Purchasing solar panel skylight manufacturer
Questions To Ask On Your First Solar Energy Consultation

You will get efficient and thoughtful service from 潞安.

Step 02

My electric bill is

$290

/mo

Which Color is Better for My Home Solar Power System?

Now that you understand the basic differences between black and blue solar panels, you probably want to know if black panels are better than blue panels for home solar installations.

Because of their monocrystalline structure, black solar panels absorb light and generate electricity more efficiently than polycrystalline blue solar panels. Since you need fewer of them to generate the same amount of electricity, black panels are usually less expensive in the long run, and use less roof space.

When determining how many photovoltaic panels you will need for your home, you should answer the following four questions:

  • What is your household energy consumption history?
  • What are the peak sun hours in your area?
  • What is the output of each of the solar panels you are considering?
  • What are your solar energy goals?

The latest generation of monocrystalline solar panels lasts longer than previous models. They also perform better in warmer temperatures and in low light conditions than blue panels do. Even as electricity generation slowly deteriorates over time, the panels will still generate enough energy to meet your home's electricity needs for their 25-year average lifetime, and usually even longer.

If you have a limited budget, you might want to opt for blue solar panels, as they are less expensive to buy compared to black solar panels. After all, blue panels may be less efficient, but they are efficient enough for home use and some commercial applications. Then again, advances in photovoltaic technology promise both higher efficiency levels and lower costs for the black panels.

Can I Choose Which Color Solar Panel To Use?

Usually customers can&#;t choose the type of panel that a solar company installs on their home. Solar companies typically work with preferred PV panel vendors to ensure quality, efficiency, workmanship, and supply, so they offer a limited selection of panel options to their customers.

Customers can research the panel they think is best for their homes and then determine which solar installer uses that panel, but it&#;s usually best to just work with an installer that you trust and go with their preferred panel, whether it&#;s blue or black.

Why Black & Blue Solar Panels Are Different

As you embark on your solar journey, remember the following information when comparing blue vs black solar panels:

  • The color of a solar panel depends on the type of silicon used during the manufacturing process.
  • Black solar panels are more efficient because monocrystalline silicon captures sunlight more effectively than the polycrystalline variety.
  • Blue solar panels are usually less expensive than black solar panels because the production process for polycrystalline silicon is less wasteful, but the lifetime savings may be lower.

The type of panel you choose for your home PV system depends on a range of essential factors:

  • Your solar energy goals
  • Your budget
  • The shape of your roof
  • The preferences of the leading solar installers in your area

If you&#;re thinking about going solar, we invite you to use our Estimate Your Savings tool to learn how solar energy can help you power your home more efficiently and affordably.

Then contact Palmetto to schedule a consultation and discuss your options, so we can help you get the right solar power system that meets your home energy needs.

See what solar can do for you:

My electric bill is

$290

/mo

About the Author

Cory O'Brien

Senior Director - Growth Marketing

Cory brings over 8 years of solar expertise to Palmetto, and enjoys sharing that knowledge with others looking to improve their carbon footprint. A dog lover residing in Asheville, NC with his wife, Cory graduated from UCSB. If you run into him, ask him about the company he founded to rate and review beer!

The company is the world’s best full black solar panels supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.

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