Materials for Solar Panels: What You Need to Know
If you are curious to know what types of materials are used for solar panel, then you are in the right place, obviously solar energy has become a very good power source in Nigeria, the inconsistency with the national grid as well as how cost electricity bill is becoming has helped push more interest in solar.
As more people are leaning towards solar energy, it’s very Vital to Know the types of materials that are used to manufacture solar panels, we’ll help you know every material that’s used for Solar Panels, we’ll look at some of the key materials that are used for solar panels manufacturing, we’ll also take a peek at their functions.
1. What Are Solar Panels Made Of?
A lot of important materials are brought together so as to manufacture solar panels. Every one of these materials helps the solar panels to convert the energy from the sun to Electricity. Some of the materials that are used to manufacture solar panels include:
a.Silicon (Solar Cells): Silicon is one of the key components of solar panels, their major duty is to help convert the sunlight into electricity.
b.Glass Covering: Another key part of the solar panels is the glass covering, the work of the glass covering is to help protect the solar cells so that they could last longer.
c.Metal frame: The major job of metal frame is to help provide the much needed structural support of the solar panels.
d.Encapsulation Layers– Encapsulation layers help to protect the solar panels against moisture or dust that may otherwise cause harm.
e.Backsheet– The blacksheets help to stop any electrical leakage that might appear.
f.Wiring & Junction Box– The wiring and junction helps to make sure that power will flow efficiently.
Now that we know these components, let’s go ahead and break each of the components down so that we will understand better.
2. Key Materials for Solar Panels and Their Functions.
a) Silicon – The Core Material of Solar Panels
Silicon is obviously the most important material that is used to manufacture solar panels, with the silicon, you can easily create photovoltaic (PV) cells.
These Cells are then used to convert the sunlight to electricity which we consume. Apparently there are three major types of silicon that are used in solar cells, we’ll look at them one after the other:
i.Monocrystalline Silicon– This type of silicon is highly effective and also very efficient, they are also Long-Lasting which explains why they are also very expensive.
ii.Polycrystalline Silicon– This type of silicon is moderately efficient, while it’s not as efficient as the monocrystalline, it’s however not bad, lots of Nigerians uses this type of silicon because it’s more affordable than monocrystalline.
iii.Amorphous Silicon– Amorphous silicon has the lowest level of efficiency amongst the three major silicon, they’re mostly used in Thin-film panels.
Most Nigerians generally prefer to make use of the monocrystalline panels, this is obviously because of the fact that they’re more durable than the rest, however they tend to be more expensive too. they’re worth it regardless. We provide the best quality monocrystalline panels in Nigeria, our panels can work very well even in low light.
(b) Glass Covering – Protection for Solar Cells
The Glass Covering is a very durable tempered glass layers that helps to protect the very delicate silicon cells from getting damaged as a result of external forces like harsh weather, physical impact etc.
These type of glass should be highly transparent, this is necessary so that there could be maximum absorption of the sun in the process.
Why The Glass Covering is
Important:
i.They help to cover the solar cells from external forces like wind, rainfall, debris, dust etc.
ii. With the glass covering, the life span of the solar panels will naturally increase, they also help make sure that there’s a maximum sun penetration.
(c) Metal Frame – Providing Structural Support
The Metal frame is often made from aluminum, the aim is used to hold the solar panels together, the frames helps make sure that the Installation process is quite easy and simple, and also helps to protect the solar panels from getting any mechanical damage.
READ ALSO:How Do I Monitor the Performance of My Solar System?
Here are some Key Benefits of Aluminum Frames:
i.They are very lightweight, however they’re strong too.
ii. They’re also corrosion resistant, they equally support the mounting structures of these panels.
(d) Encapsulation Layers – Moisture and Dust Protection.
Every Solar Panel comes with a protective layer that is called the ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA sheets.With this encapsulation layers, moisture and dirt are easily kept away from the solar cells, this helps to prevent any potential corrosion or damages that might occur
Reasons Why EVA Is Important
i.The make sure your panels are durable on the long run.
ii.It helps to protect the solar cells in case of a situation where there’s rapid change in temperature.
iii.It helps to stop accumulation of dust in the solar cell.
Having a quality encapsulation is very important for your solar panels, especially for a place like Nigeria that most times experiences dusty and humid climates.
(e) Backsheet – Electrical Insulation and Protection
As a rear layer of the solar panels, the black sheets are made from polymer materials, their major work is to help protect every electrical component of the solar from any foreign bodies. the following are the benefits of a Good Backsheet:
i.The help to prevent any potential electrical leakage that might arise.
ii.They also help to improve the overall durability of the panels
iii.They equally help against UV radiation and moisture that might want to reduce the efficiency of the solar panels.
Blacksheets help to extend the lifespan of your solar panels, which of course will help them to last for years.
(f) Wiring and Junction Box – They make sure Power Flow effectively
Every solar system comes with a junction box that contains all the electrical wiring which connects to an inverter.
This is the particular component that makes sure that electricity generated by the solar cells are being transferred to the system without any Problem.
below are some Key Features:
i.They come with bypass diodes which helps to stop the loss of power.
ii.They make sure there’s sufficient flow of energy within the system.
iii.the protect the system against any electrical damages.
