REC Solar pioneered half-cut solar cells in 2014 and was designed to increase solar panel output. In this blog, we will learn more about how they work below, but you can think of a half-cut cell as two separate panels in one.
We will explain how half-cut solar panels work, why their design improves standard solar panels performance, which manufacturers use them, and the potential future of half-cut solar cell technology.
Half-cut solar cell panels- How do they work?
Half-cut solar cell technology increases the solar panel output by reducing the size of the cells, so more cells can fit on the solar panel. Then the panel is split in half, so the top partition operates independently of the bottom one, reducing the risk of low output even when the panel half is shaded.
Traditional monocrystalline solar panels normally have 60 to 72 solar cells, so when these cells are cut in half, the number of cells increases. Half-cut solar panels have 120 to 144 solar cells and are normally made with PERC technology which provides higher solar panel efficiency. Since the solar cells are cut in half and are thereby reduced in size, monocrystalline solar panels have more solar cells on the panel than the traditional panels do.
In a traditional solar panel, when one cell is shaded or faulty and doesn’t produce power, the whole row within the series wiring will stop generating energy.
With the traditional full cell string series wiring, if a solar cell in any single row does not have enough sunlight, every cell within that series will not produce power. This knocks out almost a third of the output of the panel.
For half-cut solar panels if a solar cell in any one row is shaded, the cells within only that row will stop producing energy. Other rows will continue to produce energy, generating more power than traditional series wiring because only one-sixth of the solar panel has stopped producing energy instead of one-third.
What are some great benefits of half-cut solar cells?
There are numerous advantages of half-cut cell panels. They enhance solar panel output and solar panel efficiency because they provide a higher shade tolerance due to their distinctive wiring system. This means if your house has some trees that cast shade onto your roof at certain times throughout the day, your whole solar panel won’t be unusable like it would happen with a traditional solar panel, and you would still get good solar panel output.
Additionally, the effects of hot spots are much less severe on your solar panels with half-cut cells. Hot spots shift excess heat on a panel, say from a very hot part to the shaded, cooler section. With a half-cut cell, hot spots won’t be as damaging because there are more cells to spread the excess heat.
Though half-cut cells provide many advantages, they are costlier because they are more challenging to manufacture, with increased soldering steps and laser cutting. In the end, it’s up to you to decide if the overall advantages make the increased cost worth it. At Solar Secure, you can be assured of the top-quality brands, latest solar technology at the best prices.
Which manufacturers use half-cut solar cell modules?
Ever since REC Solar pioneered half-cut solar cell technology, many solar companies have followed suit.
1. LG Solar
- Products : LG NeON® series
- Overview : LG uses half-cut cell technology in their high-efficiency NeON® R and NeON® 2 solar panels, which are known for their durability and excellent performance in various conditions.
2. Trina Solar
- Products : Trina Solar Vertex series, Honey series
- Overview : Trina Solar incorporates half-cut cells in their Vertex and Honey series, which are designed for both residential and commercial applications. These panels offer high power output and efficiency.
3. Canadian Solar
- Products : HiKu and BiHiKu series
- Overview : Canadian Solar uses half-cut cell technology in their HiKu and BiHiKu series panels. These panels are known for their high-power ratings and are available in both monofacial and bifacial configurations.
4. JA Solar
- Products : DeepBlue 3.0 series, Percium series
- Overview : JA Solar’s half-cut cell modules, like the DeepBlue 3.0 series, offer high efficiency, improved shading tolerance, and reduced power loss.
5. Jinko Solar
- Products : Tiger and Cheetah series
- Overview : Jinko Solar uses half-cut cell technology in their Tiger and Cheetah series. These panels are designed for high performance, even under challenging environmental conditions.
6. LONGi Solar
- Products : Hi-MO series
- Overview : LONGi Solar is one of the leading manufacturers of monocrystalline solar modules and uses half-cut cell technology in its Hi-MO series, which are known for high efficiency and reliability.
7. REC Solar
- Products : REC Alpha series
- Overview : REC Solar’s Alpha series features half-cut cell technology, providing high efficiency, better shading tolerance, and durability.
8. Q CELLS
- Products : Q.PEAK DUO series
- Overview : Q CELLS integrates half-cut cells in their Q.PEAK DUO series. These panels are recognized for their high performance, even in low-light conditions.
9. Risen Energy
- Products : Titan series
- Overview : Risen Energy's Titan series utilizes half-cut cell technology to enhance power output and efficiency, making them suitable for large-scale solar projects.
10. Seraphim Solar
- Products : Blade series
- Overview : Seraphim Solar uses half-cut cells in their Blade series, which offers high efficiency and reduced hotspot risk.
If you’re thinking about half-cut solar panels, work with Solar Secure to find the best option for your specific roof’s solar panel installation. Whichever option you select, traditional versus half-cut, going with a reputable manufacturer and trustworthy Solar Secure is the best choice.
Thinking about installing half-cut solar panels in future?
Usually, traditional solar panels can be just right for you, in case your roof has ample sunlight all through the day.
However, if you need every ounce of power, you can get it because you stay in a shady area or need to maximize your net metering benefits, half-cut cells would be a great option. Ask for half-cut solar panels if you have a small surface area that needs to generate all the solar energy. Otherwise, you should be fine with traditional solar panels, even if you might need a couple more of them on your roof.
Your Solar installer will make it easier to decide if half-cut cells are the right choice for your rooftop solar array.
The professional team at Solar Secure provides superior quality solar energy systems for customers all over Australia.
Key Features of Half-Cut Solar Cell Technology :
- Smaller Cells with Reduced Electrical Resistance : When a solar cell is cut in half, each half-cell generates half the current of a full cell. This reduces the amount of current flowing through the solar panel’s busbars (the metal strips that collect current from the cells), which in turn reduces resistive losses. As a result, the panel's overall efficiency is improved.
- Enhanced Performance in Shaded Conditions : One of the significant advantages of half-cut cell technology is its ability to perform better under partial shading conditions. In a traditional panel, shading on even a small part of the panel can significantly reduce its output. In a half-cut cell panel, the impact of shading is less severe because the smaller cells are less affected by shading.
- Increased Durability and Reliability : The half-cut design also enhances the durability of the solar panels. The lower current in each half-cell reduces the temperature of the cells, which helps in minimizing the risk of hot spots, a common issue in full-cell panels that can lead to long-term damage.
- Higher Efficiency and Output : Overall, half-cut solar cells can boost the efficiency of a solar panel by 2-3%. This might seem small, but it adds up over the lifespan of a solar panel system, making it a popular choice for both residential and commercial installations.
- Improved Power Output : Since half-cut cells reduce power loss, they contribute to higher power output from the same area of solar panels. This means you can get more electricity from a panel with half-cut cells than from one with traditional full cells of the same size.
Conclusion
Half-cut solar cell technology represents a significant advancement in solar panel design, offering enhanced efficiency, better performance under partial shading, and greater overall durability. By reducing electrical resistance and minimizing power losses, this technology allows solar panels to generate more energy and maintain higher output over time. As a result, half-cut solar cells are becoming a preferred choice for both residential and commercial solar installations, providing a reliable and efficient solution for maximizing solar energy production. To learn more about how solar panel systems can benefit you, contact us today and get a free quote.