Created by REC Solar in 2014, half-cut solar cells have revolutionalised the solar industry by offering an increased energy output.
Composition And Working
Half-cut cells are made by cutting cells in half accurately using a laser. Each cell is divided in half to increase the energy output of a solar panel. By splitting the cell, the two halves can operate independently. This allows energy production even if one-half is under shade. Usually, monocrystalline panels have 60-72 solar cells.
In half-cut cells, that number is doubled since one cell is divided into two halves which makes the number of cells 120-144. These cells have a higher module efficiency because of being created through PERC technology. Half-cut cells have half the current and decreased resistance. This reduces energy losses which result in improved performance.
Half-cut cells use a different type of series wiring to increase energy performance. The solar cells are connected with wires which transfer electricity through a bypass diode inside the panel. The bypass diode transmits the electricity generated by the cells to the junction box.
In traditional panels, if one cell is shaded or faulty, the whole panel stops generating power. However, if the cells in half-cut solar panels are shaded, then only that row will stop working while the rest of the panel remains unaffected.
The Pros And Cons Of Half-cut Cells
Half-cut cells are designed so that their wiring arrangement allows them to produce more power and a high degree of shade tolerance. This is beneficial because even if there is some shade on your panel throughout the day, it won’t mean that the solar panel is unusable.
They also have a higher wattage than conventional solar panels, and good brands can produce upto 380 watts of energy. This means that they make more power per square foot. Hot spots don’t affect half-cut solar panels as severely as traditional ones.
Hot spots are regions of high temperature on the panels; these move from hotter parts to colder ones on the panel. Hotspots won’t do much damage to half-cut cells because they can spread to more cells as they are sliced in half, doubling the number of cells.
There are also fewer power losses due to the decreased current travelling through the half-cut cells. However, half-cut cells are challenging to manufacture and cost more. Their creation includes extra steps like laser cutting and soldering. It’s in your hands to get those benefits despite the cost.
The Future
Half-cut cells are still difficult to make even if their energy output is higher due to low resistive losses. This makes the transition of manufacturers from traditional solar panels to half-cut ones less likely. If your area experiences strong, uninterrupted sunlight most of the time, then even traditional solar panels could do the job for you. Half-cut cells are needed only to maximize energy production in shady areas or areas with low sunlight.
Some people may use them to take complete advantage of net metering benefits. Use half-cut cells only when you have a small surface area to produce a high amount of solar power. Like every technology, half-cut cells will eventually become more common and cheaper. They will be easy to sell and buy. If you’re still confused about purchasing half-cut cells for your roof, contact your solar installer for help.