The Copper Differential - SolarTech (2024)

These are crucial questions to ask when investing in solar and one key thing to consider is what your solar panel cells are made of!

Solar panels are made of groups of multiple solar cells, or photovoltaic cells (PV), all oriented in one plane. When you look at a solar panel you might notice that they have grids on them, like the one to our right. The individual squares within that grid are your solar cells.

Solar cells are typically made of silicon semiconductors that serve to absorb sunlight and convert that into electricity. There are three types of solar cells each with varying efficiencies.

  1. Single-crystal cells (most efficient and cost effective)
  2. Polycrystalline cells (second most efficient)
  3. Thin film cells (least efficient)

The Copper Differential - SolarTech (1)

The Copper Differential - SolarTech (2)

Copper backed cells are the premium solar cells. The copper backing on the solar cells allows for higher conductivity and cell longevity. Compared to copper, aluminum has just 61 percent of its conductivity! Aluminum also lacks the same resilience as copper, becoming more susceptible to weather damage over time as the cells expand and contract with the changing weather. The strength of copper allows it to withstand the intensities of wear and tear, as opposed to aluminum. Coppers thermal conductivity is also about 60 percent greater than that of aluminum, meaning that copper can remove heat faster than aluminum, helping the system to operate more efficiently. All in all, copper backed cells are better conductors that are built to last and deliver the most bang for your buck.

Now that you know the best type of solar cells out there, where do you go to get these types of solar energy panels?

That’s where SunPower by SolarTech comes in!

As a SunPower master dealer we couldn’t be prouder to offer the best solar energy systems for your home or business. SunPower solar panels are the ONLY solar panels on the market that are built with copper backed cells. Overtime, conventional solar cells lose their power because of corrosion and breakage, but SunPower’s unique design eliminates 85% of the reasons conventional cells fail. Unlike conventional cells, the Maxeon cell technology that constitutes SunPower’s panels add incredible strength, making them virtually impervious to corrosion. Thick connectors in the copper backing of their cells allow them to expand and contract from daily temperature swings with ease. Conventional cells are typically built with thin and week connections, leading them to often fail over time.

Not only that, SunPower is the ONLY solar manufacturer that provides all-in-one systems, meaning that everything from the racking to the solar panels themselves come from SunPower. Other companies outsource their products from other manufacturers, meaning that if anything goes wrong with a competitors’ panels it could take ages to get replacement parts in as there are heaps of hoops to jump through to figure out where to get those parts.SunPower on the other hand manufactures every part of their solar panel systems in house, never outsourcing, meaning that you know EXACTLY who to contact.

If you are considering going solar then look no further than SunPower by SolarTech. Call SolarTech to receive a free solar analysis and start the discussion about adding premium SunPower panels to your home or business.

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Travis Danks2022-01-24T20:53:15+00:00Solar Energy, Uncategorized|

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The Copper Differential - SolarTech (2024)

FAQs

Why is copper not used in solar panels? ›

Although copper as a raw material has many advantages over silver, its poor contact adhesion and potential for diffusion into silicon can lower the reliability and performance of solar cells, which in turn raises the cost of production.

What is the new solar panel technology in 2024? ›

Solar cells that combine traditional silicon with cutting-edge perovskites could push the efficiency of solar panels to new heights.

Which is the best quality solar panel? ›

Top 10 solar panels, compared
  • SunPower. M series SPR-M440-H-AC. 20.8% 440 W. ...
  • REC Group. Alpha Pure-R 430 W. 22.3% 430 W. ...
  • Panasonic. EverVolt HK EVPV Black 410-Watt. 22.2% 410 W. ...
  • Maxeon Solar Technologies. Maxeon 3 BLK-R 420W. 20.2% ...
  • Jinko Solar. Tiger Neo N-type 54HL4R-B 440 W. 20.02% ...
  • Q CELLS. Q.TRON BLK M-G2+ 430 W. 22% ...
  • Silfab Solar.

Can copper replace silver in solar panels? ›

A team of researchers and industry partners are developing copper contacts for photovoltaic panels to replace the currently used silver contacts. Copper is cheaper and more abundant than silver, and it will lower both the cost of electricity and the environmental impact of solar panels.

Can we make solar panels from copper? ›

One simple way to make a cheap solar panel is by using cuprous oxide, an oxidized form of copper. While this is a great experiment to show how a solar panel works, keep in mind that it will not produce much power at all.

Why copper Cannot be used? ›

A copper wire cannot be used as a fuse wire because it has a high melting point. It will not melt easily when a high electric current passes through it and may damage the electrical appliances.

What is the breakthrough material for solar panels? ›

Last year, a startup in China said it had made a breakthrough with tandem silicon-perovskite solar cells that would allow them to begin mass producing them, with plans for a factory in Jiangsu province. UK startup Oxford PV is also planning to commercialise the technology with a production facility in Germany.

What is Japan's new solar panel technology? ›

A new solar system

Now, Japanese engineers "believe they have found one in a type of solar cell that looks and feels like camera film," according to The Wall Street Journal. The new cell uses perovskite, a crystalline structure formed by minerals that convert sunlight into electricity.

Will solar become 35 cheaper by 2024? ›

Solar Will Become 35% Cheaper By 2024

When the sun shines onto a solar panel, energy from the sunlight is absorbed by the PV cells in the panel. This energy creates electrical charges that move in response to an internal electrical field in the cell, causing electricity to flow.

Who is the highest rated solar company? ›

More
  • Best Overall: SunPower »
  • Best for Whole-Home Efficiency: Elevation »
  • Best for Protection Plans: Palmetto Solar »
  • Most Battery Backup Options: Blue Raven Solar »
  • Best for Concierge Service: Momentum Solar »
  • Best for Roof Replacement: Trinity Solar »
  • Best for Californians: Sunrun »
  • Best for Solar Shingles: Tesla »
4 days ago

What is the best American made solar panels? ›

Top 5 solar panel manufacturers
CompanyUSA location(s)Top-performing solar panel
First SolarOhio, AlabamaSeries 7 TR1
QcellsGeorgiaQ. PEAK DUO BLK ML-G10+
Silfab SolarWashingtonElite SIL-380
Jinko SolarFloridaEAGLE 72HM G5b
1 more row

What solar panels does Tesla use? ›

What brand of solar panels does Tesla use? Tesla uses Q Cells as its solar panel brand.

Why use copper instead of silver? ›

Copper is a better conductor than silver. Copper is less magnetic compared to silver. Copper is less expensive than silver. Silver is an insulator.

How much copper is in a solar panel? ›

By weight, the typical crystalline silicon solar panel is made of about 76% glass, 10% plastic polymer, 8% aluminum, 5% silicon, 1% copper, and less than 0.1% silver and other metals, according to the Institute for Sustainable Futures.

Why is copper good for solar panels? ›

Copper is an important component of solar thermal heating and cooling systems because of its high heat conductivity, resistance to atmospheric and water corrosion, sealing and joining by soldering, and mechanical strength.

Is copper used in solar? ›

Copper is an important component of solar thermal heating and cooling systems because of its high heat conductivity, resistance to atmospheric and water corrosion, sealing and joining by soldering, and mechanical strength.

Why metals are not used in solar panels? ›

Semiconductors, with their bandgap properties, allow for the efficient conversion of photons into electrical energy. While conductors may conduct electricity well, they lack the necessary properties to generate the voltage required for effective solar power generation.

Why are copper pipes in solar panels black? ›

Since the black color has the highest absorptivity among all the colors, therefore the copper tubes are painted with black color. To increase the absorption of heat energy by the water, the copper tubes are painted with black color.

What metal is best for solar panels? ›

Lightweight, ductile, and highly corrosion resistant, aluminum makes an excellent support for solar systems. Its high strength-to-weight ratio means it can support a large and heavy solar array without weakening the roof of a residential facility.

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