Solar Energy System,Solar Panel Manufacturers | energydescribe.com

1. What does PERC mean?
Literally, it stands for Passivated Emitter and Rear Cell. You also find the term Passivated Emitter and Rear Contact.

 

2. What is it?
PERC cell technology defines a solar cell architecture that differs from the standard cell architecture that has been in use for three decades and that is usually featured in all photovoltaic manuals.

 

As of today, the vast majority of crystalline solar cells produced follow the structure presented hereunder.

 

From top to rear:
– screen printed silver paste to form the contacts
– Anti Reflective Coating
– phosphorous diffused, boron doped silicon wafers that form the
P-N junction
– aluminum Back Surface Field (Al-BSF)
– screen printed aluminum paste

The objective of scientists being to get the most of electrons out of the solar cells, the PERC architecture essentially enables to improve light capture near the rear surface and to optimize electrons capture.                       

3. PERC and PERC?

Under the acronym PERC, we actually also find the solar cells technologies named PERL, PERT, PERF. Even if initially not considered in the nomenclature of PERC, they are now usually considered as being part of the same family

 

4. What’s the interest of the technology?
The main advantage of the PERC cell structure is that it enables manufacturers to achieve higher efficiencies than with standard solar cells which are reaching their physical limits. With the current state of the technology, it is possible to achieve up to 1% absolute gain in efficiency. While there are more steps in the manufacturing process, the gain in efficiency enables costs decrease, also at the system level. We should always keep in mind that the Holy Grail is to improve efficiency while reducing costs at the same time. And solar cell efficiency improvement is a contributor to the reduction of costs.
So this cell architecture is considered like presenting one of the best potential for producing high efficiency solar panels at competitive prices.

 

5. Is it new?
The PERC architecture is actually not new at all. First evocation of the technology traces back at the University of New South Wales in Australia in 1983 and the first paper [1] has been published in 1989. Because this concept of cell offered the best potential to reach high efficiency, the UNSW used it to achieve its multiple world records of efficiency that it brought close to 25% [2]. The two others competing technologies were the Back Contact technology, popularized by Sunpower, and the HIT technology commercialized by Panasonic.

 

6. Why now?
It is interesting to underline that the standard solar cell architecture has been in use since the middle of the 80’s. Since then, the technology went through incremental improvement, with better pastes to form front contacts, thinner contact fingers, optimized anti reflective coating… It took almost 30 years to the industry to almost catch up with the efficiencies achieved at the research level.
The following graph sums up the historic quest of the solar industry to improve its technology.

 

As stated earlier, there is always a gap between the performances achieved at the research level and what is achieved in mass production at the industrial level. Thus if PERC cell technology emerges now, it is mainly for economic reasons. Indeed, industry must always compromise to achieve economically and technically viable concepts. During 30 years, the steady incremental improvements brought to the standard cell technology were economically and technically feasible. Now that the standard concept achieves its limits and that  technical know-how is available along the value chain to introduce PERC technology, it can constitute a new viable platform to manufacture high power and high efficiency solar panels.
As anticipated by ITRPV, a body that gathers a set of manufacturers at the different steps of the value chain and that works on technology trends, the PERC technology will progressively take the biggest market share. Because this is the sense of history in the PV industry to get better and better, sooner or later, most of the panels installed will feature this technology.

             

7. Does PERC technology intrinsically feature better weak light performance?

In parallel to the development of the PERC technology, we have seen appearing on datasheets arguments related to improved performance under weak light. It is then legitimate to wonder if those two facts are related. While it is true that you will find PERC based modules with improved weak light performance, it has nothing to do intrinsically with the PERC cell technology. All the cell technologies have the potential to feature an improved performance under low light conditions, and we will address this topic in a next blog post.

 

8. Challenges with the technology
Like for any new technology, the challenge behind the PERC technology is to be able to scale up the technology while controlling the process. At United Energy, we always value know-how and there is definitely to be able to manufacture these cells. Among the challenges related to PERC technology, two are more susceptible to impact the owner of a panel equipped with this technology.
The first one is related to Light Induced Degradation. LID is this effect that causes a module to lose a percentage of its power after first exposition to light. It explains why manufacturers with linear warranties never guarantee 100% of the power after the first year. Due to the higher doping levels commonly applied in PERC cells, the negative effect due to LID is increased with PERC technology compared to standard cells with an Al-BSF.
There is also a topic around Potential Induced Degradation. There have been numerous papers and articles raising this question, and especially for polycrystalline PERC. It is not trivial insofar as this kind of defect can completely damage the performances of a power plant. The best recommendation we can do regarding this issue is to make sure that the modules you supply are granted the certificate according to IEC TS 62804 for PID resistance and that there is trust in the consistence the manufacturer applies to its material selection and processes to ensure its production is PID free.

 

 

Sources

[1]: A.W.Blakers, A.Wang, A.M.Milne, J.Zhao, M.A.Green, 22.8%Efficient Silicon Solar Cell, Appl. Phys. Lett. 55 (1989) 1363–1365.
[2]: Zhao J; Wang A; Keevers MJ; Green MA, 2000, High efficiency PERT cells on SEH p-type Si substrates and PERT cells on SHE n-type Si substrates

[3]: M.A. Green, The Passivated Emitter and Rear Cell(PERC):From conception to mass production, Solar Energy Materials & Solar Cells 143 (2015) 190–197

[4]: M.A. Green, Forty Years of Photovoltaic Research at UNSW, Journal and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New South Wales, vol. 148, nos. 455 & 456, pp. 2-14

In the present dynamism of market environments, it was really tough for buyers, spread across the globe, to source all-inclusive, standardized home solar energy systems.

 

No single manufacturer offers a complete solution, and therefore the user has to source solar panels, inverters, mounting structures, and wiring separately, usually with a custom design for each of them. This fragmented approach has resulted in frustration among purchasers and end-users. But our company is proud to bring to this industry a pioneering solution to this broad dilemma. We have developed a series of standardized home-based photovoltaic systems targeting the specific needs of the market.

 

The 5kW, 10kW, 15kW, 20kW, and 30kW solar Home Photovoltaic Systems they designed have met the needs of the vast majority of solar installation companies and end consumers, and have received widespread praise.

 

 

Key Features of Our Standardized Home PV Systems:

 

The Integrated Design: Our solutions, which are systems of solar panels, inverters, and complete mounting structures—all with all necessary wiring in one integrated solution without separate procurements and efforts for custom design.

 

Modular: Each system was designed with an individual one, allowing ready scaling and customization to different household sizes and their energy needs.

 

Standardized Configurations: Our standardized configurations are present for Off Grid, Hybrid, and Grid-Tied systems. It ensures that every variety in energy requirements and grid connectivity options are compatible.

 

Plug-and-Play Installation: The technology of plug-and-play installation with simple, clear installation instructions by using standardized systems. No special knowledge or skills required for exact homeowners or installers.

 

Quality assurance: Each part used in our standardized systems goes through an unsurpassed quality check for reliability, performance, and durability.

 

Benefits for Purchasers and Users:

 

Simplified Procurement: Our standardized approach ensures that Procurement is simplified, hence saving time and energy of the customers in the form of a one-stop solution for their solar energy needs. Cost Savings: As a user, you would realize cost savings flowing out of the need elimination for custom design, separate sourcing of components, and taking into account other traditional piecemeal approaches by virtue of our systems being standardized.

 

Faster Deployment: With plug-and-play installation, the systems we deliver easily deploy for faster, more efficient deployment with the least downtime for homeowners.

 

Scalability and Flexibility: The modules are designed in such a way that, with time, the system can be expanded or changed in order to meet the needs of changing energy requirements by homeowners or changes in case of any future upgrades.

 

Standardized configuration：Quality-test of individual components. These come with quality-tested components and standardized configurations to ensure that users receive the reliability and performance required by their business, topped with comprehensive warranties, together with after-sales support that would give peace of mind.

 

In the end, these standardized photovoltaic home systems, simple and low-cost, represent a new paradigm in the solar energy market and a reliable solution for the alternatives sought by homeowners or installers. We make purchasing simple, installation hassle-free, and quality performance guaranteed, so that consumers can adopt solar with ease and comfort while taking them down the pathway for sustainable energy futures.

 

United Energy Co.,Ltd
Add:No. 389-399, Jinzhai Road, Luyang District, Hefei City, Anhui Province
Mobile/Whatsapp/Wechat: +86 189 0569 0996
Email: info@ue-pv.com Web: www.ue-pv.com

Heterojunction Technology (HJT) is spearheading a new era in solar cell development, pushing the boundaries of efficiency and power output in photovoltaic systems. This advanced technology seamlessly blends the strengths of monocrystalline silicon and amorphous silicon thin-film, resulting in a Hybrid Solar Cell that excels in performance.

At its core, HJT involves stacking monocrystalline silicon wafers with amorphous silicon layers, creating a heterojunction that optimizes the unique advantages of each material. Monocrystalline silicon ensures a stable and consistently high efficiency, while the amorphous silicon layer extends light absorption capabilities across a broader spectrum. This synergy empowers HJT solar cells to capture solar energy more effectively, particularly in challenging lighting conditions.

What sets HJT apart is not only its exceptional efficiency but also its impressive power output. With an average efficiency exceeding 23%, HJT Solar Modules have demonstrated the capability to reach a power output of 380 W for 60-cell panels and up to 452.5 W for 72-cell modules. This remarkable performance is a testament to the technology's ability to maximize energy production.

 

In recent years, HJT has gained widespread recognition as a frontrunner in the solar industry, offering a compelling combination of efficiency, power, and cost-effectiveness. With a steady rise projected, HJT is anticipated to secure a significant market share, with estimates reaching 15% by 2029.

As the global demand for sustainable energy solutions intensifies, Heterojunction Technology stands as a beacon of innovation, providing concrete parameters of increased efficiency, elevated power outputs, and a promising trajectory toward a more sustainable and energy-efficient future.

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When thinking about buying solar panels, reaching out to well-known manufacturers such as Longi, Jinko, Trina, and JA Solar is a direct and efficient approach. You can find their contact information on their official websites. However, it's unfortunate that these manufacturers have high procurement thresholds, making it difficult for many small and medium-sized businesses to meet their MOQ. Alternatively, you can explore other options, like participating in solar-related industry events, trade shows, and exhibitions, or checking supplier lists on the official websites of solar associations.

 

In reality, the most suitable method for small and medium-sized businesses to wholesale purchase solar panels is to connect with solar distributors who have rich project experience and expertise in the solar field. They can provide you with the most suitable products and offer attentive services to enhance efficiency and reduce potential costs.

Here are some benefits:

 

Product Variety: Solar distributors work with multiple manufacturers, allowing you to choose solar modules with various specifications, brands, and price ranges. Some suppliers, like UE, may even assist you in customizing products in small batches, providing flexibility to meet your specific needs.

 

Simplified Procurement: Dealing with solar distributors with one-stop procurement service capabilities can simplify the procurement process. When you need PV panels, you usually also need inverters, batteries, wires, and mounts（A complete solar system）. If you choose to collaborate with a distributor like UE, you don't have to coordinate with multiple suppliers. Just state your overall requirements, and UE can help you design and plan everything, streamlining the ordering and delivery process.

 

Logistical Support: Distributors are usually responsible for transportation, storage, taxation, insurance, and other affairs. If you don't have a dedicated department handling these matters, choosing a supplier with comprehensive logistical capabilities like UE ensures that your goods are efficiently transported to your location.

 

Technical Support: Solar distributors typically have knowledgeable staff. UE's employees undergo systematic training and possess extensive experience, providing technical support and assistance. If you have questions about product specifications, compatibility, or installation, their expertise is valuable for making informed decisions.

 

Established Relationships: Strong distributors like UE can establish strategic relationships with well-known solar panel manufacturers, enabling them to obtain better prices and the sales rights to the latest products. This can translate into competitive prices and opportunities to acquire cutting-edge technology.

 

Warranty Handling: Responsible suppliers like UE usually offer longer warranty periods, ensuring that customers can resolve maintenance issues at little or no cost when encountering product quality problems. It's worth mentioning that UE provides a 15-year extended materials insurance and a 30-year power repair guarantee.

 

Industry Connections: Solar distributors often have good connections in the solar industry, aiding in understanding industry trends, obtaining new products, and staying updated on regulations and certifications.

 

Before choosing a solar distributor, it's essential to research their reputation, read customer reviews, and check the range of products they offer. This ensures that the distributor aligns with your project requirements and provides the necessary support and services.

 

UE has extensive industry experience and project expertise, offering a diverse range of products and one-stop procurement services. They simplify the procurement process, provide logistics services, and offer technical support. Additionally, they have deep strategic collaborations with many leading companies, ensuring you get the best solar panels at the best price.

United Energy Co.,Ltd
Add:No. 389-399, Jinzhai Road, Luyang District, Hefei City, Anhui Province
Mobile/Whatsapp/Wechat: +86 189 0569 0996
Email: info@ue-pv.com Web: www.unitedpvsolar.com

In the photovoltaic (PV) industry, "0BB" (Busbar-less) technology is sparking a revolution. BB stands for “Busbar,” which refers to the main grid lines on PV cells, with the preceding number indicating the quantity of busbars. Over the past decade, PV technology experts have diligently increased the number of busbars from 2 to 20. However, this trend is now undergoing a significant reversal, with industry leaders heavily investing in the research and development of 0BB technology.

 

Evolution of Busbar Technology

PV cells convert sunlight into electricity through the photovoltaic effect, and this current needs to be collected and transmitted via grid lines made of silver. These grid lines include main and fine grid lines. The current travels from fine grid lines to the main grid lines and is then transmitted to the solder strips. Increasing the number of busbars brought several benefits, such as reducing the use of silver paste, lowering costs, and decreasing power loss. Consequently, multi-busbar (MBB) and super multi-busbar (SMBB) technologies have become mainstream.

However, as research progressed, companies began exploring the possibility of completely removing the busbars. The 0BB technology aims to simplify the current transmission path by eliminating the main busbars, allowing fine grid lines to connect directly to the solder strips through welding points. This concept has gradually gained traction and attracted widespread attention in the PV industry.

 

Rise and Advantages of 0BB Technology

Compared to existing SMBB technology, 0BB technology offers several key advantages:

 

Power Enhancement

0BB technology removes the busbars, reducing the shading area on the cell surface and increasing power generation. Additionally, the dense distribution of welding points on the cell shortens the current transmission path within the fine grid lines, further reducing power loss. For instance, incorporating 0BB technology with ABC high conversion efficiency advantages can increase the overall power of products by 5W.

 

Cost Reduction

Traditional grid lines made of silver paste account for the highest proportion of non-silicon costs in PV cells. With rising silver prices, reducing the use of silver paste is crucial for cost reduction. 0BB technology eliminates the busbars, potentially reducing silver paste consumption by 20%-40%, significantly lowering PV cell costs. Research indicates that applying 0BB technology can reduce the cost of silver paste to 1-6 cents/W for various technologies.

 

Higher Quality

The smaller and more numerous welding points in 0BB technology result in a more uniform stress distribution, reducing the rate of cell fractures, grid line breaks, and micro-cracks, thereby improving production yield. Furthermore, the uniform stress distribution allows for the use of thinner silicon wafers, with the thinnest possible being 100μm.

 

Industry Giants' Adoption

In recent years, leading PV companies such as Trina Solar, Tongwei Co., JinkoSolar, Chint New Energy, Canadian Solar, Risen Energy, and Aiko Solar have ramped up their research efforts in 0BB technology, placing high hopes on its potential. For instance, JinkoSolar has completed preliminary tests of 0BB technology, demonstrating significant power and cost improvements. Risen Energy and Huasheng New Energy have also released 0BB heterojunction modules, showcasing the practical application potential of 0BB technology.

 

Ongoing Challenges and Innovations

Despite its promising future, 0BB technology faces several challenges, including ensuring welding consistency and testing efficiency. Particularly, the reliability issues arising from welding silver and copper, which have different chemical and physical properties, pose a challenge. These materials tend to separate under external force or thermal expansion, affecting the PV cell's performance.

Some companies have proposed solutions to these challenges. For example, by innovating with “silver-free metal coating technology,” using copper to make fine grid lines and welding points, they have addressed the reliability issue. This technology significantly improves welding strength and enhances cell stability.

 

Conclusion

0BB technology brings significant cost reductions and efficiency improvements, making it a focal point in the next wave of technological competition. Despite facing challenges, continuous innovation and improvements in 0BB technology will play an increasingly vital role in the PV industry. Moving forward, 0BB technology will continue to drive the development of the PV sector, laying the foundation for more efficient and economical solar energy utilization.

The distribution network is the final link in the power system, traditionally responsible for distributing electrical energy. However, with the widespread integration of distributed renewable energy sources, the emergence of diverse loads such as electric vehicles, and the advancement of the electricity market, the operating model of the distribution network is undergoing profound changes. It is evolving from a traditional endpoint distribution network to a modern distribution network capable of source-grid-load-storage interaction. This transformation is not only reflected in the changes in power flow patterns but also in the integration of power flow, information flow, and business flow.

 

Changes in Distribution Network Operation

 

Impact of Distributed Renewable Energy

The rapid development of distributed photovoltaics (PV) has significantly altered the traditional operating patterns of the power system. Firstly, with the increased penetration of distributed PV, a substantial amount of electrical energy is being fed back into the grid, causing reverse overloads in local areas, low-voltage lines, and even main transformers at system substations. Secondly, the development of distributed PV and controllable loads such as charging stations has changed the load characteristics of the power system, increasing the volatility, intermittency, and randomness of renewable energy generation. These changes significantly heighten the difficulty of grid regulation. Lastly, the extensive use of distributed PV, charging stations, and frequency conversion equipment presents higher demands on the power quality and safe, stable operation of the distribution network.

 

The Role of Energy Storage in Regulation and Support

Energy storage, as a crucial regulatory resource, plays a key role in the adjustment and support of the distribution network. It is a major component for adapting to the new forms of distribution networks. Specifically, energy storage plays an important role in the following areas:

 

Addressing the Challenges of Distributed Renewable Energy Integration

1. Industrial and Commercial User-Side Energy Storage: Utilizing the peak-shaving and valley-filling capabilities.

2. Distributed Energy Storage at Distribution Network Nodes: Integrating energy storage at local substations and switching stations.

3. Grid-Side Energy Storage: Installing energy storage at substations in load centers.

4. New Business Models: Exploring microgrids and integrated photovoltaic-storage systems to facilitate the efficient local absorption of distributed renewable energy, thus reducing the impact on the distribution network.

 

Enhancing the Adjustability and Flexibility of the Distribution Network

With the integration of distributed renewable energy and controllable loads like charging stations, the demand for regulation within the distribution network has surged, and the volatility of loads over both short and long periods has increased. Energy storage, with its flexible regulation capabilities, can achieve friendly interaction and efficient operation between sources, grids, loads, and storage. In regions with tight power supply capacities, constructing integrated solar-storage-charging projects can ensure that charging stations charge the storage system when idle and discharge stored energy to fill gaps when charging electric vehicles. Additionally, as electric vehicles become more prevalent, they can play a regulatory role in the distribution network through Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology.

 

Providing Operational Reliability for the Distribution Network

Energy storage systems have millisecond-level rapid response capabilities, providing quick support during voltage and frequency drops in the distribution network, thus enhancing the reliability of power supply. Furthermore, energy storage can operate in voltage source mode and support transient stability, strengthening the robustness of the distribution network.

 

Participating in the Electricity Market and Providing Ancillary Services

With the progression of the electricity market and the gradual establishment of market and profit mechanisms, future user-side energy storage systems can, under suitable measurement and dispatch conditions, participate independently in the electricity market. They can also offer ancillary services such as peak shaving, frequency regulation, and voltage regulation through virtual power plants, thereby supporting the distribution network.

 

Future Development of Distribution Networks

Energy storage is a key technology for achieving the flexible, intelligent, and digital transformation of distribution networks. By integrating with large-scale distributed renewable energy sources and controllable loads such as charging stations, a distribution network capable of source-grid-load-storage interaction can be built. This will effectively promote the absorption of renewable energy and the efficient allocation of resources. This integration not only improves the overall efficiency and reliability of the power system but also lays a solid foundation for optimizing future energy structures and ensuring the healthy development of the electricity market.

 

In conclusion, the distribution network is transitioning from a traditional power distribution role to a modern, multifunctional power system hub. The application of energy storage technology will play an indispensable role in this transformation, driving the distribution network towards a more intelligent, efficient, and sustainable future.

BC solar panels, or Back-Contact solar cells, represent a significant advancement in photovoltaic technology. By relocating the metal grid lines from the front to the back of the cell, BC solar panels reduce sunlight obstruction and enhance conversion efficiency. This innovation offers several benefits, including high conversion efficiency, greater short-circuit current, high fill factor, improved resistance to degradation, and an aesthetically pleasing appearance. Despite their complex manufacturing process and higher costs, BC solar panels hold promising potential in the solar energy market.

 

Types of BC Solar Cells

BC solar cells encompass various types, including Interdigitated Back Contact (IBC), Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact (TBC), Heterojunction with Intrinsic Thin-layer (HBC), and Hybrid Passivated Back Contact (HPBC). Each type combines the basic BC technology with other advancements to optimize performance:

1. IBC Cells: The classic IBC cells feature a design where the emitter and back surface field (BSF) are alternately arranged on the cell's back, minimizing light obstruction and maximizing efficiency. SunPower's Maxeon brand is a leading example, with a production capacity of several gigawatts and significant market share in the U.S.

2. TBC Cells: Combining TOPCon and IBC technologies, TBC cells utilize N-type silicon substrates and offer higher conversion efficiencies. Leading TOPCon companies are preparing to release TBC products, with anticipated power outputs of 600-610 watts.

3. HBC Cells: These cells merge HJT and IBC technologies, using intrinsic amorphous silicon films for passivation, enhancing surface defect reduction while maintaining the unobstructed light absorption advantage of IBC cells.

4. HPBC Cells: Developed by companies like Longi, HPBC cells use P-type silicon substrates, offering a cost-effective solution with impressive efficiency and aesthetic qualities.

 

Advantages of BC Solar Panels

BC solar panels offer several distinct advantages over traditional solar cells:

1. Enhanced Efficiency: By eliminating front-side grid lines, BC solar panels increase the area available for sunlight absorption, boosting short-circuit current by approximately 7% compared to conventional cells.

2. Flexible and Robust Design: The back-side wiring of BC panels allows for simpler, more flexible encapsulation, improving resistance to micro-cracking and other forms of stress. For instance, Longi's HPBC cells show a 48% reduction in edge stress compared to traditional cells.

3. Aesthetic Appeal: With a uniform, grid-free front surface, BC solar panels offer a more visually appealing solution for residential and commercial installations, making them particularly attractive for high-end distributed markets.

 

Market Potential and Future Outlook

As PERC cell technology approaches its efficiency limits, the market share for N-type technologies like TOPCon and BC cells is expanding. Currently, BC cells are in the early stages of market adoption but are gaining traction due to their efficiency and distinct advantages. The key challenge for BC technology is reducing production costs. Companies like Aiko Solar aim to achieve cost parity with TOPCon cells by mid-2024, which would significantly enhance the competitiveness of BC panels.

BC solar panels are well-suited for applications where efficiency and aesthetics are paramount, such as in vehicles, ships, satellites, and buildings with limited load-bearing capacity. If manufacturing costs decrease, BC panels could dominate the rooftop solar market and beyond. Predictions suggest that the market share of BC cells could rise from the current 1-3% to 10-15% by 2025, with an annual production scale expansion of about 40GW. Some forecasts even indicate that BC technology could capture 30-40% of the market, coexisting with other technologies like TOPCon, HJT, and PERC.

 

Conclusion

BC solar panels represent a promising advancement in photovoltaic technology, offering superior efficiency, flexibility, and aesthetic appeal. While the high manufacturing costs pose a challenge, ongoing efforts to reduce these costs could make BC panels a leading solution in the global solar market. As the demand for high-efficiency, visually appealing solar solutions grows, BC technology is poised to play a crucial role in the future energy landscape.

With the rapid advancements in battery technology, the sodium battery has emerged as a notable alternative to the well-established lithium battery. However, recent fluctuations in lithium carbonate prices have raised questions about the market competitiveness of sodium batteries. Despite these challenges, industry experts maintain that sodium batteries still hold significant potential due to their cost advantages and unique properties.

 

Cost Advantages of Sodium Batteries

Sodium batteries, as an alternative to lithium batteries, boast cost advantages, making them competitive in the market. Although the significant decrease in lithium battery raw material prices has somewhat hindered the commercialization of sodium batteries, their theoretical cost is still 30%-40% lower than that of lithium batteries. Additionally, sodium batteries have unique advantages in charge/discharge rate, high and low-temperature performance, and safety. With the mass production of related products, the future of sodium batteries remains promising.

 

Development Trend of Sodium Batteries

The development of sodium batteries started almost simultaneously with lithium batteries, and their charge/discharge mechanisms are similar. However, sodium batteries once faced technological bottlenecks, causing a halt in progress until around 2010 when breakthroughs in anode and cathode materials accelerated academic research and industrial attempts. 2023 has been dubbed the "Year of the Sodium Battery," with a complete industrial chain forming. Currently, sodium batteries are applied in two-wheeled electric vehicles, energy storage, data centers, communication base stations, underground coal mines, and engineering vehicles. In early 2024, sodium batteries showed strong growth momentum, with over 20 signed, recorded, and commenced projects involving battery cells, anode, and cathode materials, totaling nearly 40 billion RMB in investments.

 

Unique Advantages of Sodium Batteries

In recent years, the significant fluctuations in lithium battery raw material prices have severely impacted the industry's healthy development. In contrast, sodium battery raw materials are abundant, widely distributed, and self-controllable, effectively mitigating or eliminating the supply chain risks and impacts caused by the uneven distribution and price volatility of lithium resources. Sodium batteries are also safer than lithium batteries; they release less flammable gas under high temperature and overcharge conditions. Additionally, sodium batteries perform well in low-temperature charge/discharge scenarios, with a capacity retention rate above 90% at -20°C.

 

Long-Term Prospects of Sodium Batteries

Industry experts point out that rapidly reducing costs and turning the theoretical cost advantage of sodium batteries into a reality is crucial for industry development. The industrialization process of sodium batteries will not fundamentally change due to lithium carbonate price fluctuations. The anode materials used in sodium batteries, such as copper, aluminum, iron, and sodium, are inexpensive, and the anode materials processed from ordinary anthracite are much cheaper than the graphite used in lithium batteries. As production capacity increases and the industrial chain matures, the cost of sodium batteries will rapidly decline.

In the future, sodium batteries will develop towards high energy, low cost, high safety, and high intelligence. By controlling the use of precious metal elements in layered oxide cathodes, developing low-cost manganese-based materials, simplifying hard carbon anode processes, selecting suitable production materials, and accelerating research on battery performance in low-concentration electrolytes, production costs can be reduced through comprehensive process optimization.

In future market competition, sodium batteries can supplement and replace the shortcomings of lithium iron phosphate batteries in the upper market and gradually replace lead-acid batteries in the lower market. It is expected that by around 2028, the sodium battery industry will mature, especially in the low-speed electric vehicle field, with market shares of lead-acid batteries, sodium batteries, and lithium batteries being 40%, 45%, and 15%, respectively.

 

Conclusion

In summary, although lithium carbonate price fluctuations have impacted the commercialization progress of sodium batteries, they remain competitive in the market. With their cost advantages, safety, and low-temperature performance, the future of sodium batteries remains promising with the mass production of related products. In future market competition, sodium batteries are expected to play an important role.

When it comes to powering your home with solar energy, standard photovoltaic (PV) solar modules are a common choice. However, the cutting-edge technology of shingled solar PV panels offers an innovative alternative. It's important to note that shingled solar panels are distinct from solar tiles, despite their similar names and purposes. This article will explore the differences between shingled solar panels and solar tiles, compare shingled solar panels with conventional modules, and highlight the advantages of this technology to help you determine if it's the right option for you.

 

 

Shingled Solar Panels vs. Solar Tiles(Solar Shingles)

 

Shingled Solar Panels:

Shingled solar panels utilize laser slicing technology to cut solar cells into multiple strips and interconnect them with electrically conductive adhesive. This optimization of component structure achieves zero spacing between cells, allowing for a 5% increase in cell placement compared to other types of modules, effectively enhancing the solar panel's conversion efficiency.

 

Solar Tiles:

Solar tiles serve as both a source of electricity and structural support for your roof, integrating seamlessly into building aesthetics. However, while aesthetically pleasing, their conversion efficiency typically ranges from 15% to 20%, lower than shingled solar panels which can reach up to 23.5%. Moreover, solar tiles are priced higher, ranging from $0.8 to $2 per watt, compared to shingled solar panels which range from $0.18 to $0.25 per watt.

 

Shingled Solar Panels vs. Standard Solar Panels

 

Interconnection of Cells:

Conventional modules rely on copper busbars or ribbons to connect cells, resulting in gaps between them. In contrast, shingled modules eliminate these gaps by assembling cells into strips with electrically conductive adhesive. This method enhances efficiency and durability, with shingled panels boasting efficiency rates between 22% to 23.5%.

 

Panel Efficiency:

Standard solar panels typically achieve efficiencies ranging from 15% to 22.6%, while shingled panels surpass this range, reaching efficiencies between 22% to 23.5%. This higher efficiency is complemented by shingling technology's compatibility with glass-glass and bifacial techniques, further improving light absorption and minimizing losses.

 

Mechanical Performance:

Shingled solar panels demonstrate superior mechanical strength against external forces like wind and snow compared to conventional panels. They maintain structural integrity without micro-cracks or power attenuation even after rigorous load testing, ensuring long-term reliability.

 

Aesthetics:

Shingled solar cells offer a sleek, all-black appearance by eliminating visible ribbons and busbars, enhancing the overall design of buildings.

 

Advantages of Shingled Solar Panels

 

Higher Power Density:

Shingled solar panels maximize power production per square meter, utilizing the entire effective area without gaps, leading to increased energy output in less space.

 

Lower Energy Loss:

Parallel wiring of shingled solar cells minimizes the impact of shading and reduces energy losses compared to series-wired conventional cells. Additionally, lower ohmic losses contribute to improved performance.

 

More Aesthetic:

The sleek design of shingled panels enhances the visual appeal of homes, offering a modern and stylish alternative to conventional modules.

 

More Reliable:

Shingled panels exhibit robust performance, resisting shading, mechanical stress, and low current operation, ensuring consistent and dependable energy production.

 

Are Shingled Solar Panels Right for You?

 

Shingled solar panels are an innovative choice, particularly suitable for residential applications. As manufacturers adopt this technology, prices are expected to decrease, making them increasingly accessible. If you prioritize cutting-edge technology, enhanced power production, efficiency, reliability, and aesthetics, shingled solar panels are worth considering.

 

Less Expensive:

Compared to solar tiles, shingled solar panels offer a more cost-effective solution, both in terms of manufacturing and installation.

 

Easier Maintenance:

Shingled panels require minimal maintenance, primarily periodic cleaning, offering convenience and ease of ownership compared to solar tiles.

 

Conclusion

 

Shingled solar panels represent a promising advancement in solar technology, offering higher efficiency, improved aesthetics, and greater reliability. As the market expands and prices decrease, they become an attractive option for homeowners seeking efficient and stylish solar solutions.

 

 

 

Energy storage system is a fundamental pillar for the advancement of new energy sources. Utilizing renewable resources such as wind and solar power showcases significant variability in generation, presenting challenges in maintaining the delicate balance between power supply and demand essential for grid security. Consequently, the integration of energy storage emerges as a pivotal solution to flexibly regulate the energy landscape.

 

Electricity, with its instantaneous consumption, necessitates precise matching between generation and consumption to uphold grid stability. Projections from the EIA indicate that by 2050, wind and solar power will constitute 72% of renewable energy generation, nearly doubling their share from 2020. Unlike traditional fossil fuel sources with robust adjustability, wind and solar power exhibit characteristics such as low inertia, low damping, and weak voltage support, leading to significant fluctuations that complicate the balancing act between generation and consumption. Consequently, surplus energy often goes to waste, resulting in phenomena like "curtailment." In 2023, China alone witnessed over 300 billion kilowatt-hours of wind and solar power curtailment, valued at over 100 billion yuan. Energy storage deployment offers a perfect remedy to this issue: excess power during peak generation periods can be stored, and stored energy can be released during peak consumption periods, ensuring real-time energy matching and grid stability.

 

Among various energy storage technologies, lithium-ion battery storage leads in commercialization. Representing the highest proportion of modern energy storage solutions, electrochemical storage systems based on lithium-ion batteries consist of battery packs, Battery Management Systems (BMS), Energy Management Systems (EMS), Energy Storage Converters (PCS), and other electrical components. Battery packs serve as the primary energy storage units, while BMS monitors, evaluates, protects, and balances batteries. EMS handles data collection, network monitoring, and energy scheduling, while PCS enables bidirectional conversion between AC and DC, controlling battery charging and discharging processes. With battery costs accounting for over 60% of the overall cost structure, and PCS costs around 10%, lithium-ion battery storage has established itself as the most mainstream and mature energy storage technology.

 

Lithium-ion battery storage can be categorized into lithium iron phosphate (LFP) and ternary lithium battery systems. LFP batteries, characterized by their safety, excellent low-temperature performance, good cycle life, and relatively lower cost, represent the primary technical route for lithium battery energy storage in China. Meanwhile, ternary lithium batteries, known for their high energy density, small footprint, and early development advantages, still maintain a significant market share in regions like Europe and the United States.

 

The global energy storage landscape is witnessing a surge in utility-scale deployments in China and the United States, alongside residential-scale installations in Europe. In 2022, the global energy storage market reached 50GWh, with the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), and China accounting for significant shares. By 2026, these proportions are expected to shift, with the United States, China, and EMEA emerging as the leading contributors.

 

In conclusion, the energy storage industry is pivotal for addressing the intermittency of renewable energy sources and ensuring grid stability. As lithium-ion battery technology continues to evolve and costs decline, energy storage solutions are poised to play an increasingly significant role in shaping a sustainable and reliable energy future.