Which Color Is Better For My Home Solar Power System
Now that you understand the basic differences between black and blue solar panels, you probably want to know if black panels are better than blue panels for home solar installations.
Because of their monocrystalline structure, black solar panels absorb light and generate electricity more efficiently than polycrystalline blue solar panels. Since you need fewer of them to generate the same amount of electricity, black panels are usually less expensive in the long run, and use less roof space.
Cut Solar Cells In A Different Way
To make a solar cell, you start with a solid block of crystalline silicon. A wire saw is used to cut wafers off the block, like slices of American cheese. The individual cells end up in a standard size, typically about 6 inches square.
Those wafers are then placed on a backsheet and spaced apart to form a solar panel.
But thats not the only way to do it. For example, Solaria has a patented process where the cells are cut into thin ribbons and layered together like roofing shingles. In the resulting panel there are no gaps between the cells, naturally producing an all-black solar panel.
Other companies might have other approaches. For example, LONGis Hi-MO panels use half-cut cells that are tiled closely together, eliminating the space between cells.
Aesthetics isnt the only reason to do this. By eliminating gaps, solar panels waste less space and can gather more sunlight in the same size panel.
Widespread industry standardization means that most companies stick with the 6×6 cell, but that may start to change as manufacturers try to find every advantage they can.
Why Are Some Solar Panels Blue
The colour of a solar panel is largely based on the way in which the solar panel is manufactured. When manufacturing Solar Panels, an anti-reflective coating is applied to the PV module in order to absorb as much sunlight as possible. This coating was traditionally a dark blue as it was the most efficient at absorbing sunlight.
The main two types of solar panels are Monocrystalline and Polycrystalline. As they are manufactured differently, the finish colour of the solar panels differs.
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How Are Black Solar Panels Made
Why are solar panels black in color to begin with? It all stems from the manufacturing process. Silicon cylinders, from which solar cells are made, are grey in color. The crystal is sliced into wafers, which are then polished. To make a polycrystalline panel, a wafer is coated with antireflective coating which gives it a blue hue.
To get black solar cells, a special black silicon technology was developed. It lowers the reflectivity of solar cells to 1.5%. Such a low percentage allows the panel to capture more sunlight and produce more energy.
Sharp Nurd300 60 Cells Monocrystalline Black Solar Panel
Sharp NURD300 black solar panels offer 300W of power and feature 60 monocysstaline silicon cells. Ideal for customers looking for high efficiency at the best price for atractive solar installations because of black colour design. The sharp NURD300 solar panel comes with a 10-year warranty and certifies a performance of over 80% for at least 25 years.
Sharp’s solar module is designed to be exposed to extreme environmental conditions. The panels have the most demanding quality seals: IEC, ISO, CE and MCS. In addition, Sharp received in 2016 the EUPD Research “TOP PV Brand Award” which recognizes the best brands in the photovoltaic solar energy sector.
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Sharp Nurd300 Black Solar Panel 60 Cells Monocrystalline
Sharp NURD300 black solar panel is a high quality, high performance 60 cell monocrystalline panel capable of providing 300W. The ideal solution for projects that look for the maximum performance of each panel and design because of his atractive black colour. Sharp solar panels offer a 10-year product warranty and 25 years performance above 80%.
Dimensions: 1660x990x50mm | Weight: 20kg
What Is The All
The Canadian Solar All-Black solar panels have a temperature coefficient of -0.34% / °C.
When the temperature of solar panels increases over 25 °C, electricity production falls. The temperature coefficient measures the drop in efficiency as the temperature rises above 25 °C.
Simply put, this means that for every 1 °C rise in temperature above 25 °C, the conversion efficiency of the solar panels will drop by 0.34%. This is relatively low . Its not uncommon to find some of the best solar panels with a temperature coefficient of about -0.40% / °C.
The Canadian Solar All-Black module performs capably in Australian weather. No matter where you are in the country, or the time of year, the All-Black solar panels will work perfectly in your solar PV system, helping you generate your own electricity.
This is because the temperature in Australia all year round is within All Blacks operating temperature. The operating temperature of the All-Black modules is -40 to +85 °C, while the temperature in Australia ranges from +0.1 +33.3 °C.
For further illustration, you can view the temperature range across major Australian cities below:
The temperature of Australias capital cities .
The temperature in some parts of Australia can sometimes exceed 25 °C. Despite that, your All-Black solar panels wont suffer a significant efficiency drop due to their relatively low temperature coefficient.
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Fu 390 / 395 / 400 / 405 M Silk Plus All Black
SILK® Plus is a series of monocrystalline PV modules with large area 182 mm PERC cells. SILK® Plus All black is the latest solution for those looking for high performance all black solar panels for residential and commercial installations.
The 108 cell-configuration is available in a total black version with black back sheet and black frame with power up to 405 Wp.
- Dimensions: 1722 x 1134 x 30 mm
- Weight: 20.8 kg
- High module efficiency up to: 20.74%
- Temperature coefficient Pmax: -0.35 %/°C
- 15-year product warranty & 25-year performance warranty
- Total black look for particular architectural requirements
- Large area PERC cells 182 mm
- High module efficiency up to 20.74 %
- Less shades and more reflected light to the cell thanks to the round ribbon
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2 independent section design secures a higher energy yield in case of shading
- Lower risk of hot spot and micro cracks
- Improved low light performance
Fingers And Busbars: The Wiring That Goes Into A Solar Panel
Solar cells generate electricity, so they need wires to move that electricity around. The conventional approach is to place the wires on the front of the cells.
There are two types of wires: thin fingers and fatter busbars. They look like this:
Manufacturers take different approaches to wiring, such as using different numbers of busbars in different widths. However, fatter busbars can be noticeable from a distance and affect the appearance of the panel.
To hide the wires without sacrificing electrical efficiency, manufacturers have engineered their cells in different ways. SunPower, for example, uses a solid sheet of copper on the rear of the cells. Hanwha, which makes the Q.CELLS series of panels, uses round wires instead of the standard flat ones. This makes the wires thinner without increasing electrical resistance.
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Whats Best For Your Home
After digging into solar panels and looking at the different options available today, how will you decide whats right for your home? Solar technology is also constantly changing, so whats best for your home today might not be the best 3-5 years from now. Does that mean you shouldnt invest in solar? Not at all!
Solar is an investment into your future and will allow you to save money on your electricity bill immediately while also adding value to your home.
At Sun Badger Solar, we only install black solar panels or monocrystalline panels because weve found them to be the best and most efficient option on the market. We want our customers to be able to produce electricity from their solar panels for years to come. Black solar panels will allow our customers to do just that. Reach out to us today to learn more about why were choosing to install black solar panels on our customers homes.
Applications Of Sharp Nurd300 60
The 300W monocrystalline Sharp solar panel can be used in grid-connected self-consuming solar installations and in isolated installations always with its corresponding solar regulator and solar inverter. They offer a good combination of quality, price and design thanks to their 60 black cells. Applications in solar installations in residential housing, the industrial sector and in the agricultural sector in solar water pumping installations.
Although sharp solar panels are compatible with the vast majority of inverters and other components of photovoltaic installations, we recommend contacting our engineers with any questions to obtain the maximum guarantee of operation.
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Superior Performance & Durability
Our panels are designed and engineered specifically for the North American market to provide superior performance and durability to handle winter, extreme heat and humid conditions. Silfab solar panels are tested for wind load conditions up to 5400 Pa uplift and hail impact resistance up to 1 inch at 51.6 mph.
We regularly test and select materials that will enhance the performance and durability of all of our solar panels.
Panels May Not Be Visible From The Ground
Im certain you wouldnt be this silly, but some people have selected solar panels based on their appearance without first checking to see if they will be visible from the ground. If you are thinking about paying extra for panels based on how they look, please dont forget to check the section of roof they are going on is clearly visible.
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What Are The Disadvantages Of Black Solar Panels
Solar panels are more efficient at lower temperatures, so its important to design the system to keep them cool. To make the panels completely black, a dark frame and backing sheet is used instead of the usual silver frame and white back. Black absorbs more heat, warming the panels and making them slightly less efficient than they might otherwise be. This reduction in efficiency, however, is far outweighed by the fact that black panels use higher efficiency monocrystalline cells and thus the underlying technology is optimal in efficiency terms.
Monocrystalline cells are more expensive than polycrystalline and thus black PV panels are more expensive than standard dark blue polycrystalline panels. But if youre looking to maximise output from the available area, this higher initial cost should be paid off over the lifetime of the system.
The Advantages Of Black Solar Panels
A big concern to home and business owners about installing solar panels, is that it will impact the propertys aesthetics. By installing black solar panels, in-roof panels or even solar tiles, you can incorporate solar energy into your home in the discreetest way possible. Adding both style and technology to your roof.
Whats more choosing a black solar panel is choosing a Monocrystalline panel. Monocrystalline solar panels are more efficient at converting light into electricity, as they are manufactured from a higher purity of silicon. This is because the colour black naturally absorbs more light than a Polycrystalline Blue panel.
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Types Of Black Solar Panels
There are a few ways manufacturers make panels appear darker or closer to all black.
Black frame – with white backing
The most simple way to make panels a touch less conspicuous is with black frame, rather than a glinting silver. The backing, however, is still white and visible between the cells.
Sample datasheet: LG NeON H.
Black backing and frame
Swap the white backing out for a black one, and you get a panel that appears almost completely dark from a distance. Up close, you can see the busbar wires over the cells – but youll be unlikely to notice that from ground level. The black backing will heat up the panel and lower output by around 3%.
Sample datasheet: LG NeON Black.
No wires on surface
This is where PV really gets a design upgrade. SunPower has patented a technology that takes the wires that normally grid the surface of the panel and replaces them with back contacts hidden underneath. The result: smooth black cells, made more efficient by lack of shading caused by surface wires.
Sample datasheet: Maxeon 3.
All black
If you want true black panels, SunPower have created a version of their modules with dark backing. The all-black cells blend in, resulting in a sleek, designer panel.
Sample datasheet: Maxeon 3 BLK.
In roof panels
Complete solar roof
Aesthetics can be optimised by using black flashings around a roof made entirely of black solar panels, as you can see in this project we worked on:
Black Backsheets Are Bad For Efficiency
A black backsheet is a bad choice from the point of view of efficiency because the hotter solar panels get the worse they perform and in sunlight black gets hotter than white. So the gaps between solar cells on a panel with a black backsheet will absorb heat instead of reflecting it. These gaps will get hotter than the solar cells because the cells convert a portion of solar energy falling on them into electrical energy that gets conducted away, but the gaps dont do this. So panels with black backsheets are always likely to perform worse than white backsheet ones. At least until they work out a way to make the gaps generate electricity.
Panels that are made up of small overlapping solar cells, such as SunPowers P-Series or Seraphims Eclipse, do eliminate a lot of gaps, but they dont get rid of all of them and using a black backsheet, as Seraphim does, results in the same problem. Just not as bad.
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What Is The Canadian Solar All Blacks Efficiency
As residential solar panels go, the Canadian Solar All-Black modules are certainly high yielders. The efficiency of the CS3L All-Black models ranges from 18.9% to 20%, while the CS6R models vary from 19.5% to 20.7%.
Module efficiency is the amount of sunlight that falls on a solar module and is converted to electricity. Most solar panels have a conversion efficiency of 15% and 18%. So, those that exceed 19% are considered highly efficient.
Powerx Solar Panel Advantages
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High Power Density: Solaria PowerX solar panels generate more energy from the same area, lowering system costs and ideal for limited roof space
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Power from Dawn to Dusk: Excellent low-light performance
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All Black Design: Attractive, all-blacksolar panels with barely visible wires and uniform black solar cells
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Next-Gen Solar Cells: New larger cell platform provides higher efficiency and power
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Good Shade Performance: Lowers shading losses, increasing energy yield
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Industrial-Grade Quality & Reliability: Proven advanced cell connection technology ensures long-lasting high performance, designed to exceed the 25-year warranty
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Black Solar Panels Vs Blue Solar Panels
Both black and blue solar panels have unique benefits and disadvantages. Though monocrystalline black panels have a uniform and perfectly aligned silicon in their cells, which makes them more efficient, they also have a higher price. They are more expensive because it is harder to produce them.
This is why blue solar panels would be recommended, as they are already more widely produced and used, especially in households. In polycrystalline blue solar panels, the process is less expensive, because the silicon used is less pure and isnt perfectly aligned as is the case in monocrystalline solar panels. If you are wondering about the efficiency of solar panels and the differences between black and blue solar panels, continue reading.
Is Black The Best Option For Solar Panels
Typically, homeowners will typically use black solar panels because they are less expensive than other color options and also because black solar panels produce the most electricity, roughly 25-30% more than other colors.
They are also durable enough for outdoor use or when installed in a shaded area of your roof so you wont have to worry about discoloration from exposure to sunlight.
Another reason solar panels are typically black is that the solar cells are covered with a layer of silicon and together they create electricity from sunlight, which is often referred to as photovoltaic energy.
The more light that penetrates the surface, the hotter it becomes. Black surfaces absorb these rays quickest, thus making them hot enough for greater efficiency in converting solar energy into electricity.
There are many different kinds of solar panels on the market and each is designed for a specific purpose.
For example, while some models cant be used in extreme weather conditions, others can withstand harsh winds and snow loads better than black ones. But when it comes to efficiency and cost-effectiveness, theres no doubt that black solar panels are an excellent choice.
Black solar panels will usually contain less silicon, which helps keep the cost down but does reduce the lifespan a tiny bit. The average life expectancy for black solar cells is about 30 years which is great considering that its cheaper to install.
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Do Solar Panels Need To Be Black
In general, solar panels dont need to be black, and you will usually have options of dark blue or dark green, depending on the company and pricing restrictions. Some companies, such as Kameleon and Sunovation produce multiple color options for solar panels.
In some cases, solar panels can come in other colors like blue or green and these cells tend to work better when placed on a roof with shade since their color reflects less light than black ones do.
This is beneficial for the owner since the cells will be cooler and produce more electricity.
Blue or green silicon cells are also extremely durable when it comes to extreme weather conditions so you dont have to worry about them getting damaged by hail or snow.
Black solar panels are the most popular choice for homeowners because they offer a great balance of cost-effectiveness and efficiency, but if youre looking for something different then theres no real reason why you should limit yourself to black solar panels only.
While Colored Solar Panels arent as cost-effective as black or dark blue panelsand White Solar Panels are still more geared towards commercial useyou might be interested in more information on them since the cost will likely come down as production catches up with demand.
