490W Monocrystalline PERC Shingled PV Module Solar Panel

Shingled cells are made by dividing a full-size cell into five strips with each section being one fifth the size of a full cell. The narrow cell strips are assembled into long strings of 34 to 40 cells depending on the panel size. This results in a similar string voltage of a regular panel but a fifth of the electrical current. Lowering the string current reduces the resistance and operating temperature which reduces the chance of hot spots forming if there is ever a faulty cell or micro-crack.

Shingled solar cell

Unlike traditional solar panels which use soldered ribbons to interconnect the cells, shingled cell panels instead use electrically conductive adhesive (ECA) which reduces stress on the cells during manufacture. Additionally, as panels heat up and expand slightly during the day traditional solder ribbon expands and can eventually fail while the conductive adhesive used on shingled cells helps reduce the internal stresses due to thermal expansion.

Another benefit of using the shingled cell format where the strings of cells are assembled horizontally across the panel is the improved shade tolerance. Since each string of cells is essentially independent, if one or more strings are shaded it does not reduce the current of the other strings.

Shingled cells in strings are able to operate independently and perform very well under partially shaded conditions

Electrical Specification

Advantages

1. Higher power per square metre

The shingled solar cells do not require busbars across the top of the cells so more of the solar cells are exposed to sunlight.  The cells do not need to be spaced apart like in conventional solar panels so the solar panel area can produce more energy.

2. Less energy loss due to shading

Conventional solar panels have the individual cells wired in series so when a part of the solar panel is shaded it can have a significant effect on the level of power output.  By configuring the solar cells in shingles, they can be wired in groups and configured in parallel which significantly reduces the losses caused by shading.

3. Low busbar failures

Shingle solar panels do away with approximately 30 metres of busbar and soldered joints that is required on conventional solar panels, so busbar failures are reduced.

4. Better mechanical performance

Static and dynamic load tests show that the shingle approach is more resistant to failure due to external forces being applied to the solar panel compared to conventional solar panels.

5. More attractive

Shingled solar panels have no visible circuitry which give them clean simple look providing superior street appeal.