Yash
Waaree solar panels is a durable brand of Waaree energies that started in 2007-08 with a module manufacturing facility of 30 MW.
And
It has become India’s largest manufacturer with a module producing capacity of 2 GW with its manufacturing facilities in Surat and Umbergaon (Tumb Village) in Gujarat.
Waaree has a wide network and is spread over 350 locations across India and 68 countries around the world.
Solar panels series by Waaree
It is producing solar panels of wide power range and different technologies under the following series:
- Arun Series: 40 watts to 235 watts
- Aditya Series: 250 watts to 350 watts
- Arka Series: 315 to 665 watts
- Abhnay Series (Bi-facial): 380 to 400 watts
The Bi-facial solar panels are capable of producing power from both sides (front and rear).
They are suitable for commercial purposes.
The technology of Waaree solar panels
Waaree uses different solar technologies for its solar panel series:
- Arun Series: Mono and Polycrystalline (36/72 cells)
- Aditya Series: Polycrystalline and Half-cut solar panels (60/72/144 cells)
- Arka Series: Monocrystalline and MonoPERC solar Panels (60/72/120/132/144 cells)
- Ahnay Series: MonoPERC Bifacial solar panels (72/144 cells)
Let us have a brief comparison between Monocrystalline and Polycrystalline silicon cells:
Polycrystalline
These solar panels are made from silicon fragments
2) Less efficient
3) Non-uniform in color
4) Power output decreases more with the increase in cell temperature beyond 25 °C
5) They are cheaper
Monocrystalline
They are made from the wafers of silicon cells.
2) More efficient
3) Uniform in color
4) Power output decreases less with the increase in temperature beyond 25 °C.
5) They are costlier due to the expensive production processes.
Mono-PERC solar panels
When you add an extra layer at the back of the solar cell, its efficiency increases.
And
Waaree is pasting a reflecting layer at the back of the monocrystalline solar cells in its Arka series.
This layer reflects the light to the cell and makes it available again for the photovoltaic effect.
It results in more power from the solar panels.
This technology is called Mono-PERC solar cell technology.
Half-cut solar cell technology
In North India during summers, the day temperature can go over 40 °C, increasing the heating losses in the solar cell.
Waaree is using Half-cut solar cell technology in its solar panels to overcome these losses.
When the normal solar cell is cut into halves and connected, it offers many benefits:
- It reduces the heat losses, and you get more current
- The structural strength of the solar cell improves
- The solar panel produces more power output even under shade.
Bi-facial solar cell technology
Another addition in its solar technology is the bi-facial solar panels.
As written above, they produce power from both sides, which means you can meet your energy needs with fewer panels and less space is required to do so.
The efficiency pf Waaree solar panels
The efficiency of the solar panel is its ability to convert sunlight into electricity.
It is expressed in % and is written at the back of the solar panel.
In mathematical terms, it is written as:
Efficiency = P(max) per m²/ Input sunlight at STC per m² x 100%
For example, a solar of 25 watts (Pmax) is having the following dimensions:
Length: 1640 mm, Width: 990 mm, and Thickness: 40 mm
The efficiency can be calculated as follows:
{250 watts/ (1.64 x 0.99 m²)/ (1000 w/m²)} x 100%
(We need only Length and Width to know the area of the solar panel)
Efficiency = 15.4%
I think you got it.
The waaree solar panels have efficiency from 12.43% to a maximum of 21.43%.
- Arun series: 12.43% to 16.76%
- Aditya Series: 15.4% to 18.17%
- Arka Series: 17.27% to 21.43%
Ahnay Series (Bi-facial Solar Panels): 19.02% to 19.77% with maximum bifacial gain (30%) the efficiency can reach up to 25.7%.
How well do Waaree solar panels peform at high tempeartures?
When the cell temperature increases, its resistance increases and we get less current.
Definition: Temperature coefficient of power
The temperature coefficient of power tells the amount of power a panel will lose with the rise in the temperature.
It is written in %/°C and the value is written in negative showing the loss of power.
For example, a solar panel of 400 watts with a temperature coefficient of power -0.40%/°C will lose 0.4% of its Pmax with every degree rise beyond 25 °C.
Assuming cell is operating at 50 °C
The power loss can be calculated as follows:
Power loss = (cell temperature – 25 °C) x Temperature coefficient of power
= (50 °C – 25 °C) x (-0.40 %/°C)
= 25 °C x -0.40 %/°C
Power loss (%) = -10 % of Pmax
And
Power loss (absolute value) = 400 x -10% = – 40 watts
The solar panel will lose 40 watts and you will get 360 watts to run your electrical appliances.
The lower value of temperature coefficient of power indicates less power loss.
The temperature coefficient of power of Waaree solar panels
The Waaree solar panels have a temperature coefficient of power from -0.34 %/°C to -0.3859 %/°C.
(Anything less than -0.4 %/°C is considered fine).
When I consider Indian summers where the day temperature can go beyond 40 °C, the solar cells might be performing at 70 °C to 75 °C
(The solar cells operate at 30 °C to 40 °C above the ambient temperature)
If I take the temperature coefficient of power -0.34%/C°, the Waaree solar panel will lose
(Cell temperature – 25 °C) x Temperature coefficient of power
(70 °C – 25 °C) x -0.34%/C°
Power Loss = 15.3%
And if take temperature coefficient if power -0.3859 %/°C,
The power loss would be 17.4%
I can say that the power loss of Waaree solar panel in summers are in 15.3% to 17.4%.
How strong are Waaree solar panels?
Waaree solar panels are quite durable and strong.
The strength of the solar panel is defined by the ability to withstand harsh weather conditions.
In solar terminology, it is represented by two types of ratings:
Snow Load (Front load): The ability of the solar panel to bear the snow weight.
And
Wind load rating (Rear load) shows the capability to withstand wind pressure.
The higher are the values, the stronger are the panels.
The Waaree solar panels come with:
Snow load rating of 5400 Pascals
And
The wind load rating of 2400 Pascals.
(The average values you see in the solar market are 2400 Pa for both the ratings).
Warranties
Warranty is an assurance that the manufacturer gives on the solar panels to the buyer.
We see two types of warranties in solar panels:
Product warranty
It is the warranty on material and workmanship that protects your panel from manufacturing defects, premature wear and tear, and other environmental issues.
Waaree solar panels come with a product warranty of 10-12 years.
Performance warranty
The power output of solar panels starts decreasing with time due to their exposure to UV light and temperature variations.
The manufacturer gives a warranty that the solar panel would still produce a certain percentage of power after 25 years.
The higher is better.
Waaree solar panels come with the performance warranty of 25 years – 27 years.
Their warranty is 90% power output in 10 years and 80% of Pmax in 25 years.
Price of Waaree solar panels
The Waaree solar panels are affordable and come on budget.
The price of a Waaree solar panel varies from Rs.26/watt to Rs. 32/watt.
Let me write the price of their popular solar panels:
- 125 watt (Polycrystalline): Rs. 3,600 (Rs. 28.8/watt)
- 150 watt (Polycrystalline): Rs. 4,026.75 (26.8/watt)
- 160 watt (Polycrystalline): Rs. 4,032 (Rs. 25.2/watt)
- 390 watt (MomoPERC): Rs. 10,140 (Rs. 26/watt)
- 395 watt (MonPERC/144-half cut cells): Rs. 12,442.50 (Rs. 31.5/watt)
- 385 watt (MonoPERC): Rs. 10,010 (Rs. 26/watt)
Waaree has its online store for solar panels.
You can find more solar panels from its online store.
How to buy Waaree solar panels?
Waaree has an online platform for buyers to buy its solar panels online.
In addition, it has a big list of partners and distributors that supply Waaree solar panels and the complete solar power system across the country.
In case you are interested in going solar with Waaree, select your state and city, you will get the list of Waaree authorized franchisees with their contact numbers.
Units produced by 5 kW solar power system
The output from the solar power system depends on many factors such as:
- Peak Sun Hours
- Average cell temperature of solar panel
- Temperature coefficient of power
- Panel degradation
- And other conversion losses in the system
When I consider all the above-mentioned factors keeping Indian Climatic conditions in mind,
the 5-kW solar power system with a Waaree panel will produce 17 to 18 units.
Pros of Waaree solar panels
Wide power range
Waaree solar panels are for everyone weather your energy needs are small or big, you will get solar panels of the right size.
It has solar panels from power 40 watts to 665 watts.
Efficient solar panels
The solar panels are very efficient. The Arka Series has a Mono PERC solar panel has an efficiency of 21.43%.
It has one of the highest in the Indian Solar Market.
It is best for people having space constraints.
Superior technology
Waaree is using PERC technology to boost the power of its solar panels and half-cut solar cell technology to reduce the heating losses and improving the structural strength of the silicon cells.
Good service
Waaree is one of the leaders in the Indian Solar Market and its service centers are spread across the country. Once you buy out its solar panels, you need not worry about their servicing.
Affordable
Waaree solar panels are affordable and are of good quality. Its solar panels come in budget without putting a dent in your pockets.
Cons of Waaree solar panels
Temperature coefficient of power
The lowest temperature coefficient of power of waaree solar panels is -0.34%/°C (MonoPERC – Arka Series).
It means that the panel will lose 0.34% per degree rise in the temperature beyond 25 °C.
I take the Indian scenario where the day temperature is above 40 °C, we see the power loss in Waaree solar panels 15% to 17% of Pmax.
I would like to see Waaree coming with panels having a lower temperature coefficient of power than their existing value of -0.34%/°C.
Wind load rating
The wind load rating is 2400 Pa and is one of the highest in India.
That is capable is capable of handling wind speed up to 225 km/h.
However, when we look at the wind speed of recent cyclones in the coastal areas.
- Cyclone Tauktae (Southern Gujarat): 160 km/h (100 mph)
- Yaas (Odisha): 130-145 km/h
- Amphan (West Bengal): 110 – 130 km/h
Although Waaree solar panels can withstand cyclone wind speed pressure we see other solar panels are having a wind load rating of 4000 Pa.
In the future, I would like to see a Waaree solar panel with a higher value of wind load rating.
It would be a delight for me.
Performance warranty
Waaree offers 25 years performance warranty on its solar panels.
It gives a warranty that the solar panels will produce 90% of Pmax after 10 years and 80% of Pmax after 25 years.
We can see solar panels producing as high as 92.8% of their Pmax in 25 years.
In comparison to this, the Waaree performance warranty looks small.
Waaree should look forward to extending its performance warranty.
Conclusion
Waaree is a brand of repute with its presence across the country.
It is most suitable for:
- People looking for affordable solar solutions
- People interested in solar having space constraints (its highly efficient solar panel will produce more power even in the limited space).
- The half-cut solar cell technology-based solar panels are most suited for the locations in North India where we see the high temperature in summers and daily temperature difference between the day’s high and low.
(This temperature difference can crack the solar cells but half-cell solar panel technology gives structural strength to the solar cells and make them more immune to cracking due to temperature difference).
- The Waaree solar panels (Aditya Series) come with IEC 61701 rating that makes them immune to the wet and salty weather. So, it is suitable for people living near the sea and other water bodies
Profitability with Waaree solar panels
Are you planning to install Waaree solar panels on the home roof?
It is better to know the profitability of the complete solar power system beforehand using my solar feasibility spreadsheet.
Kindly share your experience of using Waaree solar panels in the comment section.
I will see you with another interesting post.
Thank you
Yash:)
