Yash
Gautam Solar is a Delhi-based solar company, established in 1998 under the leadership of Mr. (Er.) B.K. Mohanka.
It has four factories in Haridwar.
Recently, Gautam Solar announced that it is planning to increase its solar module capacity to 2 GW by 2024.
This expanded capacity will manufacture solar modules certified under ALMM and BIS standards.
- ALMM (Approved list of Module Manufacturers)
- BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards)
What is Mono-PERC solar cell?
The Mono PERC solar panels work like any other polycrystalline solar panel.
They absorb the sunlight and produce electricity.
However, there is a technical difference between the two.
When we take a monocrystalline solar cell and paste a passivation layer at the back, it becomes the MONO-PERC solar cell.
Although costly,
But this makes them more efficient and produces more power even in a limited space.
They work better in low light conditions and lose less power with the temperature rise.
What is PERC?
PERC is a Passivated Emitter and the Rear Cell technique.
A passivation is a dielectric film (SiO2) pasted on the cell’s rear.
This layer helps absorb the scattered or reflected sunlight, resulting in more free electrons for the PV effect.
Which otherwise could have been passed through a traditional solar cell without making any PV effect.
If you want to know more about this technology, read my post: Know about Mono-PERC technology
Round ribbons vs Flat ribbons
Gautam uses round ribbons (0.35 mm diameter) to connect the cells as opposed to the flat ribbons (0.9 mm) used in traditional solar panels.
(These ribbons are made of silver used to connect the cells, collect their current, and make their way towards the load).
This reduces the shading and more cell area is exposed to the direct sunlight.
You see more photo-voltaic effects in the solar cells with round ribbons.
Also, it has used multi-bus bars in its Mono-PERC solar panels to reduce heat-related losses.
Half-cut solar cell technology
Gautam is using half-cut solar cell technology in its solar panels. When a silicon cell is cut into halves and connected, its performance improves.
The half-cut cells are more immune to heat losses, perform better under shade, and have improved strength.
Gautam is using laser cutting technology (Non-destructive cell cutting) at a lower temperature (< 130ᵒC) for cutting the cells.
This reduces the chances of micro-cracking in the cells.
Hence, it leads to their durability.
Gautam Mono-PERC solar panels are aesthetically beautiful
The black color Gautam’s Mono-PERC solar panels not only add economic value to your house but also are sleek and look beautiful.
Available in mono and bi-facial both.
Excellent anti-PID Performance
The Potential Induced Degradation is deterioration in solar panel performance with time due to the current leakage from the solar cell to other parts of the solar panel such as glass, frame, and mounting structure.
This degradation advances with time and can even eat up to 30%-40% of the solar panel output in the later years of its life.
High voltage, heat, and humidity are the main factors responsible for this degradation. However, the Gautam solar panels are PID-resistant and have excellent PID-resistant performance.
Range and Power of Gautam Mono-PERC solar panels
Gautam is offering both Mono-facial and bi-facial solar panels in its Mono-PERC series.
We see two categories:
144 cells and 120 cells. Yes, these are half-cut cells. Under 144 cells we see:
- 540 Watts – 560 Watts Monofacial (144 Cells)
- 540 Watts – 560 Watts Bifacial (144 Cells)
- 530 Watts – 545 Watts DCR Mono-facial (144 Cells)
And under the 120-cells category, we have:
- 440 Watts – 460 Watts Monofacial & Bifacial (120 Cells)
- 440 Watts – 460 Watts All Black (120 Cells)
- 400 Watts – 415 Watts All Black (108 Cells)
Efficiency of Gautam Mono-PERC solar panels
Maximum efficiency of 21.68% in 540 to 560 watts
The bi-facial solar panels have a maximum bifacial gain of 30%.
It depends on many factors such as:
- The mounting structure of the solar panels
- Tilt of the solar panels with the ground
- Height of the solar panels from the ground
- The albedo of the ground.
Read: Know the technology of bifacial solar panels
Warranty
A good solar panel comes with a long warranty.
It is an assurance that a manufacturer gives to the buyer against any defect in the quality, manufacturing, and performance of the solar panel within a certain time.
A solar panel has two types of warranty:
Product warranty and the Performance warranty.
In a product warranty, the buyer is assured against any defect in the solar panel such as the breaking of a diode, cracking of a cell, premature wear and tear, etc.
If it is found defective then the company is liable either to repair or replace the part or the product.
The average product warranty in the solar industry is 10 years.
The Performance warranty assures that the solar panel will produce a certain percentage of its P(max) even after 25 years.
With time the solar panel output degrades.
But even after degradation, the solar panels are capable of generating 80% or more of their P(max) even after 25 years.
Gautam solar panels have 12 years of Product warranty and 25 years of performance warranty.
Temperature Coefficient of Power
The Gautam Mono-PERC solar panels have a temperature coefficient of power of -0.39%/ᵒC.
This means that with every degree rise in its cell temperature above 25ᵒC, the solar panel will lose 0.39% of its P(max).
Let us understand this with an example.
Assuming I have a 530-watt Mono-PERC solar panel having a temperature coefficient of power -0.39%/ᵒC. The cells are operating at 65ᵒC. Find the power loss at this temperature.
Solution:
The formula for finding the power loss is:
Power loss (%) = (cell temperature – 25 ᵒC) * temperature coefficient of power
Putting the values in the above formula, we get
Power loss (%) = (65ᵒC – 25ᵒC) x -0.39%/ᵒC
= 40 ᵒC x -0.39 %/ᵒC
= -15.6 %
In watts, it is 15.6% of 530 watts. It is 82.68 watts will be lost due to temperature rise.
Mechanical Load of Gautam Solar Panels
The value of mechanical load shows the strength of the solar panel in withstanding harsh weather conditions such as snow and high-speed wind.
It is measured in 2 ways, one snow load rating and the wind load rating.
The snow load rating (often called as front load rating) tells the ability of the solar panel to withstand the snow weight.
While the wind load rating (rear load rating) gives you the ability of the solar panel to withstand the wind pressure.
Higher are both ratings, string is the solar panel.
Both are measured by Pascals (Pa).
The snow load and the wind load rating of Gautam Mono-PERC solar panels are 5400 Pa and 2400 Pa respectively.
E-Book: Find the Perfect Solar size for your Home
Units produced by Gautam solar panels
The unit production by any solar panel depends on several factors such as the location, sunlight intensity, shade-free area, and the climate of that region.
However, in a good sunlight region, a 5-kW Gautam solar panel can produce over 20 units in a day.
Conclusion
Gautam Solar is an established brand with over 25 years of experience in the solar industry.
Gautam solar panels are certified and designed to operate for a long time in open-air climates.
It manufactures the latest technology solar panels such as Mono-PERC and TOPCon solar panels. These panels are government-approved (listed in ALMM) and BIS-certified.
These solar panels operate effectively even in humid climates as they are salt and mist-resistant.
Also, they are resistant to ammonia corrosion.
All the above solar panel features make Gautam Solar a strong contender in the Indian solar market.
