Yash
SILFAB solar panels are reliable, efficient, high-power density, and of excellent quality. They are designed for North America’s environment.
SILFAB has its corporate office in Mississauga of Canada.
- Year of establishment: 2010
It has superior manufacturing processes and the latest solar technologies in the market.
SILFAB has multiple certified automated production lines in all its facilities.
This top operating solar manufacturer has production facilities in Bellingham, Burlington, Washington, and Toronto.
It believes in the philosophy of supporting local customers as partners and expanding it.
Popular Solar Panel Series
It manufactures solar panels both for its residential and commercial users.
Under residential segment, it has two series:
- SILFAB Prime: Datasheet 370 watts
- SILFAB Elite: Datasheet 370 watts
And
It sells commercial solar panels for small to large commercial projects under the SILFAB commercial series.
The technology of SILFAB solar panels
SILFAB is using the latest technologies to make its solar panels.
Its mono-crystalline solar panels are integrated with:
- Half-cut solar cell technology with multiple bus bars
- PERC technology
When we talk about solar panels.
We can broadly categorize them into:
Mono-crystalline and Polycrystalline solar panels.
Monocrystalline solar panels are efficient and uniform in color.
They are more prone to temperature-related power losses than polycrystalline solar panels.
And
SILFAB manufactures monocrystalline solar panels.
It has integrated half-cut and PERC technology into its monocrystalline solar panels.
And
This integration has its own benefits.
a) Half-cut solar cell technology
Let me first discuss half-cut solar cell technology.
In this, the cell is cut into halves and joined through bus bars.
This way increases the number of rows.
The cutting cell in half increases its structural strength.
And make it less susceptible to cracks.
Also, the bus bars used to join the cell, reduce the current path.
Hence improves the current collection capacity of the solar panel.
In short, it reduces the power losses in each row due to heat and shading.
b) PERC technology
Let us now understand the PERC technology in solar panels.
A solar cell produces a current when sunlight falls on its surface.
Not all light produces a photoelectric effect.
A solar cell traps only a small amount of light to produce current.
Some of it gets reflected from the cell’s surface to the surroundings.
Some part is dissipated as heat in the cell.
And
Some light is passed with deviation from one side to the other side of the cell.
One method of improving the light capturing capacity of a solar cell is pasting an extra layer at the back of it.
This layer reflects the portion of the light which is passing through the cell without producing the photoelectric effect. Hence, it makes the light available once more for the cell.
The efficiency of SILFAB solar panels
Efficiency is the term that is talked about a lot among people.
The proportion of sunlight converted into the current is defined by the solar panel’s efficiency.
Or
In simple words, it is the ratio of rated power per square meter and 1000 W/m² of sunlight intensity.
I can write mathematically as:
Solar Panel efficiency (%) = {Pmax (output) per square meter /1000 W/m²} x 100%
SILFAB -Elite 380 watts
- Dimensions (L x B X H): 1795 mm x 990 mm x 38 mm
We need an area of the solar panel for finding its efficiency.
Because the solar cells are aligned in a cross-section area.
Therefore, I am taking 1795 mm x 990 mm
Or
1.795 m x 0.99 m (It is better to keep the physical quantities in their S.I. units)
Efficiency (%) = 380 / (1.795×0.99) watts/m²/1000 W/ m² x 100%
= 21.4%
That is the same as mentioned in the datasheet of the SILFAB Elite – 380.
And
21.4% is a great efficiency value.
Power Tolerance
Power Tolerance tells you the variation in Pmax under Standard Test Conditions.
When we say Standard Test Conditions. It means there are certain values of physical quantities which when exist, our solar panel will produce Pmax.
And these are:
- Sunlight Intensity: 1000 W/m²
- Cell temperature: 25ᴼC
- Air mass index: 1.5
For example, a solar panel of 200 watts with power tolerance of +-5%.
(-5% is negative power tolerance and +5% is positive).
It will produce Pmax anywhere between 190 watts to 210 under STC.
A deviation of 5% on either side of the rated power).
Solar technology is improving continuously.
Now we can see solar panels are having zero negative power tolerance.
It means that the solar panel will produce power equal to or greater than the rated power (Pmax) of the solar panel.
The SILFAB solar panels have 0-10 watts of power tolerance levels.
It means under STC, a 380 watts solar panel will produce power anywhere between 380 watts to 390 watts.
Strength of SILFAB solar panels
Your solar panels will remain outside for decades.
Withstanding the weather extremities.
Therefore, they need to be strong and perform well under different weather conditions.
The two main specifications that indicate the panel’s strength are:
- Wind load rating (rear load rating): It is the ability of the solar panel to withstand wind pressure.
- Snow load rating (front load rating): How much snow weight your solar panel can bear is defined by its snow load rating.
Both are expressed in Pascals.
(Pascal is a unit of pressure. The S.I. unit is Newton/m²).
We often hear meteorological departments warning
that cyclones with the speed of xyz m/s may hit a certain area.
Watch out: Why cyclones spin clockwise?
Or
Heavy snowfall is expected in the coming days.
Okay
How does one relate solar panel strength in terms of wind speed and snow weight?
Understand Wind load and Snow load in detail
Let me give you a simple conversion formula.
- Wind velocity (m/s) = √ (1.63 x wind load rating)
- Snow height (m) = Snow load rating/ (snow density x acceleration due to gravity)
g = 9.8 m/s²
(the rate at which the Earth is pulling everything. We’ll take 10 m/s² for easy calculations).
The density of the snow varies:
- Fresh snow: 100 – 200 kg/m³
- Settled snow: 200-300 kg/m³
- Wind-packed snow: 300-400 kg/m³
- Granular snow: 400-840 kg/m³
When I take the average density of 400 kg/m³.
The average snow height = snow load rating/400×10
- The average snow height = snow load rating/4000
SILFAB solar panels are strong.
The SILFAB Prime 370 watts solar panel has the highest value of wind load rating among the four.
The SILFAB Prime can withstand the pressure of wind coming with velocity √ (1.63 x wind load rating)
√ (1.63×5400)
= 94 m/s
Or
338 km/hr
Or
211 miles/hr
And
Snow up to the height of:
snow load rating/4000
5400/4000
= 1.35 m
Or
135 cm
Or
4.4 feet.
The temperature coefficient of power
The solar panel’s output is affected by its cell temperature.
The same solar will produce more power in cold regions than when placed in the hot region.
(When keeping the sunlight intensity and other factors the same).
A solar panel starts losing power with every degree rise in its cell temperature beyond 25ᴼC.
How much will it lose is defined by its temperature coefficient of power.
It is expressed in %/ᴼC.
The SILFAB solar panels have a temperature coefficient of power in the range of
-0.377 %/ᴼC to -0.36 %/ᴼC.
*(The negative sign indicates the loss in the power).
Example: Calculating power loss
When I take SILFAB Prime 370 watts solar panel.
Assuming the ambient temperature of 15ᴼC.
The cells are always performing at a higher (20 to 25 degrees higher) than the ambient temperature.
Taking cell temperature 15 + 20 = 35 degrees
The power loss due would be:
Power loss (%) = (cell temperature – 25ᴼC) x temperature coefficient of power
= (35ᴼC – 25ᴼC) x -0.36 %/ᴼC
= -3.6%
It is 3.6% of 370 watts = 13.32 watts will be lost due to temperature rise.
NOCT (Nominal Operating Cell Temperature)
While STC tells you the power produced by the solar panels under ideal conditions.
The NOCT aims to simulate the real picture more closely.
It finds the solar panel output by taking:
Sunlight Intensity: 800 Watts/m²
Because the solar panels don’t always face the sun.
And the sunlight intensity varies from sunrise to sunset.
Therefore, taking 800 w/m² would be a more realistic test of power output from the solar panels.
The solar cells heat up during operation and their temperature rises 20 to 30 ᴼC above the ambient temperature.
Therefore, taking cell temperature as 45 ᴼC or 43.5 ᴼC would again give us a real picture. The SILFAB solar panels perform well in real conditions (produce 75% of Pmax) and their NOCT power are as follows:
Temperature range
We see temperatures in winters going below the freezing point.
And in summer, the mercury rises above 40ᴼC.
Your solar panels need to perform under these extreme temperature conditions.
Therefore, they should have a wide operating temperature range.
We see SILFAB solar panels have an operating range of -40ᴼC to +80ᴼC.
Warranty of SILFAB solar panels
Do you want a product that gives you peace of mind?
Then look for long warranties.
It is assurance that the manufacturer gives to the buyer on its products.
Any mechanical defect or premature degradation in the performance of the solar panel within a stated period.
The manufacturer will repair or replace the product.
In that way, your product is assured.
The solar panel comes with 2 types of warranties.
Product Warranty
Any mechanical defect, premature wear, and tear in the product such as diode damage, a crack in the cell, etc. The manufacturer will replace the product.
The SILFAB solar panels come with a product warranty of 12 years that is extendable to 25 years.
Performance of SILFAB solar panels
With time the performance of solar panels degrades.
It is natural just like any other device or machine.
In performance warranty, the manufacturer assures that your solar panel will produce a certain percentage of Pmax even after 25 or 30 years.
The SILFAB solar panels come with a performance warranty of 30 years.
- 97.1% in the end of 1st year.
- 91.6% end of 12th year.
- 85.1% in the end of the 25th year.
- 82.6% end of 30th year.
The chart for the above values is shown below:
It means a 380 watts (Pmax) SILFAB solar panel will produce:
- 367 watts (97.1% of Pmax) in the end of 1st year.
- 348 watts (91.6% of Pmax) end of 12th year.
- 323.4 watts (85.1% of Pmax) in the end of the 25thyear.
- 314 watts (82.6% of Pmax) end of 30th year.
Certifications
Solar panels undergo rigorous testing to test their quality and performance before installation.
So that they perform well in a real environment.
The IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) sets international standards for the quality testing of solar panels.
So that your solar panels perform well and safely on the roof.
The SILFFAB solar panels are:
- Suitable for long-term operations in an open and real environments.
- Ammonia Corrosion resistant
- Salt Mist resistant.
- UL Fire Rating: Type 2
Hail impact resistance
Hail is made of ice particles that come with the storm. For the ice particles to be called a Hail, the particle size >= 0.2 inches.
The SILFAB’s 3.2mm glass with anti-reflective coating is very durable.
Its solar panels can withstand ice particles up to a diameter of 25 mm (≈1 inch) falling with a speed of 83 km/h or 51.6 miles/h.
Strong back sheet
The main function of the back sheet is to provide insulation to the internal circuit from the external environment.
They also protect solar panels from stress.
The SILFAB solar panel back sheet is very durable with multi-layer dielectric film.
The UV light can degrade the back sheet, giving it a yellowish color.
This reduces the reflective power of the back sheet.
It is UV resistant and fluorine-free.
Junction box
IP 68 and IP 67
IP stands for Ingress Protection.
6 stands for dust-proof.
An IP 67 junction box is completely dust-proof and works fine when temporarily (short period) immersed in water up to 1m deep.
While
A junction box with IP 68 rating is also completely dust-proof and works fine when immersed in water more than 1 m deep for long period. SILFAB solar panels have junction boxes with IP67 and IP68 ratings.
Units produced by 6-kW solar panels
The energy produced by the solar panels depends on the sunlight intensity.
Good sunlight means, you can meet your energy needs with fewer solar panels.
While
In a low sunshine region, more solar panels are required to meet the same energy need.
I am taking Florida as an example with Peak Sun Hours of 5.31.
After considering all the losses like:
- Dirt loss
- Shading loss
- Temperature loss
- Conversion loss
- Transfer loss
- Aging loss
A 6 kW SILFAB solar power system in the region will produce an average of 24 units in a day.
Price of SILFAB solar panels
The per watt price of the SILFAB solar panel is over $1/watt.
But
When you install a complete system, you need a solar inverter, mounting structure, wires, AC/DC boxes, and the installation cost too. A complete 6-kW solar power system with SILFAB solar panels may cost you $15,000 to $18,000 (before tax credit).
Key Takeaways
- SILFAB solar panels are designed keeping in mind the climate of North America.
- It is using the latest technology for its solar panels (Half-cut and Mono-PERC).
- The maximum efficiency of 21.4% is seen in its SILFAB Elite series (380 watts).
- It has a temperature coefficient of power of -0.36%/ᴼC and -0.377 %/ᴼC.
- Its solar panels are very strong with a maximum wind load and snow load rating of 5400 Pascals.
- A 6-kW solar power system in a region with over 5 PSH will produce an average of 24 units in a day.
- SILFAB offers a great warranty on its solar panels. It offers 12 years (extendable to 25 years) product warranty and 30 years performance warranty.
- Its solar panels have a wide temperature operating range.
- SILFAB solar panels work effectively even in moist conditions (as they are salt and mist-resistant).
- The users can even install SILFAB solar panels in places where livestock are kept. Its ammonia-resistant solar panels will perform well. (Animal excreta releases ammonia gas that is corrosive in nature that may damage the solar panels)
- Its back sheet is very durable which gives strength to the module and enhances its performance.
- As SILFAB is highly efficient. Therefore, people having space constraints can use its solar panels. They will get more power even in a limited space.
