What is the Advantage and Disadvantage of 550W Mono Solar Panels

Half-cut solar cell technology is a new and improved design applied to the traditional crystalline silicon solar cells. This promising technology reduces some of the most important power losses in standard PV modules, allowing the solar panels and a PV system, in general, to perform better.

Please visit our website for more information on this topic.

The advantages of half-cut solar cells are great and there are no remarkable disadvantages to this technology when compared to traditional modules. In this article, we will provide a detailed explanation of half-cut solar cell technology, how it works, its advantages & disadvantages, and even compare it against traditional and PERC technology.

Novergy Solar, Half-cut solar panels, Cropping and Redesigning, CC BY-SA 4.0

What is a half-cut solar panel?

Half-cell modules or commonly known as half-cut solar panels are the new trend in manufacturing technology. If you are wondering what is a half-cut solar panel? Here we explain it in detail:

Components and materials of the half-cut solar cell

Half-cut solar cell modules are not a technology developed with new and innovative chemical components added to the cell. Actually, the half-cut solar cell technology is based on the traditional crystalline silicon (c-Si) solar cells. This means that the components and materials used to manufacture a half-cut solar cell are the same as the ones for c-Si solar cells, which are the following:

• Printed silver paste (front contact).
• Anti-reflective coating or anti-reflective glass.
• A doped semiconductor made with c-Si (P-N junction).
• Back Surface Field
• Print aluminum paste (rear contact).

While the half-cut solar cell itself shares the same technology as the traditional ones, the fact that sets them apart is a change in the design, which focuses on improving performance and reducing electrical losses from traditional panels.

Cutting in half of the solar cell

Half-cut solar cells start to differ from regular cells because they are cut in half with a process called cleaving, applied to monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar cells. The cleaving process uses high-tech laser technology to cut the cell in half, with the cell delivering the same voltage but half the current.

Since this technology is based on cutting a traditional crystalline silicon solar cell, this means that the conversion efficiency for the half-cut solar cell is theoretically the same as the traditional c-Si cell. Other types of solar cells like PERC and bifacial can be used to manufacture half-cut solar cells.

Structure of half-cut solar panel

A half-cut solar cell panel allocates twice the cells in the same area of a regular module. This means two times the arrays of solar cells within one module, with half-cut solar cells having half the width, keeping the area of the panel the same.

Whole-cell vs. Half-cell solar panel | Source: GSES Global Sustainable Energy Solutions

Generally, modules with 60 solar cells include three substrings of 20 cells in series. The equivalent half-cut solar cell modules have 120 solar cells, divided into six substrings of 20 cells. Each side of the half-cut solar panel has three substrings in parallel, with both sides also connected in parallel. Besides, there is one bypass diode per substring pair. The same case is analog for panels with 72 solar cells or more.

Working mechanism

A half-cut solar panel works the same way a whole-cell one, but it has a few more substrings. Arrays of half-cut solar panels can be connected as well in series or parallel, replacing traditional whole-cell modules, with the voltage being the same in both cases.

Major differences from halving solar cells and increasing the substrings are the production of less current per cell which translates in reduced losses, and the increased tolerance against partial shading.

Advantages of half-cut solar panels

Are you wondering what are the benefits of half-cut solar panels? Here we will list and explain the benefits achieved by implementing half-cut solar cell technology:

Reduced power losses

The main improvement of half-cut solar cell modules is the reduction of electrical losses caused by Joule's Law, which is based on the following equation:

Since half-cut solar cell produces half (1/2) the current per cell, and Joule&#;s Law considers the square current to calculate losses, these cells produce one-fourth (1/4) the power losses, or about 75% less electrical losses. On the other hand, when evaluated at the module level, there is an increased overall current output of 2-4%, which also increases the power output by that same percentage.

Increased partial shading tolerance

Standard vs. Half-cut solar cell module with shade covering 1/3 of the panel | Source: GSES Global Sustainable Energy Solutions

When a PV module is partially shaded, this causes major power losses for the module and the array. Half-cut solar cells include twice the substrings, meaning that shading a single area of a panel will cause reduced losses. Studies show that half-cut solar cell panels produce up to 50% fewer power losses in an array.

Reduced hot spots and temperature in general

Hot spots are a consequence of partial shading in solar panels. When some cells are shaded, instead of producing power they act as resistances, consuming electricity and therefore increasing their temperature. Half-cut solar cells reduce the current per substring, which in turn reduces the temperature of hot spots, this technology can reduce the peak temperature of hot spots by up to 20ºC.

Higher Cell-to-Module power

While conversion efficiency for a single half-cut solar cell depends on the type of solar cell technology, half-cut solar cells have a higher Cell-to-Module power (CTM) which translates into higher power output. Traditional PV modules have a 94.8% CTM power while half-cut solar cells have a 99.4% CTM power before factoring laser-cut losses, or 98.4% after factoring them.

Integration with different solar cell technologies

Half-cut solar cell technology is a modification in the manufacturing process of PV modules that uses solar cells manufactured under the traditional c-Si technology. As a consequence, half-cut solar panels can be manufactured in combination with PERC and/or bifacial technologies, which can translate as PV modules with fewer power losses, a higher power output, and several other advantages.

How about their disadvantages?

Half-cut solar cell technology is quite beneficial; however, there are a couple of disadvantages to consider:

Manufacturing of Half-cut solar cells represents a large investment in manufacturing equipment

To manufacture the same number of half-cut solar cell modules compared to whole-cell modules, manufacturers need to invest in doubling their tabber & stringers and acquire a piece of equipment to cleave the solar cells. Studies show that half-cell modules cost 0.6-1.2% more than whole-cell modules, but thanks to the power increase, their cost per watt is reduced by 0.8-1%.

Increased probability of bad contacts or cell-inherent defects

Manufacturing half-cut solar cell modules means twice the soldered connections, which translates as twice the probability of bad contacts. Halving the solar cell also increases the probability of causing defective cells which is a downside to the technology for manufacturers. While this is a problem to consider, a manufacturer with proper quality control will not be greatly affected by this.

Half-cut vs. Standard solar panels (Comparison table)

To fully understand the scope of half-cut solar cell technology, it is important to compare it against the standard Al-BSF technology. In this section, we compare both technologies, considering aspects like the number of cells, voltage, current, and others.

Traditional c-Si solar panels use a simple technology that produces several losses and has poor CTM power. Since half-cut solar cell technology is an improvement of traditional crystalline silicon solar technology, reduces loses, increases CTM power, and it provides additional benefits.

Half-cut solar technology reduces electrical losses by 75%, increases CTM power by 3.6%, increases the resistance of the module against partial shading, reduces the operating temperature by handling less current per cell, and reduces hot spot by up to 20ºC. The main disadvantage of half-cut solar cell technology is the slightly higher cost and reduced aesthetics of the module (although for all-black solar panels is barely noticeable).

Half-cut vs. PERC solar panels

PERC solar technology improves the structural design of Al-BSF c-Si solar cells. This technology reduces losses due to the surface recombination process, increases the efficiency by implementing a reflecting metal at the rear surface of the cell, and reduces heat absorption. Comparing PERC against half-cut solar cell technology can provide an insight into which is the best one.

While half-cut solar panels produce 2-4% more power than standard modules, PERC solar cells increase this output by 6%. While this is an important advantage, it is its only point in favor of PERC against half-cut solar cell technology.

Even though PERC technology absorbs less heat from the sun, this technology shares the same shading intolerance and electrical losses as the standard solar panels. Half-cut solar panels might not have the same increased performance as PERC solar modules due to the surface recombination process, but they perform better when partially shaded and have an important reduction in ohmic losses. Moreover, the potential reduction in energy losses caused by shading is something that PERC technology cannot compete with, particularly for the residential sector applications where major obstructions and trees can cause high shading.

However, the good news is that there is no need to choose between PERC and half-cut cells because both technologies can be integrated. This means that a PERC mono half-cut solar panel can be manufactured, including reduction of electrical losses, a higher tolerance against partial shading, reduced heat absorption from the sun, improved efficiency due to reducing surface recombination, and an increased CTM power, all at the same time.

If you want to learn more, please visit our website GECONA SOLAR.

Are half-cut solar panels worth your investment?

Half-cut solar technology is one of the latest attempts of the solar industry to achieve higher efficiency for PV modules. The technology only costs 0.6-1.2% more than standard c-Si PV modules, but it represents a higher power output of 2-4%. This makes it better for limited spaces requiring fewer PV modules.

Implementing half-cut solar panels is not only better for locations with limited space, but also provides better performance in areas that are being frequently shaded. By including more substrings, the system can be partially shaded without causing the large losses that some regular systems have.

While you might worry that with smaller solar cells, the PV module will also be more delicate, this is not the case. Since modules are covered with protecting glass, mono half-cut solar panels will have the same durability as a regular solar panel, making it one of the best investments that can be made in the solar panel industry.

500-watt solar panels are bigger than your average solar panel. 

Typically made up of 144 half-cut monocrystalline cells, their large size makes 500-watt solar panels more commonly seen in commercial, ground-mounted, and utility solar projects. 

For residential solar projects, is bigger always better? That&#;s not necessarily the case.

Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about 500-watt solar panels and if they&#;re worth it for home solar.

What is a 500-watt solar panel?

A 500-watt solar panel has a wattage rating of 500 watts under Standard Test Conditions (STC).

STC is an industry standard that involves testing panel performance in a lab under 1,000 lumens/m2 of light, and at a temperature of 77°F (25°C). It indicates the power output you can expect from a solar panel under ideal sunlight and temperature conditions.

And what about real-world output? Typically, a 500 W solar panel will generate about 2 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of daily power and 731 kWh of annual power. Just be aware that actual solar panel power output you will see will vary based on different factors.

In terms of efficiency, all of the 500 W solar panels we examined have module efficiency ratings of around 21%.

You would need twelve 500 W solar panels to build a typical residential system with 6 kilowatts (kW) of solar capacity. 

For reference, building an equivalent 6 kW system using standard 375 W modules would require 16 panels.

To find out how many solar panels would be right for your home, use our solar panel calculator below. 

Calculate how many solar panels you need for your home

Technology used in 500-watt solar panels

A lot of innovative solar technology is utilized to achieve a solar panel rating of 500 watts. Here are two technologies that are commonly used when producing these modules. 

1. Half-cut solar cells

All 500 W solar panels we assessed are manufactured with half-cut solar cell technology. 

Half-cut solar panels are similar in size to panels with traditional solar cells but produce more power. 

When halving traditional solar cells, you also halve their current; this reduces resistive losses, making the half-cut solar cells slightly more efficient. 

This new technology provides a more efficient way to produce solar energy from the same surface area. You should not see much of a difference in price between the two cell configurations. 

2. Bifacial modules

For most 500-watt solar panels, to achieve their wattage rating they make the panel bifacial. 

Bifacial solar panels are double-sided, meaning they can capture sunlight and turn it into electricity from both sides. 

Bifacial panels are only practical for ground-mount or utility-scale solar installs. This is because the backside needs to be exposed to sunlight. 

For this same reason, bifacial panels are wasteful for rooftop installations, where they would need to be installed flush against the roof.

How big is a 500-watt solar panel? (Cell count and size)

500-watt solar panels are generally made with 144 half-cut monocrystalline cells.  

The typical footprint of a single 500 W panel is about 27.5 square feet (7.40 feet x 3.72 feet). 

In terms of weight, 500 W panels weigh about 71.2 lbs (32.3 kg) each. That's a lot heavier than the average weight of solar panels of between 40 and 50 pounds.

This heaviness means 500 W panels are better suited for commercial uses. 

For a better perspective, let&#;s compare the size and cell count of residential and commercial solar panels. We&#;ll use two modules made by solar manufacturer LONGi as examples. 

• Residential solar panels are solar modules made with 60 solar cells, or its newer equivalent, 120 half-cut cells. These panels typically measure in at around 5.76 feet by 3.41 feet and weigh about 43 lbs. Example: LONGi Hi-MO 4m.

• Commercial solar panels are larger modules traditionally made with 72 cells but now made with 144 half-cut cells. These panels have a larger footprint, measuring around 7.40 feet by 3.72 feet in size. Example: LONGi Hi-MO 5m.

What are 500-watt solar panels used for?

500-watt solar panels are designed for larger solar power installations. They can be found in setups such as:

Are 500-watt solar panels worth it for your home?

500-watt solar panels have their place, but it is generally not on the roof of your home. Their size and weight make them less practical to install in most residential solar situations, nor are they cost-effective.

Physical size

The large footprint of 500 W solar panels makes them harder to fit into the nooks and crannies of a residential roof. It&#;s usually possible to build a solar power system capable of more maximum power by using smaller solar panels, which are easier to arrange and lay out. 

Furthermore, the large physical size of 500 W panels makes them difficult to handle, making installation work more challenging. 

Performance and price

In terms of performance, 500 W solar panels don&#;t necessarily offer any advantage. 

500 W solar panels are generally no better (or worse) than standard residential panels in terms of efficiency rating, temperature coefficient, or other specifications. They have a higher wattage rating only because they are bigger.

All else equal, you can achieve the same output from a 6 kW system built with twelve 500 W solar panels, as from a 6 kW system made from sixteen 375 W solar panels. 

In other words, it&#;s not the wattage of individual panels that matter, but the wattage of the system as a whole. 

In fact, the 6 kW system made with 375 W panels will cost you less money, while getting the same amount of solar power output on your roof.

Summary: Not worth it

500 W solar panels are used mainly on large-scale installations where the panel's physical size doesn't matter. But they&#;re not ideal for a solar panel system on the roof of your home. 

When someone makes a cost-effective 500 W panel in a more reasonably sized 120 half-cell module, sign me up. 

What is the best solar panel wattage for your home?

If 500-watt solar panels aren&#;t right for you, what size panel should you use?

A 350-400 W solar panel is the most popular choice for residential installations. This is because this range offers the best mix of the three most important solar panel factors: size, cost, and efficiency.

Solar companies will generally stock a few different models of panels, and nearly always have at least one panel in the 350-400 W range.

If you are interested in finding out how many solar panels you need, use our solar calculator. It is very accurate as it is based on past solar installations in your area.

It will estimate your recommended system size, monthly electric bill after solar, and estimated savings over 25 years.

After seeing your results, you can choose to get quotes from 1-4 local solar installers.

Calculate how many solar panels you need for your home

What panel brands offer 500-watt solar panels?

Our experts created a comprehensive rating system for solar panel brands to find the best solar panels on the market. Many of the top solar panel brands offer 500-watt options; we've listed some of the models below:

What is the highest-watt solar panel?

Solar panels are getting higher in wattage with each year. Many companies are crossing the 600-watt mark, and some even inching close to 700 watts with the use of TOPCon solar cells.

Calculate the best-sized solar system to maximize your savings

Key takeaways

• 500-watt solar panels are designed for larger solar installations.

• Half-cut cell technology is used in 500-watt panels.

• These modules have an efficiency rating of around 21%.

• Most 500-watt panels are no more efficient than leading residential panels; they&#;re just larger.

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit 550W Mono Solar Panels.