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Major Components of a Solar Panel: Key Takeaways
- Solar panels consist of several key components: solar cells, aluminum frames, solar glass, polymeric encapsulate material, junction boxes, inverters, and backsheets.
- Solar cells are the primary component for converting sunlight into electricity, with silicon being the most commonly used material due to its efficiency.
- Aluminum frames provide structural stability and protect other materials in the panel.
- Solar glass and polymeric encapsulate materials protect and enhance the performance of solar cells.
- Junction boxes connect and protect electrical wiring.
- Inverters convert DC to AC power, and backsheets protect against environmental damage.
- Have you ever asked yourself what is really used in making the solar panels you use or see?
To get started, a solar panel is a device that can be used to absorb the sun’s rays and convert them to heat energy or electricity.
The collection of photovoltaic modules which are mounted on structure and at most times arranged in a grid-like pattern on the surface of solar panels, basically describes the solar panel even better. However, this article will allow us to understand specifically what major materials you need for a solar panel.
Uncove the Essential Components of a solar panel
Solar cells
The fundamental building block for any solar panel system is the solar cells. In Australia, one solar panel will consist of 60 or 72 solar cells. Solar panels are mostly made up of crystalline silicon cells, which have varying efficiency and cost.
According to Fonash et al., other materials besides silicon are also used for solar cells including: gallium arsenide, indium phosphide, and copper indium selenide that are semiconductors hence allowing strong absorption of radiation for power generation.
They produce electrical power without chemical reactions and fuel, unlike batteries and fuel cells. Arrays are formed when solar cells are arranged in large groupings and combined with other materials allowing solar panels to generate electricity.
The procedure of combination entails assembling selected photovoltaic cells to form a module, which serves as the smallest unit in a larger panel. Thereafter, the array is linked, sealed, and attached to the aluminum frame, with a protective coating applied.
Even though different materials can be used for solar cells, silicon has been found to be the most standard and best material for solar cells due to its high efficiency. It is therefore the most dominant material used in Australian solar panel cells.
Aluminium Frames
The Aluminium frame is another major type of material found in solar panels that protects other combinations of materials in the panel.
Considering the solar photovoltaic cells that mainly generate electric power from sun rays, aluminum frames are needed and play a crucial role. The aluminium frame is placed around the solar panel, hugging the glass both at the top and bottom.
It is used together with the mounting bracket to seal and fix solar battery components, providing structural stability for the glass, cell and back sheet.
With the aluminium frame in place, there will be proper stability and support for other components of the solar panel, which greatly contributes to a longer life span of the battery.
Solar glass
All solar panels generally are paneled with glass material that covers and protects the cells.
In reference to Solar (2023), solar panels employ diverse glass dimensions, with thin-film panels being the most affordable and crystalline panels utilizing 4mm glass for durability and stability. The glass material should meet the following requirements:
- Ultra-clarity to allow better light transmission and stability at high temperatures
- Must be dust resistant to prevent moisture and any dust disrupting the solar panel performance.
The glass material allows the solar panel to utilize the transparent layers to focus on sunlight and allow transmission. Strict requirements for the glass used in solar panels allow safety and efficiency standards to be met for any ideal standard solar panels in Australia.
Polymeric Encapsulate Material
Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) is an encapsulation layer, which is the most often used material that constitutes with other major materials to form a solar panel.
According to Energy (2023), EVA is preferred due to its strong adhesion strength, high electrical resistivity, low polymerization temperature, and low water absorption ratio, all which make it a cost-effective option for encapsulating PV modules.
Junction Box
In any solar panel we have the junction box that provides not only necessary connections to the solar panel but also protection in homes against shocks.
So, what’s a solar panel junction box?
This is an essential component in a solar panel that connects the wiring, from the PV cells to the outer electrical system. Enclosure and Diodes are major components of the junction box.
Enclosures made of durable materials such as plastic, aluminium and stainless steel provide durability and protection, whereas diodes ensure stability of the voltage and current, preventing reverse currents that could damage the solar array. Other components include terminal blocks and surge protection devices.
Looking at the role played by the junction box, you can see that it is indeed a major component of any solar panel.
Inverters and backsheets
Inverters are materials that allow conversion of DC solar power to AC power that is subsequently sent to a breaker. They are available in different sizes and types like string, micro inverters and battery-based inverters.
A Back sheet provides an element of electrical isolation between the internal circuit and the external environment, which makes it a major component in any solar panel.
Backsheet thus primarily prevents the penetration of moisture, shielding PV modules from direct UV and generally serves as a protective covering to the other solar components.
Conclusion
A solar panel system fulfills its functions adequately thanks to the primary materials that enable it to operate properly.
This article has examined its major components and has shed light on how these essential components are employed collectively. These materials must also be protected and handled with care through regular maintenance of your solar panel.
