The Rise of the Photovoltaic Panels

Americans today are becoming increasingly mindful of protecting the environment and that is why more and more companies and households are now utilizing renewable energy alternatives to power certain remote applications like lighting, telecommunications, water pumping, and data collection. Among these renewable sources, perhaps the most feasible for majority of households in the United States is the solar power. It is not just an effective way of generating environment-friendly and sustainable electricity, but its lowered cost and enhanced efficiency have also made it practically acquirable not just for businesses but for households as well. Solar panels have a very long life spans. Moreover, several companies are now manufacturing various solar products using different designs and technologies.

Evergreen Solar Inc. has developed Spruce Line Photovoltaic Panels, which are hi-tech and powerful photovoltaic cells up to 195W designed for commercial and residential use. Spruce Line panels have generated the smallest carbon footprint in production making them the most environment-friendly solar cells. These panels also provide the quickest energy payback time thus maximizing the conservation of energy. Above all, Spruce Line uses the innovation of String Ribbon manufacturing, putting an edge over all other solar products. String Ribbon manufacturing involves a wafer technology where silicon wafers serve as the groundwork of the solar cells. However, unlike other companies where silicon wafers are grown and sliced, the String Ribbon process has no slicing involved thereby reducing waste and saving on raw material cost. String Ribbon technology also works along the concept of surface tension allowing Evergreen to manufacture more flexible-shaped wafer, thus enabling a higher wattage generation to size ratio.

Sanyo also manufactures highly efficient photovoltaic modules. Sanyo HIT Solar Modules for example, uses their patented heterojunction with intrinsic thin layer (HIT) technology, which allows its solar panels to acquire maximum power within a fixed space. Sanyo HIT Solar Modules use a combination of monocrystalline photovoltaic cells and amorphous silicon photovoltaic cells that provides sensitivity to even lower levels of light or indirect sunlight. These panels feature the highest level of conversion efficiency; higher level of efficiency at high temperature compared to conventional crystalline silicon counterparts; low production energy; and thin-formed cells.

Suntech Power is also known to design and manufacture innovative solar panels. Suntech produces both monocrystalline and polycrystalline photovoltaic cells catering to residential and commercial markets. Suntech has recently introduced Just Roof, Light Thru, and QuikSnap building integrated PV products from Suntech’s technology using the MSK Solar Design Line. Just Roof comprises a roof integrated PV system that forms a complete roof. Light Thru is another innovation that allows flexibility in desired specifications including the cell type, cell spacing, and size. QuikSnap on the other hand, features elegant and trendy-designed panels.