Solar Power
Solar PV Modules
What is the raw material
that composes a
photovoltaic module?
Have you ever wondered what is the structure of a photovoltaic module and what are the main materials?
There are many solutions available on the market and many raw materials that can be found, but the philosophy for manufacturing a solar panels is the same for everyone.
If we try to describe in a few words the structure, we could say that a photovoltaic panel is composed by a series of photovoltaic cells protected by a glass on the front and a plastic material on the rear. The whole of it is vacuum encapsulated in a polymer as transparent as possible.
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Let’s focus now on the single components more thoroughly:
Photovoltaic solar cell
Cells are the main component and have the function to capture the sunlight and convert it into electricity.
Crystalline cells can be monocrystalline or polycrystalline, according to their manufacturing process.
This however does not affect the PV module production process. The main technical characteristics are: size, color, number of bus-bar and above all the conversion efficiency.
The latter is the main parameter affecting the power output of the panel. In this period the most common cells are the polycrystalline ones with an efficiency of about 17.6%, which originate a 250W photovoltaic module with 60 cells. The cells are interconnected with each other by a thin copper tape coated with a tin alloy, called ribbon.
Front glass
The front glass is the heaviest part of the photovoltaic module and it has the function of protecting and ensuring robustness to the entire photovoltaic module, maintaining a high transparency. The thickness of this layer is usually 3.2mm but it can range from 2mm to 4mm depending on the type of glass chosen. It is important to pay attention to features such as quality of hardening, spectral transmittance and light transmittance. For photovoltaics, some special glasses have been studied with a special pattern on their surface ensuring a greater degree of light trapping. Choosing carefully the glass, checking
these features or adding antireflective layers, can bring an overall improvement of the efficiency of the module.
Back-sheet
The term backsheet literally means the sheet on the back. It is made from a plastic material that has the function to electrically isolate, protect and shield the PV cells from weather and moisture. This particular sheet is usually white in color and is sold in rolls or sheets. There are particular versions that can be different in thickness, in color and in the presence of
particular materials for a greater shielding or for a higher mechanical strength;
Encapsulant material
One of the most important materials is the encapsulant, which acts as a binder between the various layers of the PV panel. The most common material used as an encapsulant is EVA – Ethylene vinyl acetate. It is a translucent polymer sold in a roll. It must be cut in sheets and deposited before and after the photovoltaic cells. When subjected to a thermal process of vacuum cooking, this particular polymer becomes similar to a transparent gel and incorporates the photovoltaic cells. The quality of this process, called lamination, ensures a
high service life to the module itself, while the encapsulant quality affects the light transmission, the process speed and the resistance to yellowing due to UV rays.
Frame
One of the last parts to be assembled is the frame. It is normally made of aluminum and has the function to ensure robustness and a practical and safe coupling to the photovoltaic module. Together with the frame, also a layer of sealant is deposited around the walls of the panel as a moisture barrier. For this purpose the most widely used material is silicon, although sometimes a special sealing tape is used.
For special applications, also frameless modules or special plastics solutions are available.
These solutions usually involve the use of supports glued in the rear side and modules with glass-glass technology.
Junction box
The junction box has the function of bringing the electrical connections of the PV module outside.
It contains the protection diodes for shadows and the cables for the connection of the panels in the field. In choosing the Junction box we pay attention to the quality of plastic, the goodness of sealing, the type of connection of the ribbon and the quality of by-pass diodes. In these years also boxes with special low-loss diodes or integrated with micro inverters were born. The price of these solutions has not yet allowed a mass distribution,
although the potentiality is interesting.
Our Solar Modules are made from high efficiency Mono / Multi Crystalline solar cells. The solar PV cells used are of 17.4% to 22.5% efficiency to produce wide range of Solar Modules Ranging from 3Wp to 555Wp enabling to cater Industrial, Commercial, Domestic and Agricultural Consumers under one roof. Solar PV modules convert light energy into electrical
energy. The solar cells are connected in series and parallel and encapsulated in a low iron content, high transmissivity, tempered glass using UV stable Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) sheets.
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The premium quality back sheet protects the cells from the environmental conditions when laminated. The laminates are framed with strong and anodized aluminum profile with multiple holes for ease of installation. All our modules are certified for IEC & BIS standards.
HOW DOES A GRID-TIED SOLAR SYSTEM WORK?
Grid-tied solar systems maintain a connection to the electric grid, which allows you to
pull energy from the grid when your solar panels are not producing enough electricity
and feed any excess electricity your solar panels produce back into the grid. Off-grid
systems, on the other hand, are completely independent of the electricity grid, which
means they cannot pull from or feed into the grid.
​
Both types of solar energy systems have their own advantages and disadvantages, but
most homeowners and businesses choose to install a grid-tied system.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF A GRID-TIED SOLAR
SYSTEM?
Installing solar panels is an investment in your energy future. Whether grid-tied or off-grid, you’ll be able to lower your electricity bills with solar panels, protect yourself against rising utility costs, shrink your carbon footprint, and increase your property’s value.
But by maintaining a connection to the grid when you have solar panels installed, you’ll be able to enjoy additional benefits:
LOWER INSTALLATION COSTS
Grid-tied solar panels can be easier to install than off-grid systems, and they require less-complicated equipment. This makes the upfront installation costs lower for grid-tied systems vs off-grid systems, saving you money.
PULL FROM THE GRID WHEN YOU NEED TO
With an off-grid system, you’re on your own—if you don’t produce and store enough electricity, you won’t be able to power your home. But with a grid-tied system, you can pull electricity from the grid whenever your panels are not producing enough energy.
Solar PV ON-GRID System
A grid-connected photovoltaic system, or grid-connected PV system is an
electricity generating solar PV power system that is connected to the utility
grid. A grid-connected PV system consists of solar panels, one or several
inverters, a power conditioning unit and grid connection equipment.
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How is solar PV connected to the grid?
When grid-tied, your solar panel system is connected to the grid via a bi-directional electricity meter. It measures the excess power you send to the grid when your solar panels produce more than you need, and the amount of energy you pull from the grid when your solar panel system
doesn't generate enough.
What are the advantages of on-grid PV system?
On-grid systems are generally considered cheaper to install than off-grid systems due to lower materials cost, for example, there is no need to invest in batteries to store any excess energy
produced as the grid itself acts as a virtual battery. Costs associated with maintenance or replacements are also reduced.
TATA POWER SOLAR GRID-TIE ROOFTOP SOLUTIONS
GRID-TIE SYSTEM
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