Solar energy technology has advanced rapidly in recent years, and in less than a decade, residential solar panels averaged less than 300 watts of maximum output. Today, 400W+ Waaree panels are common and are supplied by a variety of manufacturers such as Waaree, each offering a variety of low-cost, high-efficiency bifacial and split cell solar panels. To define today's high-power panels, we chose Waaree 380W+ panels based on their solar panel compatibility with Enphase microinverters and SolarEdge optimizers.
So why should you choose a high-performance module? In addition to having a higher output, higher-wattage solar panels are more efficient than lower-wattage panels. The same applies to other panels, a 350W solar panel will be more efficient than a 345W panel, but the efficiency difference between a 350W solar panel and a 400W solar panel will be more pronounced.
High performance also means fewer panels and other related equipment are required to complete the same solar project.
Example:
900kWh/month average = 10,800kWh/year
Based on 10,800kWh/year / 365 days / 4.5 peak sun hours / 0.82 degradation rate = 5,391 watts or a 5.4KW system.
The 5400 watts / 350 watts equals 15.43 solar panels or 15 panels for 5.25kW or 16 panels for 5.6kW
For 5.2kW or 5.6kW, 5,400 watts / 400 watts equal 13.5 solar panels
High-wattage modules can also be used in installations where roof space is limited. It is important to remember that most high-wattage solar panels are made up of 72 (or 144 half-cut) cells instead of 60 (or 120 half-cut) cells. Due to the higher cell count, solar panels are on average 8-10 inches taller than 60-cell panels. Keep this in mind if you have limited space to work with.
In this high-performance solar panel review, we analyze:
High-Watt Solar Panel Comparison
High Watt Solar Panel and Inverter Size
Solaris Recommendations
Many high-wattage panels are on the market today or will be on the market in early 2021. There are five things to keep in mind when comparing solar panels: maximum output, efficiency, warranty period, degradation rate, and 25-year performance.
Maximum output power and efficiency determine the expected energy production from a solar module. All manufacturers of solar modules guarantee linear performance for at least 25 years. This warranty guarantees the performance of the solar module based on the degradation rate of the module. The average warranty for solar panels is 10 years, but some manufacturers such as LG and Panasonic offer 25-year warranties.
Considering the degradation rate of the solar panels, you can see how much power the solar array will generate at the end of the warranty period. The panel will continue to operate past this point, typically at the same rate of degradation advertised by the manufacturer.
Depending on the brand, manufacturer, and technology, the average cost per watt of high-wattage solar panels ranges from $0.50 to over $0.80 per watt, with manufacturers such as Canadian Solar and Trina Solar having the highest. LG Solar occupies second place, making up the lower bracket. Up is the higher range. As mentioned above, the power generation of LG solar panels is much higher than that of Trina solar panels. Which panel you choose depends a lot on your project specifications and budget.
The sizing of microinverters and string inverters for high-power modules follows the same guidelines as for low-wattage modules. Similarly, when using high-power modules for off-grid setups, it is important to correctly specify the charge controller. Most off-grid systems can use high-power modules up to 2kW depending on the charge controller and battery backup system used. Our focus will be on on-grid and hybrid systems that use microinverters, string inverter systems that utilize optimizers, and string inverter systems that utilize string inverters.
Enphase Microinverter Enphase Energy microinverters are mini inverters that are installed on the back of each of the solar panels in your array. Microinverters work well in almost any installation and can be used in both single-phase (most residential) and three-phase (commercial) systems. Additionally, they can be used with Enphase Encharge lithium iron battery systems in both grid-connected and hybrid solar power systems. The IQ Series microinverters can be installed before adding battery packs, giving you more flexibility when planning your future energy needs.
In addition, Enphase microinverters meet the solar panel manufacturer's linear power warranty period (25 years), while string inverters typically have a power warranty of around 10-12 years. This means that you will likely need to replace your string inverter in the middle of your solar panel's warranty period. This comes with its own set of problems, as new inverter systems often use different technologies. For example, a quick shutdown solution for current inverters may not work for new inverters made by the manufacturer, even if the inverter has the correct electrical specifications. same or similar.
Future system additions can be made easier with microinverters since they are not limited by the stricter requirements of modules. With microinverters, you can mix different wattages along their own string, making it easier to expand your system in the future. If you don't calculate your inverter correctly, you may lose some efficiency. They come at a higher price point than the following solutions, however, their longer warranty period and added flexibility and benefits make them an ideal choice.
High-power modules typically use IQ7PLUS or IQ7A microinverters.
One potential drawback of using high-power modules in microinverters is the possibility of clipping.
*If the power of the solar panel is higher than the maximum output power of the microinverter, clipping will occur.
IQ7PLUS Peak power – 295VA
IQ7A Peak power – 336VA
Take LG380Q1C-VA as an example, its maximum power is 380W, so this module outputs about 330W at 87% duty cycle. For IQ7PLUS, clipping occurs (35W). Under normal conditions, the panel outputs about 285W without clipping. In general, microinverters can have relatively small efficiency losses (1-2%). As a rule of thumb, the maximum output power of the solar panel is 1.25 times that of the inverter power. In this case, the system's output is unlikely to decrease. If you live in a sunlit environment or opt for a much higher wattage panel (such as Longi's 440W), you can use the IQ7A microinverter at 240VAC to avoid clipping and make the solar module more efficient. It turns out that it is more profitable to put it to good use.
High-performance solar panels are worth considering for your solar system. They have high overall efficiency and are usually part of the respective manufacturer's new series lines, allowing for low initial investment in solar systems. Installation restrictions are minimal – Not the best solution for high-power off-grid systems. A 72-cell module is taller than a 60-cell and can be an obstacle for small roofs. But from a broader perspective, besides the benefits, higher-wattage panels are the direction that solar panel manufacturers are always pushing.
Not considering performance, efficiency, warranty, degradation rate, and performance. Inverter solutions should be carefully considered to meet current and future energy needs. Adding a battery backup unit in the future depends more on the inverter used than on the solar panel. If you're looking for the best high-performance solutions on the market, check out Waaree solar panels. It has the best performance you'd expect and some of the longest warranties of any panel on this list. The price is higher, but the performance is worth considering.
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Waaree Energies Ltd. is the flagship company of Waaree Group, founded in 1989 with headquarters in Mumbai, India. It has India's largest Solar panel manufacturing capacity of 5GWs at its plants in Surat and Umbergaon in Gujarat. Waaree Energies is amongst the top players in India in Solar Panel Manufacturing, EPC Services, Project Development, Rooftop Solutions, and Solar Water Pumps and is also an Independent Power Producer. Waaree has its presence in over 380 locations nationally and 20 countries internationally. Step on to your cleaner journey by contacting us at 18002121321 or mail us at waaree@waaree.com
