Batteries

SOLAR PANELS

The term solar panel is used to describe two completely different technologies, both of which generate energy from sunlight, and both of which are packaged in the form of panels:

  • A photovoltaic module is used to generate electricity.
  • A solar thermal collector is used to generate heat (generally hot water).
SOLAR CELLS / PV SOLAR MODULES​

A solar cell, or photovoltaic cell, is a device that converts light energy into electrical energy. Sometimes the term solar cell is reserved for devices intended specifically to capture energy from sunlight, while the term photovoltaic cell is used when the light source is unspecified. The field of research related to solar cells is known as photovoltaics.

Solar electric panels contain many photovoltaic cells, electrically connected and packaged behind glass for mechanical protection and electrical insulation. The modules are usually connected together in an array, and with other components such as a mounting frame and an electrical inverter (for on grid), or a charge controller and batteries (for off grid).

In addition to solar panels, a photovoltaic (PV) system requires a mounting structure to tilt panels toward the sun, an inverter to convert panel-generated direct current (DC) into appliance-friendly alternating current (AC), battery storage to compensate for unfavorable weather conditions, and a charge controller to regulate battery operation.

PV Solar Modules

PT. Solar Power Indonesia only sell PV Solar Modules which are manufactured by companies who produce Tier # 1, or A Grade Quality product. We DO NOT sell inferior grade product manufactured by companies (some of whom), try to mislead the manufacturers origin by using German language trading names.

The PV Solar Modules which we sell are, by the most part, normally manufactured in China. The companies who manufacture them such as Tier # 1 company Suntech produce an A Grade product. Industry peers have proven them to be of the absolute best quality available, and all have been subject to rigorous testing carried out by independent testing laboratories / regulation authorities and similar.

Monocrystalline Panels

Suntech Monocrystalline PV Solar Modules deliver the most reliable solar power for on-grid, and off-grid, residential and commercial systems. They consist of a 4-busbar solar module, that delivers super high performance efficiency of up to 17.5%. The modules are suitable for ground mounted, rooftop and marine applications, as well as utility projects. Suntech modules are proven for their reliability and superior field performance, due to high-standard raw materials used, stringent quality control process, and advanced manufacturing technologies.

Solar electric panels contain many photovoltaic cells, electrically connected and packaged behind glass for mechanical protection and electrical insulation. The modules are usually connected together in an array and with other components, such as a mounting frame and an electrical inverter (for on grid), or a charge controller and batteries (for off grid).

Multi / Polycrystalline Panels

Suntech Multi / Polycrystalline Panel PV Solar Modules deliver the most reliable solar power for on-grid and off-grid, residential, marine, and commercial systems, and were designed by Suntech for this purpose. Through the use of efficient polycrystalline cells, this panel provides an achieved performance efficiency of up to 15.7%. In a large project, this cellular module can help you save cost in labor and installation.

Tier 1 solar panel manufacturers.
The pyramid above, by Pike Research, lays out its version of how it differentiates the 3 tier rankings of solar panel manufacturers from one another. Other organizations and research firms may have different methods for determining the tier ranking of a solar panel manufacturer, but they are all roughly in the same ballpark as Pike’s. According to Pike, Tier 1 manufacturers represent only a small slice (2%), of the total number of manufacturers in the market, but a number of factors set them clearly apart from their competitors.

• First of all, they are vertically integrated, meaning that they don’t simply assemble solar panels using other companies’ products. They manufacture their panels from the ground up. This means that they control the production process for everything from the silicon cells to the modules frames and ultimately the panel assembly.
• Tier 1 installers invest heavily in research & development (R&D), and continually innovate in order to improve their products and processes.
• Tier 1 installers also use highly automated manufacturing techniques that are conducive to a standard level of quality, while (in many cases) saving money on manufacturing costs at the same time.
• Finally, at least 5 years’ history of producing solar panels is the other criterion for being considered Tier 1 for Pike Research.
Having been around for at least this amount of time in what is a relatively young industry is testament to a company’s commitment to its own longevity, as well as to its customers, and is indicative of the likelihood that that company will still be around in 20+ years’ time to service its warranties.

Tier 2 solar panel manufacturers.
Manufacturers ranked as Tier 2 are the ‘middle ground’ between Tier 1 and Tier 3, comprising about 8% of the market. Although they have been producing panels for longer than Tier 3 manufacturers (2-5 years), they still invest relatively little money in R&D compared to Tier 3 manufacturers. Robotic automation does not always play a major role in their panel production lines. Many Tier 2 manufacturers doubtless have Tier 1 aspirations, but may not have the wherewithal or experience to yet make the cut.

Tier 3 solar panel manufacturers.
Tier 3 manufacturers comprise the bulk of the market (90%), according to Pike Research, but have the least experience. Their operations are limited to assembling panels using components manufactured by other companies (i.e. no R&D operations of their own), and their production processes are highly reliant on manual labour. With solar panel manufacturers across the globe facing hard times due to a massive glut of stock, it is not unreasonable to think that many of these companies will not be around in the next few years as the industry consolidates.

List of Tier 1 PV Solar Module Manufactures that PT.SPI recommend:
• Risen (in stock)
• CSun (in Stock)
• Trina
• Hanwha
• Jinkosolar
For further information about our solar panels and other relevant products, contact us today.