Current solar modules from leading manufacturers
Are you looking for a suitable solar module for your photovoltaic project? Solartraders offers you a large selection of photovoltaic modules from leading manufacturers. Ja Solar, Longi Solar, Jinko Solar, Trina Solar and many other solar module manufacturers are listed on Solartraders with continuous availability from stock. With us you will always find the latest modules, because we cooperate here with the most important distributors throughout Europe. So it comes that we can offer permanently low prices for solar modules. With Solartraders always on the pulse of time.
Monofacial or bifacial solar modules, 120 cells, 140 cells or rather a 66 cell, silver frame or an All Black module? All of these are available from us in the most diverse performance classes. Furthermore, we serve both the residential segment with strong premium brands and the commercial and industrial segment with favorable project prices.
Our marketplace offers you convenient filter options, so that you can access daily updated offers with the right parameters for your solar project with just a few clicks. As an installation company from the photovoltaic industry, you can register with us free of charge.
Trends for solar modules in 2020
The general trend for solar modules is towards high-performance monocrystalline solar modules with N-type cells in half-cut technology. The nominal output here is usually 350Watt peak and more. Especially in the project business more and more bifacial modules are used, especially in connection with N-type doped solar cells the transparent photovoltaic modules can fully exploit their advantages and a maximum of power can be obtained from the module. The contacting of the cells also goes in the direction of 9BB and MBB. While in 2018/2019 polycrystalline modules were still occasionally installed in photovoltaic systems, modules with this cell technology are almost never installed, or if so, then usually only in the 144 cell version with a power of at least 400 watts peak.
Which solar module is the best
The question must be considered in a more differentiated way, as there are different purposes and requirements for solar modules. As an investor in a photovoltaic system (large projects in the commercial sector), you are usually looking for a solar panel that offers the best LCOE. However, if you install a solar system on your private roof and you are limited in the area available, the best solar module is a module with a high nominal output and an attractive appearance is the better solution.
The risk profile of the investor also plays a role in the choice of the best solar module, as manufacturers compete for the favor of customers with different performance and product guarantees.
Solar modules from Europe
There are hardly any manufacturers left who produce their modules in Europe and if so, these manufacturers only occupy a niche. Unfortunately, module and cell production in Europe is no longer profitable and well-known manufacturers such as Q-Cells and Solarworld have either had to close or have been sold. Also well-known manufacturers in the premium segment purchase their cells from Asia, this also applies to a large part of the BOM (Bill of Material).
The 10 best manufacturers of solar modules in 2020
As in other industries, manufacturers of solar modules now also have a wide range of products to choose from. With an investment that can quickly run into tens of thousands, it is all the more important to choose the right manufacturer.
The 10 best solar module manufacturers that we can recommend without hesitation in 2020 are
- JA Solar
- Longi Solar
- Canadian Solar
- Jinko Solar
- Jolywood Solar
- Suntech Solar
- LG Solar
- Sharp Solar
- REC Solar
- Q-Cells
The manufacturers listed here are among the leading ones in the worldwide comparison and were selected due to their excellent quality, many years of experience, technological development and their price-performance ratio. As an independent and leading marketplace for photovoltaics in Europe, we have more than 10 years of experience in the business.
Where can you buy solar modules
If you want to install the solar modules yourself, you can buy them in various online shops. However, it is advisable to visit a solar installer to get corresponding offers. A solar technician can also carry out the complete planning, installation and delivery of the connected solar system. Installing companies also have the possibility to make their purchase at one of the numerous distributors. The largest distributors for solar modules in Germany are IBC Solar, Krannich Solar, Baywa Solar. In the project business from 500KW, the solar modules are usually purchased directly from the manufacturer, or via a solar platform. This offers the advantage of easy comparability and cost advantages in purchasing.
How much does a solar module cost
The price of a module depends among other things on: Power class, cell technology, manufacturing costs, distribution costs, manufacturer's markup, distributor's markup. The price of a solar module is given in EUR per Wp for better comparability in professional circles. While the price in 2019 was still around EUR 0.30 per watt, it will be only EUR 0.25 per watt in 2020. A module with 120 mono cells and a rated output of 340 watts thus costs EUR 85 plus 16% VAT. Depending on the size of the photovoltaic system, the module price only accounts for a small part of the total costs.
What does Wp mean for the solar module
Wp stands for Watt Peak or the power of the module under STC 1000. The power of a solar module is measured in Watt. However, this value varies greatly depending on the cells used, temperature, light irradiation and other factors. Standard test conditions have been introduced by the industry to evaluate and compare the performance of solar modules and their efficiency. The results of the performance of a solar module are then shown on the solar panel data sheet together with other parameters. Here the Watt Peak power, i.e. the power of the module at 1000W irradiation, can be found. Likewise, in production each module is measured for its power in a "flasher" and assigned to the serial number. So, you can assign performance data to each module with the help of a flash report. In addition, Wp is also used in the calculation and pricing of photovoltaic modules. Here you can find information such as 0.24 EUR/Wp which enables you to determine and compare the relative price per watt of a module.
How much electricity does a solar module generate
In principle, a solar module can only generate electricity when light hits its surface. The principle of photovoltaics is a direct conversion of light into electrical energy, whereby an electrical voltage is created between electrodes.
A module such as the Sunpower Maxeon 3 with dimensions 1690 x 1046 and a power output of 400 watts can therefore deliver a current of 6.08 A (Impp) at a voltage of 65.8 V (Umpp) below STC 1000. This corresponds to 400 watts. However, how much current is generated in practice depends on many other factors, the most important of which are solar radiation, orientation, azimuth, temperature and system configuration. If the area available for the installation of the solar system is limited, it is advisable to choose the most efficient solar module, i.e. a photovoltaic module that delivers the highest possible output in relation to the area (LxW).
Mono or poly solar modules
We have often been asked by investors whether a monocrystalline or polycrystalline module is better. We do not want to give a blanket answer at this point, but due to the technological development of the last 2 years, poly modules are hardly used in solar projects anymore. Monocrystalline modules have become more efficient and above all cheaper in recent years. This means that monocrystalline modules are now used in 85% of systems. We do not expect a comeback of the Polys and assume that the market share of mono's will increase to 99% by 2025.
Solar module and inverter
To be able to operate one or more solar modules in a solar system, you always need an inverter when you need alternating current. For example, alternating current is the household electricity with 230V that we know. In this way you can connect different electrical consumers (TV, washing machine, etc.). The inverter is needed to convert the direct current (DC) of the generator (photovoltaic module) into alternating current (AC). The power of the inverter is to be set in relation to the power of the solar modules. An optimal design of a photovoltaic system and the detailed selection of the appropriate inverter requires basic practical and theoretical knowledge. Modern programs are used for planning and design which take into account the parameters of the individual components and other factors such as the location.
Solar module and solar storage tank
In order to be able to store the electricity generated by a photovoltaic system, an accumulator or storage unit is required. In most cases, a Li-Ion storage is used to store the electricity generated during the hours of sunshine and use it when it is needed. These can be days when there is no sunshine, during the night or even during the day when the power of the solar system alone is not sufficient. The combination of solar modules with solar storage tanks is becoming increasingly popular and most systems in the residential segment are already equipped with electricity storage tanks. With the currently falling prices for solar storage and the trend towards electric mobility, we expect the trend towards electricity storage to continue. Notable manufacturers here are BYD, LG, Solax. The capacity of solar storage tanks can usually be expanded in a modular fashion, so that you can start with a small tank and retrofit it if necessary.
Solar modules without frame
Frameless modules, often referred to as "frameless", play only a minor role in the photovoltaic industry. They are still a niche product and are always used when special aesthetic requirements exist. Modules without a frame generally have a lower stability than framed modules. To protect the modules against mechanical stress (snow, wind/suction) the modules are often produced as glass/glass modules. This makes them relatively heavy again, but offers good mechanical stability and quality.
Solar modules in cloudy weather
The more light hits a solar module, the higher its output will be. So, if the sun is covered by clouds, the power of the solar module will also decrease. However, this loss of power is not as high as one might think because there is still light and the light waves are not completely refracted by the clouds. How a cloud cover affects the performance of a solar module can be best observed in practice. STC 800 values are also increasingly being listed on the data sheets. There you can see quite well how the irradiation value affects the performance of the solar module (of course all under laboratory conditions).
Solar modules in different sizes
The selection of solar modules was as large as it is now. The size of the solar panels usually depends on the size of the used cell and the number of cells. There are particularly small solar modules with a nominal power of 5 watts, these are used when small consumers such as signal lights and measuring instruments must be operated. The dimensions of such a module are 255 x 255 x 35 mm. But then there are of course also much larger modules which are used for grid-connected photovoltaic systems. A 144 cell polycrystalline module like the CS3W-405 Hiku from Canadian Solar has the dimensions 2108 x 1048 x 40 mm.
Mounting of solar modules
Depending on the module type and local conditions, there are different mounting options. Basically, the solar modules should always be installed professionally. The manufacturers provide installation instructions for solar modules that are intended to be fed into the grid. These specify how the solar module is to be fixed to ensure the required safety. Almost all modules can be mounted horizontally and/or vertically. However, the different requirements for the clamping must be strictly adhered to, otherwise neither the manufacturer nor the insurance company will make any adjustments in the event of a claim. Depending on the region, the requirements for the fastening are different. Regions such as the Alps have higher requirements for mechanical load (pressure) due to large snow masses. In coastal regions, on the other hand, the suction load from wind plays an important role. When installing the solar system on a roof, the calculation of the statics must be adhered to and also the exposure (building height, surroundings) must be taken into account. Depending on the type of roof and roof covering, there is a choice of different mounting systems.
Protect solar modules against theft
You fear that someone might steal your solar module and would like to protect yourself from theft. We can reassure you, because such incidents rarely occur anymore. The reason for this is simply the module price. While in 2011 you still paid 2.30 EUR per watt, in 2020 it is only 0.23 EUR per watt. Modules have become much cheaper and therefore the theft is no longer worthwhile. To secure the photovoltaic modules of grid-feeding solar systems is a motion detector with a spotlight, night vision cameras and fencing of the area.
Solar module delivers too little power
If a 400W solar module delivers only 350W at full sunlight, some people assume a defect. Far from it, because all too often people forget that the manufacturer's specifications refer to the STC 1000 (standard test conditions). Here the performance of the solar module is measured under optimal irradiation angle, an irradiation of 1,000 Watt and an ambient temperature of 25°C. In practice, however, such laboratory conditions occur very rarely. It is therefore normal that your solar module does not generate the full power as specified in the data sheet. It is best to measure the power of your module under optimal irradiation angle and then take the ambient temperature into account. To do this, use the temperature coefficient for STC 800. You should then obtain an approximate value. It is best to measure the current directly on the module in order to exclude other factors in the solar system as a possible source of error.
Performance characteristics for solar modules
For photovoltaic modules, various parameters such as quality, technology, reputation of the manufacturer, price, availability and performance characteristics play an important role.
The 3 most important performance characteristics:
Nominal power of solar modules in 2020
The rated power of a module is determined under standard test conditions. The specification is then made in Watt Peak. The power span in Q2 - 2020 ranges from 285 Watt to 450 Watt. However, we expect that modules in a power class of 500 watts and more will also be available in distribution in Q4-2020 at the latest. The uppermost power classes of the respective series (60 cell monofacial, 120 cell monofacial, 66 cell monofacial, .....) are usually somewhat more expensive. Current monocrystalline modules with half-cut technology (120 cells or 144 cells) which are also available in distribution have an output of 365/370 Watt or 450 Watt
Efficiency and effectiveness
However, a high output measured in watts does not necessarily mean that the module is also efficient and has a high efficiency. Module efficiency is the ratio of the power output of the module under STC to the area of the solar module. In general, modules with higher efficiency are more expensive, because with an efficient module more power can be produced per surface area. A module with an efficiency greater than 21% is generally referred to as a high performance module. However, we cannot get much out of the term. In any case, the trend is towards modules with a higher efficiency. In this way, leading manufacturers are trying to distance themselves from the not so well-known and technologically advanced companies. A low price per watt is not everything.
What is a temperature coefficient of a solar module
This coefficient can be used to determine the performance of a solar module under certain temperatures. While the cell temperature under the test conditions is 25°C, in practice it can be many times higher. Cell temperatures around 60^C are not uncommon in summer. With increasing cell temperature the performance of a solar module decreases. Therefore, it is important to choose a solar module with the lowest possible temperature coefficient. A temperature coefficient of -0.36% /°C (A) is worse than a temperature coefficient of -0.32%/°C (B). To illustrate this, we compare the two temperature coefficients (Pmax) at 55°C cell temperature:
Power module A with -0.36% /°C: 400W at 25°C and 356.8W at 55°C (loss: 43.2W)
Power module B with -0.28%/°C: 400W at 25°C and 366.4W at 55°C (loss: 33.6W)
Module B thus provides 2.7% more power under real conditions.
Guarantees from solar module manufacturer
Manufacturers of solar modules offer their customers a product warranty and performance guarantee. The product guarantee is usually 12 - 15 years. The performance guarantee is usually 25 years. Since photovoltaic modules lose their performance over time, the performance guarantee is a guarantee that after a certain time the user is guaranteed a certain performance. The exact terms of this guarantee can be found in the manufacturer's guarantee conditions. A performance guarantee of 30 years sounds great for the customer. However, how much is this value if the manufacturer is already over-indebted at the time of the guarantee and the business continuity is endangered. Especially for Chinese companies, the evaluation of guarantees is difficult. Especially if they are then also smaller manufacturers.
Mechanical load-bearing capacity
The mechanical load-bearing capacity is tested by almost all manufacturers by corresponding testing companies such as TÜV or SGC and the manufacturer is certified with an IEC certificate for the corresponding product group. The following standards have actually become established in recent years:
Maximum static load of the front side: 5400Pa
Maximum static load on the rear side: 2400Pa
The static load of the front side is relevant for snow loads while the back side is concerned with wind load (suction). Some regions (altitudes, coastal regions) are particularly exposed and may therefore have special requirements. The decisive factor in determining whether these values are met by the modules in practice is correct installation. Especially the clamping area, since the maximum static load capacity of a solar module can be greatly changed by different clamping areas.
