Photovoltaic installations are increasingly common in the industrial sector because they allow lower operating costs, and therefore greater competitiveness, but choosing inefficient solar panels can reduce the success. Below we explain what needs be taken into consideration when choosing a panel and we offer some examples of the most efficient solar panels on the market. To this end we have assessed the efficiency offered by the brands, the number of years of product warranty and, most importantly, their price.
The first question we have asked ourselves to identify the most efficient solar panels is which of them offers a greater performance according to the type of cell they are formed of. These cells can be monocrystalline, polycrystalline and amorphous.
The answer is that monocrystalline modules offer higher efficiency, since the internal structure of the cells is more uniform and, therefore, offers less resistance to electronic displacement. In addition, monocrystalline type-n cells have an electronic structure that favours a better harnessing of the light received, which increases their performance.
In addition, monocrystalline type-n cells have an electronic structure that favours a better harnessing of the light received, which increases their performance.
Tips to consider
Once established that monocrystalline modules offer higher efficiency, what advice should we consider when it comes to buying?
It is advisable that the module be suitable for the installation in question. Therefore, it is necessary to correctly combine the voltage and power levels according to the equipment to which they are connected. The purpose is to try to assemble the smallest possible number of solar panels (as long as this is technically and electrically feasible) since this will allow us to save on structure, assembly times, etc. With this in mind, we will know if we need:
– 36 cells modules (we could reach 150Wp (Watts / Peak), 18V Vmp (Maximum Power Voltage), 22.5V in Voc (Voltage in Open Circuit) Price range: 0.64 – 0.80 € / Wp
– 60 cells modules (we could reach 300 Wp, 30V Vmp, 38V approx in Voc., Price range: 0.37 – 0.74 € / Wp
– 72 cells modules (we could reach 350 Wp, 36V Vmp, 44V approx in Voc., Price range: 0.37 – 0.72 € / Wp
Price and performance of solar panels
Another issue that we have raised is the relationship between the price and
performance of a photovoltaic module and its duration, that is, its real life.
Regarding the price / performance ratio, a solar panel generates an amount of energy during its useful life in a specific installation which will depend on its efficiency and the degree of degradation it suffers. The higher the efficiency and the lower the annual degradation, the better the price / performance ratio will be. We will also have to take into consideration the manufacturer’s prestige, the highest peak power per square meter (Wp / m2) ratio and, of course, the type of panel.
The higher the efficiency and the lower the annual degradation, the better the price-performance ratio of a solar panel is
Regarding its duration, current solar panels offer a guarantee of 25-30 years for monocrystalline and 20-25 years for polycrystalline. It is also true that there are facilities that have been operating since the 1980s and have been in operation for 30 and 40 years, so in general, the real life of solar panels is unknown.
The 10 most efficient solar panels on the market
Below are the 10 highest quality solar panels on the market in terms of price / efficiency:
| 60 cells solar panels | Module Efficiency | Power | €/Wp | Guarantees | Price in €/Wp | ||||||
| 1. LG 365Q1C – A5 | 21,10% | 365W | 0,74 | 25 years guarantee of product | 270,10 € | ||||||
| 2. Sharp N U RC 300 | 18,30% | 300W | 0,44 | 10 years guarantee of product | 132,00 € | ||||||
| 3. Qcells Q-peak Duo | 18,70% | 315W | 0,44 | 12 years guarantee of product | 138,60 € | ||||||
| 4. Yingli YLM 60 Cell 40mm Series 290 | 17,90% | 290W | 0,37 | 10 years guarantee of product | 107,30 € | ||||||
| 5. LG MonoX PLUS A5 | 17,50% | 300W | 0,52 | 15 years guarantee of product | 156 € | ||||||
| 72 cells solar panels | |||||||||||
| 1. LG Neon 2 Bifacial N1T-A5 | 22% Frontal + 20% Trasera | 390W (hasta 507W) | 0,62 | 12 years guarantee of product | 241,80 € | ||||||
| 2. REC TP2S 72 | 17,70% | 350W | 0,44 | 12 years guarantee of product (Gold Partner AS Solar) | 154 € | ||||||
| 3. Yingli YLM 72 CELL 340 | 17,50% | 340W | 0,37 | 10 years guarantee of product | 125,80 € | ||||||
| 4. Atersa A-300M | 16,96% | 300W | 0,72 | 10 years guarantee of product | 216 € | ||||||
| 5. Jinko JKM315M-72 | 16,23% | 315W | 0,46 | 10 years guarantee of product | 144,90 € | ||||||
List classified by number of cells (60 and 72) and efficiency percentage of each of the panels.
This list highlights the excellent price of Yingli solar panels (0.37 € / Wp) and the highest performance of LG solar panels (up to 22%) in the type of 72 cells.
Collaboration in the technical writing: Moisés Labarquilla, Director of Operations and Innovation in GFM Fotovoltaica.
