1.What is shingled Solar Module
A shingled solar module is a type of photovoltaic module in which conventional solar cells are connected in a stacked fashion by some technique. To make a shingled solar panel, conventional solar cells are mainly cut into strips and then connected using a conductive adhesive to make them overlap, similar to stacking shingles on a roof. There are nos gaps between the solar cells connected in this way, allowing more cells to be assembled, which can effectively increase the output power.
2. Advantages of shingled Solar Modules
High efficiency: For traditional solar panels, the panels need to be separated by busbars or welding strips, which is a waste of space resources. Whereas, stacked solar panels have greater space utilization and access to more sunlight. Therefore, the efficiency of stacked-tile solar panels is higher.
Good mechanical properties: Compared with traditional solar panels, shingled panels are more resistant to pressure. The conductive adhesive used in the production of shingled solar panels also reduces the internal pressure due to thermal expansion, preventing it from harming the solar panels.
More aesthetically pleasing: Shingled solar panels do not have the visible circuitry that traditional solar panels have, but rather the circuitry is hidden underneath the panels, which effectively improves the aesthetics of the house.
Less energy loss: Shingled solar panels are connected in parallel, so when one cell is blocked by a tree or other object that prevents it from seeing light, the overall impact is not significant. On the contrary, if the solar panels are connected in series, then when a cell is blocked, it will cause a large power loss.
3. Disadvantages of shingled Solar Modules
High cost: Since the manufacturing process of stacked solar modules is more troublesome and a lot of environmentally friendly materials are used, its cost is also higher compared to conventional modules.
Difficulty in manufacturing technology: Shingled solar modules are made with low-temperature laser cutting and other technologies, which can reduce damage to the cells and improve mechanical properties, etc., but these technologies are not mature at present and may increase its production cost.
High requirements: In order to improve the performance as well as the service life of shingled solar panels, it is necessary to use some specific dispensing materials as well as conductive adhesives.
4. Differences between shingled solar panels and conventional solar panels
Connection: shingled solar panels are connected in parallel, while conventional solar panels are connected in series.
Mechanical properties: shingled solar panels are more resistant to external forces than traditional solar panels and are less likely to be damaged when wind and snow come.
Aesthetics: Traditional solar panels have multiple clearly visible circuits between panels, while shingled solar panels hide these circuits, making the whole more aesthetically pleasing.
High Battery Output: Traditional solar panels generally use a large number of busbars in order to increase efficiency, but these busbars will cover the battery and reduce the exposure of the battery, thus lowering the output rate of the battery. However, shingled solar panels do not need busbars, so it has a higher battery output rate.
5. Do you need a shingled solar module?
If you are going to install solar panels on your roof, then installing shingled solar panels will be a good choice as it will make your roof more aesthetically pleasing. However, the exact location and whether you want to install them or not will have to be chosen on a case-by-case basis.
