Ph.D. in Chemistry, École Polytechnique
Jan 24, 2023
Since 2015, Tesla Vitality — a subsidiary of Tesla Inc. — has been growing and putting in photo voltaic panels within the U.S. Nonetheless, the photo voltaic panels that Tesla makes use of stay a thriller to many.
On this article, we shed some mild on the matter by discussing the know-how behind Tesla’s photo voltaic panels and detailing the place they’re manufactured.
Moreover, we consider the standard of Tesla photo voltaic panels and decide in the event that they’re price your hard-earned money.
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What photo voltaic panel know-how does Tesla use?
Though Tesla Vitality has operated since 2015, it doesn’t personal its photo voltaic panel core know-how.
Tesla makes use of all-black monocrystalline photo voltaic panels with a black anodized aluminum alloy body from Q Cells by Hanwha, a Korean firm. Traditionally, Q Cells is a German photo voltaic panel producer; it was purchased out of chapter by Hanwha in 2012.
Nonetheless, the phrase on the road is that Tesla ceaselessly modifications the kind of photo voltaic panels they use for residential installations.
Tesla offers little or no info about its photo voltaic panels. Regardless of this, we recognized two major kinds of photo voltaic panels the corporate makes use of in its PV arrays: the H-series and the S-series. Each fashions are Q Cells photo voltaic panels rebranded by Tesla.
These two photo voltaic panel collection additionally use the identical smooth design with a low profile, hid edge, and no seen grid.
Though Tesla could be very discreet concerning the photo voltaic panel know-how they use, we had been in a position to determine the next three main options:
- Half-cut cells.
- Cut up panel design.
- Monocrystalline silicon PERC know-how.
Half-cut cells know-how and break up panel design
The half-cut cell know-how gives a number of benefits over conventional photo voltaic cells, together with:
- Low vitality loss.
- Elevated energy output.
- Elevated sturdiness.
Each photo voltaic panel is product of an meeting of photo voltaic cells. These photo voltaic cells are usually 6 x 6 inches. Nonetheless, half-cut cell know-how slices photo voltaic cells in half (3 x 3 inches). On this state of affairs, the photo voltaic panel is wired in two halves — a break up panel design.
A 3×3 inch half-cut photo voltaic cell lowers resistive vitality loss as the electrical present doesn’t must journey as far. This leads to a 3% energy improve vs. conventional photo voltaic cells. Moreover, it shortens the gap between the photo voltaic cell busbars resulting in an extra 1% energy improve.
Lastly, half-cut photo voltaic cells are extra sturdy than common photo voltaic cells.
The break up panel design reduces the loss because of partial shading. If one-half of the photo voltaic panel is shaded, the second half will nonetheless work at its full potential.
Monocrystalline silicon PERC know-how in Tesla photo voltaic panels
Tesla makes use of monocrystalline know-how for its photo voltaic panels — the main photo voltaic tech that boasts an 85% market share.
In brief, monocrystalline photo voltaic cells are product of a single silicon crystal that provides them a smooth black look. These photo voltaic cells are free from defects; subsequently, the electrons can transfer freely, lowering losses vs. a polycrystalline photo voltaic panel.
Typical monocrystalline photo voltaic cells have effectivity ranges above 20%, surpassing polycrystalline panels’ 15%-17%.
PERC know-how in Tesla photo voltaic panels
PERC stands for “Passivated Emitter and Rear Cell.” This know-how helps photo voltaic cells recuperate extra photons.
When photons hit a photo voltaic panel’s floor, they’re absorbed and transformed into electrons by the photo voltaic cell’s lively layer (silicon). Nonetheless, the effectivity of a business photo voltaic panel is just round 20%. In different phrases, 80% of the photons usually are not transformed into electrons and can’t transfer via the silicon photo voltaic cell.
PERC know-how displays these “misplaced” photons into the photo voltaic cell.
Very like each enchancment in photo voltaic know-how, the beneficial properties are minimal. On this case, there’s a rise in effectivity of roughly 2% in comparison with conventional photo voltaic panels.
That mentioned, over time, you’ll discover that improve leads to a major distinction in electrical energy manufacturing.
Word to our readers: In 2021, Tesla introduced that it might begin producing its personal photo voltaic panels. Nonetheless, as of December 2022, Tesla continues to be utilizing Q Cells know-how.
The place are Tesla photo voltaic panels manufactured?
Tesla photo voltaic panels are manufactured by Hanwha Q Cell amenities in China, Malaysia, South Korea, and the U.S. (Dalton, Georgia). Their manufacturing facility in Dalton, Georgia, is predicted to succeed in greater than 3GW — produced yearly — in 2023.
The one photo voltaic product Tesla manufactures within the U.S. is its photo voltaic roof, product of photo voltaic tiles/shingles.
Are Tesla photo voltaic panels prime quality?
Tesla makes use of photo voltaic panel know-how produced by Hanwha Q Cells, one of many market’s leaders. Their photo voltaic panels are made to the very best high quality commonplace.
Though Tesla doesn’t absolutely disclose their photo voltaic panel specs, we recognized two primary fashions: the H-series and the S-series.
We’ve summarized their specs beneath:
| Photo voltaic Panel Mannequin | Effectivity | Temperature Coefficient | Guarantee | 25-year Efficiency Guarantee | Measurement With Body | Peak Energy Output |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T395H | 20.1% | -0.33%/°C | 25 years | 86% | 74.4″x41.2″x1.57″ | 395W |
| T400H | 20.4% | -0.33%/°C | 25 years | 86% | 74.4″x41.2″x1.57″ | 400W |
| T405H | 20.6% | -0.33%/°C | 25 years | 86% | 74.4″x41.2″x1.57″ | 405W |
| T420S | 19.3% | -0.34%/°C | 25 years | 85% | 82.4″x40.9″x1.57″ | 420W |
| T425S | 19.6% | -0.34%/°C | 25 years | 85% | 82.4″x40.9″x1.57″ | 425W |
| T430S | 19.8% | -0.34%/°C | 25 years | 85% | 82.4″x40.9″x1.57″ | 430W |
In the event you evaluate the standard and efficiency of Tesla’s photo voltaic panels to different tier-1 producers, you’ll discover that Tesla’s photo voltaic panels are fairly common. Its S collection photo voltaic panels have an effectivity of 19.3% – 19.8%, whereas its H collection panels have an effectivity of 20.1% – 20.6%
In distinction, SunPower gives photo voltaic panels with an effectivity of twenty-two.8%, whereas Chinese language firms, similar to JASolar, have effectivity ranges above 21%.
Tesla’s 25-year guarantee can be a typical within the business. The very best photo voltaic panels include 30-year warranties (Solaria). The truth is, SunPower Maxeon panels boast a whopping 40-year guarantee.
Truthfully, what makes Tesla photo voltaic panels stand out in opposition to their competitors is their elegant, all-black design. As well as, their zep mounting system permits for seamless rooftop integration.
Are Tesla photo voltaic panels price it?
If Tesla photo voltaic panels are not the very best available on the market, you may marvel if they’re price it.
In our opinion, they’re price it as they’re very inexpensive.
Though Tesla is thought for its costly electrical automobiles, its photo voltaic panels are one of many most cost-effective available on the market. Their price is round $2.3/kW (earlier than the federal photo voltaic tax credit score), that’s decrease than the common price of $2.86/kW within the US.
As well as, Tesla gives a value match assure on eligible photo voltaic panel methods.
Maybe, the one detrimental level is the dearth of flexibility of their photo voltaic system configuration; you’ll solely have the selection between a 4.80 kW, 9.60 kW, or 14.40 kW system.
Closing ideas
In 2022, regardless of its bulletins, Tesla continues to be outsourcing its photo voltaic panels from Q cells. It advantages from all of the technological benefits of an already established photo voltaic firm, one of many market’s leaders.
Tesla doesn’t disclose a lot about its photo voltaic panel’s specs. Nonetheless, we discovered that their efficiency ranges are common in comparison with different prime photo voltaic firms.
We imagine Tesla photo voltaic panels stand out for his or her all-black, low-profile design and lower cost.
In the event you’re seeking to purchase Tesla photo voltaic panels, we encourage you to ask for the mannequin’s title and specification sheet as a way to evaluate them to different photo voltaic methods available on the market.
