Photo voltaic panels are available numerous configurations — from smaller, 36-cell thin-film photo voltaic panels to bigger 72-cell monocrystalline choices.
The latter has gained traction over time, changing into one of many extra in style panel sizes for residential photo voltaic purposes.
As a home-owner seeking to put money into photo voltaic, having quite a few choices at your fingertips is unbelievable. Nonetheless, it could additionally muddy the waters and make the funding course of more difficult.
So, are 72-cell photo voltaic panels definitely worth the funding?
On this article, we assist you to decide whether or not these panels are the best alternative for you.
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What are 72-cell photo voltaic panels?
Because the identify implies, a 72-cell photo voltaic panel is solely a photo voltaic panel comprised of 72 particular person power conversion parts.
Let’s take a better have a look at the function and make-up of those cells.
What are photo voltaic cells?
When you look carefully at a photo voltaic panel, you’ll discover it incorporates a number of particular person square-shaped parts. These square-shaped parts are referred to as photo voltaic cells.
A photo voltaic cell is a part answerable for absorbing daylight and changing it into power.
Whereas the variety of photo voltaic cells in a panel can affect the quantity of power it could produce, different key components, akin to cell effectivity, play a fair larger function.
Though there are at present many alternative photo voltaic cell sizes, the usual measurement of a photo voltaic cell is 156 mm by 156 mm (roughly 6 inches lengthy by 6 inches large).
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The typical measurement of a 72-Cell photo voltaic panel
A 72-cell photo voltaic panel is organized in a 6 x 12-cell grid configuration, whereas the extra widespread 60-cell photo voltaic panel follows a 6 x 10-cell design.
Realizing the grid configuration of a 72-cell photo voltaic panel and the
dimensions of a typical photo voltaic cell, we are able to decide the common sizes of a 72-cell photo voltaic panel: roughly 39 in large x 77 in lengthy (99 cm large and 195 cm lengthy).
Evaluating photo voltaic panels: variety of photo voltaic cells
On account of their smaller measurement, 60-cell panels are a extra widespread alternative for residential purposes or in RVs and campervans. The facility output of those panels ranges from 150W to 300W.
Due to this fact, a 72-cell photo voltaic panel might fit your scenario higher in case you have the house and require extra energy. For reference, a 72-cell photo voltaic panel’s wattage normally ranges between 300W and 450W.
As for 96-cell photo voltaic panels, they’re much bigger, so they have an inclination to generate a larger quantity of energy (between 400W to 500W of energy).
On account of its giant measurement and heavy weight, a 96-cell photo voltaic panel just isn’t a sensible possibility for residential purposes. Nonetheless, it’s extremely efficient for industrial purposes like photo voltaic farms.
| Variety of Cells in Photo voltaic Panel | Wattage Vary | Common Dimensions |
|---|---|---|
| 60 cells | 200W to 300W | 65″ lengthy and 39″ large |
| 72 cells | 300W to 450W | 77″ lengthy and 39″ large |
| 96 cells | 400W to 550W | 77″ lengthy and 50″ large |
What about voltage and wattage?
Every customary photo voltaic cell produces round 0.5 volts. When linked in sequence, the panel’s whole voltage equals the sum of every cell’s voltage.
Due to this fact, the open circuit voltage of a 72-cell photo voltaic panel is 36V:
Whole Voltage (V) = 72 cells x 0.5 V = 36 V
Following the identical logic, a 60-cell photo voltaic panel can produce as much as 30 volts (open circuit voltage), so its nominal voltage is inadequate to cost a 24V battery effectively.
Conversely, 72-cell photo voltaic panels are often known as “24V nominal photo voltaic panels” since their voltage is good for charging a 24V battery or two 12V batteries wired in sequence.
As for the amperage, it’s straight proportional to the measurement of the photo voltaic cells — that’s, the realm of the semiconductor. Due to this fact, bigger photo voltaic cells have a tendency to provide extra amps than standard-sized cells.
In abstract, the wattage of a photo voltaic panel is straight proportional to the variety of photo voltaic cells (determines voltage) and the scale of the photo voltaic cells (determines amperage).
How a lot does a 72-Cell photo voltaic panel value?
Our analysis has proven that costs can vary between $380 and $600, with the common value being $490.
That stated, the price of a 72-cell photo voltaic panel can range considerably and relies on components akin to:
- Set up value
- Producer/model
- Know-how (monocrystalline, polycrystalline, thin-film)
- Wattage
Relying on the scale of your photo voltaic array, prices can add up rapidly, so be certain to issue them into your price range when deciding whether or not or to not put money into 72-cell photo voltaic panels.
Execs and cons of 72-cell photo voltaic panels
As with all issues in life, 72-cell photo voltaic panels include their execs and cons.
Execs
- Able to producing extra electrical energy than customary 60-cell panels with the identical effectivity ranges.
- Nice for bigger properties or companies.
- Require fewer panels than 60-cell modules to realize the identical power output.
- Sometimes, the worth per watt might be lower than 60-cell photo voltaic panels.
- Cheaper to put in on a big scale.
Cons
- Normally costlier than 60-cells photo voltaic panels.
- Require extra space for set up
- Transport and set up might be troublesome on account of their heavy weight.
- Not advisable for off-grid installations akin to RVs and campervans.
- Their cumbersome nature could make them troublesome to maneuver on a roof.
- Not environment friendly for small-scale programs.
Are 72-cell photo voltaic panels definitely worth the funding?
Whether or not 72-cell photo voltaic panels are worthy investments relies on your particular person wants and price range.
If in case you have sufficient house and want a system that may generate a considerable amount of power, then 72-cell photo voltaic panels will make for an excellent funding.
Nonetheless, a smaller panel — akin to a 60-cell variant — could also be a greater possibility for those who’re pressed for house and don’t require as a lot energy. This is applicable to off-grid programs (RVs, campervans, and many others.) and smaller homes.
It’s additionally value remembering that different photo voltaic panels, akin to half-cut cell photo voltaic panels, could also be higher suited to your wants.
So do your analysis and contemplate all of your choices earlier than making a choice.
Are photo voltaic panels with extra cells superior?
Typically talking, photo voltaic panels with extra cells are extra environment friendly and might generate extra electrical energy than these with fewer cells.
Nonetheless, different, extra important components play a job, akin to:
- Cell measurement
- Cell sort
- Effectivity
- Value per watt
In the end, photo voltaic panels with greater than 72 cells aren’t viable for residential use: they’re too giant and too heavy for roof set up and price extra.
Nonetheless, for large-scale/industrial purposes, panels with greater than 72 cells are normally a greater possibility, as fewer modules are required to realize the specified output.
Due to this fact, the general value of constructing bigger photo voltaic arrays might be considerably smaller utilizing photo voltaic panels with extra cells.
Ultimate ideas
If it is advisable to generate a considerable amount of power and have sufficient house for set up, a 72-cell photo voltaic panel could be a nice alternative.
Nonetheless, for those who’re on a decent price range and/or your power demand just isn’t that top, a smaller and cheaper panel could also be a greater possibility.
We hope this text has helped you make an knowledgeable choice as as to whether 72-cell photo voltaic panels are the best alternative for you.
If in case you have any questions concerning the topic, attain out to us within the remark part beneath or observe us on Twitter.
