8 Major Raw Materials Used for Making Solar Panels

We all know the importance of renewable energy sources like solar energy, right? They help us reduce our carbon footprint and harness the power of the sun to generate electricity. But do you know how this solar energy is produced? It all starts with a combination of different raw materials, each playing a crucial role in creating a solar panel.

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit ORIENT.

In this blog, we will learn about the different raw materials for solar panels, and what is their importance in converting sunlight into electricity.

List of Raw Materials used to make Solar Panels

A solar panel is made of different raw materials like frames, glass, backsheets, and others. Each of the raw materials for solar panels plays an important role in generating electricity.

Here are the eight essential components that make up a solar PV module:

1. Aluminum Alloy Frames

Regarding solar panels, we usually consider the most fundamental raw materials: the solar cells that gather sunlight and convert it into energy. However, there is another important part: its frame. Made of aluminum, these frames really help to protect your solar panels. They cover the panels from moisture, which might be a major problem should it enter. They provide appropriate drainage, therefore avoiding the pooling of water at edges and damage.

Why is it important?

Durability: Aluminum frames are durable enough to withstand severe weather, including heavy rains, strong winds, and even hailstorms. Reliably protecting the delicate solar cells and other components inside, the sturdy metal frame won’t readily deform, split, or sustain damage.

Corrosion Resistance: Aluminum is perfect for outdoor applications since it does not rust. The metal frames of your solar panels will remain in excellent condition for a long time, regardless of the weather conditions.

2. Silicon Gel

Silicon gel is used as a sealant in solar panels. It is great for use outside because it bonds well and is exceptionally resistant to chemicals, water, and bad weather. By gluing and binding the fused glass PV modules, silicon gel makes sure that solar panels are strong and work well. One of its main jobs is to bond the junction box and backsheet together, which also makes the solar panels more resistant to ultraviolet light.

Why is it important?

Extreme Weather Durability: The solar panel works well in a wide range of conditions because it can handle high temperatures and UV rays.

UV Protection: Silicon gel makes solar panels more resistant to ultraviolet light, which helps them work better and last longer.

3. Tempered Glass

Tempered glass, especially low iron tempered glass, which is also known as “white glass,” is what solar panels are made of. Solar cells work best with light wavelengths between 320 and nm. This type of glass is specially made to let the most light through in this range, and it does so with a success rate of over 93%. Also, it does a good job of reflecting IR light above nm. Since this glass doesn’t let ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun through, the amount of light that gets through will stay the same.

Why is it important?

High Light Transmission: As more sunlight can pass through due to the low iron content, the solar cells are more effective. For more sunlight to be turned into electricity, this high transfer rate is necessary.

Durability and Strength: Due to its amazing strength, tempered glass is much less likely to break or receive hits than regular glass.

Safety: In the rare event that it breaks, tempered glass shatters into small, flat pieces rather than shards. Tempered glass is a better choice for solar panels than other materials because it is safer and less likely to break.

UV Resistance: A material’s ability to block ultraviolet light from the sun keeps it from breaking down or becoming see-through. This guarantees that the solar panel will work well and last a long time.

4. EVA Encapsulation Film

A thin, see-through plastic called ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) encapsulating film is used to protect the photovoltaic cells inside solar panels. A layer made of this mixture of ethylene and vinyl acetate, which works like hot melt glue, holds the cells together very well. The EVA film protects the solar cells from outside factors that could damage their electrical performance. This is important for keeping the cells’ integrity and function.

Why is it important?

Enhanced Light Transmission: Since EVA film is very clear, it lets more light reach the solar cells, which makes the photovoltaic module work better overall.

Durability: As EVA can handle both high and low temperatures and humidity, cells that are enclosed will stay safe and work for a long time.

Strong Adhesion: The film sticks the back sheet, toughened glass, and solar cells together properly, which makes the whole solar panel strong.

Environmental Protection: The solar cells are protected from dust, water, and other things that could make them less effective by being wrapped in clear EVA.

Improved Electrical Performance: EVA film keeps the solar cells in the best possible conditions, which increases the electrical output and total performance of photovoltaic modules.

5. Photovoltaic Welding Tape

PV welding tape, which is also known as tinned copper strip, is one of the most raw materials for solar panels. The two main categories are busbars and interconnection strips.

Interconnection strips link the solar cells on a screen to each other. As important as they are for collecting current from solar cells, they also carry it. So that the electrical energy that each cell makes can be moved and increased, they join the cells in a certain way.

On the other hand, busbars link the strings of solar cells together. They send the electricity that the solar cells that are joined together make into the junction box. From the junction box, the electricity is either sent to an inverter or straight into the power grid, depending on how the system is set up.

Why is it important?

Reliable Current Collection: The energy that solar cells make is collected and used efficiently through busbars and connecting strips, which also collect and direct the current.

Efficient Electrical Conductivity: The tinned copper that is used to make solar welding tape is very good at conducting electricity, so it can send electricity quickly and easily. This keeps the energy loss as low as possible while current flows through the busbars from the solar cells to the junction box.

6. Solar Cells

There is a device called a solar cell that directly changes the energy of light into electricity. Semiconductors are used in its building. When sunlight hits the P-N junction, it ignites the pairs of electrons and holes. In this area, the electrostatic field divides the pairs. The electrons and holes are then sent out of the cell as an electric current through the electrodes.

Why are they important?

Energy Conversion: Solar cells, especially those made from high-quality silicon, have a high energy conversion efficiency. This maximizes solar panel energy production by converting a significant amount of sunlight into usable power.

Minimal Maintenance: Once put in place, solar cells need minimal maintenance. Usually enough to maintain the panels running effectively is regular cleaning and sporadic inspections, therefore lowering running expenses and effort for owners of solar energy systems.

7. Backsheet

Laminated onto the rear of solar panels, back sheets—also called photovoltaic back sheets—are made of high-quality raw materials. Usually including many layers of polymers and other materials chosen for their electrical insulating qualities, weather resistance, and longevity, the backsheets often include PET (polyethylene terephthalate), Kynar (KPX), and Tedlar (TPX).

Why are they important?

Mechanical Protection: Backsheets shield solar cells from collision, dust, moisture, and other physical harm. The structural integrity of the solar panel is preserved throughout its operating lifespan with the help of this protection.

For more Raw Material For Solar Panelinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.

Explore more:
What Are the Benefits of a Manual Electrostatic Spray Gun?

Electrical Insulation: The solar cells and other parts of the panel are electrically insulated by backsheets. By isolating the solar cells from the panel’s frame and other electrically conducting components, this insulation keeps the system running safely and reduces the likelihood of short circuits.

Thermal Management: To help in the dissipation of heat from the solar panel, some backsheets are engineered with high infrared emissivity. The efficiency and lifespan of the solar cells are improved by these thermal management capabilities, which lowers their working temperature.

8. Junction Box

An essential part of photovoltaic modules, the junction box allows current to be transmitted. It is engineered to fulfill certain standards for electrical performance, mechanical strength, heat dissipation, resistance to corrosion, and weather endurance. For the junction box to function optimally and safely in a range of environments without posing harm to humans or the environment, its size and design are critical.

Why are they Important?

Electrical Safety: Junction boxes are specifically designed to prioritize safety by offering insulation and safeguarding against electrical shocks and short circuits. They improve system safety by preventing exposure to live electrical components.

Mechanical Protection: Junction boxes provide mechanical support and security for the electrical connections inside the solar panel. They prevent installation, handling, or environmental variables from physically damaging sensitive components.

Conclusion

At Vishakha Renewables, we take great pride in being your one-stop destination for raw materials for solar panels. We offer a wide range of products, such as high-performance encapsulants, durable backsheets, reliable junction boxes, and more. We put innovation, sustainability, and quality at the top of our list of priorities, so you can be sure that the solar energy systems you buy from us will be the best and last a long time. With high-quality raw materials, Vishakha Renewables can help you build the foundation for your solar projects. This way, you can use green energy in an efficient and effective way.

FAQs

Is silver used on solar panels?

Due to its exceptional electrical conductivity, silver allows effective collection and conversion of sunlight into power. About 3.2 to 8 grams per m2, the typical solar panel has 0.643 ounces (20 grams) of silver.

What are the major components used for making solar panels?

A typical solar panel comprises a glass enclosure, a metal frame, a layer of silicon cells, and different wiring to let current pass from the silicon cells. A non-metal with conductive qualities, silicon can gather sunlight and turn it into electricity.

Why is tempered glass used in solar panels?

Solar panels get covered protection and safety shield with tempered glass. Made either thermally or chemically, tempered glass—also referred to as safety glass or toughened glass—is Some features of tempered glass make it a suitable material for solar PV panels.

What is inside a solar panel?

A solar panel consists of solar cells. To produce silicon ingot, P-type or n-type solar cells combine gallium, boron, or gallium, with crystalline silicon. Phosphorus added to the mixture lets the cells conduct electricity. The silicon ingot is then sliced thinly and covered with an anti-reflective coating.

Why does your business need solar?

For starters, with solar, you can save money on energy costs, capture the tax benefits, and help the planet simultaneously. When you turn on a light switch or computer at work, where does the energy come from? Do you consider the environmental and downstream impact of energy production? How can your company lead by example and offset or mitigate the effect of its current energy use? Rather than externalizing this and the impacts of current energy production, why not make your energy from your roof or parking lot? Most of us have considered or installed solar on our homes.

Meanwhile, a business’s usage has a much larger carbon footprint and more available incentives for companies to benefit from switching to solar. While more and more businesses are looking to reduce environmental impacts, becoming B-corps or doing lifecycle analysis on their products and inputs. While looking for ways to hedge the ecological impact of their businesses, one of the easiest ways of doing this may be using unused roof space for solar or covering the parking lot with solar carports.

When is the best time to add solar to your business or place of work?

Much like “the best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago, the second-best time is now,” solar follows the same logic in many ways. There are currently significant incentives like tax advantages. Over the years, technology has improved tremendously, causing the prices of panels and equipment to plummet. The drop in cost has also led to public awareness of renewable energy, influencing business leaders to decrease their carbon footprint and take responsibility for their environmental impacts.

The costs of installing solar have come down substantially, and the recent financing options have made commercial solar one of the best investments available. A business can eliminate an unsustainable and rising cost (kWh usage and electricity rates) with a sustainable and fixed price, allowing them to have free energy from the sun. Commercial solar arrays often have a 3–5-year ROI and will last 30-50+ years.

 With the price of panels coming down around 87% in the past decade due manufacturing and production scaling up, while efficiencies have improved. For example, when I started working in solar, panel efficiencies were around 17%, and now panels generally are about 21% efficient (the amount of the light spectrum captured by the panels).

While recently the price of raw materials has been increasing (largely silicone, semiconductors, steel, aluminum, glass, and wiring), this is an offset. The technological improvements hedge these increases as efficiencies increase output, meaning we need fewer panels today to offset energy use. This results in fewer panels, racking, wiring, and installation time. Often the return on investment depends on the size of the array, the local utility’s interconnection approval process, and local permitting (the larger the system, the shorter the ROI). There is, however, no ROI in continuing to pay rising electric bills. Many systems will last 30-50 years, and while many warranties on panels are 25-30 years on productions, panels continue to work well past their warrantied life. As energy costs rise, as they usually do around 3.5% a year, the business is constantly being charged more for energy. With solar, you can lock in a fixed financing cost, capture the incentives, and often start saving money on day one.

There are several incentives to help businesses transition to a clean energy future. The first is the Federal Tax Credit or the ITC. The ITC is a dollar-for-dollar credit against Federal Taxes paid and is currently a 26% credit from the cost of the system. The ITC is stepping down and is scheduled to decrease to 22% next year, 10% the following year, and then be phased out. This phase-out is a great time to capture this tax credit incentive.

While I am not a tax professional and every tax situation is different, a business can also deprecate the solar array. This has traditionally been an accelerated depreciation schedule, a 5.5-year schedule, or MACRS deprecation. Currently, for the remainder of this year, this can be taken as bonus deprecation or 100% upfront the first year, which doesn’t include half of the ITC. So, for instance, at a 26% ITC a business could deprecation 87% of the cost of the array.

If you work in a public building like a school or a church without a tax appetite, you could still go solar! But instead, through using a finance product like a PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) or a lease, companies are formed to capture the tax credits, pay the energy bill, and gift the system to the school or church. These organizations will then save money on energy costs with no money upfront and can simultaneously help the environment. After a set period, they are generally gifted or can buy out the system for pennies on the dollar. Lastly, some utilities, states, and cities have additional incentives. While in significant energy use situations, there may be savings on power factor, and peak load charges. This is all on top of Net Metering or Net Billing, where a company will get paid based on what they are charged for excess production. In rural locations, there are potentially additional grants available as well. There are several reasons to add solar to your place of business, and it could mean considerable savings in energy costs, tax incentives, and increased public awareness of the environmental efforts of your company or workplace.

Over the years, I’ve heard a few common misconceptions regarding solar technology, so let’s dispel some of the common ones:

1) The technology will improve, and I will wait for the next best thing.

While there are wildly successful lab tests reaching excellent results on efficiency, the panels increase about .25-.5% in efficiency every year. However, waiting will never come close to hedging the rising cost of energy, the lost revenue to energy expenditures, or the loss in the Federal Tax Credit stepping down 4%(or the loss in bonus depreciation).

2) Solar shutdowns in a grid outage.

While the above statement is generally true, a traditional solar array will shut itself off for safety to not back feed and electrocute line works repairing the grid or rather the electrical equipment. The number and duration of blackouts have been decreasing every year, and often when blackouts occur, there is minimal sun for production during these events. Line worker safety is far more important than the little missed production in a severe weather event, where blackouts generally originate. There are ways to avoid shutdowns in a grid outage scenario that can be done with batteries (which often involves islanding the system), backup generators, or recently released new inverter technologies.

3) Solar panels are environmentally hazardous and will end up in landfills.

Many companies have recycling plans in place. However, they have not had enough panels to ramp up recycling programs where the materials are mainly recyclable and are done efficiently in more mature solar markets worldwide. Over the years, the US has lagged in solar adoption, causing a lack of recyclable aging panels. This is also due to the lifespan of these panels being 30-50+ years. However, every month new companies arise that specialize in recycling panels.

In closing, we currently have the technologies needed to mitigate and reverse climate change; however, we need massive adoption and a shift away from externalizing environmental impacts and our businesses taking responsibility for the effects on the environment. Solar decarbonizes energy production and stabilizes the grid by feeding energy into the grid throughout the system. Solar production is during peak energy load usage, which is the most expensive energy load to produce (the most significant energy production is on sunny days while people use AC).

While conservation is the cleanest form of energy, I often suggest having a building energy audit. For example, converting to LED lighting and with your new lower energy usage sizing an array to offset your reduced energy consumption. We can calculate this and size according and consult on LED lighting as well.

If you are interested in seeing how you could save your business money on energy costs while helping the environment, let us know, and we can offer a free consultation.

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Poly Solar Cell.