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or nearly five decades, Panasonic has been a solar industry mainstay. Starting with amorphous solar modules, also known as thin-film solar panels, the Japanese company later shifted its focus to creating the innovative HIT modules they're now renowned for.
Despite being a household name in the solar panel industry, Panasonic shook things up in early 2021 with a big announcement - they were discontinuing the production of their solar panels and terminating their collaboration with Tesla for solar panel manufacturing at a facility in New York. As of 2023, any Panasonic solar panels on the market are produced by an external supplier, but the company continues producing its solar batteries and inverters at its factory in Japan.
Cutting-edge technology of Panasonic HIT solar panels
The Japanese manufacturer has emerged as a trailblazer in the field of heterojunction (or HIT) panel production. Panasonic solar cells boast a unique blend of crystalline and thin-film silicon technology - a crystalline silicon layer nestled between two layers of amorphous silicon.
While conventional solar panels are typically made with either monocrystalline or polycrystalline silicon, Panasonic's use of amorphous silicon makes manufacturing these solar cells a more cost-effective process. The result is an impressive increase in the efficiency and energy harvested by Panasonic HIT solar panels, making the company a leader in the solar energy industry.
The latest addition to Panasonic's solar panel family, the EverVolt series, employs an innovative technology that sets it apart from its predecessors: half-cut HIT solar cells. Simply put, these photovoltaic cells have been sliced in half to reduce heat loss and enhance their productivity.
Maximize energy efficiency with outdoor solar panels. Harness sunlight to power your home or business sustainably.
Panasonic's entire range of solar panels is hailed as high-efficiency units, with their HIT models boasting impressive conversion efficiencies of 19.1% to 20.3%. Yet, the EverVolt panels take it up a notch, pushing the bar even higher with efficiency ratings between 20% and 22.2%.
Peak sunlight hours refer to the time of day when the sun's intensity is highest, typically between 10 am and 2 pm, maximizing solar energy production.
Pricing details
The cost of setting up Panasonic HIT solar panels is estimated at $3.10 per watt. So, for a 6 kW system, the overall price will come to approximately $18,600 - that's before any deductions from tax credits or other incentives. Additionally, the price of their solar panels during sales can drop as low as $2.44. As a result, when compared to the typical cost range of $3-5 per watt for residential systems, Panasonic solar panels price can be considered budget-friendly.
Explore the concept of rapid shutdown in solar energy systems, an essential safety feature designed to mitigate electrical hazards during emergencies or maintenance. Delve into the technical aspects of rapid shutdown mechanisms and their role in ensuring the safety of solar installations.
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