Solar Cells Info

by Gina Roos, Green SupplyLine, Dallas, Texas, 14 October 2008
Source: EETimes, com
http://www.eetimes.com/news/latest/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=211200560

Sanyo Energy (U.S.A.) Corp., a subsidiary of Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd., has introduced the HIT Power series of solar panels based on the company’s proprietary Heterojunction with Intrinsic Thin-layer (HIT) technology.  Designed to replace the previous HIT series, the new hybrid solar panels, with uniquely structured cells, feature technological improvements including higher conversion efficiency, less vulnerability to high temperatures and enhanced construction that make the panels among the most efficient in the solar market, said the company.

The HIT Power panels offer enhanced materials for higher heat performance, including areas with monthly average high temperatures up to 115°F. HIT Power’s black frame depth has been increased to 1.8-inches to make it more robust and an inside ledge has been added to enable installers to tuck and clip away cables for clean wire management. The new inner ledge also feature two pre-drilled ground holes and four mounting holes to ease installation.

For added safety, the solar panels have been upgraded with USE2 cables with increased insulation and MC4 locking connectors. The series’ limited warranty has also been increased from two years to five years, and the static load capability has been increased from 50 PSF to 60 PSF.

These solar panels operate silently; have no moving parts and are among the lightest in the industry, according to the company. In addition, unique eco-packaging minimizes cardboard packaging waste and the packing density of the solar panels helps reduce transportation, fuel and storage costs per installed watt.

The HIT Power series uses 4 inch (104mm) HIT solar cells. Starting in Spring 2009, Sanyo will add more models that will use 5 inch (125mm) HIT solar cells.  The hybrid HIT solar cells are composed of single crystalline silicon wafers surrounded by ultra-thin amorphous silicon layers. The unique structure minimizes defects within the p/n junction of the cell, producing highly efficient cells capable of achieving up to 22.3% light-conversion efficiency, enabling maximum power generation per square foot, according to the company.

HIT cells are also said to offer superior temperature characteristics compared to conventional crystalline silicon cells, resulting in 10% (or more) energy produced at higher temperatures compared to standard silicon solar panels. All HIT Power solar panels come with a 100% power guarantee at the time of purchase.

The solar panels are available now in North America via Sanyo’s authorized representatives — SunWize, Conergy, and Focused Energy.