How They Work
If a solar cell is cut in half, it will produce half as much current and one fourth as much resistance.
However, there’ll be used a double quantity of cells. So, if they are wired up to operate like a standard solar panel, the current would be the same but with half the resistance. This lower resistance reduces electrical losses and improves panel efficiency. Thus half-cut cells divides the internal current in the system and improves its performance, longevity and shade tolerance. As power loss is proportional to current, half-cut solar panels reduce the power loss by a factor of 4 which increases the power output.
Superior price performance
It not only cuts the cells in half but also slashes the overall cost of a solar system, ensuring lower LCOE ( Levelized Cost of Energy ). Modules with half-cut solar cells have the potential for quicker payback periods as compared to any traditional counterparts. Particularly for sites where shadow cast and limited area are the main constraining elements, it makes the installation even more worth the upfront cost. It is a cost-effective solution where you do not have to compromise on the quality and output.
Shade Tolerance
A conventional solar panel typically contains 60 numbers of 0.5V solar cells wired up in series. Voltages add in series, so the 60 cells solar panel operates at 30V. If half cut cells were wired together as in a standard panel, they would produce half the current and twice the voltage (see image below). This would not be appreciated by manufacturers of solar inverters who trying to stay within the standards for residential solar voltage.
Less hot spots
When one solar cell in a panel cell string is shaded, all the preceding unshaded cells can dump the energy they produce into the first shaded cell as heat.
This creates a hot spot that can potentially damage the solar panel if it lasts for a long time. Twice as many panel cell strings means only half as much heat. The lower heat production should be less damaging to the panel so there would be an improvement in resistance to hot spot damage and increases the module longevity.
Shade Tolerance
In twin cell panels, the bypass diodes restrict the loss of power from the shaded portion instead of the entire panel. It creates a substitute path for the current to travel in the unshaded part and avoids the current to pass through the shaded part. It reduces the effect of shading and increases its performance in partial shadow.
Reduced power loss
Resistive losses are one of the reasons for the power loss in the solar system. To fight this issue, twin cell panels enhance the current transport in the panel. The 5-bar bus design restricts the movement of electrons in the circuit, which increases the transmission and reduces the power of internal resistance. Due to this, the rate of resistive losses is way too low.
Conclusion
Half Cut panel is bringing more advantages over the Full Size clastic panel.