Solar panel manufacturing companies are competing to introduce advanced and upgraded versions of the technology. The prime concerns of these companies are the improvement in efficiency and gradual switch over of solar panels. Currently, several research projects are engaged in finding the next-generation solar cell materials. Their research aims primarily focuses to improve the output and trim down the degradation time.
The most common technology used in solar panels is P-type. Solar manufacturing companies have been started the production of N-type panel a few years back, however, it is not widely used for residential purpose. Now the scenario has changed and the solar installation companies are started using N-type panels for residential purposes also.
The technology used and advantages of N-Type Solar Panel
The major distinction between the N-Type and P-Type panels is in its making. P-type is coated in a base layer of boron that makes the base positive whereas the N-Type has a negative base, being dosed in phosphorus.
The negative base gives many advantages to the N-Type panels. In terms of performance, N-type solar panels can assure improved efficiency compared to standard P-type solar panels. Besides that the lower degradation rate of N-type technology is an added benefit. N-type cells have excellent resistance to light-induced degradation (LID). In addition to that it shows a first rate performance at higher temperatures. The more attractive factor is that N-type guarantee greater and trust worthier efficiency in the long run, as well as longer power warranties. N-type panels come with 410W to 425W instead of standard 370W. Hence, these panles would be an ideal option to overcome the limited roof space. Furthermore, N-type solar cells are less prone to metallic impurities and other defects, such as boron-oxygen defects.
Warranty of N-type solar panels
The lower degradation rate and improved technology of N-Type panels makes the durable compared to P-Type, with warranty increases offered by most of the N-Type panel manufacturers. For example, Jinko’s 370W P-Type offers 12 years of warranty while 20 years for the N-Type with an increase of over 60%. The power degradation guarantee is also offers for long term. N-type panel usually has thirty years of power degradation guarantee whereas 25 years offered for the P-Type.
Are N-type solar panels are expensive?
N-type panels offer longer warranty and better output, however, these panels are much expensive than standard P-type panels. Premium solar installers in Australia are providing N-type panels at a slightly higher prices. It is always better to compare the packages and select packages according to your requirements.
Which Companies are providing N-type solar panels?
Trina and Jinko are the providers N-type panels.
The increasing demand in the market leads Trina Solar to develop N-type technology. The demand for N-type is mainly coming from solar farm developers who use the N-type bi-facial modules in conjunction with solar tracker mounting. Their ultimate target is to get maximum efficiency, thus N-type bifacial cell technology offers an ideal choice as the technology improves efficiency on both the front and back sides of the panels.
Trina Solar has introduced new N-type solar panels for commercial and utility solar projects called i-TopCon. Vertex S+ are another N-type panel for residential installations.
Below are the main attractions of Vertex S+ Panels
- Up to 30% additional power gain from back side depending on the reflection of sunlight
- Lower temp co-efficient (-0.35%) and NMOT bring more energy leading to lower LCOE
- Better anti-shading performance and lower operating temperature
- Resistance to Salt, Ammonia, acid, etc.
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Tiger Neo is the latest N-type panel from Jinko Solar. The company claims that these modules are ultra-efficiency panels. Jiko Solar’s Tiger Neo panels are coming with a product warranty of 15 years and 30 years of linear power warranty. Durability during the extreme weather condition is another specialty of this module
