Do Half-cut Solar Panels Actually Work?

Half-cut solar panels are exactly what they sound like. They’re simply just solar panels that have been cut in half. These solar panels have 120 solar cells instead of the traditional 60 solar cells to make up for the fact that its half of a regular sized solar panel. So, what on earth is the advantage of having a solar panel that’s cut in half and why on earth would anyone want to go this route? Keep reading this article to learn more about why half-cut solar panels are actually very beneficial.

Half-cut Solar Panels Provide Better Shade Resistance

One of the reasons so many people have started switching to half-cut solar panels is because of the additional shade resistance they are able to provide. Because of how these panels are wired together, they end up being wired together in a way that makes a 6 string panel. This type of panel wiring, in turn, achieves a 30V. A 30V will work even if the panel itself is partially shaded. While they still won’t be great if they’re fully covered in shade, they will help your efficiency out if you have several spots of partial shade from trees on your roof.

Half-cut Solar Panels Also Provide Better Heat Resistance

All solar panels are going to, and should, heat up. This is, of course, how they work - by sunlight directly hitting them. However, overheating is also a potential issue that many people are trying to avoid when they choose and install their solar panels. Half-cut solar panels provide better heat resistance due to their better efficiency. They don’t have to work nearly as hard to achieve the same amount of efficiency as a traditional solar panel, and therefore, they avoid potential overheating problems.

Why are they more expensive?

You may have read up to this point, started looking at half-cut solar panels, and are now wondering why on earth they cost more. After all, they’re half the size of a traditional solar panel, so shouldn’t they be cheaper? There are two main reasons these panels cost more.

The first reason a half-cut solar panel is going to cost you more I because of how the laser cuts the panels. It doesn’t really cut it in half like scissors, but instead, it puts a groove in the cells themselves, which makes it so they’re able to be snapped in half. This is a much more time consuming and complex process than just cutting up some panels.

The second reason they cost more is because of the wiring. As we discussed above, the wiring in these panels is different than in traditional solar panels, and it’s also more complex, requiring the soldering to be done on twice as many connections as traditional panels.

Like most things, you get what you pay for when it comes to solar energy. If you invest more into these unique half-cut panels because of several spots of shading on your roof, you’ll also get more out of it in return.

Why shouldn’t you get half-cut panels?

Like everything, there are downsides as well as upsides. One of these downsides is that if you get even a small defect in a cell on one of these panels, it will bring down the efficiency of the whole thing, so you have to be careful. Another issue is that they’re few and far between, with most of these panels currently being sold in Australia.

Want to learn more about going solar and new information on how to make that lifestyle change? Check out the HahaSmart blog!

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