Today we would like to talk abou the solar panel thickness issue, maybe you are not familiar with the term of solar panel. I would like to tell you something about solar panel from WIKIPEDIA.
What is solar panel?
The term solar panel is used colloquially for a photo-voltaic (PV) module.
A PV module is an assembly of photo-voltaic cells mounted in a framework for installation. Photo-voltaic cells use sunlight as a source of energy and generate direct current electricity. A collection of PV modules is called a PV Panel, and a system of Panels is an Array. Arrays of a photovoltaic system supply solar electricity to electrical equipment.
Photovoltaic modules use light energy (photons) from the Sun to generate electricity through the photovoltaic effect. Most modules use wafer-based crystalline silicon cells. The structural (load carrying) member of a module can be either the top layer or the back layer. Cells must be protected from mechanical damage and moisture. Most modules are rigid, the cells are connected electrically in series, one to another to the desired voltage, and then in parallel to increase amperage.
Solar panel component
As a solar panel frame manufacturer in China, we should know-how is a solar panel made, cause our frame is one part of solar modules. First of All, let us check out the solar panel material breakdown pic to have an overall idea of solar panels.
From this picture, we know that A solar PV module consists of solar cells, glass, EVA, backsheet, and frame. Among these components, the most important part is solar cells, and the most common material to create PV cells with is silicon crystals. Now we have a clear idea of solar panel material and let us continue to talk about solar panel thickness.
What is the solar panel thickness?
The answer can be divided into two parts
- Thickness of solar laminate ( The actual solar panel)
- Thickness of solar panel with aluminium frame ( to strengthen , protect , and gives ease of handling and installation)
For the thickness of solar laminate:
- The major thickness of the solar laminate is of solar glass which is 3.2mm, in 90% of cases for 60cell solar panels. There are other components like solar cells, encapsulant sheets (2 Nos) and backsheet of the solar laminate. They individually of different thickness but when they are fused together under high vacuum and high temperature, the thickness of the laminate can be anywhere between 4.2mm to 4.6mm.
- The major thickness of the solar laminate is of solar glass which is 4.0mm for 72cell solar panels. There are other components like solar cells, encapsulant sheets (2 Nos) and backsheet of the solar laminate. They individually of different thickness but when they are fused together under high vacuum and high temperature, the thickness of the laminate can be anywhere between 5.0mm to 5.4mm.
- 3. Now the new double glass /bifacial solar panel is becomming more and more popular because of its high power. But the solar glass is different from common solar panels, the glass thickness can be 2.0mm and 2.5mm thickness for choice, For the double glass solar panels2.0mm glass thickness, laminated with other components like solar cells, encapsulant sheets (2 Nos) and backsheet, the total laminated thickness can be anywhere between 5.0mm to 5.4mm. For the double glass solar panels2.5mm glass thickness, laminated with other components like solar cells, encapsulant sheets (2 Nos) and backsheet, the total laminated thickness can be anywhere between 6.0mm to 6.4mm.
For the thickness of solar panel with aluminium frame
For the thickness of solar panel with aluminium frame, we can know that the laminate is then fixed in aluminium frame whose thickness can be different according to the weight of the solar laminate it has to carry. The most popular size of aluminum solar panel frames can be concluded as below:
1. 40mm solar frame (solar panel thickness),
2. 35mm solar frame (solar panel thickness),
3. 30mm solar frame (solar panel thickness),
5. BIPV solar frame,
Conclusion on solar panel thickness
To sum up, for the practical purpose, from installer’s point of view, the thickness of the solar panel is solar panel frame thickness. If you just wanna know the thickness of lamination, i do believe you can find the answe from this article.
During the current these years, solar panel thickness is not only one size, it can be different because of the different size of solar panel frames. If your solar panel thickness is different and wanna a company to do OEM/ODM service for you. You can contact us. We will work with you well on your solar panels and project.