Top Tier Solar Panel Factory Tour Trip - What We Learned
Although price is important when it comes to choosing a solar system; it’s quality that separates making an investment in solar from making an expensive mistake.
We know you can’t make an informed choice without all the information. That’s why we recently visited two of the world’s most advanced solar panel manufacturing facilities: REC in Singapore, and Hanwha QCells in Malaysia, both Tier 1 Solar Panel manufacturers. Here’s what we learned:
Tier 1 and 2 Solar Panels are Best
You might have heard solar companies talking about being Tier 1, 2 or 3 Solar Panels. We recommend you only buy solar PV systems from Tier 1 and 2 manufacturers. That’s because:
Manufacturers of Tier 1 Solar Panels are the top 2% of solar PV manufacturers. They use vertically integrated systems, meaning they control every stage of the process; they invest heavily in research and development; and their manufacturing systems are highly (if not entirely) automated. They’ve also been manufacturing for more than 5 years.
When producing solar cells, they also use the best grade of silicon available. The higher the grade; the greater the cell’s performance and life span. Both REC and QCElls are Tier 1 solar panel manufacturers.
Tier 1 & 2 companies rely almost entirely, if not entirely, on robotic manufacturing systems
Compare that to Tier 3 companies, which make up about 90% of new solar PV manufacturers. They don’t manufacture their own cells or invest in research and development, and their solar panel assembly is manual. As a result, quality varies widely.
Manual solar panel assembly
Solar components produced by hand lack the consistent, high level attention to detail an automated system provides
Automation is key
You've probably guessed that automation is really important. That’s because it reduces, and in some cases eliminates, human error. It also allows for a sophisticated and reliable quality control system.
An automated system significantly reduces the opportunity for human error
Both REC and QCells are fully automated manufacturers, hence their status as Tier 1 Solar Panel companies.
REC is also a vertical integration manufacturer; meaning they undertake all 3 levels of production at their Singapore plant – manufacture, testing and quality control.
A large scale producer, they produced 722 MW of solar panels in 2012, up from 644 MW in 2011.
The end result – an expertly manufactured, highly tested, reliable solar panel
Hanwha QCElls, also a world leader in solar, manufacture high efficiency solar cells at their factory just outside Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Their position in the solar market is so strong that they’re set to increase their production capacity in 2014; adding an additional 204 MWp production line. This will raise their production capacity to 1.1 GWp, and their total production capacity to 1.3 GWp.
The new line’s scheduled to be fully operative by early autumn 2014, with a focus on the production of high efficiency solar cells for QCElls’ Q.PRO G3 polycrystalline PV modules.
The takeaway message?
Process matters. Solar panels produced by fully automated means are more reliable, last longer, and represent greater value for money. Do your homework and ensure your solar investment is a sound one.
If you need more information on how to choose a reliable tier 1 and 2 solar panel supplier, contact us today , we’re here and happy to help!
