Maximizing Solar Efficiency: AIKO’s Partial Shading Optimization and Its Applications in Australia
August 5th, 2024
Australia’s diverse climate and landscape present unique challenges for solar energy production. From urban settings with occasional shading from buildings and trees to rural areas with intermittent shade from farm structures, the need for efficient solar panel technology is critical. AIKO’s partial shade management technology is making waves in the Australian market, offering innovative solutions to these challenges.
AIKO’s Shade Management: The Technology Explained
AIKO’s shade management technology is rooted in the semiconductor physics of solar cells. When a cell is shaded, it can enter a state known as semiconductor soft breakdown. This is a technical term used to describe a non-destructive process where the ABC solar cell continues to pass current. This is made possible by the unique design of AIKO’s back contact cells, which feature meticulously engineered interdigitated contacts that require lower reverse bias voltage to function efficiently.
Traditional solar panels rely on bypass diodes to mitigate shading effects, which deactivate a third of the panel when a hot spot appears, resulting in significant power loss. In contrast, AIKO ABC modules with Partial Shading Optimization can bypass individual shaded cells without affecting the entire string. This results in a miniscule power loss when one cell is shaded, with the panel’s bypass diode activating only when four cells are shaded, thus maintaining higher overall PV plant efficiency.
Practical Applications of AIKO ABC Panels in Australia
AIKO ABC panels excel in environments where intermittent shading is an expected challenge. This includes locations with irregular lighting conditions or with elements that cause shadowing such as leaves, bird deoppings or other occasional obstructions. However, it’s important to note that no solar panel can perform well if it’s fully shaded all the time. Installing panels in full shade isn’t advisable and won’t yield the desired results.
The intelligent design of AIKO’s N-type all back contact technology makes it ideal for marginal sites where some shading is unavoidable. Removing metal contacts from the front of the cell further enhances efficiency by eliminating the shading of generating material. This means achieving the same system output with fewer panels, potentially avoiding the need to install in shaded areas altogether.
Long-Term Benefits and Real-World Performance
One of the primary benefits of AIKO’s shade management technology is its ability to handle new soiling and shading over time. In the real world, solar panels are exposed to various environmental factors and even new structures or pipes installed by neighbours. These intermittent sources of shade can significantly impact the performance of traditional solar panels.
AIKO’s back contact cells are designed to mitigate these issues, ensuring that even partially shaded panels continue to perform efficiently. This advantage becomes more apparent as the installation ages and encounters more real-world obstacles. Many sites will benefit from shade management, even if they don’t have shading on day one.
AIKO’s partial shading optimization technology is revolutionizing the solar panel industry in Australia. By leveraging advanced semiconductor physics and precision engineering, AIKO panels maintain high output even in challenging shading conditions. This makes AIKO ABC modules an ideal choice for Australian environments, ensuring reliable and efficient solar energy generation for years to come.
For more information, please contact marketing@aikosolar.com.