Solar Panels

A solar panel (also photovoltaic module, solar module, or photovoltaic panel) is a packaged, connected assembly of photovoltaic cells. The effectiveness of a panel determines the area of a panel given the same rated output - an 8% efficient 230 watt panel will have twice the area of a 16% efficient 230 watt panel. The solar panel can also used as a component of a larger photovoltaic system to generate and supply electricity in commercial and residential applications. Each panel is rated by its DC output power under standard test conditions, and typically ranges from 100 to 450 watts. 

Because a one single solar panel can only produced a limited amount of power, most installations contain many or multiple panels. A photovoltaic system typically includes an array of solar panels, an inverter, and sometimes a battery and or solar tracker and interconnection wiring.

As years go by they begin to produce new and increasingly efficient solar panel designs. This makes photovoltaic power increasingly beneficial to homeowners and businesses that look to reduce their electric bills in the long run whilst adding to their green commitments.

The two main forms of solar cells in existence today are the solar electricity (PV) panel and the solar hot water panel. Whilst solar electricity is the more common use for solar panels, more and more people are beginning to see the benefits of providing a hot water supply from the installation of solar cells. These two different designs allow you to either generate electricity or provide a hot water supply for your business or home. 

It's highly unlikely that we'll see heavy industry adopting the use of photovoltaic electricity for quite some time due to the much larger energy demand that industry requires however with increasingly efficient solar power technologies becoming available, photovoltaic electricity systems may be able to one day power large industrial facilities.

Top 10 Solar Power Producers

1. Suntech - Suntech manufactures, develops, and delivers the world’s most efficient and cost-effective solar energy solutions. Founded in 2001 by leading solar scientist Dr. Zhengrong Shi, they are the world’s largest producer of silicon solar modules.

They offer clean power for every application and market, from off-grid systems, to homes, to the world’s largest solar power plants. Their solar modules are installed in more than 70 countries.

Suntech also has offices in 13 countries, including regional headquarters in San Francisco, California; Schaffhausen, Switzerland; and Wuxi, China. Suntech are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: STP). 

2. First Solar - Founded in 1999, First Solar has become the world’s premier provider of fully integrated solar solutions, creating value-driven renewable energy projects that represent the leading edge of utility-scale solar innovation and technology.

Having constructed and commissioned many of the world’s largest, state-of-the-art photovoltaic (PV) power plants in operation today, First Solar has established a portfolio of customers that include some of the world’s most sophisticated energy buyers.

The first solar full service approach ensures the successful delivery of affordable, clean solar power—and spans the entire value chain, including project development; module manufacturing; procurement, engineering, and construction (EPC); financing; and maintenance and operations (O&M).

3. Sharp Solar - Since 1959, Sharp's efforts in research and development have led to groundbreaking solar solutions. One shining example is the development of the solar cells that power the satellites in Japan's national projects. As a maker of products that consume power, Sharp solar always believed they should create power, too. It's all part of their Eco-Positive mission to provide efficient energy to the lives of people around the world.

4. Yingli - Yingli Green Energy (NYSE: YGE) is a leading solar energy company and one of the world’s first fully vertically integrated photovoltaic manufacturers.

Yingli manufacture, develop, and sell high-quality modules under the brand Yingli Solar to a wide range of markets, including Spain, Germany, Greece, Italy, France, South Korea, China, and the United States.

Yingli vertically business integrated model covers the entire PV value chain, from polysilicon production to the assembly of modules. Currently, Yingli maintain a balanced vertically integrated production capacity of 1,700 MW per year. Capacity projects expansion of an additional 750 MW in total are under construction in Baoding, Haikou, Tianjin and Hengshui, which are expected to increase the Company's total nameplate production capacity to 2,450 MW by the end of 2012.

5. Canadian Solar - Canadian Solar Inc. (NASDAQ: CSIQ) is a top 5 Global Module Supplier in 2011. As a leading vertically integrated provider of ingots, wafers, solar cells, solar modules, solar power systems and specialized solar products, Canadian Solar delivers uncompromising value to its customers across the globe.    

Their customers trust Canadian Solar’s world-renowned technical expertise, corporate financial strength and commitment to sustainable value.

Their customers choose Canadian Solar because they manufacture a high-quality solar PV products with market-leading cost structures, delivering the best value possible.

Canadian Solar was founded in Ontario, Canada in 2001 and was successfully listed on NASDAQ Exchange in 2006. Today, they operate across three continents, delivering solar modules to customers more than 50 countries.

6. Hanwha Solarone - Hanwha Group is one of Korea’s top ten enterprises. Six of its 56 affiliates are publicly traded, including Hanwha Chemical Corporation and Korea Life Insurance, the second-largest insurance company in Korea.

In 2010, Hanwha Group achieved total assets of approximately USD83 billion and total sales of approximately USD 27 billion. Originally established in 1952 as an industrial explosives manufacturer, Hanwha Group has actively expanded its business scope through both organic growth and corporate acquisitions. Hanwha Group is currently engaged in three core business areas: finance, manufacturing/construction and service/leisure.

The Hanwha Finance Network is divided into asset management, insurance and securities capabilities and comprised 55% of Hanwha Group’s total revenue in 2010. This financial powerhouse, backed by Korea Life Insurance, the second largest insurer in Korea, will act as the backbone in providing financial solutions for PV projects.

As a top Korean business enterprise, ranked 358th in the 2010 Fortune 500 and with a 60-year history, Hanwha Group has the stability and reliability to provide long term warranty to our customers.

7. Sunpower - Founded more than a quarter-century ago, SunPower has set and broken world records from the start. Without SunPower, the story of solar could not be written. The fact is, we’ve been responsible for major industry milestones since their incorporation in 1985, and they challenge conventional thinking. Delivering the highest-efficiency solar cells and solar panels, and the most advanced solar energy systems, SunPower is The World’s Standard for Solar

Through constant innovation and new partnerships,SunPower reaches new heights to become a global leader in the solar industry.

In the year 2000s was filled many accomplishments and milestones for SunPower. SunPower became publicly listed on the NYSE with CEO Tom Werner taking the company to new levels. SunPower set new world records in solar cell efficiency.

8. Renewable Energy Corporation - REC is one of the world's largest producers of polysilicon for the photovoltaics industry and is a tier-one producer of silicon materials for thin film PV, semiconductors and LCD display manufacturing.

REC is making solar energy accessible and affordable, using their strengths across the photovoltaic solar value chain. REC is one of the world’s largest producers of silicon materials, solar cells, PV wafers and solar modules, and involved in solar system integration in selected markets.

Headquartered in Sandvika, Norway, REC production facilities include the silicon materials plants in Moses Lake, Washington and Butte, Montana in the USA. The wafer production sites are located in Glomfjord and Herøya, in Norway and Tuas, Singapore. Their solar cell and module production is located in Tuas, Singapore. 

9. Solarworld - With about 2,700 employees, the SolarWorld is the world’s largest solar energy businesses – and the largest U.S. solar manufacturer for more than 35 years.

In its performance, innovation and environmental track record, the company is an industry leader.

SolarWorld’s family of companies dedicates itself exclusively to the business of solar energy. Plus, it combines all stages of the photovoltaic value chain, from the raw material silicon to turn-key solar power plants, so that it can uphold high quality and environmental standards at every stage.

SolarWorld operates factories in the United States and Germany as well as sales offices in all of the world’s solar markets.

At its U.S. headquarters location in Hillsboro, Ore., the company operates the equivalent of four production plants on a 97-acre campus, maintaining 500 megawatts worth of photovoltaic production capacity. Production from that site supplies demand not only in the United States but also in Canada and Latin America.

The SolarWorld group offers products ranging from crystalline silicon ingots, wafers, cells and panels for grid-tied and off-grid power generation. The main building blocks are high-performance monocrystalline and polycrystalline SolarWorld Sunmodule solar panels and custom-designed Sunkits solar systems.