Solaria designs, develops and sells high-performance, high-efficiency solar panels and systems for residential and commercial applications. So, you might be wondering, what sets this brand from the rest?
Founded in 2000, Solaria was one of the early innovators of next-generation “shingled” solar panels, a groundbreaking solar technology in which cells are cut, overlapped (shingled), and more densely packed into the panel to create a substantially higher-power, higher-efficiency design than conventional ones.
Solaria began developing shingled panels in 2014 and has amassed over 250 issued and pending patents in the field.
Establishing higher performance since 2016
Solaria’s PowerXT® panel was introduced on to the market 2016. It is a high-performance, high-density module (“HDM”) that produces up to 20% more power than a conventional solar panel. The PowerXT® panel also provides a visually attractive all-black appearance compared to conventional solar panels on the market today.
When designing the PowerXT®, Solaria looked at conventional panels and saw the deficiencies in the older established technology. Conventional designs tend to fail because of manufacturing quality and material selection, which can lead to the premature corrosion of cells and rapid power loss. Solaria started with the most rigorous manufacturing protocols and quality of materials and redesigned a more energy-efficient, reliable and beautiful looking solar panel.
What makes the PowerXT® stand apart from conventional options is its technology. Conventional designs use copper strings to connect the cells. When exposed to temperature changes, copper expands and contracts significantly. This puts a strain on the points where the cells are connected and are the leading cause of power degradation over time.
Solaria eliminated the need for copper strings by developing a “shingling” technique. This patented technology cuts solar cells into five equal strips. The strips are aligned with a very slight overlap, like the shingles on your roof, and attached using an electrically conductive adhesive. Shingling allows the panel to be more flexible and adapt to environmental stressors like wind, rain and snow, contributing to superior efficiency and longevity of the panel. Shingling also enables Solaria to achieve a unique all-black look to its panel by hiding the visible circuitry under the overlapped cells.
Filling the gaps of conventional models
Another common failure point in conventional panels is shade tolerance – for example, from trees or neighbouring buildings. Conventional designs are broken down into three sections. When just 10% of the panel is shaded, the energy output drops to zero. PowerXT® panels, on the other hand, are broken down into 20 sections.
If 10% of the PowerXT® panel becomes shaded, the panel energy output remains at 90%. When put through an outdoor test at one of Solaria’s third-party testing facilities, the PowerXT® produced 64-83% more energy when shaded compared to conventional panels.
Up until recently, the power output of conventional options for residential installation was generally below 300 watts. With our innovative design, Solaria significantly increased the power output of residential panels. Solaria’s newest addition to its line of products available in Australia is the 365-watt PowerXT®.
Solaria’s higher efficiency technology means more power per square meter area, reducing the number of panels, mounting components and installation labour. These facts, coupled with the all-black design, makes the PowerXT® one of the most cost-effective and aesthetically pleasing residential solar systems on the market.
Don’t forget to check out the videos on Solaria’s website. They are a great resource to help you better understand our technology and to see PowerXT® in action!
