Photo voltaic panels are available in numerous configurations — from smaller, 36-cell thin-film photo voltaic panels to bigger 72-cell monocrystalline choices.
The latter has gained traction through the years, turning into one of many extra well-liked panel sizes for residential photo voltaic functions.
As a home-owner seeking to put money into photo voltaic, having quite a few choices at your fingertips is improbable. Nevertheless, it might probably additionally muddy the waters and make the funding course of more difficult.
So, are 72-cell photo voltaic panels definitely worth the funding?
On this article, we allow you to decide whether or not these panels are the appropriate alternative for you.
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What are 72-cell photo voltaic panels?
Because the title implies, a 72-cell photo voltaic panel is just a photo voltaic panel comprised of 72 particular person power conversion elements.
Let’s take a more in-depth have a look at the position and make-up of those cells.
What are photo voltaic cells?
For those who look intently at a photo voltaic panel, you’ll discover it comprises a number of particular person square-shaped elements. These square-shaped elements are known as photo voltaic cells.
A photo voltaic cell is a part liable for absorbing daylight and changing it into power.
Whereas the variety of photo voltaic cells in a panel can affect the quantity of power it might probably produce, different key elements, corresponding to cell effectivity, play an excellent higher position.
Though there are at present many alternative photo voltaic cell sizes, the usual measurement of a photo voltaic cell is 156 mm by 156 mm (roughly 6 inches lengthy by 6 inches extensive).
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The common measurement of a 72-Cell photo voltaic panel
A 72-cell photo voltaic panel is organized in a 6 x 12-cell grid configuration, whereas the extra widespread 60-cell photo voltaic panel follows a 6 x 10-cell design.
Realizing the grid configuration of a 72-cell photo voltaic panel and the
dimensions of a typical photo voltaic cell, we will decide the common sizes of a 72-cell photo voltaic panel: roughly 39 in extensive x 77 in lengthy (99 cm extensive and 195 cm lengthy).
Evaluating photo voltaic panels: variety of photo voltaic cells
Because of their smaller measurement, 60-cell panels are a extra widespread alternative for residential functions or in RVs and campervans. The ability output of those panels ranges from 150W to 300W.
Subsequently, a 72-cell photo voltaic panel might fit your state of affairs higher when you’ve got the area and require extra energy. For reference, a 72-cell photo voltaic panel’s wattage normally ranges between 300W and 450W.
As for 96-cell photo voltaic panels, they’re much bigger, so they have a tendency to generate a higher quantity of energy (between 400W to 500W of energy).
Because of its massive measurement and heavy weight, a 96-cell photo voltaic panel isn’t a sensible possibility for residential functions. Nevertheless, it’s extremely efficient for business functions like photo voltaic farms.
| Variety of Cells in Photo voltaic Panel | Wattage Vary | Common Dimensions |
|---|---|---|
| 60 cells | 200W to 300W | 65″ lengthy and 39″ extensive |
| 72 cells | 300W to 450W | 77″ lengthy and 39″ extensive |
| 96 cells | 400W to 550W | 77″ lengthy and 50″ extensive |
What about voltage and wattage?
Every normal photo voltaic cell produces round 0.5 volts. When linked in sequence, the panel’s whole voltage equals the sum of every cell’s voltage.
Subsequently, the open circuit voltage of a 72-cell photo voltaic panel is 36V:
Whole Voltage (V) = 72 cells x 0.5 V = 36 V
Following the identical logic, a 60-cell photo voltaic panel can produce as much as 30 volts (open circuit voltage), so its nominal voltage is inadequate to cost a 24V battery effectively.
Conversely, 72-cell photo voltaic panels are also called “24V nominal photo voltaic panels” since their voltage is right for charging a 24V battery or two 12V batteries wired in sequence.
As for the amperage, it’s straight proportional to the measurement of the photo voltaic cells — that’s, the world of the semiconductor. Subsequently, bigger photo voltaic cells have a tendency to provide extra amps than standard-sized cells.
In abstract, the wattage of a photo voltaic panel is straight proportional to the variety of photo voltaic cells (determines voltage) and the size of the photo voltaic cells (determines amperage).
How a lot does a 72-Cell photo voltaic panel value?
Our analysis has proven that costs can vary between $380 and $600, with the common worth being $490.
That mentioned, the price of a 72-cell photo voltaic panel can range considerably and relies on elements corresponding to:
- Set up value
- Producer/model
- Know-how (monocrystalline, polycrystalline, thin-film)
- Wattage
Relying on the dimensions of your photo voltaic array, prices can add up shortly, so be sure that to issue them into your funds when deciding whether or not or to not put money into 72-cell photo voltaic panels.
Professionals and cons of 72-cell photo voltaic panels
As with all issues in life, 72-cell photo voltaic panels include their professionals and cons.
Professionals
- Able to producing extra electrical energy than normal 60-cell panels with the identical effectivity ranges.
- Nice for bigger properties or companies.
- Require fewer panels than 60-cell modules to realize the identical power output.
- Sometimes, the value per watt may be lower than 60-cell photo voltaic panels.
- Cheaper to put in on a big scale.
Cons
- Often costlier than 60-cells photo voltaic panels.
- Require extra space for set up
- Transport and set up may be tough resulting from their heavy weight.
- Not beneficial for off-grid installations corresponding to RVs and campervans.
- Their cumbersome nature could make them tough to maneuver on a roof.
- Not environment friendly for small-scale programs.
Are 72-cell photo voltaic panels definitely worth the funding?
Whether or not 72-cell photo voltaic panels are worthy investments relies on your particular person wants and funds.
You probably have sufficient area and want a system that may generate a considerable amount of power, then 72-cell photo voltaic panels will make for a great funding.
Nevertheless, a smaller panel — corresponding to a 60-cell variant — could also be a greater possibility for those who’re pressed for area and don’t require as a lot energy. This is applicable to off-grid programs (RVs, campervans, and many others.) and smaller homes.
It’s additionally value remembering that different photo voltaic panels, corresponding to half-cut cell photo voltaic panels, could also be higher suited to your wants.
So do your analysis and think about all of your choices earlier than making a choice.
Are photo voltaic panels with extra cells superior?
Typically talking, photo voltaic panels with extra cells are extra environment friendly and might generate extra electrical energy than these with fewer cells.
Nevertheless, different, extra important elements play a job, corresponding to:
- Cell measurement
- Cell sort
- Effectivity
- Value per watt
Finally, photo voltaic panels with greater than 72 cells aren’t viable for residential use: they’re too massive and too heavy for roof set up and value extra.
Nevertheless, for large-scale/business functions, panels with greater than 72 cells are normally a greater possibility, as fewer modules are required to realize the specified output.
Subsequently, the general value of constructing bigger photo voltaic arrays may be considerably smaller utilizing photo voltaic panels with extra cells.
Closing ideas
If it’s worthwhile to generate a considerable amount of power and have sufficient area for set up, a 72-cell photo voltaic panel generally is a nice alternative.
Nevertheless, for those who’re on a decent funds and/or your power demand isn’t that prime, a smaller and cheaper panel could also be a greater possibility.
We hope this text has helped you make an knowledgeable choice as as to whether 72-cell photo voltaic panels are the appropriate alternative for you.
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