Hybrid solar panels

Sanyo has launched a solar panel for the Australian market which produces 205 W under standard test conditions. The HIP-205NKHB1W HIT (heterojunction with intrinsic thin-layer) cells combine technology from two common solar cells in the marketplace, crystalline and amorphous, to create an efficient and effective solar cell.

Sanyo HIT solar cells are hybrid cells, made of thin mono crystal silicon surrounded by ultra-thin amorphous silicon layers. The HIT solar cell will perform to an equal or higher level than its rated power, with product quality inspections consistently achieving above industry standards.

Even at high temperatures, the HIT solar cell maintains higher efficiency than a conventional silicon solar cell. Claimed to convert 30% more sunlight into electricity compared to standard crystalline and amorphous solar panels, the cells are suitable for using situations with full sunlight and high temperatures.

According to the company, the panels allow 2.3% solar energy conversion efficiency, making them over 5% more efficient than the industry average.

The panels are suitable for smaller installations and are reported to be 100% emission and noise free, have no moving parts and weigh less than 14 kg.