These 9BB, 12BB, MBB etc figures are the number of BusBars (BB) across the surface of a solar cell. These are the thin silver colored lines you see on the dark colored cells of a solar panel. They gather the electricity output from the cell surface and bring it to a place where it can … Read more
Looking for a modern combination N-type and bifacial solar panel in the 200-watt range? Let’s look at two models in the 200 watt ballpark that combine N-type and bifacial technologies as one unit. The Renogy 200W N-Type Bifacial Solar Panel and the EcoWorthy 195W N-Type 18BB Bifacial Solar Panel. Both use modern N-type cell technology … Read more
MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking) solar charge controllers are a highly optimized type of solar battery bank charger. We want the most of every bit of sunlight hitting our panels, especially in areas where sunlight can be unpredictable or limited. MPPT technology helps turn the varying amounts of sunlight power from panels into steady usable … Read more
Making sure solar panels and wiring connect safely is a vital step in any solar power system. The DC connectors used to connect solar panels together, and to your system, are extremely important. These play a big part in long term reliability, performance and ease of maintenance/upgrading. As solar electric technology has evolved, so have … Read more
An old technology in semiconductors offers a new improvement in solar panel technology. If you’re considering solar panels for your home or business, you might have come across the terms “N-type” and “P-type” panels. These refer to the kind of semiconductor material used inside the cells, and they play a big role in how panels … Read more
Shading is a real challenge for anyone using solar panels. Even a small amount of shade from a tree, a chimney, or a cloud can noticeably drop the amount of energy a solar system produces. I’ve found that anti-shading solar panels, sometimes called shade-tolerant panels, offer a practical solution by reducing the energy loss caused … Read more
Solar panels make it possible to have reliable backup power during an outage. Looking for a straightforward way to keep your lights on during an outage? Want to reduce your dependence on utility electricity? Solar backup systems are a solid choice. Even with limited space or a modest budget, you can still reap the rewards … Read more
Solar storage options for homes have really evolved over the past few years. From living fully off-grid with solar panels to just cutting back on electric bills, we have options today that were unthinkable a decade ago. Here I’ll walk you through the basics, recent advancements, and things to keep in mind when deciding if … Read more
Flexible solar panels and rigid solar panels each offer their own advantages to solar energy setups. If you’ve been looking at getting solar panels for your home, vehicle, or off grid project, it helps to know the differences between these two main types. Let’s compare flexible solar panels versus rigid solar panels so you have … Read more
Living off the grid means producing your own electricity, and solar panels are a practical choice. With the options available today, finding the right solar panels for off-grid use is overwhelming! Making informed choices will make a real difference in how comfortable and secure we can be off-grid. Doing some due diligence now, before you … Read more