Silfab Solar Elite

[Will Prowse]

Very unique panels. I couldn't find many benefits listed on their site for these "elite panels", and the max wattage was 430W, but they looked so cool! Check out the current collector on the backsheet. They looked really cool in person!






Here is the datasheet: https://silfabsolar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Silfab-SIL-430-BG-Data-Generic-20230906-Final.pdf

Do you see any benefits of this design?

 

[Solar Guppy]

From the data sheet you posted, the module efficiency is 1.8% better than the QCells I have on my roof ( and attached ) so the foot print is marginally smaller.

I don't like that it is a one-off cell count of 138 vs the standard of 144 for half cut cells. For something that is supposed to last the life time of the system I would never be selecting something proprietary or new like this, seems more like a science project and what happens when the manufacture moves on to something else as no other options of this physical size or cell count exists?

I paid ~25 cents a watt delivered for the 28 panels on my roof ( 2020 ) and savings a few millimeters of roof would make no difference using my arrays for comparison.

 

[cs1234]

@Solar Guppy

Your points are all valid, but those sure are pretty.

 

[Brett V]

Is that backsheet a heater? If so, that could come in handy for us northerners.

 

[HalfBaked]

Is that backsheet a heater? If so, that could come in handy for us northerners.

Iif so, could that stabilize the VOC?

 

[pvgirl]

I'd like to see a breakdown of their 100% made in the USA claim, showing where all the components and materials for these panels come from.

 

[AntronX]

Did they come up with this funky design to get around Maxeon patents ?

 

[rhino]

@Will Prowse you have to be very careful when you say "Made in the USA". That designation has specific FTC legal requirements to make that claim that which Silfab is not stating. That is why they are saying "Manufactured in the USA". https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/advertising-marketing/made-in-usa

 

[rhino]

If I were you since you might have more sway I would ask where their cells for the panels are coming from or even where their back sheet material is coming from. As was proven by the KB Solar thread they (KB Solar) are deceptively trying to hide the fact all the components are coming from China even though they go so far as claiming "Made in USA".

 

[rhino]

Further research shows they are GOING TO BE sourcing the cells/wafers from USA but currently are not and is why they can't legally say "Made in USA". It appears they currently get all their cells from a wafer production facility in the village of Årdal, Norway. I'm betting "Manufactured in USA" currently has no legal meaning but confuses customers into thinking that it means it is "Made in USA" as you assumed.

Silfab Solar and NorSun Set Agreement for Supply of Solar Silicon Wafers from NorSun’s Planned USA Factory - Press - SILFAB SOLAR

BELLINGHAM, Wash. (USA) / OSLO, Norway – Silfab Solar, a North American leader in photo-voltaic (PV) module manufacturing, and NorSun, an experienced

silfabsolar.com

 

[Will Prowse]

@Will Prowse you have to be very careful when you say "Made in the USA". That designation has specific FTC legal requirements to make that claim that which Silfab is not stating. That is why they are saying "Manufactured in the USA". https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/advertising-marketing/made-in-usa

Good to know. Changed title of thread. Thank you

 

[littleharbor2]

Here's some unique cells from days gone by.
The round cells are originally satellite solar cells
The square one is an older Photowatt cell.
.