In the past ten years, Silfab Solar Inc. has carved out a name for itself as a leading figure in the solar panel manufacturing sector. Silfab’s manufacturing process is marked by a high degree of automation precision, which allows for swift production of premium-quality products.
The manufacturing facilities of Silfab aren’t its only commendable feature. The company is located in North America, with branches in Canada and Washington State, signifying that any product procured from Silfab is guaranteed to be locally manufactured and specifically tailored to the American market.
In fact, a significant proportion of Silfab Solar’s panels are produced right within U.S. borders, earning them the Buy American Act certification. The company’s products are a staple in U.S. Military and Federal Aviation Administration properties, reinforcing its credibility. Furthermore, Silfab is also planning to enhance its presence in America by intending to set up a solar cell manufacturing plant in the country in the foreseeable future.
Let’s delve deeper into the range of Silfab Solar products and their competitive standing in the market.
Silfab Solar specializes in the production of solar modules for both domestic and use. All of Silfab’s photovoltaic (PV) modules incorporate monocrystalline solar cells. The primary residential panels provided by Silfab encompass:
The Silfab Elite range represents the company’s most efficient line of solar panels, exclusively produced in the United States. These top-performance panels are available in two wattages: 380 W and 410 W.
The panels are made up of PERC solar cells, known to generate slightly more electricity than conventional photovoltaic cells. Furthermore, Silfab Elite panels incorporate “back contact” solar cells that minimize shading effects and enable increased solar energy collection per cell. The combination of PERC and back contact technologies enhances the overall efficiency of Silfab Elite.
The Silfab Prime model is a high-quality, half-cell solar panel. The design of the smaller cells reduces the current and diminishes resistive losses, enabling increased energy production. The smaller cells also display enhanced durability due to less likelihood of cracking under pressure, owing to their smaller surface area. The Silfab Prime is available at 370 watts.
Technical details of Silfab’s Elite and Prime solar panels under Standard Test Conditions (STC) are given below:
The power rating or output of a solar panel gauges its electricity production capacity.
All Silfab panels are in line with the industry standard power rating for monocrystalline modules, falling within the range of 350 W and 400 W.
Historically, solar panels were made of either monocrystalline or polycrystalline solar cells. Modern solar panels, like those made by Silfab, primarily use monocrystalline cells.
In keeping with industry trends, Silfab employs monocrystalline silicon but also incorporates newer technologies such as half-cut and back contact cells.
Silfab solar panels boast impressive efficiency ratings. Both the Elite and Prime products have efficiencies exceeding 20%, earning them a “premium efficiency” label alongside manufacturers like SunPower.
Power tolerance indicates the potential power production variation from a solar panel’s rated power capacity under Standard Test Conditions (STC).
All of Silfab’s panels have a power tolerance rating of -0/+10 W, indicating a minimum operating capacity at its rated power but with the potential for 10 W higher performance.
A solar panel’s performance is dependent on its temperature. The higher the temperature, the less power produced.
To gauge the impact of temperature variations, manufacturers provide a temperature coefficient. This coefficient measures the reduction in a solar panel’s output for each degree Celsius that the panel’s surface exceeds 25°C.
The Elite and Prime panels have standard temperature coefficients: the Elite modules have a temperature coefficient of -0.38%/°C, and the Silfab Prime has a temperature coefficient of -0.36%/°C.
All Silfab’s solar panels come with the same workmanship product warranty. The warranty covers repairs, replacements, and refunds for defective materials.
Initially, the panels come with a 12-year warranty from the delivery date, but this can be extended to 25 years if purchased and installed by a registered Silfab installer like 8MSolar.
The power or performance warranty provides homeowners with an estimate of the solar panels’ power output over time. As solar panels age, they degrade slightly and generate less power.
According to Silfab’s 30-year performance warranty, the panels will operate at 97.1% of their initial power rating after Year 1, with a maximum degradation rate of 0.5% per year thereafter.
By Year 30, the panels have a performance guarantee of 82.6% of their original rated capacity.
Silfab solar panels are priced around $0.70 per watt before installation, significantly less than similar spec counterparts like Sunpower, which cost over $1.00 per watt. Once installation costs are accounted for, Silfab solar panels will cost between $2.85 per watt and $3.05 per watt.
Beyond their high performance, Silfab panels are aesthetically pleasing. Their design and entirely black coloring make them a sleek and harmonious addition to your roof. They can also be installed low profile, meaning they don’t protrude as much as some traditional solar panels.
Are Silfab Solar panels the right choice for your home? If you’re considering switching to solar power, Silfab Solar panels are an excellent option. They provide high-quality modules, and the company has a wealth of industry experience.
While Silfab’s products adhere to industry standards, they are far from ordinary. The company integrates the latest solar cell technology in their panels, ensuring top-tier products.
Perhaps Silfab’s most distinguishing characteristic is its North American roots, with facilities in Ontario, Canada, and Bellingham, Washington. This is a welcome change from many solar panel manufacturers who are based overseas, primarily in China.
Silfab Solar panels are a sound choice for your home’s solar power system. If Silfab is right for you, give 8MSolar a call today, and check out some of the other equipment we carry and install!
This content was originally published here.
