Are you considering black solar panels for a better aesthetic? If the configurations of your solar system require panel placement on your front roof, you may want to opt for this type of solar panel.

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Today, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about black solar panels, including features, benefits and more.

What are Black Solar Panels?

As the name suggests, black solar panels are panels that are all black from top to bottom.

Many residential solar customers aren’t fans of the traditional blue solar panels (see more below). This prompted solar manufacturers to begin making black panels.

Black solar panels have black frames, black backsheets and black monocrystalline solar cells — offering a much better curb appeal when you install them on the front roof of your home. Black solar panels are also called “all-black panels” or “black-on-black panels.”

Traditional Solar Panels

Traditional solar panels have silver frames, white backsheets and blue or black polycrystalline solar cells.

On traditional panels, you’ll notice that each solar panel has a silver border on all sides with 60 or 72 dark-colored, square solar cells with the white backsheet visible between them.

Read: 60-Cell vs. 72-Cell Solar Panels

On traditional solar panels, the solar cells have corners cut off. The white backsheet shows up as dozens of white diamond shapes between each solar cell.

Traditional solar panels may not be as aesthetically pleasing than black panels, but if your back roof faces south, your solar panel system isn’t visible from the front of your home. You won’t have to worry about what your installation looks like.

Next, we’ll cover other notable differences between blue and black solar panels.

Blue vs. Black Solar Panels: Key Differences

Two types of panels used in residential and commercial solar installations: monocrystalline and polycrystalline. The terms ‘monocrystalline’ and ‘polycrystalline’ refer to the solar cells that make up the panels. Black solar panels are made up of monocrystalline solar cells, and blue solar panels are made up of polycrystalline solar cells.

Manufacturing Process

To make a monocrystalline solar cell, the manufacturer puts a silicone seed crystal into a vat of melted silicon.

As the seed crystal is slowly drawn out of the vat, the molten silicon forms a crystalline structure around it. This cylindrical block of silicon crystal is called an ingot. Then, the ingot is sliced into wafer-thin solar cells. These cells start out round, but to save space within the rectangular solar panel frame, they are cut down into the shape of a square with rounded corners.

Polycrystalline solar cells are made by melting silicon crystals together and letting them cool in a rectangular block. The block is cut into very thin slices, which become the solar cells.

Read more: Monocrystalline vs. Polycrystalline Solar Panels

Efficiency and Power Output

Aside from aesthetics, another benefit of black solar panels is their efficiency. When comparing a black versus blue solar panel, black monocrystalline solar cells produce higher power output for a solar panel of the same size.

To learn more about solar panel efficiency, check out our article here.

Cost

The biggest downside of black solar panels is that they cost more per watt, though the difference is marginal. However, this can add up, especially if your solar panel system is extensive.

If you want to learn more, please visit our website all black solar panels.

Depending on your preference and needs, the extra cost may be worth it. If your energy needs call for higher efficiency, and if your solar system is front-facing, you’ll likely want to go for black solar panels in the end.

Black Solar Panel Manufacturers

Here’s a list of popular manufacturers that make black solar panels.

SunSpark Solar

SunSpark solar panels are durable, high-efficiency black panels with an attractive look and a small footprint. They are also assembled, distributed and serviced in the USA.

Mission Solar

Mission Solar makes solar panels have a sleek black-on-black look with good efficiency. They are assembled, designed and engineered in the USA, so if you want to support American-made products, these are a great option.

Phono Solar

The Phono black solar panels have a beautiful aesthetic at a competitive price point. 

Znshine Solar

Znshine makes black solar panels with a larger footprint that work well on larger roof areas or ground mounts.

Hanwha QCells

Hanwha Qcells has a variety of black solar panels available in different sizes and efficiencies.

The Bottom Line on Black Solar Panels

Black solar panels are an excellent option for homes, and they’re growing in availability and popularity. However, looks typically aren’t the number one priority for solar panels. You must balance aesthetics, efficiency and cost per watt to find the perfect solution for your unique situation.

The good news is that you don’t have to figure this out alone! Reach out to the experts at GoGreenSolar to get the best advice on which solar panels are right for you and your home. Or, browse our current selection of solar panels and see what we offer in our solar panel kits.

Photo credit: solaria.com

A guide to all-black solar panels

by Edyta Pukocz 10 months ago 3 min read

The classic solar panel look is shiny blue, but in recent years this has started to change. You may have noticed that newly installed solar panels are often mostly black these days and, in some cases, completely black. In this guide, we’ll explore why and look at the different types of black solar panels.

What’s the difference between blue and black solar panels?

Blue solar panels are polycrystalline panels. This means they’re made from multiple silicon crystals which have been melted together. They cost less to make than black solar panels do, but are less efficient and take up more space.

Black solar panels are monocrystalline panels. This means they’re made from a single silicon crystal, which is cut into wafers. They take up less room than blue, polycrystalline solar panels, but are more energy efficient and therefore have a higher output in the same amount of space. They cost more to make and so cost more for the consumer.

The difference in colour is simply caused by the manufacturing process. A blue, anti-reflective coating is added to polycrystalline solar panels so more sunlight can be absorbed, whereas monocrystalline panels are already very absorbent.

Reach out today to get a quote and find professional installers for your home.

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Types of black solar panels

There are three parts of a solar panel that can be a different colour:

1. Solar cells, also known as photovoltaic cells. This is the part made from silicon and is what converts sunlight into electrical energy.
2. Frame, which holds the different components together and protects them from outside elements, increasing the lifespan of the solar panel. Many frames are silver, but in all-black solar panels the frame is black.
3. Backing sheet, the outermost layer of the solar panel. It protects the inner components against things like dust and sand, wind, humidity, UV radiation and scratches, which can all degrade solar panels faster.

With this in mind, let’s look at the different appearances black solar panels can have.

• All black. As the name suggests, all the key components are black, blending in to create a sleek and elegant solar panel.
• Black frame with white backing sheet. The addition of a black frame can tone down the appearance of solar panels, although slivers of the backing sheet will still be seen between the solar cells. However, a white backing sheet can reflect and trap more light than a black one, increasing efficiency.
• Silver frame with black backing sheet. From a distance, a solar panel with a black backing sheet will appear completely dark (you can see the wires up close, but no one will be that near unless they’re the installer).

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Advantages of black solar panels

• Their sleek aesthetic looks more elegant compared to blue solar panels.
• They’re better at blending into existing roof tiles, especially if the roof tiles are darker in colour.
• Black monocrystalline panels are more efficient than blue polycrystalline panels, which means they use more of the sunlight that reaches them. In turn, this means you need fewer panels to get the amount of power needed to run your home.
• Monocrystalline panels have a longer lifespan (30+ years, compared to around 20 for polycrystalline panels).

Disadvantages of black solar panels

• Solar panels with a black frame and backing will absorb more heat compared to those with a white frame. This warms up the panels and can reduce efficiency, though monocrystalline panels are still more efficient than polycrystalline panels. Manufacturers will often take steps to boost efficiency. For example, LONGi’s all-black solar panel still runs at 84.8% efficiency after 25 years, compared to the standard 80%.
• They’re more expensive than polycrystalline panels. However, the difference in price may even out long term, as it takes less time to make a return on your investment.
• They tend to be most effective in high temperatures, compared to polycrystalline panels, so they may be less efficient in cooler parts of the world.
  
  With all-black solar panels gaining popularity, it’s important to do your research before committing to an installation. At Otovo, we run a network of reliable, local installers, all of whom are certified by consumer protection organisations and regularly audited to ensure consistent quality.

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Edyta Pukocz

Edyta is a passionate advocate for sustainability and renewable energies. She believes in harnessing nature's power to create a greener future and a journey towards a sustainable world.

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