Why so many similar panels from one manufacturer ?

[carpetpaul]

I feel this has to be a silly question with an obvious answer, but I have to ask it since it doesn’t pop out of the searches I’ve tried :

I was looking at the specs of some JA Solar Panels and they have a series of panels that go from 525 to 550 watts across 6 different models, each offering a correspondingly small change in the other parameters. Why is this ?

 

[Korishan]

Maybe the dimensions of the panel?

Could also be that they want to use as much of the silicon wafer as possible, so some wafers aren't as good as others, but they are still functionally sound. Just match all the lower quality wafers together and make a slightly lower output panels. Just a guess tho.

 

[cak]

Could also be that they want to use as much of the silicon wafer as possible, so some wafers aren't as good as others, but they are still functionally sound. Just match all the lower quality wafers together and make a slightly lower output panels. Just a guess tho.

This was my first guess since solar cells are made in a way very similar as computer chips(ICs) which can have variance in how "perfect" they are.

My other thought is the panels are designed differently which could lead to small changes in efficiency from having more/less diodes and such. How many cells you put in series and how they are wired together with diodes and such can make a big difference on shade optimization relative to overall efficiency.

 

[carpetpaul]

its JA Solar, on their website :

https://www.jasolar.com/uploadfile/2021/0706/20210706053524693.pdf

 

[littleharbor2]

Panels are flash tested and all vary to some small extent. After testing they are labeled according to their tested output, giving the ratings in 5 watt increments.