Shingled solar cells follow a similar process as solar roof shingles. They are made by cutting a full size solar cell into 6 equal strips. These cells strips are then assembled and stacked, like roof tiles, to form longer strings of up to 40 cells, depending on the size of the panels. This results in one-fifth (or one-sixth) the usual string voltage (V) but one-fifth (or one-sixth) the current (I). Therefore, by reducing the current flowing through the battery, the resistance is also reduced, and by reducing the resistance, the operating temperature is also reduced. And by lowering the operating temperature, the chance of hot spots forming can be reduced.     Advantages 1. Non-busbar connection In this arrangement, the cells are directly connected by physical contact, with no visible bus bars and straps required to hold the cells together. In the shingled configuration, nearly 30 meters of busbars and welded joints required by traditional solar panels are eliminated. This reduces the risk of bus failure.     2. Increased Power Harvesting Spaces between cells are completely eliminated. This removes inactive areas of the panel, which can increase cell resistance and reduce performance. Thanks to more modules, almost 100% can be covered by solar cells, so more light can be collected per surface area.   3. Parallel Cell connection In a traditional solar panel, individual cells are connected in series. So when the cell is shaded, its performance degrades, and with it the performance of the entire solar panel. In a shingled configuration, cells can be wired in groups and configured in parallel, allowing cells to perform more independently of other cells.   4. The best solar panel aesthetics yet The main attraction of the Ribbon Cell is its state-of-the-art aesthetics. Without any visible circuitry, their surfaces appear to be made of stained glass. How the solar panels blend aesthetically into the roof is an important consideration for manufacturers. Shingled solar panels are by far the most aesthetically pleasing, second only to IBC solar panels.     Shingled cell technology is compatible with more traditional silicon cell technologies such as full black, half-cut, PERC, HJT, etc. and can accommodate these configurations. At present, this emerging technology represents the highest limit of the development of traditional undoped crystalline silicon solar cells so far.  

Shingled solar cells are solar cells which are cut into typically 5 or 6 strips.  These strips can be overlaid, like shingles on a roof, to form the electrical connections.  The strips of solar cells are joined together using an electrically conductive adhesive (ECA) that allows for conductivity and flexibility. Shingled solar cell       Shingled solar cell – end elevation     This allows the cells to be connected differently to conventional solar panels, in that, there are no busbars (ribbons) required and the solar cells can be joined together resulting in no gaps between the solar cells.   Shingled solar modules can also be wired differently to conventional solar panels.  Typically, solar cells in conventional solar panels are wired in a series of strings whereas the solar cells in shingled panels can be wired in parallel configuration.     What are the advantages of shingled solar panels? Essentially the three key advantages of the shingled solar panel design are they produce more power, improve reliability and are aesthetically pleasing.   1. Increased energy harvest Higher power per square metre The shingled solar cells do not require busbars across the top of the cells so more of the solar cells are exposed to sunlight.  The cells do not need to be spaced apart like in conventional solar panels so the solar panel area can produce more energy.   Comparison between conventional solar panel and Solaria shingle solar panel   Less energy loss due to shading Conventional solar panels have the individual cells wired in series so when a part of the solar panel is shaded it can have a significant effect on the level of power output.  By configuring the solar cells in shingles, they can be wired in groups and configured in parallel which significantly reduces the losses caused by shading. Current flow comparison   Below are some examples of shading and losses for a conventional solar panel and a shingled panel.  The Shingled panels have greater performance except for the vertical shading example.   Outdoor shade testing over a 70-day period has shown that the  shingled solar panel performs between 37 to 45% better than conventional solar panel designs.   2. Better reliability   Low busbar failures Shingle solar panels do away with approximately 30 metres of busbar and soldered joints that is required on conventional solar panels, so busbar failures are reduced.   Better mechanical performance Static and dynamic load tests show that the shingle approach is more resistant to failure due to external forces being applied to the solar panel compared to conventional solar panels.   3. More attractive Shingled solar panels have no visible circuitry which give them clean simple look providing superior street appeal.