Solar That Thrives in Humidity
As the world heats, it traps more moisture in the air - about 7 percent more per 1°C of warming according to scientists. While heat can limit a panel's power, corrosion from moisture can cause of degradation and failure of Conventional panels. Moisture in the air attacks the thin lines of metal paste on the front of a Conventional solar cell. Maxeon cells, on the other hand, feature a unique tin-plated copper foundation that protects against breakage and also makes it nearly impervious to humidity and corrosion.
The Maxeon solar cells has a unique metal foundation that protects against corrosion and breakage.
Standing behind these product design advantages, SunPower's industry-leading 25-year Complete Confidence Warranty covers installations in coastal regions. Many conventional solar panel manufacturers have warranty exceptions for coastal environments. SunPower Maxeon panels are an excellent choice for these regions, and are favored by commercial customers in coastal areas. Maxeon cells are even used for marine applications by world record boat racing champions.1 Note – When sold apart from modules, Maxeon cells are not covered by the 25-year warranty.
Malta-based Oiltanking Ltd has outperformed expectations despite harsh coastal conditions including sea air.
Tested Inside and Out
The test shown below is designed to accelerate corrosion in a calibrated laboratory chamber. Standard certification requires that panels be exposed to 85°C and 85% relative humidity for 1,000 hours. Independent testing shows that even high-tier conventional panels are susceptible to corrosion.2 PVEL PV Module Reliability Scorecard, <a href="https://modulescorecard.pvel.com"> modulescorecard.pvel.com </a>
The Damp Heat test exposes panels to thousands of swings between -40°C and +85°C, all at 85% humidity. SunPower tests power before and after to test its performance humid environments.
SunPower tests its Maxeon panels for 7x the industry standard. Even with the additional exposure, the tin-plated copper on the rear of Maxeon cells is nearly impervious to humidity, showing negligible power loss.3 PVEL Test Reports R671F1 and R671H1
Proven in the Field
A recent independent test in Taiwan measured SunPower Maxeon's energy performance versus expectation, a concept known as 'energy yield'. When compared to other panels on the same site for one year, Maxeon panels demonstrated a 5% energy yield advantage despite an average max temp of 27°C and 78% relative humidity. And, as the chart shows, SunPower's yield advantage over Conventional Panels only grew as the temperature climbed.4 PV Insight 2019
Extreme weather patterns might be the new normal. But SunPower is unwavering in our mission to change the way our world is powered. Just as our customers stand up to climate change, our panels are designed to stand up to harsh conditions. Together, we can make a difference in the fight against a warming planet.
