Dual Aperture Technology

Most conventional solar modules are "single aperture", meaning that they collect solar radiation from the front face only. These solar panels use mono-facial solar cells and typically have a solid, metallic back plane which serves as an electrode and reflects some energy back through the panel.

A conventional, single aperture solar module.

A single aperture solar module absorbs most wavelengths of incident light; however, the cells are only able to convert wavelengths from 400-1100nm to electricity. The remainder is absorbed and converted to heat, which reduces panel efficiency.

Moreover, these modules are efficient only over a fairly limited range of incident angles. A mechanical tracking mechanism is typically employed to keep the solar panel at an optimal angle, which adds expense and maintenance over the panel's life.

A dual aperture solar module begins with bi-facial solar cells that collect solar energy from both the front and back faces. Bi-facial cells receive direct sunlight and also capture additional energy in reflection.

A Bifacial Solar Cell

Prism Solar's Generation II Dual Aperture HPC Solar Modules are based around bi-facial solar cells. Cell efficiency is increased significantly by the use of bi-facial HPC Film, which keeps the cells at high efficiency even in low light conditions. The ability to collect direct, low angle, diffuse and reflected light enables Prism's DA-HPC solar modules to produce more kilowatt-hours using less expensive silicon.

Prism Solar's HPC modules collect energy from all angles throughout the year.

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