Equipment and components
Photovoltaic panel
Also known as: solar panel, photovoltaic module, solar module.
Definition
A photovoltaic panel is the module that converts sunlight into electricity by means of semiconductor cells. It is the visible component of a solar installation and several panels connected together form the system's generator.
A panel is a technical sandwich: silicon cells connected in series, encapsulated between tempered front glass and a backsheet, all held by an aluminium frame. On the back it carries the junction box with the bypass diodes, which let the current route around a shaded area instead of blocking the whole module.
Panels are the most durable and least demanding part of the installation: they have no moving parts, their annual degradation is low and manufacturers' performance warranties usually extend to 25 or 30 years. In a quote, however, the panels are not the only significant cost: the inverter, the structure, the protections, the labour and the connection process all weigh meaningfully on the total.
In Colombia the residential market is dominated by monocrystalline silicon modules. Bifacial, half-cut or higher-efficiency variants make sense depending on the space available and the type of mounting, but for most roofs the relevant decision is not the panel technology but the quality of the whole and the installer's backing.
The essentials of Photovoltaic panel
- It converts light — not heat — into direct-current electricity.
- It is made of cells, tempered glass, encapsulant, backsheet and frame.
- The bypass diodes limit the impact of partial shading.
- Reference service life: 25 years or more, with a manufacturer performance warranty.
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Frequently asked questions about Photovoltaic panel
Do panels work on cloudy days?
Yes, with less output. Panels make use of diffuse radiation, which passes through clouds, so they keep generating even with no direct sun. Output on a very cloudy day can fall considerably against a clear one, but the system does not shut down.
How long do solar panels last?
The sector's design and warranties are framed around 25 years or more. A panel does not stop working the moment it reaches that: it loses capacity gradually, at around 0.5% a year under a typical performance warranty, and keeps producing afterwards. The inverter, by contrast, usually needs replacing sooner.
Do panels withstand hail and heavy rain?
Certified modules are tested against hail impact and carry tempered glass and sealing against water. In Colombia the critical point is usually not the panel but the anchoring: a structure poorly calculated for wind or badly waterproofed causes more problems than the module itself.
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