Solar glass is a type of glass that is made to be used with solar cells. Solar glass is different from regular glass because it is made to let as much sunlight as possible reach the solar cells underneath it. It is usually coated with anti-reflective materials to cut down on the amount of light that bounces off, so it is very clear and makes sure that more sunlight is received and turned into electricity.
This energy change is necessary to reduce carbon emissions and act proactively toward climate change while securing enough energy production for future generations.
In this regard, Vishakha Renewables plays a pivotal role in producing solar energy components. We manufacture aluminum frames, EVA solar encapsulants, and back sheets for solar panels. We feel proud to announce that we are the largest solar glass manufacturer in India, with a production capacity of 4 GW at our Mundra facility.
We continuously research innovative technologies to achieve India’s sustainable energy development goals.
Solar Glass Manufacturing: Importance of Solar Glass in Panels
Photovoltaic (PV) cells are prone to moisture, harsh climatic conditions, or dirt. It is essential to protect cells from physical damage or oxidation.
#1 Improving solar panel efficiency:
The solar glass is made of dolomite, silica sand, and aluminum hydroxide. It increases the sunlight transmission and lets it trap inside the cell with minimum reflection. The maximum sunlight penetrates the PV cell and improves its power efficiency. Solar glass makes solar cells much more efficient by reducing light absorption, which is one of the main problems with collecting solar energy. Sunlight that hits a solar panel doesn’t always get absorbed by the cells; sometimes it bounces back off the surface. This light that bounces back is pretty much useless, like money that you lose through your fingers. Solar glass is made with an anti-reflective layer that cuts down on this reflection. This means that more sunlight gets through the glass and into the solar cells.
This anti-reflective layer works by lowering the amount of light that bounces back off the surface of the glass. It doesn’t bounce light away; instead, it sends more of it into the solar cells, where it can be used to make electricity. Since this is the case, the solar cell makes a lot more energy.
Solar glass is also made to be very clear so that as much sunlight as possible can pass through without any problems. Together with the fact that it doesn’t reflect light, this openness makes the right environment for turning solar energy into electricity. The solar screen might make more electricity if it gets more sunshine, which would make it more efficient overall.
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#2 Glass sheet protects and improves durability
Solar Glass sheets safeguard the PV cells against moisture, dust, and severe weather conditions. It helps in preserving the cell integrity and life span. It gives additional support and strength to withstand mechanical stress during high temperatures.
Solar glass is often thought of as the most important part of a solar panel because it ensures the panel’s power and durability. When solar panels are placed in larger areas, they are more likely to be damaged by things like wind, snow, and even the weight of the building itself. Without the right support, these pressures could damage the panel in other ways, like twisting or bending, which would make it less useful.
Solar glass protects the weak solar cells underneath it. It is made to last. It’s made to withstand heavy loads, like snow piling up on the panels in the winter or strong winds that could otherwise warp or crack the surface. Keeping solar panels in good shape is dependent on their ability to hold a lot of weight and pressure. This is especially true for panels that are left out in the open.
In addition to being strong, it protects against damage from temperature changes. In harsh conditions, regular glass could grow or shrink, which could cause it to twist or break. Solar glass, on the other hand, is made to keep its shape even when these things happen, like how a rock fights the sea.
#3 Transmits the Light
Solar glass doesn’t let electricity flow through it because it is an insulation. Rubber and polyester are insulators that carry electricity as well as glass. They are not clear, though, so they can’t be used for solar cells. Glass is the only one of them that is completely clear. Since this is the case, most sunshine easily passes through to the next layers.
Because one-third of the light would be redirected away from the solar cell if the semiconductors were visible, the efficiency would go down. To be as efficient as possible, you can use both the glass and an anti-reflective covering. This will stop any extra energy loss. The extra anti-reflective (AR) layer on the glass of the solar panel cuts down on light reflection even more, which makes it easier for the solar cells to absorb sunlight.
Solar Glass Manufacturers are Shaping the Future of Renewable Energy
The Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme encourages solar glass companies to manufacture glass and other solar components with incentives estimated at $3.2 billion over three years. As production techniques improve and scale up, solar glass manufacturers are working towards making their products more cost-effective, accessible, and easy to implement.
The below points clarify their contribution to shaping the future of sustainable energy:
Creating sustainable infrastructure
The transparent solar panels can easily integrate with the windows and building facades. This method supports sustainability and uses architectural elements like doors and windows in electricity generation. Since the PV glass is transparent, it improves the building’s visual appearance and allows natural light to pass through it.
Reducing reliance on imports
Since we have a domestic solar glass company in India, our dependency on Chinese suppliers is over. The government has proposed a 10% basic customs duty on solar glass imports starting 1 October 2024. It will encourage domestic production and decrease the solar project cost by up to 5%.
Creating a more reliable energy market
New technologies like blockchain transactions and peer-to-peer (P2P) energy trading platforms are introduced. We cannot centralized solar energy in one location, such platforms allow individuals and businesses to buy or sell solar energy from each other. This will develop a more reliable market, empower consumers, and encourage renewable energy adoption.
Technological Advancements:
Integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into solar panels will enhance efficiency and overall performance. AI algorithms can analyze real-time data such as weather patterns and solar radiance. It can help in adjusting the solar panel position for maximum sunlight exposure. It helps monitor regular maintenance and identify potential threats.
Leading Solar Glass Company in India: Vishakha Renewables
Vishakha Renewables aims to create an affordable system for the adoption of solar energy. We offer different equipment for solar panel installation, like solar glass, back sheets, PVA encapsulants, and frames.
Solar glass is an essential component in manufacturing solar panels. Earlier we depend on other countries for raw materials and solar glass. Now with a domestic solar glass company in India, we are well-positioned to support India’s renewable energy goals.
In this regard, Vishakha Renewables has collaborated with Asahi India Glass to manufacture solar PV glass and reduce the import of solar glass. It will subsequently reduce the cost too. Under this collaboration, Vishakha Renewables has established the largest solar glass manufacturing plant at Mundra, Gujrat. It has a capacity of 4 GW in phase 1. The plant has a 660-tonne per day (TPD) solar glass furnace, the largest in India.
Now we are the largest producer of raw materials for installing solar panels, we ensure good quality components that meet industry expectations. By choosing Vishakha Renewables, you can confidently embrace green energy solutions with our reliable solar glass.
