Operational integrity
Peace of mind that Sungrid is delivering a world class product that will outlast the competition
The integrity of Sungrid is evident in everything we do: from sourcing world class products and employing quality controls to safeguard the future effectiveness and safety of the finished product to operating a successful business around the world.
In order to truly understand the layers of integrity that sit within our operation, it is helpful to look at the production process that creates the finished product which is made, literally, from layers of components:
Solar modules sit on rooftops for 25 years or more and take quite a beating from the natural elements. Using the best components available in the market from international suppliers allows Sungrid to offer industry leading warranty terms, giving consumers the confidence that the modules will perform over the long term.
The aluminium frame
A deeper more robust aluminium frame protects the modules. One important feature that is often not given much attention is the depth of the aluminium frame that supports the module. The deeper frame on Sungrid modules (50mm vs 35mm on most other module brands) ensures that the modules are more rigid and less susceptible to twisting and distortion during the packaging, shipping, and installation stages.
Solar cells are fragile and can develop micro-cracks in the crystalline structure that are undetectable to the naked eye. Module samples are checked for micro-cracks at the factory as part of the Sungrid quality assurance process, but can still develop at later stages during transportation and installation. Micro-cracks can reduce performance over the long term.
Having a deeper, more robust frame helps protect Sungrid modules from the potential to develop these micro-cracks when handled. Solar modules sit on rooftops for 25 years or more and take quite a beating from the natural elements. Using the best components available in the market from international suppliers allows Sungrid to offer industry leading warranty terms, giving consumers the confidence that the modules will perform over the long term.
The cells, solar glass, encapsulant and backsheet
Sungrid uses the highest quality components from leading international suppliers.
The glass, encapsulation material, and backsheet are critical components that determine the longevity and robustness of the product. They seal and protect the solar cells from the elements as well as provide electrical insulation.
Sungrid modules are assembled from the highest quality components sourced from leading international suppliers. But it is the solar cells used in our modules that are the critical defining benefit when compared to other module brands
Sungrid chooses carefully the manufacturers of the cells for the Sungrid range of modules. Important criteria are the size of the company and its reputation as well as the technical aspect of the cells. All companies supplying cells to the Sungrid line are multinational companies and are significant players in the PV cell manufacturing industry. They are also module manufacturers so they understand the application of the cells into the module. On the technical side the cell qualities that are examined include efficiency, temperature coefficient, degradation, and technology stability. These factors give the confidence for Sungrid to supply a generous performance warranty.
Sungrid’s cells are utilized to their optimum potential.
The performance of an entire solar module will be reduced if one cell within the module has a lower performance than the other cells. To avoid this happening, we ensure improved module performance by narrowing down the cell performance differential within a module to 0.2%. This means that cells in a Sungrid module are utilized to their optimal potential and are not being ‘held down’ by lower performing cells within the module.
High shunt resistance.
The cells in a Sungrid module have high shunt resistance (and as a result, a low reverse current) to ensure maximum power in low light conditions, reduced hot spot risk, and increased energy yield.
Some other advantages of the cells in a Sungrid module include:
- Visual quality from sorting cells into colour classes and more than 25 visual quality criteria.
- Low temperature coefficients to improve performance in high temperatures