Ontological Shock

 

I’ve been closely following the news rollercoaster, and it became clear to me that much of what I knew and understood as reality was, in fact, a charade. Free speech was a myth. Freedom of movement was no longer a fundamental right when it came down to it - governments swiftly and without a second thought imposed unprecedented restrictions on the movement of travel under the guise of “safety”.

If you put your head above the parapet to object or to merely raise concerns (hey, we’re not sure the so-called “vaccine” is a vaccine; maybe your clinical trials were a wee bit skewed; let’s proceed with caution), they shot at you. Metaphorically, so far, thank goodness. But shoot they did. Gaslighting, hit pieces, character assassination, psyops, fifth-generation warfare, lies compounding lies, propaganda twisting so much of our reality that friends and relationships were destroyed because those of us in this fight (and fight it is, make no mistake) didn’t agree with the government and “science” as embodied by Fauci. So effective was this propaganda campaign that family and friends couldn’t comprehend why we saw the world differently. We were labeled, exiled, and attacked. It continues. This is reality.

So when a Twitter post came up in my feed about UFOs a few weeks ago, I wondered “What if the reality that I’ve believed up till now about UFOs is made up of the same type of myths, lies, propaganda, and spin I’ve seen at work with COVID?”. Are government three letter agencies acting in our best interests or theirs? Is the bureaucratic machine made up of life-long technocrats in government institutions, including the military and intelligence agencies, working in a transparent, accountable, and legal manner, or do they have their agenda and we’re to remain oblivious to their actions? The stigma and ridicule leveled at anyone talking about UFOs is too similar to what I’ve seen in the last few years with Covid. Something doesn’t add up.

Lo’ and behold, ask and ye shall receive. In less than 3 weeks, several significant events have occurred that made me sit up and throw out any prior opinions I had, and re-evaluate everything I’ve ever thought about UFOs.

I must admit that any favorable mention of the flying saucers by a scientist amounts to extreme heresy and places the one making the statement in danger of ex-communication by the scientific theocracy. Nevertheless, in recent years I have investigated the story of the unidentified flying object (UFO), and I am no longer able to dismiss the idea lightly.

Ontological Shock is definitely what happens to you when your entire worldview is turned on its head. The term “ontological shock” has been thrown around on recent podcasts and in articles on UFOs, now called UAPs (unidentified anomalous phenomena, supposedly to remove the stigma). My concern is that people are not going to be able to process what they are hearing. It’s just too much, and they need time to adjust.

Renewables in the U.S. 2023.

With a goal to reduce the world’s reliance on fossil fuels, which account for more than 75% of global greenhouse gas emissions and almost 90% of all carbon dioxide emissions, many renewable energy companies in the U.S. are leading the charge. 

Different Types of Renewable Energy 

Renewable energy, also known as sustainable energy or clean energy, is derived from natural sources that are replenished at a higher rate than they are consumed. It can be used for electricity generation, space and water heating and cooling, and transportation. 

Some of the most popular types of renewables include:

Biomass Energy: Energy generated or produced by living or once-living organisms, such as woods, crops, seaweed, and animal wastes.

Hydropower: Sometimes called water power, hydropower generates power using the natural flow of moving water.

Geothermal Energy: Geothermal energy is the heat produced in the Earth’s core. It can be harnessed for use as electricity or heat.  

Wind Energy: Wind power converts the kinetic energy of air in motion, usually via wind turbines, into electricity. 

Solar Energy: Solar energy converts sunlight into electricity using solar panels.

As many companies aim for carbon neutrality to combat climate change, they are quickly accelerating their transition to sustainable energy. This comes with a variety of benefits, including cost savings, the creation of millions of jobs, and a reduction in emissions of greenhouse gases. 

Top Renewable Energy Companies in the U.S.

1. NextEra Energy, Inc.

NextEra Energy, owner of Florida Power & Light Company, is a leading clean energy company headquartered in Juno Beach, Florida. It is the world’s largest renewable energy generator from the wind and sun and a leader in battery storage. 

Notably, the company promises “a real plan for real zero,” which means it is committed to completely eliminating carbon emissions from its operations by 2045.

It was ranked by Fortune as a top 20 company in the world for innovation, has between $50 billion and $55 billion in new infrastructure investments planned through 2022, and has reduced dependency on foreign oil by 98% since 2001. 

2. Green Mountain Energy 

The longest-serving renewable energy retailer, Green Mountain Energy, is headquartered in Houston, Texas. Its motto, “Choose wisely. It’s a small planet,” describes its mission since 1997. 

To date, Green Mountain Energy has helped customers avoid more than 106 billion pounds of CO2, which is equivalent to planting more than 11 million trees. 

In 2002, the company created the Green Mountain Energy Sun Club, which utilizes nonprofit partnerships and grants to promote renewable energy projects. 

3. TPI Composites

Founded back in 1968 in Scottsdale, Arizona, TPI Composites has provided composite wind blades since 2001 and is now the U.S.’s largest independent manufacturer of this component. 

In 2021, the company accounted for around 32% of all onshore wind blades sold on a megawatt (MW)-basis globally, excluding China, reaching more than $1.7 billion in net sales and producing more than 9,700 wind blades. 

The cost of wind energy has dropped by 72% since 2009, which is due in part to the use of significantly longer wind blades. Since 2007, TPI Composites’ wind blades have grown from 46 to 80 meters. It is expected that all onshore wind blades will be between 80 and 100 meters by the end of this decade. 

4. Renewable Energy Group, Inc.

Renewable Energy Group is an international biodiesel production company headquartered in Ames, Iowa, that converts renewable resources into high-quality fuels.

Its EnDura Fuels™ line includes:

InfinD™: a clean-burning, biodiesel solution

PuriD™: an ultra biodiesel

UltraCleanBlenD™: a renewable diesel and biodiesel

VelociD™: a renewable diesel that serves as a replacement for petroleum diesel

BeyonD™: a sustainable aviation fuel

The company also offers additional renewable products, byproducts, and blends such as glycerin, methyl esters, and gasoline that support the production and supply chain needs of its clients.

5. Clearway Energy

Headquartered in San Francisco, California, Clearwater Energy operates solar and wind projects in 26 states and employs more than 700 people across San Francisco, California; Scottsdale, Arizona; Houston, Texas; Princeton, New Jersey; and Carlsbad, California. 

With more than 5.7 GW of wind, solar, and energy storage projects currently in operation, Clearwater Energy’s customers are offsetting the equivalent of 10.5 million metric tons of CO2 per year.  

The company’s future plans are also extensive, with a further 30 GW of projects in the pipeline. This includes more than 5.5 GW of utility-scale solar and 5 GW of wind projects.

6. First Solar Inc.

Founded in 1999, First Solar is a leading solar technology company and producer of solar modules headquartered in Tempe, Arizona. It is one of the top ten largest solar manufacturers in the world and the only one to be headquartered in the United States rather than China.  

The company’s advanced thin film photovoltaic (PV) modules feature a layer of Cadmium Telluride (CadTel) semiconductor, which is derived from byproducts of copper and zinc mining. This means its solar modules are cheaper to produce, highly scalable, and more efficient than traditional c-Si modules. Further, First Solar’s modules use less water, energy, and semiconductor material, which means they result in a 2.5 times lower carbon footprint. 

First Solar is committed to powering 100% of its global manufacturing operations with renewables by 2028 and achieving Net Zero by 2050.

7. PlanEt

PlanET, which stands for Planning and Application of Energy Technology, is an affiliate of PlanET Biogas Group, which specializes in the design, construction, and service of advanced biogas plants. 

Since it was founded in Germany in 1998, the company has saved almost 39 million metric tons of CO2 and today boasts 600+ biogas plants around the world, with outputs ranging from 40 kilowatts (kW) to several MW. Today, it has offices in France, Canada, and the United States.

8. Tesla

Tesla might be best known for its electric vehicles (EVs), but it also boasts an impressive suite of integrated renewable solutions including home and grid-scale battery energy storage, solar panels, and solar roof tiles.

The company offers a fully integrated solar and energy storage system. Solar Roof is composed of both glass solar tiles and steel roofing tiles while Powerwall, Tesla’s home battery, pairs with the solar system to store energy. This enables customers to use it on-demand — be it at night or during an outage. To date, Tesla has installed around 4.0 GW of solar across approximately 480,000 roofs, generating more than 25.0 terawatt hours (TWhs) of clean energy.

Clean energy production and consumption are steadily on the rise. In 2021, production increased by 5.39%, accounting for 12.2% of all U.S. energy consumption and 20.1% of electricity generation. 

Wind energy is the prime clean energy source, accounting for 27.05% of total U.S. output. This is followed by biomass (21.41%), biofuels (19.15%), hydropower (18.54%), solar energy (12.19%), and geothermal energy (1.67%).

On a global scale, approximately 29% of electricity currently comes from renewable sources, but the United Nations predicts clean energy could provide as much as 65% of the world’s total electricity supply by 2030.

Singapore Renewable Energy

  

Singapore has identified the clean energy industry as a strategic growth area and has implemented a comprehensive blueprint to develop this industry.
Within the clean technology (cleantech) sector, Singapore has secured several key investments in high-value manufacturing, engineering, biofuels, research and development (R&D), and regional headquarters activities.

Total investment in renewable energy in Singapore from 2020 reached around US$1.3 billion (S$1.75 billion). More than 55 percent of green investments in Southeast Asian countries made in 2022 were by foreign investors, both within and outside the region.

Singapore’s biggest hurdle in its energy transition is the mismatch of its renewable energy demand and supply, a recent report revealed.

According to the "Southeast Asia’s Green Economy 2023 Report: Cracking the code" report by Bain & Company, Temasek, GenZero, and Amazon Web Services (AWS), the Lion City “demonstrates the strongest need to import clean energy to achieve its 2030 goal and Net Zero in the longer term” amongst countries in the region.

Based on the report, the city-state’s total RE resources are 0.4 GW; of which, 0.3 GW comes from Photovoltaic (PV) Energy and 0.1 comes from onshore wind.

The total RE resources of Singapore are insufficient to meet its electricity demand by 2050 at 18 GW. 

“Singapore doesn't have sufficient renewable energy potential to meet 100% of the nation’s electricity demand,” the report stated.

Whilst lacking in the RE aspect, Singapore has been leading in the transport front, from electric vehicle adoption to decarbonizing its maritime and aviation sectors.

Data from the report showed that EVs account for 12% of new car sales in Singapore. The highest percentage in ASEAN-6, tied with Vietnam.

Singapore has also gained momentum in decarbonizing its maritime sector by establishing the world’s longest Green and Digital Corridor with the Port of Rotterdam. 

The corridor is expected to “bring together a coalition of shippers, fuel suppliers, and other companies to work on potential alternative fuel solutions and optimize maritime efficiency, safety, and transparent flow of goods through a digital trade lane.”

In aviation, Singapore has also piloted blended sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) on flights departing from Changi Airport and sold SAF credits as part of the pilot. The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, Singapore Airlines, and GenZero took part in the pilot.

To ensure efficient RE transition and EV adoption, the report recommended several actions for ASEAN countries.

Amongst its recommendations was to double down on power master plans to provide clarity on the transition path, which Singapore has done through its issuance of the Green Plan 2030.

The report also recommended ASEAN countries accelerate EV charging station infrastructure development, citing Singapore’s regulation that mandates EV charging points at all new buildings with car parks.

Sustainability has become a vital foundation for many businesses and organizations, including listed companies, small and medium enterprises, social enterprises, and public agencies. More recently and critically, there has been intensive attention on the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) pillars of sustainability and the implications of climate change. Stakeholders in all spheres require leaders to be responsible to the community and society and contribute to sustainable development.

UTICA SOLAR

 

Started in 2004, UTICA® is a privately held Singapore and China renewable energy company in the production of “Consumer Electricity Products” from alternative energy sources such as, solar energy, hydroelectric, and wind power.

 

Utica has been in the solar industry for 19 years and has experience in both the residential and commercial segment. They have completed over 1,000 projects for residential properties and 38 projects for commercial properties. The total capacity Utica has installed in Singapore is 26.8MW over their 19 years in this industry.

 

Utica has produced a range of intelligent MobileGrid power processing unit for alternative energy generators that utilize photovoltaic and wind sources, which is able to supplement and substitute the power grid’s electricity. As an active solar energy provider to residential, commercial and industrial clients, sustainable and independent energy is our focus. UTICA SG is committed in providing affordable renewable energy to public and private entities.

REC SOLAR

 

REC Group is Europe’s largest solar panel manufacturer, with offices in Europe, the United States, Asia, and Australia. The company was founded in Norway in 1996 and manufactures its solar panels in Singapore. REC is known for pioneering half-cut cell technology in 2014, which improved the performance of solar panels by cutting solar cells in half.

 Efficiency

 The term “solar panel efficiency” refers to how well a solar panel captures sunlight and converts it into useful electricity. In the same conditions, a high-efficiency solar panel will produce more electricity than a lower-efficiency panel of the same size. For this reason, a higher efficiency rating is generally preferable.

 

The efficiency of your REC solar panels will vary depending on the specific model that you choose for your system. Solar panels in REC’s product line have an efficiency rating of 19.1% to 22.3%.

Performance (temperature coefficient)

The temperature coefficient is an indicator of how well your solar panel performs in less-than-ideal conditions. Solar panels, like other electronic equipment, perform better when they are kept cool (ideally around 25° C/77° F). The temperature coefficient tells you how much your panel’s performance will change during hot sunny summer days.

For every degree above 25° C (77° F), your solar panel’s electricity production will decrease by its temperature coefficient. For example, REC’s Alpha Pure-R panels have a temperature coefficient of -0.26%/°C (among the best performing alongside Panasonic and AXITEC). This means that if the panel’s temperature increases by one degree from 25° C (77° F) to 26° C (79° F), its electricity production will decrease by 0.26%. If its temperature increases all the way to 35° C (95° F), electricity production will reduce by 2.6%.

Your solar panels will likely see more than a few hot and sunny days over the course of each year, so ideally, they will have the lowest temperature coefficient possible. REC solar panels have temperature coefficients ranging from -0.34 to -0.26.

Warranties

 Whether you’re buying a TV, a car, or solar panels, the manufacturer should stand behind their product with a strong warranty. A solar panel’s materials warranty (sometimes referred to as the product or equipment warranty) is a guarantee from the manufacturer that they will replace your panel if it fails as a result of manufacturing defects or environmental issues.

Under their ProTrust warranty, REC offers a 25-year product warranty on any panels installed by a REC Certified Solar Professional installer, comparable to other leading solar panel companies like Panasonic, SunPower, and Q CELLS. But, if you choose to go with a solar installer that isn’t REC-certified, you’ll only get a 20-year product warranty. They also provide a 25-year power warranty, which guarantees that their panels will still produce at least 86% to 92% of their original output by the end of the warranty term, depending on the product series.

 

 Advantages & disadvantages of REC solar panels

As with any product that is such a significant investment, REC solar panels have advantages and disadvantages to keep in mind before deciding to make a purchase. Whether your primary motivation for switching to solar is sustainable living or decreasing your reliance on the electric grid by pairing your solar system with energy storage, it’s important to weigh your options.

Pros of REC solar panels

Efficiency: REC solar panels are some of the most efficient panels on the market, and the company was an industry leader in pioneering half-cut solar cell technology which has increased solar panel energy production across the board.

Performance: REC offers some of the top-performing panels on the market with two of their panel series having a temperature coefficient of -0.26%/°C.

Power warranty: three of REC’s four solar panel series include a power warranty with an annual degradation of no more than 0.25% and a guaranteed power output of at least 92% at year 25. This is higher than many panels currently on the market.

Cons of REC solar panels

Product Warranty: REC’s full 25-year product warranty is only available to people who had their panels installed by REC Certified Solar Professional installers; panels installed by any other installer are only eligible for a 20-year product warranty. The product warranty also doesn’t cover inverters, unlike some other industry-leading warranties.

Product diversity: REC only manufactures solar panels. Unlike brands like SunPower, Panasonic, or Q CELLS, It doesn’t offer other products like batteries, inverters, or other technology, limiting its revenue diversification.

SUNPOWER

 

SunPower panels are often the most efficient products on the market today, and they offer an industry-leading warranty. For many years, SunPower has been a fully-integrated solar shop, manufacturing solar cells and panels and then offering sales and installation services for residential and commercial applications. But, while they are considered some of the best panels, they do come at a premium price.

 

Efficiency 

 

The term “solar panel efficiency” or “conversion efficiency” refers to how well a solar panel captures sunlight and converts it into usable photovoltaic electricity. In the same conditions, a high-efficiency solar panel will produce more electricity than a lower-efficiency panel of the same size. So, if you’re choosing between panels, ones with higher efficiency ratings are generally preferable.

 

The efficiency of your SunPower solar panels will vary depending on the specific model you choose for your system. SunPower panel efficiency ranges from 21.7% to 22.8% (excluding the U Series), making them some of the most efficient solar panels currently available.

 

Performance (temperature coefficient)

 The temperature coefficient is an indicator of how well your solar panels perform in less-than-ideal conditions. Solar panels, like other electronic equipment, perform better when kept cool (ideally around 25°C/77°F). The temperature coefficient tells you how much your panel’s performance will change during hot, sunny summer days.

For every degree above 25°C (77°F), your solar panel’s electricity production will decrease by its temperature coefficient. The temperature coefficient of all of the SunPower M Series and X Series panels is 0.29%/°C. This means that if the panel’s temperature increases by one degree from 25°C (77°F), its electricity production will decrease by 0.29%; if its temperature rises to 35°C (95°F), electricity production will reduce by 2.9%

Your solar panels will likely see more than a few hot and sunny days each year, so ideally, they will have the lowest temperature coefficient possible. SunPower’s solar panels have lower temperature coefficients as far as the industry goes at -0.29 for all their series (except the U Series, which is unknown). For comparison, the most popular brand of solar panels on EnergySage, Q CELLS, offers panels with a temperature coefficient of -0.34, while Panasonic panels all have a temperature coefficient of -0.26.

Warranties

Whether you’re buying a TV, a car, or solar panels, the brand should stand behind their product with a strong warranty. A solar panel’s materials warranty (sometimes referred to as the product or equipment warranty) is a guarantee from the company that they will replace your panel if it fails due to manufacturing defects or environmental issues.

SunPower offers a 25-year warranty, guaranteeing that their panels will still produce at least 92% of their original output by the end of the warranty term. This warranty applies even if the panels are not registered and they offer a 40-year warranty for panels that are registered within six months of installation and installed by a SunPower-certified installer. This 40-year warranty offering is the best warranty term in the industry, showing SunPower’s commitment to its panels’ durability and guaranteeing that SunPower solar modules will still be generating 88.25% of their minimum peak power output at year 40.

As with most warranties, SunPower’s warranty covers degradation of the panel quality but not any corrosion from elements like salt water. You can see the degradation warranty coverage of all of SunPower’s panels in the table below.

Advantages & disadvantages of SunPower solar panels

As with any product that is such a significant investment, SunPower panels have advantages and disadvantages to keep in mind before deciding to make a purchase. Whether your primary motivation for switching to solar is sustainability or lowering your electric bills, it’s important to weigh your options.

Pros of SunPower solar panels

Superior product warranty: SunPower solar panels come with one of the most extended and comprehensive warranties available at 25 years, in addition to the 40-year, 88.25% warranty available if you register your panels.

Excellent efficiency: SunPower solar panels are the most efficient solar panels currently available on the EnergySage Marketplace.

Battery system compatibility: in addition to solar panels, SunPower offers the SunVault Storage system, allowing you to install a completely integrated system under one company.

Cons of SunPower solar panels

Cost: SunPower solar panels are some of the most expensive panels on the market, making some of the less expensive (if somewhat lower quality) options more enticing for those concerned about costs.

Manufacturing: though this isn’t a direct disadvantage, SunPower no longer manufactures their own panels. It’s still unclear exactly what companies are manufacturing their U Series and very little information is available about these panels.

PANASONIC

 

As one of the world’s largest consumer electronics manufacturers, Panasonic is a household name that entered the solar industry in 1975. Panasonic solar panels are popular among EnergySage shoppers and installers – in fact, they’re the third most quoted brand in 2023! However, in 2021 Panasonic announced that they’ll no longer manufacture their own solar panels (they previously had a manufacturing deal with Tesla). But if you’re interested in Panasonic solar panels, don’t worry: unlike LG Solar, Panasonic is continuing to sell high-performing panels – manufacturing is now just outsourced to a third party.

 

Efficiency

 

The term “solar panel efficiency” or “conversion efficiency” refers to how well a solar panel captures sunlight and converts it into usable photovoltaic electricity. In the same conditions, a high-efficiency solar panel will produce more electricity than a lower-efficiency panel of the same size. For this reason, a higher efficiency rating is generally preferable.

 

The efficiency of your Panasonic solar panels will vary depending on the specific model you choose for your system. While most solar panels fall in the 14% to 18% range, Panasonic panel efficiency ranges from 19.2% to 22.2%.

 

Performance (temperature coefficient)

 

Temperature coefficient is an indicator of how well your solar panels perform in less-than-ideal conditions. Solar panels, like other electronic equipment, perform better when kept cool (ideally around 25°C/77°F). The temperature coefficient tells you how much your panel’s performance will change during hot sunny summer days.

 

For every degree above 25°C (77°F), your solar panel’s electricity production will decrease by its temperature coefficient. For example, Panasonic’s EverVolt HK Black series has a temperature coefficient of 0.26%/°C. This means that if the panel’s temperature increases by one degree from 25°C (77°F) to 26°C (79°F), its electricity production will decrease by 0.26%. If its temperature rises to 35°C (95°F), electricity production will reduce by 2.6%.

 

Your solar panels will likely see more than a few hot and sunny days each year, so ideally, they will have the lowest temperature coefficient possible. Panasonic’s solar panels offer some of the lowest temperature coefficients in the industry at -0.26 for all their series. For comparison, the most popular brand of solar panels on EnergySage, Q CELLS, offers panels with a temperature coefficient range of -0.39 to -0.34.

 

Warranties

 

Whether you’re buying a TV, a car, or solar panels, the brand should stand behind their product with a strong warranty. A solar panel’s materials warranty (sometimes referred to as the product or equipment warranty) is a guarantee from the company that they will replace your panel if it fails due to manufacturing defects or environmental issues.

 

Panasonic offers a 25-year warranty, guaranteeing that their panels will still produce at least 86% to 92% of their original output by the end of the warranty term, depending on the product series. You can view the degradation rates and output percentages for the Panasonic EverVolt panels in the table below.

 

Under their TripleGuard warranty, Panasonic offers a 25-year product, performance, and labor warranty on any panels installed by a Panasonic authorized installer, comparable to other leading solar panel manufacturers like REC, SunPower, and Q CELLS.

 

The Panasonic AllGuard warranty covers the same things as the TripleGuard, and also expands your warranty to cover more of your solar system. When you pair your Panasonic solar panels with Enphase microinverters, you are eligible for the AllGuard warranty, which extends warranty coverage to the microinverters, racking, and monitoring system. Panasonic also offers an EverVolt warranty for any solar and energy storage systems, but this warranty does not cover the racking and monitoring system.

 

Advantages & disadvantages of Panasonic solar panels

 

As with any product that is such a significant investment, Panasonic panels have advantages and disadvantages to keep in mind before deciding to make a purchase.

 

Pros of Panasonic solar panels

 

Superior product warranty: at 25 years, Panasonic solar panels come with one of the most extended and comprehensive warranties available.

 

High-quality customer service: one of the largest electronics manufacturers in the world, Panasonic offers a quality of customer service that many smaller brands cannot.

 

Excellent specifications: with a high-temperature coefficient, these panels work well in higher temperatures

 

Cons of Panasonic solar panels

 

Cost: while Panasonic has slightly cheaper options than brands like SunPower, there are still some less expensive (if lower quality) options available on the market.

 

Manufacturing: though this isn’t a direct disadvantage, Panasonic panels are no longer manufactured by the same company, so some things remain to be seen about how well these newer panels will hold up to those manufactured by Panasonic.

QCELLS

 

Founded in Germany in 1999 by a group of German engineers and acquired by Hanwha Group in 2012, Qcells (formerly Hanwha Q CELLS) is one of the world’s largest solar panel manufacturers. Now headquartered in South Korea, they produce panels in the United States, Malaysia, and China. In North America, they are based in Dalton, Georgia, where they have the largest solar manufacturing facilities in the Western Hemisphere! The combination of aesthetically pleasing and high-quality panels at a relatively low cost has made Q CELLS an increasingly popular choice for solar shoppers.

 Efficiency

The term “solar panel efficiency” refers to how well a solar panel captures sunlight and converts it into useful electricity. In the same conditions, a high-efficiency solar panel will produce more electricity than a lower-efficiency panel of the same size. For this reason, a higher efficiency rating is generally preferable.

The efficiency of Q CELLS solar panels varies depending on the specific model that you choose for your system. Across the full Q CELLS product line, you can get solar panels with anywhere from 17.4% to 21.4% efficiency. Overall, most Q CELLS panels fall into the middle-of-the-road efficiency range for solar, but any panels that have 18% efficiency or higher can be considered “high efficiency.” The Q CELLS BLK lines all have efficiency ratings between 19.5% and 20.9%, putting them in that high-efficiency category.

Performance (temperature coefficient)

For this portion of EnergySage’s Q CELLS reviews, we use the temperature coefficient to evaluate solar panel performance. The temperature coefficient is an indicator of how well your solar panel can handle less-than-ideal conditions. Solar panels, like other electronic equipment, perform better when they’re kept cool (ideally around 25°C/77°F). The temperature coefficient tells you how much your panel’s performance will change during hot sunny summer days.

For every degree above 25°C (77°F), your solar panel’s electricity production will decrease by its temperature coefficient. For example, all panels in the Q CELLS BLK series have a temperature coefficient of 0.34%/°C. This means that if the panel’s temperature increases by one degree from 25°C (77°F) to 26°C (79°F), its electricity production will decrease by 0.34%. If its temperature increases to 35°C (95°F), electricity production will reduce by 3.4%.

Your solar panels will likely see more than a few hot and sunny days over the year, so ideally, they will have the lowest temperature coefficient possible. Q CELLS BLK panel series offers panels with a temperature coefficient rating of -0.34. For comparison, popular brands like SunPower and LA Solar Group have temperature coefficients of -0.29 and -0.37.

Warranties

Whether you’re buying a TV, a car, or solar panels, the manufacturer should stand behind their product with a strong warranty A solar panel’s materials warranty (sometimes referred to as the equipment or product warranty) is a guarantee from the manufacturer that they will replace your panel if it fails as a result of manufacturing defects or environmental issues.

Q CELLS offers a 25-year warranty on all of their panels, attesting to their confidence in the quality and durability of the panels that they produce. This warranty covers both the materials, as mentioned above, and the panel’s power output. The power warranty (often referred to as a performance warranty) guarantees that your Q CELLS panels will still produce at least 86% of their original output by the end of the warranty period (year 25).

As with most warranties, Q CELLS’ warranty covers degradation of the panel quality from normal wear and tear as a result of being installed on a roof but does not cover any damage caused by things like extreme weather events or maintenance by workers without the proper certifications. The annual degradation of Q CELLs solar panels cannot exceed 0.5%.

Advantages & disadvantages of Q CELLS solar panels

As with any product that is such a significant investment, Q CELLS panels have advantages and disadvantages to keep in mind before deciding to make a purchase. Whether your primary motivation for switching to solar is sustainable living or decreasing your reliance on the electric grid by pairing your solar system with energy storage, it’s important to weigh your options.

Pros of Q CELLS solar panels

Aesthetics: Q CELLS’ panels all come in a sleek black finish, meaning they’ll likely blend in with your roof nicely.

Great value for the price: while Q CELLS panels are not at the top of industry lists for efficiency or performance, they are a solid choice if you are looking for a quality panel at an affordable price point – there’s a reason they are the most quoted brand on the EnergySage Marketplace!

Cons of Q CELLS solar panels

Efficiency: if efficiency is your main concern when installing solar, other panel brands on the market have a higher efficiency rating than Q CELLS, but they will likely come at a higher price.

Performance: similar to efficiency, Q CELLS panels do not rank at the top of the list for performance when looking at the solar market as a whole. If this is your primary concern, the solar company installing your panels will point you in a different direction.

Climate change, fossil fuel depletion, and rapid urbanization are driving countries to deploy cleaner and more sustainable energy solutions. While climate change poses significant global challenges, it also provides strong incentives for entrepreneurship, research, and development (R&D), and creative problem-solving to help cities and communities anticipate, prepare for, and adapt to its impact. Singapore is a very open economy and is dependent on the global supply chain for food and energy. 

As one of the most globalized economies and a trading nation with no natural resources, heavily dependent on the global supply chain for food and energy. Economic activity and emissions are also highly sensitive to the volatility of regional and global developments and escalating climate impacts. These challenges mean that Singapore’s climate strategies have to respond to international developments that may affect its economy, water, food, and energy, including preparing Singapore to be more climate resilient.

There are many opportunities for Singapore to develop as a green growth hub that provides green solutions to the world.

Zeljko Serdar, CCRES