Difference between solar panel and solar module

[nidalls]

hi,

i want to ask a question.
is there a difference between solar panel and solar module?
like: solar panel packing of solar cells in the squares and rectangles, the panel called on any type of packing ?

[J.P.M.]

Probably not. Solar panels, solar modules, solar collectors are all words used to describe devices that change solar energy into other forms of energy, most often electricity. The terms are often used interchangeably, with the difference usually being a preference based on prior use of the speaker/writer and mostly semantic, similar to the way openings on pressure vessels are often referred to as either ports or nozzles, for example.

[inetdog]

One common distinction that is made is calling the combination of a solar panel (mounted cells) and a microinverter an "AC module". But the usage is not definite enough to make that conclusion without more support.

[solarix]

According to the great John Wiles, a module is the actual solar "panel", a panel is a row of modules, and an array is a whole group of panels. I tried this terminology for awhile until I figured out that the term "solar panel" is so entrenched in the public mindset that it was tilting at windmills to buck the current so I just revert to saying solar panel. I know that by a wide margin "solar panel" is easily the most common search term people use in Google searches.

[SunEagle]

According to the great John Wiles, a module is the actual solar "panel", a panel is a row of modules, and an array is a whole group of panels. I tried this terminology for awhile until I figured out that the term "solar panel" is so entrenched in the public mindset that it was tilting at windmills to buck the current so I just revert to saying solar panel. I know that by a wide margin "solar panel" is easily the most common search term people use in Google searches.

What also makes the definition of a "solar panel" a little more complex is that they can be made from; multiple single monocrystalline silicone cells, polycrystalline silicon and thin film (amorphose silicon, cadmium telluride, etc.) that converts sunlight into electricity. There are also the solar "thermal" panels which use a fluid medium (water, glycol, liquid salts, etc.) to collect the sun's energy and turn it into heat energy.

Just way too many ways to define what that "panel" is made out of.

[nidalls]

:3

[SunEagle]

:3

Well that description is somewhat correct. Figure 17.1 "a" is a "cell". "b" could be considered a "module" or a "panel". "c" is really a group of "modules" or "panels"(looks like 3). "d" is an "array" of "modules" or "panels".

What is lacking in both the description and figure would be PV panels that use polycristalline cells or a continuous piece of pv material that you find in "thin film" panels.