Solar wires to interconnect solar cells

[Kavan]

Dear Forum,

What is the best, highest performance wire to interconnect solar cells?

Is it the regular cylindrical wire or the PV ribbon wire and why?

Thanks,
Kavan

[SeanB]

Normally the thicker wire is better, as a larger cross sectional area wire has lower losses. For interconnecting panel units you will use a round cable, and to connect individual cells the flat strip is used as you can get multiple connections to the silicon to share current.

[Kavan]

Thanks SeanB.

"d to connect individual cells the flat strip is used as you can get multiple connections to the silicon to share current."

Why flat wire? Is it better? Or is it simply because the cell themselves have their contacts that are flat?

thanks
kavan

[SeanB]

The cell has a flat contact that is a thin film with an appreciable resistance, thus a flat connection will collect from a large area and have a lower overall resistance. As well a flat contact results in a thinner connection and allows the cell to be pressed firmly against the front glass panel, minimising the losses due to reflection, along with allowing it to dissipate heat out through the glass. You will find the flat ribbons are attached to the rear of the panel so as to then go to round cable, as this is a good use as it has a large current carrying capacity for the smallest area and thus the lowest cost for insulation. A flat cable is expensive in large lengths.