Why are PV panels RECTANGULAR

[adobejoe]

I am trying to find PV panels that are a square shape, or even something else. Does anyone know of a supplier of square shape PV panels?

Adobe Joe

[rossw]

I am trying to find PV panels that are a square shape, or even something else. Does anyone know of a supplier of square shape PV panels?

How many are you after? I know a manufacturer who will build them to your requirements (both power and physical dimensions), but you'll certainly need more than 4 or 6 to make it worth the effort

[wpowokal]

Adobe Joe
                You would be better served if you told us the wattage you are looking for, intended use and where you are, I assume you are in the USA (but don't ask me why I assume that you may not like my answer)

Allan  

[dbcollen]

the Kaneka thin films are nearly square, something like 37x39 inches for the 60 watt panel

[adobejoe]

I am in the US, Wyoming. I need 30 panels, 200-250 W/panel. ROSSW, who do you suggest?

Adobe Joe

[rossw]

I am in the US, Wyoming. I need 30 panels, 200-250 W/panel. ROSSW, who do you suggest?

30 panels wouldn't exactly set a manufacturers world on fire.
I could possibly convince my man for a "short run" of 300...

As for who would I suggest... given that I'm on the opposite side of the world to you, I'm not sure that any of my recommendations are relevant.

[Rover]

Hi Adobejoe

RossW lives in Australia. Anything he offers be way expensive in shipping.

Back to your dilemma , square panels need 30 of them 200-250W.

We are not used to this kind of question, most would present a use or need for the power. Most would also have a voltage in mind for the panels (12/24/48 etc). Very very unusual to have a panel choice based on dimension and wattage alone.

Might I ask, what your plans are?
 
Rover

[defed]

2 rectangular panels side by side can make a square.  mine are approx 30" x 60"....side by side, 60" x 60".

[wdyasq]

My Kaneka G-SA060 are 60W - .9A - 67V and 39x39x1.6 - size in inches

Ron

[ghurd]

Why?
Maybe because rectangular are cheaper and easier to mount solidly, and (arguably) they would catch less wind.
Maybe because wiring 36 in series, with a center tap for bypass diodes, just makes more sense in 4x9.
Maybe something more scientific, like growing the crystals in proportions needed for a square 225W class panel would be problematic.
Maybe something more simple, like "it fits on a skid".

There are / were some nearly square units around.  They were in the 30 to 60W class.  I had some BPs or GEs a few years ago.  I saw some generic Chinees ones later.
The larger units were a PITA to ship in quantity...  It was cheaper to ship individual boxes of 4 panels via UPS, than ship skids via FOB.
G-

[adobejoe]

All good comments. See photos, and might help explain. Groundmount like this is best for wind protection. Rotate on diagonal is simple, but ideally a shape like oval would maybe work best. Innovation requires change, and I am proving the concept here in Wyoming. I would love to find panels that are round, or oval, or square. Why not? I am rotating with a system (standalone) of a 40 W panel and batteries and a PIC controller. I works just fine, and probably increases my panel output 20% +. The system is mostly made of steel fencepost---very low cost, strong, and easily available..almost everywhere. Pole mount systems will not work in any windy area.

Adobe Joe

[ghurd]

I think you misinterpreted the mounting situation due to the sun's angle when the photo was taken.
G-

[TomW]

I tend to agree with Glen.

You seem to be trying to cure a non existent problem.

Bottom line is a solid mount to hold your expensive fragile panels in any weather condition you experience and that the surface is perpendicular to the sun.

The shape will not make one bit of difference power output wise as long as it is facing the sun whether it is square, rectangular, round or trapezoid.

But its your setup so do what ever trips your trigger.

Tom

[keithturtle]

Money spent on an adequate frame is only a fraction of the panel price in the first place.   Skimp on the structure and you'll regret it in the end- the end of the array's output, that is

Turtle

[WindriderNM]

I saw a bunch of panels at a utility company site here in New Mexico, there 4 rectangles each 90° to the other with a small square in the middle. I used to live in Cheyenne Wyoming and then familiar with the winds there. Winds of 30 to 40 miles an hour almost every day for nine months of the year. We had to chain 55 gallon trash barrels to a poll to keep them from blowing away.

[Mary B]

There is a large pole mounted array (well 3 poles) near me with what looks like 9 panels per pole. Survived 90mph winds that took out trees and utility poles near it so pole mounting can be strong. And these are on a tracker mount. Nice expensive system! 

[SparWeb]

You can get them TRIANGULAR now, too!



(just don't ask about the cost of these special items!)