Yingli Green Energy (YGE) is one of the oldest Chinese companies and is completely integrated. One of the world’s firstfully vertically integrated photovoltaic manufacturers, the company develops, manufactures and sells high-quality modules under the brand Yingli Solar to a wide range of markets including Germany, Spain, Italy, Greece, France, South Korea, China, and the United States. The company is headquartered in Baoding, China with over 11,000 employees worldwide & more than 10 branch offices globally. The business model covers the entire PV value chain, from polysilicon production to the assembly of modules.

Earlier known as Showa Shell Solar, Solar Frontier is a Japanese company. Solar Frontier manufactures CIS (copper, indium, selenium) thin-film solar modules for customers all around the world. Solar Frontier modules have conversion efficiency of 11.8% to 13.4%. Their “Light soaking” effect increases the output after installation. They are cadmium and lead free. The company has offices in Europe, the U.S.A., and the Middle East, with headquarters in Tokyo.

Distinguishing Features between Solar Frontier and Yingli Green Solar Modules

Classification of Solar Modules and Available Models

Yingli Solar panels are divided into: i) Monocrystalline: PANDA 48 and 60 cell series ii) Multicrystalline: YGE 48, 60 and 72 cell series and iii) Off-grid modules: YLSYS 300, 800, 1200 and 1600 series.

Yingli solar panels can also be conveniently used for residential, commercial and utility purposes:

i) Residential: PANDA 48 and 60 cell series and YGE 48 and 60 cell series.

ii) Commercial (Business) : PANDA 60 cell series and YGE 48, 60, 72 cell series

iii) Utility (Power Plants): YGE 60 and 72 cell series.

Solar Frontier Modules can be conveniently used for residential, commercial and utility purposes. They are thin film modules.

• SF145-S – 145W
• SF150-S – 150W
• SF155-S – 155W
• SF160-S – 160W
• SF165-S – 165W

Power Performance

Yingli Green modules have a positive power tolerance of 0 W to+5 W, whereas Solar Frontier modules have +10%/-5% power tolerance.

Weight

Weight of Yingli solar panels are between 15 to 21 kg, whereas Solar Frontier modules have a standard weight of 20 kgs.

Frame

Anodized aluminium alloy frame is used in Yingli Greens’ solar panels, Solar Frontier modules also have anodized aluminium frame, black in color.

Load Resistance

Yingli Green solar modules can withstand upto 5400 pa wind speed and snow load, whereas Solar Frontier modules come with a load resistance of ~2400 pa.

Warranty 

Yingli Green Energy modules come with 10 years limited product warranty and limited power warranty of 10 years at 91.2% of minimal rated power output, 25 years at 80.7% of minimal rated power output.

Solar Frontier  gives a 25 year extended warranty on all its solar panels. These Solar Panels are reinsured by the German insurance giant Munich Re, which means in case if Solar Frontier goes out of the solar panel business, Munich Re will insure that the warranty holds good. This is better than the standard warranty given by solar panel manufactures.

Standards & Certification

Yingli Green solar panels are certified under IEC 61215, IEC 61730, MCS, CE, ISO 9001:2008, ISO 14001:2004, BS OHSAS 18001:2007, SA 8000, PV CYCLE; whereas Solar frontier modules have PTC/STC rating over 90% and are also UL, JET and RoHS compliant

Read other technical details here:  Yingli Green Energy and Solar Frontier.