Why Aluminium for Solar Panels?
Aluminium is lightweight, yet strong, combining low density with impressive strength, which makes it ideal for large-scale solar installations. Solar panel frames and mounting structures require materials that can handle the weight of the panels without adding unnecessary bulk.
Aluminium has excellent corrosion resistance: solar panels are often exposed to harsh environmental conditions, including rain, humidity, and high UV radiation. Aluminium’s natural oxide layer provides exceptional resistance to corrosion, ensuring long-lasting performance even in the most demanding climates.
Aluminium has excellent thermal conductivity, which helps manage heat dissipation in solar panels. This contributes to the efficiency and longevity of the panels by preventing overheating, which can degrade performance over time.
Aluminium is sustainable: at BWC Profiles, sustainability is so important to us, and aluminium is 100% recyclable, without loss of quality. This also aligns perfectly with the solar industry’s commitment to sustainability, reducing the carbon footprint of production and allowing companies to meet environmental regulations more easily.
Applications of Aluminium in Solar Panels
Frames: The aluminium frame is the backbone of a solar panel. It provides structural support, ensures durability, and protects the photovoltaic cells. At BWC Profiles, we can customise your aluminium profiles for design frames that meet your specific aesthetic and functional requirements.
Mounting Systems: Aluminium is widely used for solar panel mounting systems, whether ground-mounted or rooftop installations. Its strength and light weight make it easy to transport and install, reducing labour costs and project timelines.
Tracking Systems: Advanced solar systems use aluminium profiles in tracking mechanisms, allowing panels to follow the sun’s movement and maximise energy capture throughout the day.
Heat Sinks: Aluminium’s thermal properties are also exploited in heat sinks for solar inverters and other components, ensuring the overall system remains efficient.
Custom Aluminium Profiles for Solar Companies
As solar technology evolves, manufacturers increasingly require customised solutions to meet unique project demands. At BWC Profiles, we are always investing in, and learning about, aluminium extrusion technology so we can fabricate profiles tailored to your specific dimensions, designs, and structural requirements. These custom profiles can include integrated channels for wiring or modular designs for easy assembly.
Benefits for Solar Companies
If you are a solar company the requires aluminium profiles, our ‘bespoke to you’ service offers several benefits:
Cost-Effectiveness: Aluminium is not only abundant but also cost-effective to manufacture and process, especially in extrusion form.
Design Flexibility: Aluminium’s versatility allows for creative engineering solutions, whether for residential, commercial, or utility-scale solar projects.
Ease of Integration: Custom profiles ensure seamless compatibility with other system components, reducing installation time and costs.
The use of aluminium in solar panels exemplifies the intersection of technology, sustainability, and practicality. Using recycled aluminium can help meet this demand while reducing waste. Low-carbon aluminium, produced with renewable energy, also has far lower emissions than coal-based aluminium, making solar power even greener. As Europe decarbonizes its electricity grid, choosing sustainable aluminium will be increasingly important.
For companies involved in the solar energy sector, investing in high-quality aluminium profiles is not just a necessity—it’s a strategic decision that enhances efficiency, reliability, and environmental stewardship. As demand for renewable energy continues to grow, aluminium will remain a cornerstone of the solar industry’s success. Interested to know more about our service? Contact us for more information.