What is Yingli Solar?

Yingli Green Energy is a company that has been making modules since 1998. It was started in Baoding, China. Over the years, it has grown quickly and sent more than 24 GW of solar panels to more than 100 countries. Yingli is a publicly traded company (NYSE:YGE) that makes solar panels. At its peak, it was the largest supplier of solar panels in the world.

Every year, the company makes more than 4 GW of solar panels. It has over 18,000 employees and has won a number of awards and certifications, such as the Social Accountability 8000 and ISO certifications. It is also the first Chinese company and the first renewable energy company to sponsor a FIFA World Cup. It has supplied modules to 2014 FIFA World Cup stadiums, including the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.

Yingli shows that it cares about the environment by putting 20 MW of solar panels on its own buildings. It is also linked to the recycling programs Reclaim PV recycling and PV Cycle for panels. In 2015, the company had some money problems, but after reorganizing, it got back on track and is now fully operational.

Yingli Solar Fast Facts
Year Founded	1998
Headquarters	Baoding, China
Operational Headquarters	U.S., Spain, Australia, Brazil, Japan
Manufacturing Facilities	China, U.S., Spain, Australia, Brazil, Japan

What Products Does Yingli Solar Offer?

Yingli Solar has a variety of photovoltaic modules that work well. Its products have changed over time. It used to sell full polycrystalline modules, but now it only sells half-cell monocrystalline solar panels. Here’s a quick rundown of the panels:

Mono Series (YLM)

The classic monocrystalline half-cell panels from Yingli’s mono series come in seven different power sizes and are part of the mono series. These are the panels most often used in solar systems for homes.

Wattage	350-670 W
Efficiency	22.3-22.8%
Warranty	12 years limited product warranty, 25 years limited power warranty
Temperature Coefficient	-0.37% /°C

Mono GG Series (YLM GG)

The mono GG series panels are similar to the mono models in some ways, but they are built so that they can produce energy from both sides. These are a great choice for tilt mounts, patio mounts, or even ground mounts, where the panel gets a good amount of light from the back as well. They both have the same range of power, but they have interesting features like a frameless design that make them look better.

Wattage	355-670 W
Efficiency	22.5-22.8%
Warranty	12 years limited product warranty, 25 years limited power warranty
Temperature Coefficient	-0.34% /°C

Panda Bifacial Series

Panda is the name of Yingli’s best bifacial modules, and the most important thing about them is that they have N-type solar cells. Light-Induced Degradation causes N-type modules to lose less power than regular P-type modules. In other words, the N-type modules produce even more energy, especially in the mornings and evenings.

Wattage	320-415 W
Efficiency	22.5%
Warranty	12 years limited product warranty, 30 years limited power warranty
Temperature Coefficient	-0.35% /°C

Panel Efficiency

The efficiency of a solar panel is probably the most important thing about it. In terms of efficiency, Yingli’s panels have come a long way. Some of the most recent models have some of the highest efficiencies on the market.

Even Yingli’s least efficient solar panels are still 22.3% efficient. On the other hand, the efficiency of the bigger models is 22.8%. The panels can also handle a range of power from 0 to 5 W.

Power Rating

Yingli has a wide range of sizes and power ratings for PV modules. Its smallest panel can make up to 325 W of power at its peak, while its biggest panel can make up to a very impressive 670 W in perfect conditions (STC).

To put things in perspective, a power output of around 400 W has been seen as pretty normal in recent years. The larger a solar panel’s output, the fewer of them need to be installed in a solar power system. This makes logistics and installation easier and cuts costs.

Temperature Coefficient

The temperature coefficient of a solar panel just shows how much high temperatures affect how well it works. It is written as %/°C and shows how much efficiency drops for every degree that the temperature goes up.

Most modern solar modules have temperature coefficients between 0.3 and 0.7%/°C, while Yingli’s panels have good ones between -0.34 and -0.37%/°C. Yingli is a vertically integrated company, which means it makes everything from ingots and wafers to cells and modules. This gives it more control over the quality of its products.

Warranty

There are two types of warranties that protect Yingli’s products:

Limited product warranty: This warranty covers any problems with the panels’ construction, like bad soldering or missing diodes. If there is a problem, the panel will either make less electricity or stop working altogether. All of the panels made by Yingli come with a 12-year warranty. Most other companies that make solar panels offer a 10-year warranty on their products.

Solar panels may look good and work well at first, but if the parts inside are cheap, they will soon stop working as well. So, Yingli also has a power warranty, which is also called a performance warranty.

The company guarantees that its P-type modules will work in a straight line for 25 years and that its N-type (Panda) modules will work in a straight line for 30 years. This makes sure that its panels won’t lose more than 0.55% (0.5% for Panda) of their strength each year (two percent in the first year). In other words, even after 25 years, the panels will still produce more than 80% of their rated output (30th year for Panda).

How Much Do Yingli Solar Panels Cost?

When it comes to prices, Yingli’s large scale of production helps it. A huge number of solar modules are made by the company. It buys raw materials in bulk and makes a lot of things at once, which lets it set prices that are very competitive.

The price of solar panels depends on the type, but Yingli’s panels cost about the same as the average solar panel in the U.S. One thing to keep in mind is that the cost also depends on how many solar panels are needed.

There are, of course, companies that sell panels for even less money, but Yingli’s panels are usually a better deal when you take into account the module’s efficiency, quality, and warranty.