Why is aluminum frame of solar modules only black and silver

It is well known that aluminum frame is the core auxiliary material of solar modules.

In the context of the rapid growth of global photovoltaic installed capacity, some institutions estimate that the consumption of solar modules aluminum frame profiles will increase from about 1 million tons in 2020 to about 2.5 million tons in 2025.

The new demand is showing rapid growth, but we have developed a strong interest in the appearance of aluminum frames, unlike the electrical frame and the electronic product frame, the solar aluminum frame can be made of various brilliant colors. It is only black and silver.

Why? Here is the detailed information:

1. Color difference

Solar panels have high requirements for color difference, and the color of the surface of the cells should be uniform, without a color difference.

Silver is the natural color of aluminum, and black is the stable color, which is not easy to have a color difference, so it is a better choice for aluminum frames as silver and black;

2. Color matching

The color of solar cells is generally dark, monocrystalline silicon cells are black, and polycrystalline silicon cells are dark blue.

The black frame is close to the color of the battery panel, and the color is more coordinated.

The silver frame forms a strong contrast with the battery plate, and it is also very beautiful and atmospheric, while the frame of other colors is not so atmospheric when installed on the black battery plate;

3. Cost

The cost of surface treatment is different, the solar frame has strong corrosion resistance, and the surface is anodized.

Natural color anodizing will save one coloring step, which can save costs, so the Matt silver solar aluminum frame is always the largest amount requirement in production, black anodizing cost will be higher than silver, but lower than other colors, so black solar aluminum frame will be applied to solar modules in a small amount;

4. Application

Depending on the place of application, photovoltaic power plants are built in vast plains or hilly areas, and the requirements for aesthetics are not very high, but the requirements for corrosion resistance are relatively high

So anodized Matt silver and black can fully meet the color needs.

The electronic products are used indoors, have more contact with people, and their gorgeous appearance is more popular with customers, so the outer frame of electronic products has higher requirements on color.

The solar aluminum frame is an important auxiliary material with a high cost in Solar modules.

Aluminum profiles have the advantages of being lightweight, high strength, strong corrosion-resistance, easy cutting and recyclability, and are very suitable for bearing and fixing in solar modules.

According to the “China Photovoltaic Industry Development Roadmap” issued by the China Photovoltaic Industry Association, aluminum frame modules will account for 96% of the market in 2019.

With the increase in module size and weight, the cover glass will be further thinned. Evolution, the role of the aluminum frame to strengthen the rigidity of components will be more important, and it is expected to remain dominant in the future.

According to the calculation of Huajing Industrial Research Institute, the aluminum frame accounts for about 9% of the component cost, which is one of the auxiliary materials with the highest cost proportion.

In 2025, the global solar modules aluminum frame market size is expected to exceed 45 billion CNY and the industry has a broad space for development.

If it is assumed that aluminum prices remain stable, the market size of solar aluminum frames in 2025 is expected to exceed 45 billion CNY, corresponding to an average compound growth rate of nearly 20% from 2021 to 2025, and the industry has a broad space for development.