You might not realize it, but aluminum is one of the most popular materials used for solar panels. It’s easy to see why—aluminum is lightweight, strong, and corrosion resistant. Aluminum extrusions are also used in solar panel construction because they’re easy to work with and durable. So, after reading this article, you’ll know precisely how aluminum extrusion profiles are used to make solar panels better suited for the job!
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Aluminum is one of the most popular materials used for solar panels, and it’s easy to see why
Aluminum is one of the most popular materials used for solar panels, and it’s easy to see why. It’s lightweight, meaning less material is needed to make a panel which reduces the overall cost of production. Aluminum is also a good conductor of electricity, which means you can get more power from each panel than if made with another metal.
And while many other metals are more expensive than aluminum, this metal has been able to compete with them because it’s easier to work with and recycle. Plus, since it doesn’t corrode (rust) as steel does, there will be no maintenance costs once the installation is complete.
But what about aluminum extrusion profiles?
Aluminum is one of the most common materials in use today. It’s used in everything from car parts and cooking utensils to electronics and household appliances. Aluminum can also be used for construction purposes, making it an ideal choice for solar panels.
There are three main types of aluminum extrusions:
- Rectangular tubing
- T-profiles (also called “square extrusions”)
- I-beams
What are aluminum extrusions?
Aluminum extrusions are a type of aluminum that has been extruded. Extruded aluminum is formed by pushing the metal through a die, creating a cross-section shape. The resulting product is strong, light, and easy to work with—it can be cut easily and repeatedly bent without losing its form.
Aluminum extrusions have many applications: they’re used in vehicles as body panels or structural supports; they can also be found in HVAC systems and electrical components like circuit breakers.
When looking at an extrusion for use on solar panels, you’ll want to ensure that it’s made from 6061-T6 aluminum. This alloy contains enough magnesium (Mg) to make it highly resistant to corrosion when exposed to moisture or saltwater environments such as oceanside properties or boats where solar panels would be installed.
Is aluminum a good choice for solar panels?
Aluminum is a good choice for solar panels. Aluminum has been used for solar panels for decades, and it’s still popular today. Here are some of the reasons why:
- Aluminum is lightweight, making it easy to transport and mount on roofs with less effort.
- Aluminum is strong and durable; it’s also corrosion-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about regular maintenance or repairs.
- Aluminum is recyclable—and when you consider how many solar arrays are installed every year, recycling is essential!
How exactly is aluminum used in solar panel construction?
With powder coating finishes, aluminum is used for frames and mounts because it is light, strong, and corrosion-resistant. The same properties that make it a good choice for other applications also make it ideal for solar panels. Aluminum can be bent into different shapes to hold the photovoltaic cells in place without putting stress on the cells themselves. It will not corrode like steel does in saltwater environments.
These factors mean that aluminum has become one of the most common materials for solar panel construction.
Solar panel frames and other components are usually extruded aluminum
If you want to start a solar panel project, you will likely be interested in the aluminum frame and other features. This is because aluminum is the primary material in constructing solar panels. Aluminum has many characteristics that make it an ideal choice for this application:
Aluminum is strong and light. The aluminum density is lower than steel, making it easier for transportation and installation.
Aluminum does not rust quickly when exposed to air or water so that it can last longer than other metals such as steel or zinc-plated steel.
Aluminum can be easily bent or shaped into various forms using heat treatment machines (heat treating). This makes it easy to work with during installation because fewer parts are involved than other materials like wood or plastic, which might require special welding equipment just for joining two pieces together!
Aluminum is light, strong, and corrosion resistant.
Aluminum is an excellent option for solar panels. It’s light, strong, and corrosion resistant. It also has one of the best strength-to-weight ratios of any material available today. Aluminum is a far better choice than steel—it’s easier to work with (no welding required), which allows you to create more complex shapes that are lighter than if you were using steel.
Another benefit of using aluminum for your solar panels is its cost-effectiveness: it costs about half as much as steel does per pound! Check out the affordable aluminum stock here: https://fastmetals.com/pages/channel-stock
Conclusion
Aluminum is an excellent material for solar panels. It’s strong, light, and corrosion resistant. It also has an excellent thermal conductivity which helps with cooling your system. With all these benefits, there isn’t much reason you wouldn’t want to use aluminum extrusion profiles on your next project! Contact an aluminum manufacturer and get high-end aluminum profiles at wholesale prices.
