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Solar Cells

Solar Cells

Loose solar cells for people who build their own panels: high-efficiency back-contact IBC cells, standard mono PERC and N-type TOPCon cells for module assembly, and small-format cells, strips and packs for DIY, classroom and product-prototype work. Every listing shows the cell format, nominal wattage and pack options. Stock ships from inventory; custom cutting and lamination are quoted separately.

Pick the cell family first

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A compact, high-output panel (drones, RC, portable chargers, custom OEM modules) 125 mm back-contact IBC cells (3.7 W) or 166 mm IBC cells (6.7 W) No front busbars, so the whole face collects light and the finished panel has no visible grid. Sold full or pre-cut; custom cuts available.
A full-size module on a stringer or tabbing machine 166 mm mono PERC (6.04 W), 166 mm bifacial PERC, 182 mm N-type TOPCon (8.54 W) Industry-standard formats. TOPCon and half-cut PERC use fine multi-busbar contacts and are meant for machine stringing, not hand soldering.
A school project, science-fair build, solar car or first hand-soldered panel 52 × 52 mm PERC cells with pack and wire options, 78 × 52 mm cells, poly strips and 25 to 100-piece packs Small formats are easier to tab by hand and cheaper to break. Packs are sized for a class or a team.
A bendable or ultra-light surface (wearables, sensor housings, curved enclosures) Flexible amorphous silicon mini cells (0.3 to 6 W) Waterproof, flexible, low light performance for indoor and IoT use.
Compare the three cell families in detail

Back-contact IBC cells

These are the cells behind the highest-efficiency small panels on the market. All contacts sit on the rear, so the whole front face collects light and the finished module has no visible grid. We stock 125 mm and 166 mm formats, full cells and standard cuts (halves, quarters, strips), and we cut to drawing for OEM projects. If you are choosing between IBC and standard mono for a product, read IBC vs standard monocrystalline for builders before you order. Grade and binning are explained in the cell grades guide. Which format, which cut, and how to verify a lot before paying are covered in the SunPower and Maxeon cell supply guide.

Standard mono PERC and TOPCon cells

For module assembly at any scale we carry 166 mm mono PERC, 166 mm bifacial PERC in full and half formats, 158.75 × 79 mm half-cut PERC, 125 × 125 mm mono cells, 156 mm mono cells in 10 and 20 packs, and 182 × 183.75 mm N-type TOPCon. Listings show nominal wattage at STC and the pack quantities in stock. One thing to know before you buy: TOPCon and modern half-cut PERC cells use thin round-wire multi-busbar contacts. They are designed for stringing machines and do not solder well by hand. If you need hand-solderable cells, stay with the small-format PERC and mono cells below or ask us about pre-tabbed options.

Small-format cells, strips and packs for DIY and education

This is the part of the range built for hands-on work: 52 × 52 mm PERC and bifacial PERC cells, 78 × 52 mm mono and poly cells, 156 × 52 mm and 156 × 39 mm cells, 157 × 26 mm and 156 × 14 mm strips, in packs from 10 to 100 pieces, some with tabbing wire included. They suit science projects, solar-car and solar-boat teams, maker builds and quick voltage experiments. If you have never tabbed a cell, start with how to test and wire solar cells, then follow the portable charger build guide.

Bulk, custom cutting and OEM supply

Pack sizes on this page cover prototypes and small runs. For production quantities, custom cut shapes, pre-tabbed strings or cells laminated into a finished mini panel, send the drawing or the target voltage and current and we quote from stock material. See the custom cut service and buying solar cells in bulk, or go straight to custom solar panels if you want the cells delivered as a module. Universities and labs: we accept purchase orders and supply the paperwork receiving departments ask for; details in the university buyer's guide.

Answers to common sourcing questions

Frequently asked questions

Which solar cells are best for a beginner? Small-format PERC or mono cells in the 52 × 52 mm to 78 × 52 mm range. They tab by hand with a normal soldering iron, and a 50-pack lets you break a few while learning. Full-size TOPCon and half-cut PERC cells are not beginner cells.

What is the difference between IBC and PERC cells? IBC cells put both contacts on the back, so they have no front grid and a higher output per area. PERC cells are the standard industry format with front busbars. IBC costs more per watt; PERC is what most production modules use. The IV curve guide shows how to compare them from measured data rather than the headline wattage.

How many cells do I need for a 12 V or 5 V panel? Each silicon cell produces roughly 0.5 to 0.6 V under load regardless of size; size sets the current. Typically 8 to 12 cells in series feeding a regulator for a 5 V USB output, and 36 in series for a 12 V charging panel. Cut cells keep the voltage and divide the current.

Do you sell single cells and samples? Minimum quantities are shown on each listing. Sample quantities are ordered at the listed price through the product page; there is no free sample program.

Request a quote for bulk quantities or custom cuts →
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Solar Cells for Custom Panels & Embedded Power


Solar cells are the building blocks behind every solar module. In low-power and custom applications, using bare or semi-finished cells lets you define voltage, shape and layout instead of being limited to standard panel formats. This is especially useful for IoT devices, compact enclosures and products where industrial design matters as much as electrical performance.

The solar cells in this collection cover a range of sizes, voltages and encapsulation levels. Many customers start with off-the-shelf modules from our Mini Solar Panels collection to validate their power budget, then move to tailored laminates using cells like these, or to finished modules in the Custom Solar Panels range once requirements are stable. For field-proven use cases around low-power nodes, see our IoT & Smart Sensors application page.

Types of Solar Cells in This Collection

Monocrystalline Cells for High-Efficiency Modules


Monocrystalline cells are the workhorse for high-efficiency solar modules. They are typically used when you need the most power from a limited area, such as on compact housings, small instruments or tight rooftops. Their consistent appearance also makes them suitable for visible surfaces where the cell pattern is part of the product’s visual identity.

Small Cells for Mini Panels & IoT Devices


Small-format cells are designed for mini modules and embedded harvesters. They serve sensors, loggers, beacons and low-duty electronics where only a few square centimeters of area are available. In many projects these cells end up behind cover lenses or in shallow recesses, feeding charge pumps or energy-harvesting ICs rather than full-size charge controllers.

Thin & Special-Shape Cells


Thin and special-shape cells help solve mechanical challenges that square cells cannot: fitting around lenses and antennas, following gentle curves or leaving space for fasteners and labels. They are often used in products that later step up to curved laminates or surface-following modules similar to those in our Flexible Solar Panels collection, once the mechanical concept is confirmed.

Cells for Portable & Modular Power Kits


Some cells are optimised for portable or modular panels that must fold, roll or break down for transport. These are suited to field kits, educational sets and portable chargers that eventually evolve into higher-power products like those in the Portable Solar Panels collection. At the cell stage you can still adapt series/parallel counts and interconnect style before committing to tooling.

Design & Integration Notes


Working directly with cells gives you flexibility, but it also shifts more responsibility to your design. A small amount of up-front thinking around electrical, mechanical and environmental factors pays off quickly in the field.

  • Define voltage and power early: Decide how many cells you need in series and parallel to match your regulator or battery chemistry, then leave margin for low light, temperature and ageing.
  • Plan interconnects and layout: Keep current paths short, avoid sharp bends in tabbing and think about how cell strings will route into your PCB or harness. This is a good place to prototype on a flat plate before moving to a sealed laminate.
  • Consider encapsulation and environment: Bare cells are fragile and not meant for direct outdoor exposure. Long-term outdoor products typically use glass, PET or ETFE laminates, similar in spirit to the modules in our Solar Cells collection but packaged for your exact geometry.
  • Allow space for mounting and protection: Even thin laminates need fastening, strain relief and sometimes an air gap. For enclosures and small devices, you can often adapt hardware concepts from our Solar Panel Brackets & Mounts collection to give cells and laminates a repeatable mounting pattern.

OEM & Custom Solar Cell Solutions


When the same device ships again and again—whether it is a sensor node, gateway, handheld or embedded controller—it usually becomes inefficient to build every laminate by hand. At that point, defining a dedicated module around your chosen cells is more reliable than treating solar as a one-off add-on.

Many OEM customers use this collection for early prototyping and field tests, then migrate to defined module programs such as Custom Mini Solar Panels once they know what works. Cells and interconnect schemes proven here can also form the basis for curved or special-form laminates alongside larger arrays on platforms like those shown in our RV & Campervan and Marine & Yacht application pages, where small auxiliary loads sit next to main house-power systems.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a solar cell and a solar panel?

A solar cell is a single photovoltaic device that converts light into electricity. A solar panel (or module) is an assembly of multiple cells wired together, encapsulated and often framed for mechanical protection. Working with individual cells gives you control over voltage, shape and layout before committing to a finished module.

How do I choose the right solar cell voltage for my design?

Start from your power electronics. If you use a boost or buck converter, check its input voltage range and choose a series cell count that stays within that range from low light to full sun. For battery charging, ensure that the cell string can provide enough voltage above battery level for the regulator to work, while staying under the maximum input the circuit can tolerate.

Can I cut or trim solar cells to change their shape?

Standard crystalline cells are very fragile and not intended to be cut or trimmed once manufactured. Cutting them will usually crack the silicon, damage busbars and create hot spots or failures. If you need a different outline, it is better to select a cell that is already manufactured in that format or to design a custom laminate using multiple smaller cells.

How should I solder and handle bare solar cells?

Solar cells should be handled with clean, dry hands or gloves and supported across their entire back surface to avoid bending. Use the recommended solder alloy and temperature profile, keep soldering time short, and avoid applying pressure on the front glass or fingers. After soldering, inspect for micro-cracks, bridges and flux residues that could affect performance or reliability.

Are bare solar cells waterproof or UV-resistant?

Bare cells themselves are not designed for long-term direct exposure to weather. They require encapsulation—such as glass, polymer laminates and edge sealing—to protect against moisture, mechanical stress and UV. For outdoor products, you should assume that the cell will live inside some form of laminate or housing rather than directly facing the environment.

Can I connect different types of solar cells together?

In principle cells can be mixed, but differences in current rating, voltage and temperature behavior often lead to mismatch losses and reliability issues. For predictable performance, it is best to use cells of the same type, size and rating within a series or parallel string. Mixing technologies is usually reserved for experimental setups, not for long-term products.

How do series and parallel connections affect performance?

Series connections add voltage while keeping current roughly the same as a single cell. Parallel connections add current while keeping voltage similar to one cell or string. The overall power is voltage times current. Shading or damage to one cell in a series string can affect the entire string, which is why layout, bypassing and protection need attention even in small systems.

When should I move from loose cells to a finished module?

It makes sense to transition from loose cells to a finished module when your electrical requirements, enclosure geometry and production volume are stable. At that point, a dedicated laminate or panel will be easier to assemble, more consistent in quality, and better protected against the environment than one-off constructions built from individual cells for every unit.

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