How do half-cut solar cells improve panel performance?

Two main reasons for higher efficiency of half cut cell.

1. Reduced resistive losses

One main reason of power o/p loss of any panel during conversion of light energy to electrical power is resistive loss. Current flows through bus bar that connects two adjacent cells, and due to current flow in these bus bar creates some losses.

By cutting that cell, the amount of current flow is halved, so resistive loss is ¼ times reduced.

2. Lower Probability of hot spot creation.

Due to cut the cell in two half piece, the area of cell is reduced, so the mechanical stress on the cell has been halved and probability of cell breaking will reduced. It prevents the hot spot creation.