Cracked cells in standard panels can occur from transport, installation, environmental stresses, and even poor manufacturing quality. This failure mode is intrinsic to standard cells due to their architecture—a thin layer of silicon with soldered metallic ribbons that lacks structural strength. Breaks that occur throughout the cell can form ‘dead zones’ that prevent energy from leaving the affected portion of the cell. Maxeon cells are reinforced by a thick plated layer of metal for added structural strength. If a crack forms, the metal backing holds the cell in place while maintaining full electrical conductivity.