What Are the Different Types of Solar Panels That Exist Today?

Often times senior citizens who own their own homes are approached to consider installing solar panels.  Here is some info so you are aware of your options.

Although solar energy accounts for only 2.8% of the country's power consumption, solar panels are becoming increasingly popular as people look for ways to reduce their carbon footprint. They also help people save a bundle on energy costs.

If you're looking to switch to a solar energy system, it's important to know the different types of solar panels that are available today? That way, you can pick the best type for your home or business. If you have no clue about the types of solar panels available today, we're here to help.

In today's post, we'll be discussing the main types of solar panels so you can make a well-informed decision when buying your solar panels.

Monocrystalline Solar Panels

Monocrystalline solar panels are made from a single crystal of silicon. They're also the most popular type of solar panel on the market today.

They boast the highest efficiency rates. In fact, they're about 15-20% more efficient than their polycrystalline counterparts. Monocrystalline solar panels also have the longest lifespan. They can last up to 30 years with little to no degradation.

Pros of Monocrystalline Solar Panels

Smart homeowners prefer monocrystalline solar panels for their many benefits. Some of these benefits include:

Long life span: As we mentioned earlier, monocrystalline solar panels have the longest lifespan. They can last up to 30 years with little to no degradation.

High efficiency: Monocrystalline solar panels boast higher efficiency rates than any other type of solar panel. In fact, they're a lot more efficient than their polycrystalline counterparts.

Space-saving: Monocrystalline are smaller and take up less space than other types of solar panels. This is ideal if you have a small roof or if you want to maximize the number of solar panels you can fit on your roof.

Cons of Monocrystalline Solar Panels

Monocrystalline panels aren't without their downsides. Some of these downsides include:

Costly: These panels have a single crystal of silicon. The manufacturing process is costly, and the panels themselves are more expensive than other types of solar panels.

Susceptible to shade: Monocrystalline are less efficient in low-light conditions and can easily lose efficiency when under shade. It makes them a poor choice for people in areas that receive little sunshine.

Polycrystalline Solar Panels

Polycrystalline solar panels are made from multiple silicon crystals. They're also the second most popular type of solar panel on the market today. They're not as efficient as monocrystalline panels, but still, provide enough energy for all your household equipment.

The name "polycrystalline" is because, unlike monocrystalline panels, they're made of multiple silicon crystals. They don't have to be cut from a single silicon crystal-like monocrystalline panels, which makes them less expensive to manufacture.

Pros of Polycrystalline Solar Panels

Polycrystalline panels are a popular choice for home and business owners. They have tons of benefits, which include:

More affordable: Polycrystalline are less expensive to manufacture than monocrystalline panels. This makes them more affordable for homeowners and businesses alike.

Better tolerance to heat: Polycrystalline solar panels have a higher tolerance to heat than monocrystalline panels. As such, they'll continue to produce electricity even in very hot weather conditions.

Less silicon wastage during manufacturing: Since polycrystalline solar panels don't have to be cut from a single silicon crystal, there's less silicon wastage during the manufacturing process.

It's easy to see why people across the country like polycrystalline solar panels. However, it's important to get high-quality polycrystalline panels to experience the above benefits. Look for the best solar company with many solar installation locations to get your money's worth.

Cons of Polycrystalline Solar Panels

Although popular, polycrystalline panels still have their flaws. Some cons of these solar panels include:

Lower efficiency: Polycrystalline solar panels have lower efficiency rates than monocrystalline panels. They're less efficient, and may not be ideal for buildings with high power requirements.

Larger and bulkier: Polycrystalline solar panels are also larger and bulkier than monocrystalline panels, which can be an issue if you have a small roof or want to maximize the number of panels you can fit on your roof.

Lower silicon purity: Polycrystalline solar panels are made of multiple silicon crystals. This results in lower overall silicon purity, which can lead to decreased efficiency.

Thin-Film Solar Panels

Thin-film solar panels are a popular type of solar panel on the market today. To manufacture these panels you deposit a thin layer of photovoltaic material onto a substrate. This makes them super lightweight and easy to install.

There are different types of thin-film solar panels, including:

Cadmium Telluride (CdTe) Solar Panels

Cadmium telluride is the most common type of thin-film panel on the market. Manufacturing the panels involves depositing a layer of cadmium telluride onto a glass substrate. CdTe panels are affordable and have high-efficiency rates.

The main downside of CdTe solar panels is that they contain cadmium, which is a toxic heavy metal. As such, these solar panels need to be disposed of properly to avoid environmental contamination.

Amorphous Silicon (A-Si) Solar Panels

Amorphous silicon panels are made by depositing a thin layer of amorphous silicon onto a substrate. They're less efficient than CdTe panels, but they don't contain any toxic materials.

One downside of amorphous silicon solar panels is that they have a shorter lifespan than other types of solar panels. They typically last for about 15-20 years, while other solar panels can last for 25-30 years.

Amorphous silicon solar panels are also more sensitive to shading than other types of solar panels. This means that if there's any shading on the panel, the entire panel will be less effective.

Copper Indium Gallium Selenide (CIGS)

Copper indium gallium selenide solar panels are made by depositing a thin layer of CIGS onto a substrate. They're the most efficient type of thin-film solar panel, but they're also the most expensive.

CIGS solar panels are less sensitive to shading than amorphous silicon panels. If you're looking for an affordable and efficient solar panel, thin-film solar panels are a great option. Just be sure to do your research to find the right type of thin-film solar panel for your needs.

Pros of Thin-Film Solar Panels

Although they’re not that common, thin-film solar panels are incredibly beneficial. Some benefits of these solar panels include.

Easier to install: Thin-film solar panels are much easier to install than other types of solar panels. This is because they're super lightweight and can be installed on a variety of surfaces.

Flexible: Thin-film solar panels are also flexible, which makes them ideal for curved surfaces.

Less expensive: They are less expensive than other types of solar panels.

High efficiency: Thin-film solar panels are just as efficient as other types of solar panels. In fact, these panels are the most efficient type of thin-film panel on the market.

Aesthetically pleasing: They noticeable than other types of solar panels. This makes them ideal if you're looking for a more aesthetically pleasing option.

Cons of Thin-Film Solar Panels

Thin-film solar panels have their fair share of downsides. If you're looking to get these solar panels, it's worth noting that they have a few cons, including:

Low efficiency: Although they are the most efficient type of thin-film panel, they're still not as efficient as monocrystalline or polycrystalline solar panels. Therefore, if you have devices that need a lot of power, you might want to skip thin-film solar panels.

Short lifespan: Thin-film solar panels have shorter lifespans than other types of solar panels. They typically last for about 15 to 20 years, while other solar panels can last for up to 30 years.

More sensitive to shading: Thin-film solar panels are more sensitive to shading than other types of solar panels. This means that if there's any shading on the panel, the entire panel will be less effective.

Passive Emitter and Rear Cell Solar Panels (PERC)

Passive Emitter and Rear Cell solar panels are made by depositing a thin layer of PERC onto a substrate. They're the most efficient type of rear-contact solar panel, but they're also the most expensive.

PERC solar panels have a higher efficiency than other types of rear-contact solar panels. That’s because they have a higher concentration of photons. This means that they can convert more sunlight into electricity.

PERC solar panels are less sensitive to shading than other types of solar panels. If you're looking for an efficient and affordable solar panel, PERC solar panels are a great option.

Just be sure to do your research to find the right type of PERC solar panel for your needs.

The Different Types of Solar Panels Simplified

Now that you know the different types of solar panels, buying the right one for your needs should be a cakewalk. Always remember to consider your power requirements before purchasing your solar panel. Also, with so many solar contractors, it's important to do your homework and pick the best one for your needs

There's much more from where that came from. For more informative articles, check out the other posts on the site.