While picking solar panels for your house, it’s essential to comprehend the distinctions between board types. How a board is made impacts its proficiency, power result, cost, and different elements. We should investigate the four main types of solar panels accessible for the Indian market.
- Monocrystalline Solar Panels
Monocrystalline boards start with high immaculate silicon precious stones filled in heaters. This cycle requires more energy and assets contrasted with other board types. Thus, monocrystalline boards will quite often be the most costly choice.
Nonetheless, their productivity is likewise the most elevated at around 20% or more because of the unadulterated silicon material. They produce more power per board, with evaluations up to 600 watts. Monocrystalline boards have a particular dark appearance.
An innovative variant is the half-cut monocrystalline cell panel. In these, each crystal is sliced vertically, doubling the number of cells. If the top cells are shaded, the bottom cells can still generate power. This improves overall output. However, half-cut panels come at an even higher premium.
Features of Monocrystalline Solar Panels
- Made from highly purified silicon in a single crystal lattice structure
- Highest efficiency of 15-22%
- Most durable and have the longest lifespan of 25+ years
- Higher energy output compared to other types
- Darker blue/black in color
- Most expensive per watt
2. Polycrystalline Solar Panels
Polycrystalline or multi-crystalline panels start from leftover melted silicon scraps rather than single crystals. Their manufacturing is simpler and less wasteful. Therefore, poly panels have a lower cost compared to monocrystalline. Their efficiency is slightly lower as well, around 15-17%. Poly panels tend to be available in smaller wattage ratings compared to monocrystalline. Their color is a darker blue hue.
Features of Polycrystalline Solar Panels
- Made from several silicon crystals fused together giving a textured appearance
- Slightly lower efficiency than mono of 14-18%
- Still very durable but slightly less than mono
- Lower energy output than mono
- Lighter blue in color
- Lower cost than mono
3. Thin Film Panels
Thin film panels take a different approach than the silicon types. Made of lightweight materials like cadmium telluride or copper indium gallium selenide, slim film boards are adaptable and simple to introduce. Be that as it may, their efficiencies are the most minimal of all board types, just 10-13%. They aren’t practical for residential use due to their short lifespan and are best for large commercial projects. Thin film panels come in blue or black shades.
Features of Thin Film Panels
- Made by depositing one or more thin layers of photovoltaic material onto a substrate
- Materials include amorphous silicon, cadmium telluride, copper indium gallium selenide
- Lowest efficiency of 6-13%
- Can be flexible and installed on different surfaces unlike crystalline panels
- Very light and easier to install
- Continuous improvements underway to increase efficiency
4. MONO PERC
A more up to date innovation, PERC or passivated producer back cell monocrystalline boards develop standard monocrystalline plan. PERC boards have a unique covering on the back side to retain a greater amount of the daylight going through the board. This lifts their proficiency much higher than standard monocrystalline, to around 22%. PERC boards give the most powerful result and effectiveness accessible today yet additionally convey the biggest sticker price.
What are the key factors to consider when choosing between monocrystalline and polycrystalline panels?
Here are the vital elements to consider while picking among monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar panels:
- Productivity – Monocrystalline boards are for the most part more proficient at switching daylight over completely to power, with efficiencies around 15-20%. Polycrystalline boards are somewhat less effective at 14-17%.
- Power Result – Because of their higher effectiveness, monocrystalline boards will deliver more power generally contrasted with a similarly estimated polycrystalline board.
- Cost – Polycrystalline boards are more affordable to deliver than monocrystalline. Figure around a 10-15% expense distinction, with monocrystalline being more.
- Style – Monocrystalline boards have a dim dark appearance while polycrystalline boards have a hazier blue shade. Consider which look you like.
- Solidness – Both board types are truly strong, yet monocrystalline silicone might enjoy a little benefit because of its single gem structure.
- Temperature Execution – Monocrystalline boards keep up with effectiveness a piece better at higher temperatures contrasted with polycrystalline.
- Concealing – Monocrystalline boards can be more delicate to fractional concealing impacts on yield.
In general, monocrystalline gives better execution per watt however at a higher beginning expense. Polycrystalline offers great incentive for cash while conveying great long haul profits from speculation from sun oriented energy.
How do Thin films panels and MONO PERC Modules perform in low light conditions?
- Thin film panels will generally perform moderately well in low light circumstances contrasted with other board types. This is on the grounds that they retain light across the noticeable range as opposed to simply unambiguous frequencies like glasslike silicon boards.
- Their capacity to retain more diffuse light makes them less helpless to decrease in yield during early morning, late evening, shady/cloudy skies when light levels are lower.
- In any case, their general effectiveness is still lower than glasslike silicon boards even in low light.
Mono PERC Modules:
- PERC monocrystalline modules keep a high productivity across a great many light powers, from extremely low levels to full daylight.
- The back passivation covering assists them with engrossing considerably a greater amount of the accessible light, including light gleaming off surfaces beneath the board.
- Their monocrystalline cosmetics likewise permits them to ingest light successfully across the noticeable light range.
- Testing shows PERC boards frequently experience just 5-10% decrease in yield during low light, versus 10-15% for standard monocrystalline or 15-20% for polycrystalline boards.
Are there any specific applications where thin film panels or PERC modules are more suitable?
Yes, there are some specific applications where thin film panels or PERC modules may be more suitable than standard silicon panel types:
Thin Film Panels:
- Off-grid or remote installations – Their lightweight design makes thin film easier to transport and install in isolated areas.
- Limited space – Thin film can be directly integrated into building components like roof tiles or mounted on flexible surfaces.
- Shade-prone areas – Their ability to perform well in low/diffuse light means thin film is better for locations with partial shading.
- Large commercial/utility projects – At scale, the simplified manufacturing of thin film can offset its efficiency disadvantage.
PERC Modules:
- High performance rooftop installations – PERC delivers the maximum possible power output from a given roof area.
- Commercial/industrial sites – Premium efficiency means PERC can help lower electricity costs for large operations.
- North-facing or shaded roofs – PERC’s light capture abilities buffer output better than standard panels.
- Off-grid cabins or hunting lodges – High efficiency means a small PERC system can provide adequate power remotely.
In gist, thin film is great for flexible or remote applications while PERC shines for maximizing returns from any solar installation through exceptional efficiency, especially in less than ideal conditions.
To conclude, monocrystalline boards will generally be the most proficient decision, while polycrystalline or slight film offer more reasonable choices. PERC monocrystalline addresses the state of the art in sun oriented innovation execution yet for an exceptional expense.
Factors like panel location, budget, and electricity needs should also inform your choice between types. Reputable solar distributors like SUN-AP Ecopower can help you select the best match. With the right panel, you’ll maximize your return on investment from solar power for many years.
FAQ
Which type of solar panel is best?
If you’re researching solar panel options for your home in a couple years, monocrystalline will still be the best choice according to current trends. These panels utilize exceptionally filtered silicon gems that are ideal down to the nuclear level, meaning they can retain daylight with high-level of productivity. Plus, they retain their output on cloudy or cooler days better than other types. You can expect monocrystalline panels to last at least 25 years without much degradation too.
That said, polycrystalline technology has come a long way. While the silicon isn’t as uniformly structured, polycrystalline panels continue improving at a rapid pace. By 2024, the gap in performance versus monocrystalline may close significantly. And polycrystalline panels will likely remain the more affordable choice per watt of power produced.
So in summary, if you want the highest performance for the next few decades, monocrystalline is the safer pick. But polycrystalline could be hard to beat on value in just a couple years as the efficiency gap narrows. Either way, you really can’t go wrong with top-quality American-made solar panels. Both will save you money in the long run and help the environment too. Just be sure to get quotes from local installers for your specific needs.
Which type of solar panel is best for homes and industries?
For homes, monocrystalline solar panels are generally the best option. They have a high efficiency of up to 22%, which means more energy is generated from the same roof space. For business and industrial applications, polycrystalline solar panels give a decent harmony between execution and cost. While slightly less efficient than monocrystalline at around 18-20%, polycrystalline panels have come down significantly in price. This makes them very suitable for large-scale commercial and industrial solar installations where upfront cost is a primary consideration.
What are the 4 types of solar panels and their efficiency?
The 4 primary types of solar panels are monocrystalline, polycrystalline, thin film, and hybrid. Monocrystalline solar panels are the most efficient at converting sunlight to electricity at around 15-22% efficiency. Polycrystalline solar panels have an efficiency range of 14-18% and are a popular lower cost option.
Thin film solar panels, made from amorphous silicon or cadmium telluride, have efficiencies of 6-13% but can be installed on different surfaces. Hybrid solar panels consolidate thin film and glasslike technologies continue to improve in productivity. Generally speaking, monocrystalline and polycrystalline boards stay the most commonly used.
