What are the different solar panel types? | DroneQuote

Solar panels may look the same for some; thus, you may think they are all made up of the same material or perform similarly. But there is more to solar panels than their appearance. In reality, solar panels vary in appearance, performance, costs, and manufacturing methods. One option may be more suitable depending on the type of solar panel installation you are considering. This article breaks down each solar type by cost, material, appearance, and efficiency to help you understand which suits you. 

What are solar panels?

Solar panels collect solar energy from the sun and convert it into usable energy or electricity. 

A typical solar module consists of individual solar cells composed of silicon, boron, and phosphorus layers. The boron layer provides the positive charge, the phosphorus layer provides the negative charge, and the silicon acts as a semiconductor. 

When the sun’s photos hit the panel’s surface, they knock electrons out of the silicon and into the electric field generated by the solar cells. This creates a directional current, which is then converted into usable power. 

What are the main solar panel types? 

The three main solar panel types are monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and thin-film solar panels. Each type has unique advantages and disadvantages – the kind of solar panels that are best to install will depend on your preferences and the factors specific to your property. 

Which type of solar panel is best?

 There is no one answer to this, as your property and personal needs vary. For some, solar panel efficiency may be the most important factor, while others value cost-effectiveness. Here are some facts to consider: 

Crystalline solar modules have the highest efficiency of all modules. 

Monocrystalline panels have an efficiency between 15 and 22% and are, therefore, the most efficient among all crystalline panels. 

Polysilicon panels are the most effective, with an efficiency of 17 to 17%. 

Thin-film solar panels work best with unusual roof shapes and are the most resilient. 

Why do different types of panels have different costs? 

The monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and thin film undergo different manufacturing processes; each type has a different price. 

Monocrystalline solar panels: most expensive

Monocrystalline panels are the most expensive of all solar panel types. This is primarily due to the manufacturing process. Because solar cells are made from single silicon ingots, manufacturers must bear the cost of producing those ingots. The Czochralski process is energy-intensive and results in wasted silicon (which can later be used to make polycrystalline solar cells.)

Polycrystalline solar panels: mid-range

Polycrystalline solar panels are generally less expensive than monocrystalline solar panels. Because the cells are not made from a single ingot of pure silicon but from silicon fragments, this allows for a simpler manufacturing process, reducing costs for the manufacturer and the end user.

Thin film solar panels: it depends on the type 

How much you pay for thin-film solar cells depends mainly on the type of thin-film cells. Cadmium telluride (CdTe) is the cheapest and fastest solar panel type to manufacture. Copper Indium Gallium Diselenide (CIGS) solar panels are more expensive than CdTe or amorphous silicon. 

Regardless of the panels’ cost, the total cost of installing thin film solar panels can be lower than installing monocrystalline or polycrystalline solar panels due to the additional labor involved. Installing thin-film solar panels is less labor-intensive because they are lighter and easier to handle, making it easier for installers to carry and install the panels on a roof. This means lower labor costs, contributing to more cost-effective solar installations overall. 

What are the different types of solar panels?

What are solar panels made of?

Solar panel cells are made of semiconductor materials that convert light energy into electricity. In the manufacture of solar cells, the most commonly used semiconductor material is silicon.

What are crystalline solar panels made of?

Monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar panels both have cells made from silicon wafers. Wafers are assembled in rows and columns into a rectangle, covered with a sheet of glass, and framed together. 

Monocrystalline solar cells are cut up from a single ingot of silicon. Alternatively, polycrystalline solar cells are made from shards of silicon that are melted in molds, then converted into silicon ingots and sliced ​​into wafers. While both types of solar panels have cells made of silicon, monocrystalline and polycrystalline panels differ in the composition of the silicon itself.

What do the different solar panel types look like?

Solar panels’ appearance also differs depending on the materials and production.

Monocrystalline silicon solar panels: black

If you see a solar panel with black cells, it is most likely a monocrystalline panel. The cells appear black because light interacts with pure silicon crystals. 

While the solar cells are black, monocrystalline solar panels come in various colors for the back and frame. The back of the solar panel is mostly black, silver, or white, while the metal frame is usually black or silver. 

Polycrystalline silicon solar modules: Blue

Unlike monocrystalline, crystalline solar cells tend to have a blue tinge because light reflects off the cell’s silicon fragments differently than pure one’s monocrystalline silicon wafers. Like monocrystalline panels, polycrystalline panels come in different colors for the back and bezel. In most cases, the frame of the polycrystalline panel is silver, and the back plate is silver or white. 

Thin Film Solar Modules: Thin Type

The biggest differentiating aesthetic factor of thin-film solar panels is how thin and unobtrusive the technology is. As the name implies, thin film modules are usually thinner than other panel types. This is because the cells in the modules are about 350 times thinner than the wafers used in monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar panels.

It is important to remember that while thin-film cells can be much thinner than conventional solar cells if thick frames are included, the overall thin-film module can be similar in thickness to a monocrystalline or polycrystalline solar module. There are bonded thin-film solar modules as close as possible to the roof surface, but there are also more durable thin-film modules with a frame thickness of up to 50 mm.

As for the color, thin-film solar panels can come in two shades of blue and black, depending on their nature.

How efficient are the different types of solar panels?

The amount of electricity produced by each type of solar panel varies. Below is the energy efficiency of each solar cell type: 

Crystal Solar Panel 

Monocrystalline modules generally have higher efficiency and power capacity among all module types. These solar panels can achieve efficiencies over 20%, while polycrystalline solar panels typically have 15% and 17% efficiencies. 

Monocrystalline solar panels generate more electricity than other types of panels, not only because of their efficiency but also because they generally have a higher capacity. Most monocrystalline solar panels have a power capacity of over 300 watts (W), some even over 400W. On the other hand, polycrystalline solar panels tend to be less powerful. Monocrystalline solar modules also tend to outperform polycrystalline models in temperature coefficient – ​​a measure of module performance at warm temperatures. Essentially, this means that monocrystalline modules generally perform better at high temperatures. 

However, this doesn’t mean that monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar panels differ in physical size – in fact, there are 60, 72, and 96 silicon cell variations for both types of solar panels. Although they have the same number of cells, monocrystalline panels can generate more power.

Thin Film Solar Module 

Thin-film solar modules have lower efficiencies and power capabilities than monocrystalline or polycrystalline variants. Efficiency varies depending on the materials used in the cell, but thin-film solar panels are typically around 11 percent efficient. 

In contrast to monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar modules with standardized variants of 60, 72, and 96 cells, there is no uniform size for thin-film technology. Therefore, the performance from one thin film panel to another depends largely on its physical size. In general, monocrystalline or polycrystalline solar panels will have more power capacity per square foot than thin-film panel technologies.

Male workers installing solar photovoltaic panel system. Electricians mounting blue solar module on roof of modern house.

Other factors to consider in choosing the best solar panel type

Fire-proof level

The International Building Code r equires solar panels to meet the fire rating of the roofs on which they are installed. This ensures that the module does not accelerate the spread of flames in the event of a fire. In California, the entire PV system, including the racking system, should have the same fire rating. 

Solar panel fire classifications are divided into three classes: 

CLASS A

Effective resistance to heavy fire test load

Flame spread should not exceed 6 feet

Forest-urban interface areas or areas with severe fire conditions and a high risk of forest fires need

CLASS B

Effectively resists moderate fire test loads

Flame spread should not exceed 8 feet

CLASS C

Effective against light fire test loads

Flame spread should not exceed 13 feet

Hail resistance rate

Solar panels are also hail tested. The UL 1703 and UL 61703 standards test panels by simulating hail. Two-inch solid steel balls are thrown at solar panels from a height of 51 inches, and using pneumatic cannons to fire 1-inch ice balls at solar panels. 

Crystalline panels can withstand hailstorms of up to 50mph due to their thicker structures, while thin-film solar panels have lower ratings due to their thin and flexible nature. 

Solar panel lifespan

Both polycrystalline and monocrystalline solar panels have a service life of more than 25 years. While some claim that monocrystalline panels have a lower degradation rate, the type of silicon solar cell from which a solar panel is made usually does not affect its lifespan. 

Power output decreases over time- approximately 0.8% per year. So you can expect your panel to produce 99.2% of its original output in the second year, 98.4% in the third, and so on. Also, a solar panel warranty helps set up solar panels and other equipment, such as inverters. 

Which panel type is best for your installation? 

When choosing the type of solar panels you need for your system, much of your decision will come down to the specifics of your property and situation. Monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and thin-film modules each have advantages and disadvantages, and the solution you should adopt depends on your property and solar project goals. 

Homeowners with ample solar panel space can save upfront costs by installing lower-performing, lower-cost polysilicon panels. If you have limited space but want to minimize your electricity bills, you can do so by installing high-efficiency monocrystalline solar panels. 

With thin-film panels, the most common choice for this type of solar panel is when installing large commercial roofs that cannot withstand the added weight of traditional solar panels. These roofs can also withstand the lower efficiency of membrane panels because they have more roof space to place them. Additionally, thin film panels can 

sometimes be a helpful solution for portable solar systems for RVs. 

Have more questions? Contact DroneQuote

We often field questions from homeowners wanting their solar energy system but are still determining which type to buy. Our responsibility is to let homeowners know the available solar panel options that suit their needs. That is precisely why being a solar fiduciary sets DroneQuote apart. If you want more information about installing solar panels on your roof, go to our website, and we’ll give it straight to you.