Choosing Between Different Types of Solar Panel
It can be hard to choose between types of solar panel. In this article, you will learn all you need to know about the types of solar panels for home use (mono-, polycrystalline and thin film). Now, silicon is the material of choice. When looking at a solar panel, you have to think about the silicon purity. The higher the purity, the more efficient the solar panel will be.
Thin-film technologies have an easy mass production, so they can be cheaper than crystalline panels. They can also be flexible, which can make them more versatile than other panels. Also, temps affect thin-film panels less than crystalline panels. However, they need more space than crystalline panels, which makes them less useful for most homes. Also, thin-film panels are less efficient and degrade faster.
Monocrystalline vs. Polycrystalline Solar Panels
Monocrystalline solar panels were the first to come out. They have proven themselves over the years. Monocrystalline solar panels have high-purity silicon. The silicon ingots in the panels are waffle shaped. On the other hand, polycrystalline solar panels are rectangular. Monocrystalline solar cells are also the most efficient, and work better than other panels in low light. They even work in space. Since they are more efficient, monocrystalline panels do not need a large area to make sufficient power. They also last the longest. However, monocrystalline panels are the most expensive. Also, they cause more waste than polycrystalline panels. They are also prone to breaking down when the panel is blocked.
The choice of which solar panel you should buy depends on the panel. While this article does give an overview, efficiency does vary between panels. As ever, you should compare the panels to see what works for you and what does not.