What are the different types of solar panels?
It is an active energy that drives photovoltaic solar cell technology. In this way, it is straightforward and easy to understand.
Photovoltaic solar panels are the most common, although there are many more. We’ve all at least heard about them, if not seen them in action, or at least know someone who does (and is enjoying their benefits).
With a solar kit, we’ll be able to convert solar radiation into electricity that we can use in our homes, workplaces, and other places where we gather energy. Our solar panels create energy that may be utilized for a variety of purposes, including lighting, heating, and charging our mobile phones. After a quick explanation of how the panels work, we’ll look at the various photovoltaic solar panels available on the market.
Where can we find photovoltaic panels?
Three of the most common kinds of solar panels may be found in a range of solar modules (and the ones that we will explain in this blog). There are a few more, but we won’t go into detail about them since they aren’t often installed these days.
The three most common varieties of solar panels are monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and amorphous.
Types of solar panels: Monocrystalline
As explained in the past, monocrystalline solar panels are one of the most often used and installed types of solar panels. The term “monocrystalline” refers to the particular kind of cells that are used in their production, which are known as “monocrystalline cells.”
In order to recognize this specific kind of solar panel, all one has to do is a glance at its overall dark color and the squared-off edges. In addition, we have found that monocrystalline solar panels have the highest overall efficiency. In comparison to the performance of other kinds of photovoltaic solar panels, its cells provide better results.
Monocrystalline silicon is the major material used in the production of photovoltaic solar panels of this sort (sc-Si).
To make one of these, the manufacturing process involves acquiring an ingot consisting of a single silicon crystal by use of cutting processes. The Czochralski technique and the floating zone method are the two ways that these crystals are extracted. The shape of the cut that is produced will be that of a wafer, and after we have acquired one of them, we will keep working until the remainder of the transformation is complete.
Both the cost and the efficiency of monocrystalline solar panels are much greater than those of the kinds of panels that we shall discuss in the following paragraphs.
Types of solar panels: Polycrystalline
Polycrystalline solar panels are the next kind of solar panels that we are going to talk about and explain to you. As the name implies, the sort of cells that are used in the construction of solar panels falling under this category is those that are of the polycrystalline variety. It does not have a chamfer shape on any of its angles. The hue of polycrystalline solar panels is more of a bluish-gray than anything else (much lighter than monocrystalline).
Take note that silicon wafers are also utilized in the process of fabricating polycrystalline silicon (mc-Si) cells, which is one of the steps involved in the production of these solar panels.
On the other hand, a distinguishing feature of this kind of panel is that it is produced by first solidifying silicon in a crucible and then cutting it into thin sheets. This transition takes place at a very slow pace, which is owing to the fact that it results in extremely few silicon crystals. These two different kinds of solar panels are distinguished from one another in a number of ways, one of which is efficiency. Monocrystalline solar panels are more efficient than polycrystalline ones.
Types of solar panels: Amorphous/Thin Film
Amorphous solar panels are one of the many distinct kinds of solar panels that can be found, but in comparison to the other two varieties, they are the ones that are found less often on the market. The primary distinction between crystalline and amorphous photovoltaic solar panels is in the manufacturing process; nonetheless, both types of panels produce the same amount of electricity when used in an installation.
When compared to the other two types of panels, this one has a cheaper cost of production. Although production of them has been halted for the time being due to the fact that the prices of the other two kinds of panels have seen a considerable drop in recent years. When we consider this, in conjunction with the low efficiency of amorphous panels, we discover that profitability is rather poor.
These photovoltaic solar panels have a price that is a substantial amount cheaper than the ones that came before them, and they are only utilized for relatively insignificant gadgets like calculators.