There are many types of solar panels available. There are four types of solar panels: monocrystalline, thin-film, amorphous silicon and CIGS. Here are the differences between them. Learn what your options are to maximize your solar power. This information will assist you in making your decision on whether to use solar energy for home or commercial purposes.
Thin-film solar panel
The second generation is thin-film solar panels. These panels generate energy by thin layers deposited of photovoltaic substance onto a substrate made out of glass, metal, or plastic. For a solar panel to be created, the layers must not exceed 0.1mm. This allows for more efficient solar energy absorption.
Compared to crystalline solar panels, thin-film panels have a more flexible design. Thin-film panels can be bent into different shapes and sizes, and they are lighter than crystalline solar panels. However, they take up much more space than crystalline panels and require additional racking and inverters. They also use a more harmful manufacturing process.
Monocrystalline panels
Monocrystalline solar panels have one silicon crystal. They are called an "ingot" and are cut into thin silicon silicon wafers in order to form solar cells. There are many monocrystalline sun cells on today's market. PERC cell is one of the most popular. This special manufacturing process increases the power they generate. A bifacial or monocrystalline panel generates electricity by both the front as well as the back of the solar panel. These panels are becoming more popular in commercial ground-mounted applications.
Monocrystalline solar panel have the highest efficiency, but they are also more expensive. A 250-watt panel with the standard voltage can be purchased for $250 to $375. Monocrystalline solar systems can last for up to 40 years. However, solar energy systems can cost more than $10,000.
Panels made of amorphous silicon
Amorphous silicon solar panels have a structure called p-i-1. The structure can have a significant impact on the performance and behavior of solar cells. Variable deposition parameters can influence the p-i-1 structure. For maximum photoelectric efficiency, it's important to establish the thickness of the I-layer.
Flexible thin foils are used to produce amorphous silicon solar cell. They can be made in a variety of configurations, including a flexible thin foil or a p–i–n/n-i–p design. The p-i-n configuration means that the cells have thin, doped layers.
CIGS panels
The CIGS solar panels, a relatively new technology, use a thin layer of copper, indium and gallium to make solar cells. These solar cells can produce more energy than silicon technology, even at low levels of the sun. They are also more efficient than silicon technology. These panels adhere to vehicles' roofs and are usually thin. They are designed to reduce drag and wind resistance. However, they still produce high power.
The basic process involves coating a polyimide or glass substrate with a thin layer of CIGS. The film is then applied to the substrate. This can be a glass, metal or polyamide film. The resulting layer is highly reflective and conductive.