More and more people are switching to solar energy for a good reason! Solar panels offer considerable savings on your energy bills and are a great way to reduce your carbon footprint. But what type of solar panel should you choose for your home? Here’s a look at the different types of solar panels that are commonly used in homes, as put together by Samir H Bhatt.
Popular Solar Panel Types by Samir H Bhatt
Monocrystalline Panels
Monocrystalline solar panels are the most popular type of solar panel for homes. They are also the most efficient, with solar cells made from a single silicon crystal.
Monocrystalline panels are more expensive than other types of solar panels, but they are also more durable and have a longer lifespan.
According to Samir H Bhatt of SHB Advisors, monocrystalline panels are less likely to experience “hot spots,” reducing their output. As a result, monocrystalline panels are often the best choice for homeowners who want to maximize their solar investment.
Polycrystalline Panels
Polycrystalline panels, also known as solar photovoltaic (PV) cells, are made of silicon that has been melted and reformed into a crystalline structure. Polycrystalline panels are less efficient than monocrystalline panels but are also less expensive to manufacture.
Polycrystalline panels are the most common type of PV cell used in residential solar systems. They are typically blue or black in color and have a mottled appearance. Polycrystalline PV cells were first developed in the 1970s and began to be mass-produced in the 1990s.
Polycrystalline panels are less efficient than monocrystalline panels because the silicon crystals are of different sizes. As a result, the electrons must travel a longer distance to reach the electrical contacts on the panel. Polycrystalline panels typically have an efficiency of 15-17%.
Thin-Film Panels
Thin-film solar panels are a type of photovoltaic (PV) panel that are made by depositing one or more thin layers, or “films,” of photovoltaic material on a substrate.
Thin-film solar panels are less efficient than traditional crystalline silicon PV panels but have the advantage of being much cheaper to manufacture. Thin-film panels are also flexible and can be mounted on curved surfaces, making them ideal for use in various applications.
As the name suggests, thin-film solar panels are much thinner than traditional PV panels, typically only a few micrometers thick. This makes them much lighter and easier to install than their crystalline counterparts.
Thin-film panels are also typically less sensitive to temperature changes than crystalline silicon PV cells, which can operate more efficiently in hot climates. According to Samir H Bhatt’s research, thin-film solar cells also have disadvantages.
They tend to be less durable than crystalline PV cells and can degrade over time due to exposure to the elements. Thin-film solar panels are also less efficient at converting sunlight into electricity than crystalline PV cells, requiring more surface area to generate the same amount of power.
Despite these drawbacks, thin-film solar panels offer several advantages that make them an attractive option for many applications.
Samir H Bhatt’s Concluding Thoughts
Solar panels are becoming more and more popular in homes across the country. There are a few different types of solar panels that can be used, and each one has its own benefits. Samir H Bhatt believes that if you’re thinking about installing solar panels in your home, it’s important to understand the different available types to choose the best option for your needs.