Understanding the Types of Solar Panels
Monocrystalline Silicon
Also sometimes called Mono-Si or single-crystalline silicon, monocrystalline silicon solar panels are the most common among the three types of solar panels. They’re made by adding a crystalline seed that solidifies the silicon, it’s shaped into bars and then cut into the squares that make up the panel. The resulting material is high quality, with consistent crystalline structures that enhance the panels’ efficiency. The panels typically have cells with the corners cut off, giving them a characteristic look. Advantages of these panels include:
- High solar panel efficiency ratings ranging from 15 to 20 percent or better, as noted by Energy Informative.
- Space efficiency requiring the least amount of space compared to other types of solar panels.
- They’re the most durable and typically come with a 25-year warranty.
Polycrystalline Silicon
Often called p-Si or multi-crystalline silicon, polycrystalline silicon solar panels are made by melting raw silicon. That gets poured into a mold that’s cooled before cutting it into perfect squares, giving these solar panels a different look than their Mono-Si counterparts. Because the process is simpler, these solar panels are also less expensive. The solar panel efficiency ranges from 13 to 16 percent on average. Additionally, they do take up more space.
Thin-Film Solar
Multijunction Solar
The latest solar panel technology, multijunction solar, offers efficiency of around 40 percent according to Vivint Solar. This type of solar panels are created a little differently, with layers of semiconductors, each able to convert light into energy differently to waste less of the light and provide more power. Although they’re very efficient, they’re also cost-prohibitive. These solar panels are typically only used in research labs and satellites.
Tips for Buying Solar Panels
- Space: If you have tons of open space to install your panels, you might consider the larger setups. But if you’re short on space, you might have to compromise by choosing a smaller setup or the pricier monocrystalline silicon panels, which offer maximum efficiency in minimum space.
- Budget: You can use the dollars per watt calculation to figure out how much you need to spend to power your home. Many experts suggest looking for panels in the neighborhood of $4 per-watt. For example, if you’re choosing a panel with a maximum energy output of 200 watts, it would cost around $800.
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