Solar Panel Types: The Variations to Know About

Need help nailing down the solar panels types to use in your next project? In this guide, I’ll run through everything you need to know so you can make the right call.

 A new solar project is an exciting venture. By harnessing the sun’s heat and light, you’re creating clean and sustainable energy that can power everything from homes to heated swimming pools.

For commercial projects, one of the first things that developers will determine is which solar panel type is most suitable. As for domestic projects, homeowners may want to know which kind will look most attractive on their rooftop.

Whatever you’re here for, I’ll run through the key things you need to know, from efficiency and appearance to installation costs and lifespan.

What Is a Solar Panel?

Solar panels are photovoltaic cells that capture the sun’s irradiation and convert it into usable energy with the help of an inverter. The project can then supply energy to homes and businesses across the country.

Although I discuss exactly how solar power works in a more detailed article, I’ll also give you a quick rundown here.

Solar panels work by releasing electrons, which then produce an electronic charge. They do this when the photons from the sun cause the photovoltaic cells to charge (and start vibrating as a result).

This process generates a decent amount of energy, and it causes free electrons to release into an electric field. When this happens, the directional current pulls them in and this produces direct current (AKA: electricity).

Commercial solar farms convert this direct current (DC) into alternating current (AC) with inverters. Once in this usable AC form, it’s supplied to the local Grid network and sold on. This usually takes place through Power Purchase Agreements.

This entire process is called the photovoltaic effect.

The Different Types of Solar Panels

Whether you’re starting a domestic installation or a large-scale commercial project, these are the most popular solar panel types you’ll want to consider using.

Monocrystalline

Monocrystalline solar panels are the oldest and most well-developed type of solar panel. They were first used in the 1950s as first-generation solar cells and have come a long way since.

Residential developers typically use them in rooftop solar installations thanks to their hardiness, but they’re also the go-to panel for developers on solar farms. So they’ll be the type of solar panel landowners see most frequently in their projects.

They have a high-efficiency rate of between 15 and 20 per cent, and are usually optimised for commercial use . They also have the highest output and power capacity compared to other panels, giving them the highest efficiency per square foot. You can expect a 60-cell solar panel to produce around 310 to 350 watts of electricity. This can vary based on the manufacturer, but it’s a great ballpark figure.

The panels are made from forming pure silicon into bars. Solar manufacturers then cut the pure silicone into wafer shapes, trim the edges, and fashion the panels into rows and mounted. The excellent alignment of the silicon in these panels means that they absorb a lot more energy than you’d think.

Find out more about the history of solar panels in our dedicated blog post about the topic.

Polycrystalline

Polycrystalline panels are slightly less efficient and tend to cost more per watt of power output for that very reason.

They’re made from a combination of silicone crystals that are melted together and poured into a square mould. A semiconductor layer is placed between each transparent conducting layer before a sheet of glass is put on top to capture the sunlight.

These panels have a lower heat tolerance than monocrystalline panels, which can make them less efficient during the warmer months. So you’ll likely need to pay for more panels to get the same output as a solar farm filled with monocrystalline panels.

Thin film

Thin film panels don’t just use silicone but are usually a combination of many different materials:

• Cadmium telluride
• Amorphous silicon
• Copper indium gallium selenide

Thin film panels tend to have the lowest efficiency rating but are also more flexible than others. So, while they might not be the best types of solar panels for large-scale farms, they’re an excellent choice for tighter roof spaces.

You can expect an average efficiency of around 7-13 per cent, and they’re usually cheaper than alternative options. They also have a shorter lifespan, lasting about 10 to 20 years on average before developers will need to replace them.

One thing to note about thin-film panels is that they’re generally more susceptible to hail damage than others. These panels also need to deal with light-induced degradation that can reduce efficiency between 1 to 3 per cent during the panels’ first few hours of exposure to sunlight.

Hybrid

A hybrid solar panel is a combination panel that can use both heat and light. So, it produces energy and heat at the same time while it absorbs sunlight.

These panels comprise a photovoltaic element to absorb light and a solar thermal component to capture the sun’s heat. The panels are space-saving and have a good efficiency rating (typically in line with monocrystalline).

However, they’re less common than monocrystalline panels and developers rarely use them in solar projects.

What Do Different Solar Panel Types Look Like?

Monocrystalline

• They are usually made from pure silicone. This gives them a uniform, dark appearance. Their uniformity means they’re the most attractive panel, making them popular with homeowners.

• They tend to have rounded edges.

• Newer panels can also take up less space.

Polycrystalline

• Polycrystalline cells have a blue finish with a distinctive rectangular shape.

• You’ll also be able to spot blue speckles in each cell from the way the sunlight bounces off the panels.

Thin film

• Thin-film panels are thin, flexible and generally have a low profile. So, they’re more ‘subtle’ than other types of solar panel.

Hybrid

• These panels combine thermal and photovoltaic technologies. They have rounded edges and a relatively smooth appearance.

What Are the Best Solar Panel Types for Typical Projects?

It’s hard to answer ‘What are the best solar panel types?’ without determining which factors are most important to you.

Commercial projects

Monocrystalline panels are essentially the gold standard. Not only are they the most efficient – which would probably lead to greater overall profits – but they also have decent lifespans and will usually last for the entire duration of a commercial project.

Monocrystalline panels have a higher upfront cost, so you might think twice about using them if you’re a self-developer looking to keep costs low at the outset.

However, some developers might choose polycrystalline panels, as they represent an excellent price-to-efficiency ratio. You can trade off the cheaper installation costs to install more panels at a high enough square footage. This may be enough to compensate for any lost output from the lower efficiency.

Domestic projects

When it comes to domestic solar projects, most homeowners will opt for slimmer, more attractive panels that look sleek on their rooftops.

If developers are looking for output over aesthetics, they’ll choose the most efficient panels possible.

Final Thoughts

The types of solar panels chosen for a project is entirely down to your requirements and whether the project is commercial or domestic.

If you’re looking for a hardy domestic solar project, you can get away with cheaper, less efficient panels. But in my book, developers should probably stretch for monocrystalline panels that will last longer and yield higher outputs.

This isn’t exclusive to every project, but it’s generally wiser to invest heavily upfront to reap the rewards down the line.

There You Have It: The Ultimate Guide to Solar Panel Types That Should Help You Make the Right Call for Your Project

If you want a solar project on your land, get in touch. We’d be happy to guide you through the process and determine how much passive income you can make from leasing your land.

If you already have a project up and running, we can help you uncover lost income and make your site as efficient and profitable as possible.

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