Different Types of Solar Panels

Solar panels are extensively used for residential purposes. There are three common categories of solar panels which are thin film solar panels, monocrystalline solar panels and polycrystalline solar panels. The type of the solar panel is determined by the solar cells that it is comprised of.

When purchasing a solar panel Ballarat, you need to understand what category it falls into. Most of the solar panels used today aremonocrystalline solar panels. Within this category there are many types that you can consider. A popular option under this category is Passivated Emitter and Rear Contact cells or PERC cells. Its properties allow it to produce a high amount of electricity. There are also solar panels that can produce electricity on the front and back of the module. These are called bifacial solar panels. Polycrystalline panels are also called multi-crystalline panels. These are great for homeowners who are looking for a budget friendly solar panel option. These are made of silicon solar cells just like the monocrystalline solar panels. But in the cooling process, there are multiple crystals formed instead of just one. Thin film solar panels are used mostly in industrial installation because they have lower efficiency. A thin film of photovoltaic material is placed onto a solid surface to create these panels. The properties of the panel will differ according to the substances that are used.

When it comes to performance, monocrystalline solar panels range win out of the three categories. This is why they are used in residential applications. You will be able to get a higher output with a small space which makes it great for small scale applications. The efficiency of these panels is due to their manufacturing process. These come with the highest power capacity ratings as well. After monocrystalline solar panels, the efficiency of polycrystalline is considered best. The reason for lower efficiency is the multiple numbers of silicon cells limiting the movement of electrons. There are certain technological advances that these panels are going through to match the performance of monocrystalline solar panels. Thin film solar panels have the lowest performance therefore, you will need a large number of panels to produce a sufficient amount of electricity. This can only be done in large areas such as industrial applications.

Because of the performance, monocrystalline solar panels are the most expensive. But there is a considerable reduction in price according to the improvement of manufacturing processes.  So far, polycrystalline panels are a mid-range option. But you can compare the efficiency ratings of polycrystalline and monocrystalline panels to get an idea of whether the cost-saving is best for you long term. Thin film solar panels are the cheapest but they will degrade faster than the other two types. This will require you to replace them more frequently causing a rise in running costs. However, thin film panels have a clean look and they will not disrupt the appearance of the building as they can lie flat against the roof. Monocrystalline solar panels are more noticeable in comparison. However, they look better than the polycrystalline panels as they have a marbled blue coloured appearance.

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