Types of Solar Panels Used by Solar Panel Companies

1 . Monocrystalline Solar Panels (Mono-SI)

Monocrystalline solar panels, sometimes called single-crystal panels, are crafted from one single pure silicon crystal sliced into wafers. They're easy to spot because they're dark black. These panels are the best at saving space and last the longest of the types of solar panels.
But there's a downside. Making one monocrystalline cell uses a lot of silicon, sometimes more than half. That's why they can be quite expensive.

2 . Polycrystalline Solar Panels (Poly-SI)

You can easily recognize these panels because they have a square shape with no cut angles and a speckled blue appearance. They're made by melting silicon, which is a quicker and cheaper way than what's done for monocrystalline panels.

This makes them cheaper to buy, but they're not as efficient as others. They take up more space and don't last as long, especially in hot weather. 

3. Passivated Emitter and Rear Cell (PERC) Panels

PERC solar panels, called 'rear cells,' are a better version of the regular monocrystalline solar cell. This new technology puts a special layer on the back of the cell, and it makes the panel work better in a few ways:

• It bounces sunlight back into the cell, so more of it gets used.
• It stops electrons from sticking together and slowing down the electricity flow.
• It reflects longer wavelengths of light. Some sunlight, with wavelengths over 1,180nm, can't be used by regular solar panels. This special layer stops those long wavelengths from heating things.

PERC panels collect more solar power in a smaller space, so they're great if you don't have a lot of room. Although they come with a higher cost, their production employs the same machinery, potentially rendering them more cost-effective in terms of electricity production per unit.



4. Thin-Film Solar Panels

Thin-film panels are special because they have very thin layers that can bend. They don't need a strong frame like regular solar panels, so they are lighter and easier to implement. Unlike the silicon panels that usually come in set sizes, thin-film panels can be made in different sizes to fit different needs. However, they aren't as good at making electricity as the regular silicon ones.

Thin-film panels have different types. These include:

Cadmium telluride (CdTe)

CdTe is similar to polycrystalline cells when it comes to being affordable, but it's the most environmentally friendly of all solar panel types. It has a small carbon footprint, needs very little water, and pays back the energy used to make it pretty quickly. However, because cadmium is toxic, recycling CdTe panels is costlier than other materials.

Amorphous silicon (a-Si)

Amorphous silicon panels, abbreviated as A-Si, earn their moniker "shapeless" due to their distinct silicon structure compared to other panels. They require a smaller amount of silicon for manufacturing, resulting in reduced costs. Their power generation efficiency is lower and are suitable for devices like pocket calculators that have minimal electricity demands.

Copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS)

CIGS panels have a thin copper, indium, gallium, and selenium layer on a glass or plastic base. They're better at making power than other thin panels but still not as good as regular silicon ones.