Solar panels (also known as “PV panels”) are used to convert light from the sun, composed of particles of energy called “photons”, into electricity that can be used to power electrical loads.
Solar panels can be used for a wide variety of applications including remote power systems for cabins, telecommunications equipment, remote sensing, and of course for the production of electricity for residential and commercial solar electric systems.
Types of solar panels and their efficiency-
You have three broad options to choose from, when it comes to the types of solar panels in India. Based on how they are manufactured, their appearance, their performance, their cost and the kind of installation they are suited for, the types of solar panels and their efficiency can be broadly classified as monocrystalline, polycrystalline (or multicrystalline) and thin-film.
Monocrystalline Solar Panels (Mono-SI)-
In addition to high panel efficiency – (usually around 17-22%). these panels have a high aesthetic value, thereby tending to make it a popular option among types of solar panel installations in India. Each of the individual solar cells contain a silicon wafer that is made of a single and pure crystal of silicon, and hence the name monocrystalline.
The black color is due to how light interacts with the pure silicon crystal. If you see a black solar panel with square shaped silicon wafers having their corners cut off, it is a monocrystalline panel. Given their high efficiency and power, their cost also tends to be on the higher side in comparison to polycrystalline panels. However, due to the high performance of these panels, you would need lesser number of Mono SI panels than polycrystalline panels in your solar system, for the same power output.
Polycrystalline Solar panels (Poly SI)
The second one is the poly SI. While this is also made out of pure silicon crystals, the difference between poly SI and mono SI is that the type of solar cells and their efficiency in this solar panel consists of polycrystalline solar cells that are composed of fragments of silicon crystals, melted together in a mould before being cut into wafers. These panels generally tend to have a blue color due to the presence of the multiple crystals in these wafers. The panel efficiency is usually around 15-17%, but certain new technologies have enabled these types of solar panels for houses to push their efficiencies in the range of Mono SI. Their construction allows them to be on a slightly cheaper side than Mono SI, in terms of cost.
Thin film solar panels
The third one is the thin film types of solar panels in India. They are usually lightweight and flexible and are made using photovoltaic substances instead of Silicon crystals. The most popularly used photovoltaic material in this solar panel is Cadmium Telluride (CdTe).
In general, thin film solar panels are not used widely for residential solar installations because of their low panel efficiency. In spite of being cheap, they require more space and produce less electricity than monocrystalline or polycrystalline panels.
Since each of these solar panels have different characteristics and performances, it is always best to seek help to understand which type of solar panel is best one to suit your specific application and location.
We believe that choosing the right solar provider is an important aspect to maximize the benefits you can reap from your solar panel installation. Freyr Energy, one of India’s top solar companies helps you to make the right choice.