There are several types of solar panels that are being used by practically everyone right now. This is because of the general trend of people coming up with ingenious methods to harness the sun’s potential and utilize it as a renewable energy source. This bodes well for the future of energy utilization because, let’s face it, these types of solar panels are environmentally friendly, they do not require much tinkering, and they sometimes even work better than traditional panels.
However, there are different types of solar panels. Each type has a specific purpose when it comes to different facets of human living, but just as well, all these panels are safe, renewable, and fast becoming popular. Here are a few of the most popular solar panels right now:
The first type would be the monocrystalline panels. This type is made from a large silicon crystal, and moreover, this variety is considered to be one of the most efficient types of solar panels in harnessing sunlight and then converting it to electricity. However, it can be costlier than most other types. The reason for its efficiency, relative to other panel types, is because it works better in lower light conditions.
Polycrystaline panels, on the other hand, are the most common variety of panel right now. Their appearance resembles shattered glass, but they are generally acknowledged to be less efficient than monocrystalline panels, and less costly to buy. Unlike a mono panel that only has one large siilcon crystal, a polycrystaline panel has numerous silicon crystals that are relatively smaller.
Another popular variety is the amorphous panel. This type consists of a thin film that’s made out of molten silicon, and is spread across a number of large stainless steel plates or other similar material. Amorphous panels are relatively less efficient compared to the other two types, but they have the cheapest price.
A basic reason why this type is quite popular is because it is generally shadow-protected. This means that even when the panel is located somewhere where it does not have direct contact with the sun, the panel still continues to charge. An amorphous solar panel works best on boats, yachts, or other forms of transportation.
These three types of solar panels are generally considered to be at the forefront of choices right now. When you are looking for a panel that can best work for you, it is important that you know how to compute for the solar efficiency of each type. This can be computed by comparing the amount of solar energy that is captured relative to the amount that’s converted into electricity.
Of all the available choices, the monocrystalline is the most efficient panel with an 22% efficiency rating, followed by the polycrystalline with 18%, and then finally the amorphous panel which has a 12% rating.