What types of solar panels are there?
There are "three" main types of solar panels being sold today!
| Monocrystalline |
The most efficient and expensive solar panels are made with Monocrystalline cells. These solar cells use very pure silicon and involve a complicated crystal growth process. Long silicon rods are produced which are cut into slices of thin wafers which are then processed into individual cells that are wired together in the solar panel. |
| Poly or Multicrystalline |
These panels are made up of of lots of individual pieces of PV Cells. They are cheaper to make than a monocrystalline panel, however more expensive than an amorphous panel. Because they are made up of pieces, they have a shattered glass appearance sometime mistaken for tiny cracks. Though cheaper than Monocrystalline Panels, they are just as reliable. |
| Amorphous |
These are your cheaper panels. Amorphous silicon panels have the lowest electricity return rate of any type of solar panels. Known as thin film technology, a special film is sprayed onto the back side of glass then etched into so called cells. These panels are very cheap to produce and their life expectancy is less than higher quality panels. Currently a large majority of panels produced in China are of this type. An example would be the Panels sold by Harbor Freight. It also takes a much larger amorphous panel to equial that of a Multi or Monocrystalline Panel. |
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