Increasing number of Americans switch to green living. The US solar panel installation industry has a market size of $15 billion

As of 2023, the market for installing solar panels in the US will be worth $15 billion. Every year, the technology behind solar panels gets better, and more people start living in a green way.

You might want to put solar panels on your house, but you don’t know which ones to get. Before buying a solar panel, it’s important to understand how each kind works.

In the next section, we’ll look at the most common kinds of solar panels and what makes them different.

Monocrystalline Panels

Monocrystalline Panels have black cells that are different from those of other panels. Because of how sunlight hits silicon crystals, their cells are black.

Aside from the black cells, the frames and backs of monocrystalline panels come in a number of different colors. Most often, the back sheets are black, silver, or white. Most monocrystalline solar panels have frames that are either silver or black.

Their cells are cut out of a single crystal of silicone to make wafers that are then put in rows. When the rows and columns meet, they make a rectangle that is covered by a sheet of glass and a frame.

Most of the time, monocrystalline panels are the most expensive for a home solar energy system. Most of the cost comes from making the unique crystals that are used.

Polycrystalline Panels

Polycrystalline solar panels look like their cells have a blue tint to them. Because the pieces of silicon don’t reflect light the same way that monocrystalline cells do. Their frames and backing are usually the same colors as monocrystalline options.

Pieces of silicon crystals melt together in a mold to make polycrystalline solar cells. Then, they are made into ingots, which are then cut into wafers and put in rows.

Most of the time, they cost less than monocrystalline solar panels. Because the cells are made from pieces of silicon instead of a single crystal of silicon. The less complicated way of making things saves money and also helps the customer.

Thin-film Panels

Some people like the look of thin-film panels because they are very thin and have a low profile. They are thin because the number of cells inside is 350 times higher than in polycrystalline or monocrystalline options.

Note that a thin-film panel with a big frame might end up being the same thickness as a monocrystalline or polycrystalline panel. Some thin-film solar panels have glue on the back that sticks them very close to the roof.

You could also think about thin-film panels with frames that are 50 millimeters thick and even more durable. You can choose from blue or black colors for the colors.

Thin-film panels are made by putting together different kinds of materials. Most thin-film solar panels are made with conducting layers made of cadmium telluride. They also put a layer of glass on top to keep the panel from getting broken.

The layers of amorphous silicon are used to make other thin-film panels, but not wafers. Instead, they are made of non-crystalline silicon that is placed on a surface made of plastic, metal, or glass.

Copper Indium Gallium Selenide technology is used for the last type of thin-film panels. Between the two layers that conduct electricity, these panels have four parts. Then, electrodes are put on both sides of the material to catch electric currents.

The price of each type of thin-film panel is different, but amorphous panels usually cost the least. Because they are so light, they usually cost less to put in.

Bifacial Panels

Because they can get light from both sides, bifacial solar panels can make more electricity. Most of the time, they have a clear sheet behind them that lets light pass through the panel.

When the light hits the ground, it bounces back up and hits the cells on the back. Solar panels with two sides can be either monocrystalline or polycrystalline. You can expect to pay a bit more for these panels, but you can also expect them to work better.

Solar Panel Efficiency

Each type of solar panel mentioned can produce a different amount of power. Most of the time, monocrystalline panels are more efficient and can hold more energy. They can save 20% more energy than polycrystalline types, which only save 17%.

Most of the time, monocrystalline panels have an energy capacity of more than 300 to 400 watts. Almost always, polycrystalline panels have lower wattages.

In terms of temperature efficiency, monocrystalline panels are also better than polycrystalline ones. It’s a way to figure out how well the panel works in hot weather. So, if you live in a warm part of the country, you might want to think about getting monocrystalline panels.

Both types of crystalline panels come in sizes with 60, 72, or 96 cells. But even though they have the same number of cells, monocrystalline panels can still make more power.

Most of the time, thin-film panels are less efficient than both types of crystalline panels. The efficiency of a thin-film panel depends on the material it is made of, but you can expect it to be around 11%.

Thin-film panels are made with technology that doesn’t come in uniform sizes. So, a thin-film panel’s power output is mostly determined by how big it is. Crystalline panels usually have more power per square foot than thin-film options.

Some companies make panels with cells that are cut in half. This one-of-a-kind process makes the number of cells double. When you double the number of cells, they work better and last longer.

Types of Solar Panels

Now you know about the most common kinds of solar panels used in homes. When choosing, think about their sizes, costs, durability, and how well they work. There’s a solar panel option that will work for almost any budget and house design.

We hope that our guide helps you find the right solar panel for your energy needs so that you can enjoy the benefits of solar energy. Check out our tech section for more interesting tips and facts about the sun.