What types of solar panels are there?

Generating electricity is interesting for everyone. The return on solar panels is favourable. But what types of solar panels are there? And what are the advantages and disadvantages of the different types of solar panels? Choosing a solar panel obviously depends on what you need. Considerations such as price, panel quality and annual yield play a role.

4 types of solar panels

Currently, there are 4 popular types of solar panels on the market. These solar panels are all photovoltaic solar panels and most of them are made of silicon, a material that can convert sunlight into electricity.

The solar panels made of silicon are the polycrystalline and monocrystalline solar panels. There are also amorphous silicon panels also known as the thin film solar panels. The solar panels that have become the most popular in recent times are the glass-glass solar panels.

What are good solar panels? In the table below, we compare the different types of solar panels.

Polycrystalline solar panels 

Polycrystalline solar panels are also known as multicrystalline solar panels. These types of solar panels are made of remelted silicon crystals, which creates a blue colour and a unique pattern. Although they generate slightly less power than monocrystalline solar panels, they are more economical to buy. This makes them a popular choice for projects with large areas.

Monocrystalline solar panels

Monocrystalline solar panels consist of a single, pure silicon crystal and can be recognised by their dark blue or black colour. Monocrystalline solar panels are often chosen for their high efficiency and good low-light performance. Despite being more expensive than polycrystalline or amorphous solar panels, they have a higher efficiency. This means you need fewer panels to generate the same amount of energy.

Amorphous solar panels

Amorphous solar panels, also known as thin film solar panels, use a non-crystalline form of silicon, making them more flexible than crystalline solar panels. This allows amorphous solar panels to be used on surfaces not suitable for traditional panels. They are also cheaper than crystalline solar panels. The efficiency of amorphous solar panels is lower than crystalline solar panels, but the panels perform better in cloudy weather.

Glass-glass solar panels

Glass-glass solar panels are currently one of the best solar panels on the market. Glass-glass solar panels are transparent and have solar cells between two sheets of glass. They are more efficient and last longer than other panels, often more than 30 years. Although they are initially more expensive, their energy yield is also 25% higher than average.

Solar panels at Shift to Solar

If you want to know more about the types of solar panels on the market, we can advise you. Take a look at solar panel options too, for example a solar canopy or a solar carport or just solar panels on the roof. Most of our solar panels are in stock so we can deliver quickly.

Want to install solar panels on an awkward surface where standard panels won't fit? Then our flexible solar panels are an option. These can adapt to any surface and even be fully integrated. Ideal for facades, campers or boats. 

Want more information about solar panels? Then take contact up!