Different types of PV Panels

Monocrystalline Panels use crystalline silicon produced in a large sheet, which has been cut to the size of the panel, thus making one large single cell. Metal strips are laid over the entire cell and act as a conductor that captures electrons. Mono panels are slightly more efficient than Polycrystalline panels but the don't usually cost more than Poly Panels.

Polycrystalline Panels use a bunch of small cells put together instead of one large cell. Poly panels are slightly less efficient than mono panels. They are also claimed to be cheaper to manufacturer than mono panels although we have noticed them to be very similarly priced.

Thin Film Panels are produced very differently from crystalline panels. Instead of molding, drawing or slicing crystalline silicon, the silicon material in these panels have no crystalline structure and can be applied as a film directly on various materials. These materials are then connected to the same metal conductor strips used in the other processes, but do not necessarily use the other components typical in photovoltaic panels as they do not require the same level of protection needed for more fragile crystalline cells. The primary advantages of thin film panels lie in their low manufacturing costs and versatility. Because amorphous silicon and similar semiconductors do not depend on the long, expensive process of creating silicon crystals, they can be produced much more quickly. Because they can be applied in thin layers to different materials, it is also possible to make flexible solar cells. thin film panels do have several significant drawbacks. They are the least efficient type of solar panel currently available. Thin-film technology also uses silicon with high levels of impurities. This can cause a drop in efficiency within a short period of time.