With the continuous development of the solar power system industry, the popularity of solar panel installation is increasing year by year. In order to meet the demand for solar panels in different environments and applications, many different types of solar panels have begun to appear on the market. According to the efficiency of different types of solar panels and the different raw materials used, they can be roughly divided into the first generation, the second generation and the third generation of solar panels. If you want to choose the most suitable solar panels for yourself, you need to consider the advantages and disadvantages of each type of solar panels before making a choice.
1. Understanding the different types of solar panels
1.1 First generation solar panels
1.1.1 Monocrystalline solar panels
Monocrystalline solar panels are the production of raw materials monocrystalline silicon panels are made by melting silicon in a pool, and then cut the thin sheet formed by crystallization. Monocrystalline solar panels are the most common and efficient solar panels, new monocrystalline solar panels can reach more than twenty-five percent conversion efficiency. At the same time, monocrystalline solar panels have a high power output and a long service life, but so many advantages also means that it costs more.
1.1.2 Polycrystalline solar panels
Polycrystalline solar energy is made of polycrystalline silicon panels, this silicon panels and monocrystalline silicon panels are also using silicon as raw materials, the difference lies in the melting and production is not the formation of single crystals, but multiple crystals. Polycrystalline solar panels have a lower conversion efficiency and space utilization efficiency, which is five percent lower than monocrystalline solar panels in the same environment, and are largely affected by the ambient temperature, making it more difficult to maintain a stable output efficiency. Although the production materials of polycrystalline solar panels are the same as monocrystalline solar panels, the cost of polycrystalline solar panels is lower due to the difference in production process. synthesize
1.2 Second Generation Solar Panel
1.2.1 Thin-film solar panels
The main components of a thin-film solar panel are the substrate and a thin layer of photovoltaic material on it. This solar panel generates electricity through the numerous photovoltaic materials on it, which are of different types, mainly: amorphous silicon, cadmium telluride and other substances.
The advantages of thin-film solar panels lie in the fact that they are easier to produce on an industrial scale, and that the photovoltaic material responsible for generating electricity is only laid down in a thin layer, which requires less raw material to produce, making them cheaper than other solar panels. At the same time, due to the use of fewer materials, the photovoltaic material on the substrate forms a flexible film, which makes it more malleable and easier to install than other large and heavy solar panels.
The characteristics of thin-film solar panels make them more suitable for industrial or commercial use on a large scale, but they are not suitable for home power generation precisely because of the space required for their installation. It is worth noting that the lifespan of thin film solar panels is shorter compared to the first generation of solar panels, which is around 10-20 years. Therefore, the replacement and maintenance costs required at a later stage are much higher.
1.2.2 Amorphous silicon solar panels
It is important to note that amorphous silicon solar panels are still made with silicon as the base material. However, unlike other silicon panel types, the silicon layer on amorphous silicon solar panels is thinner and usually only has the first of three heavy layers of a normal silicon solar panel.
These solar panels can be considered a type of thin-film solar panel in nature, but they are characterized by their ability to tolerate both high temperatures and cloudy weather work, and by the low cost of thin-film solar panels. But it is worth noting that it is also only about 15 years of life, and power generation efficiency is lower than the general thin-film solar panels, can only reach the level of six percent.
1.3 Third Generation Solar Panels
1.3.1 Bio-hybrid solar panels
Bio-hybrid solar panels belong to the current solar panel industry in the direction of better prospects for development. The idea of this new solar panel technology is to convert solar energy into other types of energy by imitating the photosynthesis of plants themselves. Scientists are currently experimenting with this technology by choosing to incorporate multi-layer photovoltaic systems in the hope of dramatically increasing the efficiency of solar power generation.
1.3.2 Cadmium telluride solar panels
The use of cadmium telluride to make solar panels can reduce the production cost of solar panels, while the recycling cycle of this type of panel is shorter, only about 8-12 months. It is also because of the shorter energy recovery cycle, CdTe solar panels can further reduce the carbon emissions generated in the production and recycling process of solar panels, and minimize the amount of water consumed in the process, further realizing energy savings. However, it is worth noting that cadmium telluride is a toxic material, and once cadmium telluride in solar panels leaks, it may cause personal safety and property safety problems. And the power generation efficiency of CdTe solar panels is still lower than that of traditional first-generation solar panels, which can only reach about ten percent.
1.3.3 Concentrated solar panels
Concentrating solar panels, also known as CVP, HCVP, compared with other solar panels, concentrating solar panels in the shape of the main difference exists in the panel using the shape of the curved mirror, the shape of this curved solar panel is conducive to the collection of sunlight to a greater extent, and the collection of reflective sunlight that can not be absorbed through the direct sunlight, so as to enhance the efficiency of the solar panel.
At present, through this unique shape design, CVP panels have become the highest power generation efficiency solar panels, compared to the first generation of monocrystalline solar panels but also nearly double, able to reach the level of forty-five percent. However, in order to achieve such high efficiency, this complete solar panel must always change the angle and direction to ensure that the same effect can be achieved when facing the sunlight at different times of the day. In order to achieve such high power generation efficiency, concentrating solar panels are usually accompanied by a sun tracker, which ensures that the solar panels keep rotating and tracking the sun at all times.
2. How to choose the best solar panel by comparing the characteristics of different solar panels
Most of the solar panels used by families in the market are first generation solar panels or second generation thin film solar panels, the following will be the comparison of these three types of solar panels, choose the best.
2.1 Comparison of cost
Among the many types of solar panels, monocrystalline solar panels have the highest cost due to their complex production industry and better performance.
Next is polycrystalline solar panel, as the same type of silicon panel solar panel, it is able to save more cost while retaining most of the excellent performance. Therefore, polycrystalline solar panels are also the most popular choice for home solar power systems.
Finally the lowest cost is thin-film solar panels, its main cost savings come from with the installation, due to the thin-film solar panels are more flexible and lighter, so it can save a lot of labor costs during installation and supporting the required fixed parts.
2.2 Selection of appearance
Comparison of appearance alone, thin-film solar panels are definitely the most attractive to consumers, the most in line with consumer aesthetics. Its appearance is smooth and clean, all black, the design of the thin-film structure allows it to be seamlessly installed on various types of roofs, and because the installation is relatively simple, the wiring is also relatively brief, the overall perception is very simple and coordinated.
Second is the monocrystalline solar panels, usually, the shape of monocrystalline solar panels and installation gaps will lead to multiple panels will appear between the gap between the white, and taking into account the difficulty of production and production costs, the general surface of the solar panels will not be designed into a full black. However, in order to meet the needs of consumers, the market has also appeared a large number of all-black packaging stents, bus bars, etc. to choose from.
Finally, polycrystalline solar panels, polycrystalline solar panels are usually the appearance of the traditional blue color, and there will be a larger, discordant white air raid between each solar panel. The overall color creates a large difference, making most homeowners less attracted to the appearance of polycrystalline solar panels.
2.3 Comparing Power Generation Efficiency
Overall, silicon panel solar panels are more efficient. Monocrystalline solar panels usually have the highest efficiency and power generation, its power generation efficiency can generally reach about twenty-five percent, and each panel can reach 300 watts to 400 watts of power generation. The efficiency of polycrystalline solar panels is usually only between eighteen and twenty percent, and the performance in terms of power generation is not far behind monocrystalline solar panels.
The second generation of solar panels in the thin film solar panels, its efficiency and power generation are far lower than the silicon solar panels, power generation efficiency is generally only about ten percent.
To summarize: in addition to the above mentioned considerations of cost, appearance, and power generation efficiency. Choosing the most suitable solar panels also takes into account the scope of the installation license for the location of the house, and whether the solar cells need to be used on the roof or on the RV, and so on.
For the newer types of solar panels, such as bio-hybrid and CVP solar panels, the technology is usually less mature. CVP solar panels are not suitable for urban homes due to the large installation cost and space required. However, for some remote houses or businesses in special geographic areas, it may be a better experience to try out these new solar panels.
In conclusion
Solar panel installation is a valuable investment in your home, and choosing the best solar panels for your home will not only make your life easier for decades to come, but will also increase the value of your home, which will pay off in the long run.
