Types Of Solar Panels: Which One Is The Best Choice?

Dec. 30, 2024

Types Of Solar Panels: Which One Is The Best Choice?

There are three main types of solar panels used in solar projects: monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and thin-film.

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Each kind of solar panel has different characteristics, thus making certain panels more suitable for different types of solar installations.

Luckily, we&#;ve created a complete guide to help you differentiate each type of panel, and help you decide which type is right for your home.

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Key takeaways

There are three different types of solar panels: monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and thin film.
Monocrystalline solar panels are highly efficient and have a sleek design, but come at a higher price point than other solar panels.
Polycrystalline solar panels are cheaper than monocrystalline panels, however, they are less efficient and aren&#;t as aesthetically pleasing.
Thin film solar panels are the cheapest, but have the lowest efficiency rating and require a lot of space to meet your energy needs.
The brand of solar panels and the solar installer you choose is far more important than which type of solar panel you install.

Three types of solar panels

1. Monocrystalline

Monocrystalline solar panels are the most popular solar panels used in rooftop solar panel installations today.

Monocrystalline silicon solar cells are manufactured using something called the Czochralski method, in which a &#;seed&#; crystal of silicon is placed into a molten vat of pure silicon at a high temperature.

This process forms a single silicon crystal, called an ingot, that is sliced into thin silicon wafers which are then used in the solar modules.

2. Polycrystalline

Polycrystalline panels, sometimes referred to as &#;multicrystalline panels&#;, are popular among homeowners looking to install solar panels on a budget.

Similar to monocrystalline panels, polycrystalline panels are made of silicon solar cells. However, the cooling process is different, which causes multiple crystals to form, as opposed to one.

Polycrystalline panels used on residential homes usually contain 60 solar cells.

3. Thin-film

Thin film solar cells are mostly used in large-scale industrial and utility solar installations because of their lower efficiency ratings, but you can purchase portable thin-film solar panels from BougeRV.

Thin film solar panels are made by depositing a thin layer of a photovoltaic substance onto a solid surface, like glass. Some of these photovoltaic substances include Amorphous silicon (a-Si), copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS), and cadmium telluride (CdTe). Each of these materials creates a different &#;type&#; of solar panel, however, they all fall under the thin film solar cell umbrella.

During the manufacturing process, the photovoltaic substance forms a thin lightweight sheet that is, in some cases, flexible.

Solar panel type by performance

Highest performance: Monocrystalline

Efficiency ratings of monocrystalline solar panels range from 17% to 22%, earning them the title of the most efficient solar panel type. The higher efficiency rating of monocrystalline panels makes them ideal for homes with limited roof space, as you&#;ll need fewer panels to generate the electricity you need.

Monocrystalline solar panels have their manufacturing process to thank for being so efficient. Because monocrystalline solar cells are made of a single crystal of silicon, electrons are able to easily flow throughout the cell, increasing overall efficiency.

Not only do monocrystalline panels have the highest efficiency ratings, they typically also have the highest power capacity ratings, as well. Most monocrystalline panels on the market today will have a power output rating of at least 320 watts, but can go up to around 375 watts or higher!

Mid-tier performance: Polycrystalline

Polycrystalline panel efficiency ratings will typically range from 15% to 17%. The lower efficiency ratings are due to how electrons move through the solar cell. Because polycrystalline cells contain multiple silicon cells, the electrons cannot move as easily and as a result, decrease the efficiency of the panel.

The lower efficiency of polycrystalline panels also means they tend to have a lower power output than monocrystalline panels, usually ranging between 240 watts and 300 watts. 300 watt solar panels aren't seen as often in residential applications, but some polycrystalline panels have power ratings above 300 watts.

However, new technologies and manufacturing processes have given the efficiency and power ratings of polycrystalline panels a slight boost over the years, slowly closing the performance gap between mono and polycrystalline panels.

Lowest performance: Thin-film

Thin-film solar panels have incredibly low efficiency ratings. As recently as a few years ago, thin-film efficiencies were in the single digits. Researchers have recently achieved 23.4% efficiency with thin film cell prototypes but thin-film panels that are commercially available generally have efficiency in the 10&#;13% range.

In order to meet your energy needs, you would need to install more thin-film panels over a large area to produce the same amount of electricity as crystalline silicon solar panels. This is why thin-film solar panels don&#;t really make sense for residential installations where space is limited.

Fun fact! Thin film panels have the best temperature coefficients!

Despite having lower performance specs in most other categories, thin film panels tend to have the best temperature coefficient, which means as the temperature of a solar panel increases, the panel produces less electricity. The temperature coefficient tells you how much the power output will decrease by for every 1°C over 25°C the panel gets.

The standard temperature coefficient for mono and polycrystalline panels typically falls somewhere between -0.3% and -0.5% per °C. Thin film panels, on the other hand, are around -0.2% per °C, meaning thin film panels are much better at handling the heat than other panel types.

Calculate your solar panel payback period

Solar panel type by cost

Highest cost: Monocrystalline panels

Monocrystalline panels are the most expensive of the three types of solar panels because of their manufacturing process and higher performance abilities.

However, as manufacturing processes and solar panel technology in general has improved, the price difference between monocrystalline and polycrystalline panels has shrunk considerably. According to the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, monocrystalline solar panels now sell for just about $0.05 per watt higher than polycrystalline modules.

Mid-cost: Polycrystalline panels

Historically, polycrystalline panels have been the cheapest option for homeowners going solar, without majorly sacrificing panel performance. Low prices allowed polycrystalline panels to make up a significant market share in residential solar installations between and .

But as we said earlier, the price gap between monocrystalline and polycrystalline panels is narrowing. Now, more homeowners are willing to pay a slightly higher price to get significantly better efficiency and power ratings from monocrystalline panels.

Lowest cost: Thin-film panels

Thin film solar panels have the lowest cost of the solar panel types, largely because they are easier to install and require less equipment. However, they also have much lower performance abilities and require a substantial amount of space to generate enough electricity to power a home.

Plus, thin film panels degrade much faster than other panel types, meaning they need to be replaced more often, which leads to more long-term recurring costs.

Solar panel type by appearance

Most attractive: Thin film panels

Thin film panels have a clean, all-black look. Their thin design allows them to lie flat against roofs, so they are able to blend in more seamlessly. In fact, with some thin film panels, it&#;s hard to even see the individual cells within the panel. They also tend to have less wiring and busbars, meaning there&#;s less white space.

However, because they are so inefficient, you would need to cover your entire roof in thin film panels - which may or may not be your style.

Mid-tier appearance: Monocrystalline panels

Monocrystalline panels have a solid black appearance, making them pretty subtle on your roof. But, the way monocrystalline solar cells are shaped causes there to be quite a bit of white space on the panel. Some manufacturers have worked around this with black packing or shaping the cells differently, but these aesthetic changes can impact both the price and performance of the panels.

Overall, monocrystalline panels still look sleek, but they&#;re a bit more pronounced than thin film panels.

Worst appearance: Polycrystalline panels

Polycrystalline panels tend to stick out like a sore thumb. The process in which polycrystalline solar cells are manufactured causes the cells to have a blue, marbled look. This means each individual polycrystalline panel looks substantially different from the one next to it. Most homeowners aren&#;t too keen on the aesthetics of polycrystalline panels.

Fun fact! Crystalline panels are more durable than thin film

Thin film panels tend to have lower wind and hail ratings than mono and polycrystalline panels. So, while thin film panels might look nice at first, one bad storm could cause significant damage.

What is the best type of solar panel for your home?

Monocrystalline solar panels are the best solar panel type for residential solar installations.

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Although you will be paying a slightly higher price, you&#;ll get a system with a subtle appearance without having to sacrifice performance or durability. Plus, the high efficiency and power output ratings you get with monocrystalline panels can provide you with better savings over the lifetime of your system.

If you&#;re on a tight budget, polycrystalline panels might make more sense for you. We do not recommend thin film solar panels for residential installations - their performance and durability don&#;t make the low cost worth it, and it&#;s unlikely you&#;ll have nearly enough space to install the number of thin film panels you would need to cover your household electricity usage.

Here&#;s a quick summary to help you choose the right one for your home!

Monocrystalline solar panels

Characterized by smooth, black appearance and high-quality silicon
Occupy less space and have a longer lifespan
Formed through energy-intensive production process which generates a lot of waste
Carry a higher price tag for installers and consumers

Polycrystalline solar panels

Characterized by visible crystals, more scattered look, and lower-quality silicon
Require slightly more space for producing the same amount of energy as black panels
Less complicated production process with minimal waste production
More affordable

Factors to consider besides solar panel type

There are two things we here at SolarReviews think are more important than solar PV cell type when choosing panels for your home: the brand of solar panels and finding the right solar installer.

Going with a high-quality solar panel manufacturer ensures that you&#;re installing a great product on your roof, regardless of the type of panel it is. Our official ranking of the best home solar panel brands can help you find what solar panels will work best on your roof without sacrificing quality.

Regardless of which type of solar panel you choose, installing solar to power your home is a sustainable decision that has the following benefits:

Reduces harmful emissions
Get easy financing options for solar panel installation
Claim sales and property tax exemptions
Receive credits for surplus power production

And the most important of all, installing either type of panel will significantly lower your monthly energy bills.

Perhaps the most important thing to consider when going solar is the installer. A solar panel system will be on your roof for at least 25 years, so you need an installer you can trust for two-plus decades! We recommend local, reputable solar installers with high customer review scores, as they give the most personalized customer service on solar projects.

See what local solar installers are charging for solar panel installations

Mining Raw Materials for Solar Panels: Problems and ...

A transition to 100% clean energy is an urgent priority worldwide to mitigate the worst impacts of climate change and preserve a livable planet. Solar power is jetting us towards that goal.

By , the US had installed 2.6 gigawatts (GW) of solar power, enough power to provide electricity for one third of the households in Los Angeles. Since then, the price of electricity from solar panels (photovoltaic, or PV, modules) dropped 85%, and today the US boasts more than 126 GW of installed capacity, enough to power all the households in California and Texas.

The growth in solar power has been exponential in the past decade and isn&#;t stopping. The US solar industry aims to supply 30% of US energy generation by .

But manufacturing the solar panels necessary for such a huge increase in solar power production will require a surge in the mining of raw materials. There are myriad problems that exist with the mining of silicon, silver, aluminum, and copper needed to make solar panels. Can governments and companies ensure that workers in the solar supply chain benefit from safe, just, and well-compensated livelihoods&#;and that the communities most affected are involved as active collaborators, treated with respect and dignity? This post looks at the concerns in the supply chain for solar panels as well as solutions the industry must move towards if solar power is to expand responsibly and sustainably.

(To understand how those raw materials are put together into electricity-producing panels, check out my previous post How Are Solar Panels Made.)

Concerns with mining raw materials

According to the US Department of Energy (DOE), about 12% of all silicon metal produced worldwide (also known as &#;metallurgical-grade silicon&#; or MGS) is turned into polysilicon for solar panel production. China produces about 70% of the world&#;s MGS and 77% of the world&#;s polysilicon. Converting silicon to polysilicon requires very high temperatures, and in China it&#;s coal that largely fuels these plants. Xinjiang&#;a region in China of abundant coal and low electricity prices&#;produces 45% of the world&#;s polysilicon.

Reports indicate that some Xinjiang polysilicon plants have employed forced labor of Uyghurs, an intensely persecuted Muslim ethnic minority. In June , a US Withhold Release Order prevented imports containing silicon from Hoshine Silicon Industry Co. Ltd and its subsidiaries from entering the US until importing companies could prove they were not made with forced labor. The December Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act expanded the mandate that all US companies importing silicon from Xinjiang confirm supply chains free of forced labor.

A Gleeson Quarries silica mine in Ireland. Photo credit: CDE Global/Flickr.

Ten percent of the world&#;s silver is used for solar panels today, and that brings its own share of problems to the supply chain. By , in a 100% renewable energy scenario that assumes current solar technology and current recycling rates, solar power&#;s demand for silver could be more than 50% of world reserves.

Silver mining, based mainly in Mexico, China, Peru, Chile, Australia, Russia, and Poland, can sometimes cause heavy metal contamination and community displacement. In Guatemala, the Indigenous Xinka community collected more than 85,000 signatures calling on Pan American Silver to avoid restarting its dormant operations due to water contamination, failure to justly consult the community, and potential involvement in threats directed at nonviolent protesters. In La Libertad, Peru, a 17-year-old mine stopped operating in after five emergency declarations of high levels of metal contamination in the Moche River.

Xinka leaders fill the Guatemalan Congress in protesting the Guatemalan government&#;s repression of anti-silver mine activism. Photo credit: Xeni Jardin/Flickr.

While silicon and silver are the materials for which solar represents a substantial slice of the market, it&#;s critical to ensure sustainable, ethical sourcing of the other materials, even if only a fraction of global usage. For example, solar panels use a small amount of aluminum, which is sourced from bauxite found near the Earth&#;s surface. Mining it requires lots of land, often encroaching on Indigenous land, as in Australia, where 28% of the world&#;s bauxite is produced, and smallholder farmland, as in Guinea, where 22% of it is produced. China produces 22% of the world&#;s bauxite, and processes 56% of global bauxite into aluminum via a very energy-intensive process.

A former bauxite mine in Hungary. Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons.

Copper has similar land use challenges as aluminum. According to United States Geological Survey, 27% of copper production occurs in Chile, 10% in Peru, 8% in China, and 8% in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In a 100% renewable energy by scenario, copper demand for solar projects may almost triple, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).

The Institute for Human Rights and Business reports that of the top 300 undeveloped copper ore reserves in the world, 47% are located on or in Indigenous lands, 65% are in high water risk areas, and 65% are in or near biodiversity conservation areas.

The world&#;s largest open-pit copper mine is in Chile. Photo credit: Martyn Unsworth/Imaggeo.egu.eu.

The manufacturing process spans the globe

There are three parts of a solar panel that need to be manufactured: the silicon wafer, the solar cell, and the photovoltaic module. Very little of this is manufactured domestically, representing big opportunities for new and pioneering US innovation.

The wafer is the thin metal slice that is turned into a solar cell, and 97% of them are produced in China. A decade ago, the US was producing enough silicon wafers to supply 80% of domestic demand. As of February , there was no domestic production of wafers due to far lower prices abroad and Chinese tariffs, but a few US sites have announced plans to come online in the next several years.

Boron and phosphorous are added to wafers during the manufacturing process. The wafers are then wired with silver, which turns them into solar cells capable of transforming captured sunlight into electricity. While the first US crystalline silicon solar cell plants have announced plans to open in the next few years, no cells are produced in the US today; most are made in South Korea, Malaysia, China, and Vietnam.

A solar PV panel or &#;module&#; is made by assembling an array of solar cells, ranging from 36 to 144 cells, on top of a strong plastic polymer back sheet with a sheet of tempered glass added on top. More than three-quarters of PV modules are made in China. It currently costs 30-40% more to manufacture a solar panel in the US. There are about 20 US-owned, US-based solar module and shingle manufacturers, with 10 based in California, and others based in New York, Ohio, Texas, Indiana, New Jersey, and Arizona.

A more sustainable, responsible supply chain is possible

As described above, there are many challenges associated with the materials mining and manufacturing processes needed to make solar panels. But effective policy and technology solutions can ensure that we continue to increase solar power supply and move towards responsible, sustainable solar supply chains.

Here are four strategies (among many others) that governments and industry can employ to reduce the environmental, social, and energy challenges of solar panel production.

Ensure ethical supply chains. When sourcing raw materials, governments and solar companies can commit to ensuring that mining and refining companies obtain the free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC) of the communities in which they operate. Companies can participate in regulation and evaluation standards such as the Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition Solar Scorecard.
Decarbonize manufacturing processes. Fortunately, new innovations are already reducing the electricity required to make polysilicon. For example, a new polysilicon production process called the &#;fluidized bed reactor&#; could use 80-90% less energy than the more widely used Siemens process. Additionally, choosing to produce solar panels in places with cleaner energy sources&#;along with strategic policy to encourage such siting&#;can go a long way to reduce the carbon intensity of the process. The recent passage of the Inflation Reduction Act with its tax credits for solar panel-producing companies, and the Biden administration&#;s invocation of the Defense Production Act to spur on a domestic solar panel manufacturing industry, are two examples of strategic policy that can accelerate the decarbonization of this industry.
Improve panel, material, and process efficiency. Improving the energy generation efficiency of solar panels means that customers can generate more electricity from fewer panels&#;which would be easier on the wallet and would require less raw materials in the solar supply chain. While solar panels can last for decades, research and innovation into further extending the lifetime of solar panels can also help customers avoid needing to replace them. Designing panels and solar business models to support easy, affordable, and accessible refurbishment can also extend panel lifetimes. Plus, technological innovation can reduce the amount of raw materials needed in solar panels. For example, engineers have lowered the amount of silver needed in each solar cell by 67% from to , and it is expected to drop further.
Increase recycling and reuse. Here lies the biggest &#;silver&#; lining in the solar panel life cycle story. The two big challenges&#;raw material sourcing issues and the accumulation of solar panel waste&#;can help solve one another. Higher numbers of retired solar panels means more recyclable raw materials will be available to supplement increasingly scarce, costly, and international supply chains. Because solar panel reuse and recycling research is still nascent, there are many opportunities for new initiatives and companies to make a big impact. Policy and investment in a new era of circular renewable energy technologies will ensure that the transition to clean power worldwide is as responsible, sustainable, and circular as possible.

And what happens at a solar panel&#;s end-of-life? Today, we&#;re installing 50-60 million panels per year, which will generate a million metric tons of solar panel waste when the panels retire. By , experts estimate we could be installing over 350 million panels per year. This is huge, climate-saving news for accelerating the clean energy transition. It also raises the stakes for ensuring sustainable materials sourcing and end-of-life management. Where will the panels go 20-30 years later when they reach the end of their lifespan? Are there opportunities to achieve a circular solar panel supply chain?

Want to learn more about how solar panels are made? What does the solar panel repair and reuse industry look like today? How can we recycle solar panel materials and create a lower-waste circular supply chain? Click the links for answers: