Before purchasing a solar panel for your home, it’s important to understand the various types available. These types include a-SI, CIGS, and Thin-film. Each type of solar panel has different features and benefits. Listed below are some of the most common types. To learn more about each type, read the rest of this article. If you’re unsure which solar panel to purchase, we’ll help you make the right choice.
Thin-film solar panels
There are many advantages to installing thin-film solar panels over traditional silicon-based systems. These solar panels are produced in large quantities and are available for decades to come. These panels are also more durable than glass, making them ideal for long-term use in challenging environments. In addition, they are flexible enough to operate even in partial shade and require minimal maintenance, making them an excellent option for residential use.
Amorphous silicon thin-film solar panels are produced by chemical vapour deposition (CVD). In this process, a thin layer of silicon is placed on a base. The silicon absorbs a wide range of light to perform well in low-light conditions. While this type of solar cell can be highly efficient, its efficiency degrades quickly, and some panels lose efficiency over time. PowerFilm makes portable solar panels using this technology that only uses a few watts.
Because thin-film solar cells have light-absorbing layers approximately 350 times smaller than traditional rigid solar panels, these panels are much more durable and cost-effective to produce. Thin-film solar panels can be installed on various surfaces, but they are best suited for large open spaces and rooftops. In addition to rooftop applications, they are appropriate for solar farms and streetlights. Thin-film solar panels are also lightweight and can be installed in many different locations.
CIGS
CIGS solar cells are among the most efficient thin-film PV technologies today. They achieved a lab efficiency of 23.4% in 2019, according to a study published in Science. This material is characterized by its Direct BandGap, which allows it to absorb high amounts of energy while limiting the transmittance of light. Despite this, there are still many challenges facing CIGS solar cells.
First, CIGS solar cells must undergo a buffer layer to ease the electrical transition. This layer is commonly known as the window layer and is composed of a material that provides the band gap. The band gap, or difference between valence and conduction bands, must be precisely controlled. Traditionally, CIGS solar cells were made from cadmium sulfide (CdS), a carcinogenic material.
CIGS solar panels can be installed on roofs and other surfaces. Because they are more efficient, they can produce more electricity. They are also cheaper than silicon-based panels. The cost of silicon-based panels used in residential homes was over $100 a watt 30 years ago. However, the price is about $8 or $9 per watt. With the lower cost of CIGS solar panels, even large-scale solar energy production can become an economic reality.
a-SI
While a-SI solar panels are more expensive than their monocrystalline counterparts, they have a few benefits. First, they can be installed on your home’s roof, making them more visible. Unlike polycrystalline panels, a-SI solar panels are more efficient in indirect sunlight and retain their efficiency throughout the day. Because of this, they are a good choice for homes with hot climates.
A-SI solar panels use triple-layered technology to maximize their efficiency. Typical amorphous silicon solar panels are about one micrometre thick and are therefore perfect for smaller solar projects. The downside to a-SI solar panels is their low power output – 7%, which is still great for small-scale projects. However, A-SI solar cells are also highly cost-efficient and can be stacked to increase their efficiency levels.
Generally, these solar panels are easier to mass produce and less expensive to fabricate. Recently, the a-SI structure has been developed in tandem with Glass/ITO/pin/Al panels. Hamakawa et al. 14 developed a similar structure with Glass/Sn02/p-SiC/in/Al panels. These materials are much less expensive than conventional solar cells and can be used for various solar cell applications.