Thin Film Solar Panels
Most people think of crystalline solar panels when they hear the word solar panels. In fact, some people believe that solar panels and crystalline solar panels are two different names of the same thing. However, they are wrong. Contrary to the wide belief, solar panels encompass a lot more than crystalline solar panels. An example of this is thin film solar panels. What are thin film solar panels? Thin film solar panels are solar panels with a thin film cell structure.
Compared to other solar panel types, thin film solar panels offer greater design flexibility and are less vulnerable to shadow. Furthermore, these solar panels provide resource and production savings because they have a transitory energy payback time and their color easily merges into most exterior designs. Based on the efficiency levels they attain, most people vote crystalline solar panels as the most inexpensive solar panels around. However, these people aren’t aware of thin film solar panels. Although they’re not as efficient as crystalline panels, thin film solar panels are the cheapest solar panels around.
Ideal for low angle installations, thin film solar panels can be used for greater energy production. A tandem structure is what thin film solar panels have. The two structures include amorphous silicon structure and microcrystalline structure. The dual-layer structure of these solar panels can seize from short to long light spectrum wavelengths. Due to this, thin film solar panels are able to convert a significant amount of sunlight into electricity.
Furthermore, the configuration of thin film solar panel cell allows the solar panel to avoid downturn of power output. Therefore, this solar panel continues to function even if part of it is under the shadow. This is something that you won’t experience with other traditional solar panels. Many people believe that thin film solar panels are the ideal solar panels for low angle installations and they are right! In order to allow more roof coverage, panels can be installed in low angles and close to each other.
Also referred to as thin-film photovoltaic cells, thin film solar panel cells have reached efficiencies between seven and thirteen percent. Furthermore, the efficiencies of production modules are at about nine percent. Of all the solar panels being used in residences, about ten percent are thin film solar panels. Compared to crystalline solar panels, thin film solar panels are cheaper to manufacture. Furthermore, they have a more appealing look than the former.
If space isn’t an issue for you then thin film solar panels are the perfect solar panels to have. However, if you’re short on space then it’s better to look for other smaller-sized options. Minimizing the overall price per watt is the prime objective of thin film solar panels. However, they offer other benefits as well such as shadow tolerance and low angle installations. The aforementioned benefits of thin film solar panels show exactly why they are a good solar panel choice. Thin film panels are definitely worth considering!