THREE MAJOR TYPES OF SOLAR PANEL
There
are different types of solar panel in the market today. Each differs based on
its build-up and efficiency. We will be talking about the three major types of
solar panel you would easily come across anywhere in the world. They are as
follows;
v Mono-crystalline
Solar Panel
v. Polycrystalline Solar Panel
v Thin
Film Solar Cell
Polycrystalline and monocrystalline panels both use solar cells
made of silicon crystals, but with a different physical structure. On the other
hand, thin-film solar panels use non-crystalline silicon or other photovoltaic
materials.
MONOCRYSTALLINE
SOLAR PANEL
 |
Monocrystalline solar panel
Monocrystalline
solar panels are also called single-crystalline silicon.
Why?
This is because they are made from growing a single crystal.
Monocrystalline
solar panels have the highest efficiency ratings in the industry. These solar
panels can normally convert over 20% of sunlight into electricity, and the most
efficient panels now exceed 22% efficiency. Mono panels are an excellent choice
when you have limited roof space, since they will generate more electricity per
square foot.
Mono
solar panels are also characterized by their black photovoltaic cells, and many
homeowners prefer this appearance over the lighter blue tone of poly solar
panels. The main downside of these panels is their high cost, but in return,
they give you more electricity per panel you purchase. They are the most
efficient types of solar panels because their crystal framework is even.
Physically, they appear in grid-like structures.
POLYCRYSTALLINE
SOLAR PANEL
A
major physical difference between a polycrystalline and a monocrystalline solar
panel is that they are rectangular with no rounded edges. Due to the imperfect
crystal structure of their cell, they have a grainy bluish coating appearance.
The polycrystalline panels are less efficient than the monocrystalline panels
but more efficient than other types of panels typically below 17% — but they
are also more affordable. High efficiency really only becomes critical when
your roof has limited space for solar panels and you need to make the most of
the available area. When space is not a limitation, you can simply install a
few additional polycrystalline panels to compensate for their lower efficiency.
Contrary
to popular belief, lower efficiency does not mean lower quality when comparing
solar panels. In the case of polycrystalline panels, this is just a consequence
of their material property: They have multiple silicon crystals per cell, as
opposed to a single crystal that carries electrons more efficiently. You can
find high-quality solar panels of both types, mono and poly, with solid
warranties from their manufacturers.
THIN
FILM SOLAR CELL
 |
Thin Film Solar cell
 |
| Amorphous Silicon Solar Cells |
 |
Cadmium Telluride Solar Cells |
Thin-film
solar panels are not divided into cells like polycrystalline and
monocrystalline modules. Instead, their entire surface has layers of
photovoltaic material. Since these panels use material layers instead of rigid
cells, they can be manufactured to be flexible and lightweight. There are also
adhesive thin-film panels, which can be used on windows and other vertical
surfaces. These panels are also popular for RV solar energy systems.
However,
thin-film panels generally have a lower efficiency than the other two types,
which means you need to cover a larger area to produce as much power as mono
and poly panels. For this reason, thin-film panels are more suitable for large
commercial and industrial rooftops, or ground-mounted solar farms. They are not
normally recommended for homes, since they need too much space to be
productive.
Thin film solar cells are used mainly to
power appliances with fewer power requirements due to its low efficiency. There
are three different types of Thin Film Solar cells namely: Amorphous Silicon
(a-Si), cadmium telluride (CdTe) and copper indium gallium selenide (CIS/CIGS).
These cells have an efficiency rate of between 7 and 13%.
TYPES OF
BATTERIES SUITABLE FOR SOLAR POWER APPLICATIONS, THEIR CHARACTERISTICS,
FEATURES AND ADVANTAGES.
There
are four main varieties of solar storage batteries that are in use:
Ø Nickel
Cadmium (Ni-Cd) Batteries
Ø Lead–Acid
Batteries
Ø Lithium-Ion
Solar Batteries
Ø Flow
Batteries
Each
of these batteries has some pros and cons when it comes to energy storage
capacity, efficiency, maintenance, costing, and durability. Solar batteries are
designed for solar systems and are different when compared to regular
batteries. While each battery type has to meet certain safety and reliability
specifications in order to be popular, sold, and installed in various
segments—residential, industrial, and commercial sector; outside of those set
standards, there is very minimal standardization of specs and features across
these batteries which are available in the market today!
These
solar batteries are increasingly popular in recent times as they are capable of
fulfilling the world’s growing energy need along with negligible environmental
impact. These batteries are specifically designed for solar systems with great
features. So, without any further delay, let’s get deeper into the pros and
cons of these solar batteries:
Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd)
Batteries
This
battery technology has been in use for over 100 years now, so it’s old tried
and tested storage technology. Ni-Cd is relatively less costly when compared to
newer battery types and has good specific energy as compared to technologies
such as lead-acid. They are the best options for uninterruptible power supply
and usage in generator-starting applications. The two features that have led to
declining in Ni-Cd batteries demand are—do not get fully discharged before
being recharged, and the battery starts losing its capacity / is very toxic to
the environment.
Pros
·
DoD (Depth of Discharge) – around 90%
·
Energy Density – 50-150 Wh/L
·
Efficiency – around 70%-85%
·
Size – 1.2 volt rechargeable cells
(exception – 9 volt size)
·
Lifespan – longer life (1,000-2,000
cycles)
·
Best Feature – ability to operate in
extreme temperatures
·
Maintenance – low maintenance is required
because of simpler technology
·
Price – less expensive as compared to
other batteries
Cons
·
Uses cadmium which is extremely toxic
and harmful to the environment
·
Limited charge holding capacity and
storage space
·
Not opt for small scale usage
Lead–Acid Batteries
These
batteries have been tried and tested to store energy for a longer duration, and
they’ve been in demand because of their reliability. As compared to modern
rechargeable batteries, lead-acid batteries have low energy density. Lead-acid
batteries represent one of the oldest rechargeable battery technologies and can
be found in a wide variety of applications, which includes small-scale storage
such as UPS systems, lighting, and ignition power for automobiles, as well as
large/grid-scale power systems storage.
Pros
·
DoD (Depth of Discharge) – Lead-acid
(gel & AGM) batteries do not get discharged more than 30%-50% on a daily
basis, unless in case of any emergency backup situation.
·
Energy Density – 80-90 Wh/L
·
Charge/Discharge Efficiency – 50%-85%
·
Lifespan – 500-1,200 cycles
·
Price – less expensive
Cons
·
Has lower depth of discharge and thus,
shorter lifespan
·
Temperature-sensitive and requires
ventilated areas for utmost performance
·
Heavy in weight and takes lots of space
Lithium-Ion Batteries
Lithium-ion
batteries are newer when compared to other battery types. Due to its
technological advances, lithium-ion batteries have become one of the most
widely used solar batteries in today’s era. Their temperature tolerance and
environmentally safe feature make them popular and high in demand in today’s
generation.
Pros
·
Depth of Discharge (DoD) – Most modern
lithium-ion batteries have a DoD ranging anywhere from 80% to 95%
·
Charge/Discharge Efficiency – 80%-90%
·
Lifespan – 500-2,000 cycles
·
Maintenance – low maintenance
·
Price – expensive
·
Energy density – 100-265 Wh/kg
Cons
·
It is more expensive than other energy
storage technologies
·
More prone to thermal runaway and
catching fire (only if not installed properly)
Flow Batteries
These
batteries are new in the solar storage solution and are in their development
stage! Since it is water-based and doesn’t include the usage of any toxic
metals, it’s certain that flow batteries will become more widespread in the
coming years.
Pros
·
DoD (Depth of Discharge) – almost 100%
DoD, leading to maximum storage usage
·
Energy density: 15-25 Wh/L
·
Charge/discharge efficiency: 75-80%
·
Lifespan – unlimited cycle life
·
Maintenance – low maintenance
·
Environmental impact – water-based and
completely non-toxic in nature
Cons
·
Its technology advancements are still in
the early stages
·
It is expensive as compared to other
batteries
·
Low charge and discharge rates
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