Sun is the most powerful source of energy. Just one minute of sunlight’s energy is enough to illuminate the entire globe for the duration of the entire day. Utilizing sunlight to generate electricity for purposes is cost-effective and effective. The world is shifting towards renewable energy sources due to the advantages of the low price and long use. Installing solar panel systems is also no more of a problem compared to installing thermal stations or dams.
Solar panels are the most essential and functional component in solar PV systems. They are responsible for the production of energy. They absorb sunlight and convert it to electrical energy. This happens because of the solar cells inside the panel. Solar cells are the essential and fundamental components of the solar plate. They differentiate between various types of solar panels. In this article, we will thoroughly review different types of best solar plates in Pakistan, and then determine which one is the best.
Different kinds of solar plates
Based on the type of composition and capacities, there exist a variety of types of solar plates that are utilized from residential to commercial areas.
On the market, there are two main types of solar panels: crystalline, and thin-film. They are further subdivided into subcategories according to the materials that are used to make them. They are, in general,
- Polycrystalline
- Mono-crystalline
- Passivated Emitter and Rear Cell (PERC) Panels
- Cadmium Telluride (CdTe)
- Amorphous Silicon (a-Si)
- Copper Indium Selenide (CIGS)
Each one is described by the following:
1. Polycrystalline
Polycrystalline solar plates are solar cells made of silicon. The raw silicon is then melted and then fashioned into multiple strands of silica. They are then reassembled as wafers, which are then arranged into columns and rows, eventually making an elongated rectangular shape. The rectangles are then covered with glass sheets.
Appearance
- They appear bluish and appear sparkling.
- They are not round at the point of intersection of the solar cells.
- Their surface is bright and pieces of blue silicon are visible.
Composition
Instead of one piece made of silicon many pieces of silicon have been joined through melting.
Efficiency
The solar plates made of polycrystalline have a lower medium efficiency between 15% and 17 percent. This is due to the many silicon strands that make up the composition. The edges between the pieces increase the deflection of particles which causes a little delay in the generation of electricity.
Price Band
Due to the less work involved when it comes to the composition of solar cells and the fact that there is almost no loss of silicon in the production process, they cost less on the market, as compared to mono-crystalline solar panels.
Lifespan
The material that is used in solar cells is raw silicon, which is bound with grains. They could be affected by extreme temperatures, which can cause a decrease in efficiency over an amount of time. If they’re maintained correctly they will last between 20-25 years.
Installation (Space Efficiency)
The area required for the installation of the polycrystalline is normal and unlike other types, but they’re slightly less space-efficient when compared to the other plates due to silicone square molds that are raw as the design is more affordable.
The Best Polycrystalline Solar Plates
To find the most effective polycrystalline solar panels 2021, along with the installation services, here is a list of what you should read about;
- Maxpower Solar Panels
2. Monocrystalline
The monocrystalline is a kind of silicon solar cell that is based on a crystalline panel. In a solar panel, there is just one piece of crystallite responsible for the transformation from sunlight to electrical energy.
Composition
The crystallite that is used in single-crystalline solar cells is made of pure silicon. In the process of making the monocrystalline cell, approximately half of the silicon goes to waste in the process of making the solar cells.
Efficiency
The efficiency of monocrystalline solar panels is approximately 20 to 25 20% to 25%. While improved technology can increase this efficiency to 40 percent, however, the model’s use is limited to laboratories but isn’t being made available to the market in the country. Because a single crystallite of silicon is utilized in solar cells there are fewer energy particles being reflected off the cells, which results in greater efficiency.
Appearance
This type of solar plate doesn’t feature complete squares, but rather they have edges that are rounded at the point where solar cells are. The color is dark blue with no glittering appearance as opposed to polycrystalline plates.
Price Variation
Due to the loss of silicon during the making of solar cells, for them to be the purest crystal part of the cell, they should be more expensive than polycrystalline plates.
Installation (Space Efficiency)
They are also more efficient in the area they cover when compared to solar plates made of polycrystalline.
Best Monocrystalline Solar Plates 2021
For the most efficient monocrystalline solar panels 2021 read on;
- JA Solar Panel 380W Monocrystalline PERC Module
3. Passivated Emitter and Rear Cell (PERC) Panels
The emitter is passive and the rear cell panel shares the same composition as monocrystalline solar panels, however, they’re much more efficient thanks to advanced technology.
Efficiency–how can a passivated emitter and the rear cell (PERC) be more efficient?
In the normal solar panel that is crystalline, however, there’s the loss of energy during production. Here’s how.
What is the cause of a decrease in the electron (energy) in normal single-crystalline solar panels?
This is due to the periodic reflection of electrons in the cell’s rear contact, or sunlight being blocked by wires, or in some cases, they are transformed to heat. In addition, because of the random motion of electrons, the cell is affected by a loss of effectiveness.
What do you think? PERC solar cells can be described as advanced technology to stop the loss?
Within the PERC panels, there are enhancements that include:
- A layer of font passivation is effective in stopping front-side recombination as well as preventing reflection.
- The wires are positioned on the back of the panel to avoid unintentional blockage of electrons.
- A surface field layer was added on the back, which lets the solar cell absorb more sunlight.
Efficiency
In comparison to the standard modules of crystal solar panels (mono or poly), The PERC modules offer 1-2% more efficiency in the conversion of sunlight into electrical energy if the PERC solar panels are installed correctly in an ideal climate, then they will generate around five percent more energy than the standard module in the same scenario.
Composition
The same as the monocrystalline, however with an additional emitter that is passivated and a contact at the rear or “cell” situated on the back of the solar cells to improve technology that can capture and convert the energy into electrical energy.
Appearance
The front panel has the same design as the crystal solar panels, so the front is the same as the relevant category. The weight would be slightly higher than the capacity model of the solar panel which does not contain the PERC module.
Price Variation
Solar plates with PERC modules are more expensive than the comparable category solar plate that uses standard technology. For example, a monocrystalline solar panel with 250kW that has a PERC module is much more expensive than the 250kW monocrystalline solar panel that does not have a PERC module.
Here, you can find the top monocrystalline PERC module.
- JA Solar Panel 380W Monocrystalline PERC Module
If you want to get free quotes up to 3 from different solar companies in Pakistan, Inspect Energy is the best platform to get.
As Inspect Energy, didn’t only list the best solar panels, inverters for solar, and batteries, we have the load calculator that calculates your estimated expense according to the solar system power you require. We also Inspect the current solar panel rate in Pakistan.
4. Cadmium Telluride (CdTe)–Thin-Film
Contrary to the crystal solar panels that use silicon for their construction There are different substances that are utilized despite it. Known as a thin film, there are three kinds of materials used. They are amorphous silicon, cadmium telluride silicon along copper.
Cadmium Telluride (CdTe) solar cells are equipped with the CdTe film which is responsible for the absorption and transformation of visible light. Currently, the layer is installed with the intermediate and TCO layers to create an electric field that transforms light into current.
Efficiency
Cadmium Telluride (CdTe) Solar plates are less efficient than crystal solar plates, ranging between 10 and 11 percent. Though some companies have attained an efficiency rate of as high as 16%, a greater increase in efficiency has been slowed down because of the use of a hazardous substance “cadmium”.
Composition–a bad-side
The material that is used in this type of CdTe solar panel is cadmium which is extremely toxic numerous models made by manufacturers are generally not allowed to because of pollution issues.
Price Range is a plus
The main reason for the popularity of solar panels made of cadmium in commercial settings is due to their low costs for manufacturing. It is easy to mix two solutions of cadmium that permit the creation of these solar panels, as opposed to the manufacturing process of the silicon-based solar panel.
Appearance
The appearance is pure black with no sparkling shades, and the cells appear to be smaller than those of the panel with crystalline bases. The lines are thin between the cells, but there are no sharp edges at the intersection point.
5. Amorphous Silicon (a-Si)–Thin-Film
In contrast to any other silicon crystal (mono/poly), They are produced using the same material, silicon, however, they are made in a different manner. There are thin silicon layers with a thickness of less than a human hair. This gives them the greatest flexibility.
Efficiency
The efficiency rate of solar panels made of amorphous silicon is much less than the solar panel with cadmium telluride – ranging between 7 and 8 percent.
Composition-a great side
Instead of using a wafer made of silicon solid, they’re made of non-crystalline silicon placed on a glass substrate or plastic or even metal. They don’t require an abundance of toxic substances, in contrast to the solar panels made from cadmium.
Physical Stature
The panels of Amorphous Silicon are flexible and contain tiny black solar cells inside the sheet. They are lightweight and resilient to damages and impacts.
Price Variation
The efficiency is the downside to this Amorphous silicon-based solar panel, however, the cost-effective approach is a benefit as their retail price is extremely affordable for the average consumer.
6. Copper Indium Selenide (CIGS)–Thin-Film
The material utilized for this panel of solar is called copper gallium indium diselenide (yes it’s chemical!). The material that is incorporated between the conducting materials plays a role in the conversion of sunlight into electricity.
Efficiency
When compared with the different types of solar panels made of thin films such as cadmium telluride or amorphous silicon, they’re superior in terms of efficiency, with their efficiency ranging between 18 and 20 percent in lab tests.
Composition
The cell’s main component is made by a slim layer substance made of selenide copper which is extremely flexible. However, to provide protection from the abrasions of motion, makers pack them in glass panels. Since the material is more efficient in the percentage of absorbing sunlight, therefore, the thin film is more effective in comparison to other semiconducting substances.
Is it true that CIGS solar panels are harmful?
Certain manufacturers employ Cadmium to some degree in their solar panels containing CIGS but not so much that it causes harm to the health of the planet. However, when it comes to the inclusion of Se into the solar cell’s composition, H2Se is employed since it’s a good choice to ensure uniformity and larger grain size. However dangerous.
Physical Stature
It is believed that CIGS slim-film solar panels come with blue and green solar cells embedded in their sheets. This solar panel can be extremely flexible when the material is not sandwiched between the glass.
Price Range – a negative side
It is true that the CIGS solar panels can be described as highly efficient when compared to silicon solar panels made of crystalline silicon; however, due to the complicated manufacturing process and the use of these compounds, they are more expensive than PERC monocrystalline panels.
