Which Type Of Solar Panel Should You Choose? - EnergySage

Out of the three types of solar panels, monocrystalline are the most efficient, polycrystalline are the cheapest, and thin-film panels are the most portable.

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The type of solar panel you need depends on the type of system you want to install. For a traditional rooftop solar panel system, you'll usually want monocrystalline panels due to their high efficiency. If you have a big roof with a lot of space, you might choose polycrystalline panels to save money upfront. Want to DIY a portable solar setup on an RV or boat? Thin-film solar panels are a great option. 

Over the last 130 years, solar panel technology has evolved in the pursuit of higher efficiency, lower costs, aesthetics, and durability. While each of the three modern designs comes with advantages, the current solar panel market tends to align panel technology with the most cost-effective and savings-driven application.

There are three major types of solar panels: monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and thin-film. The solar panel type best suited for your installation will depend on your preferences and factors specific to your own property.

Monocrystalline panels are usually the most expensive solar panel type. Manufacturers must absorb the costs of making solar cells from a single crystal. This process, known as the Czochralski process, is energy-intensive and results in wasted silicon. But don't worry–this silicon can later be used to manufacture polycrystalline solar cells.

Polycrystalline solar panels are typically cheaper than monocrystalline panels. The cells come from silicon fragments rather than a single, pure silicon crystal. This allows for a much simpler cell manufacturing process, costing less for manufacturers and homeowners who install the panels.

What you pay for thin-film solar cells largely depends on the type of thin-film panel. CdTe is generally the cheapest type of solar panel to manufacture. CIGS solar panels are much more expensive to produce than CdTe or amorphous silicon.

The overall cost of a thin-film solar panel installation is usually lower than a monocrystalline or polycrystalline solar installation. Thin-film solar panel installations are less labor-intensive because the panels are lighter and more maneuverable. It's easier for installers to carry them onto rooftops and secure them. Installers generally charge less for labor with thin-film panels, making the installation less expensive overall.

Each type of solar panel varies in how much power it can produce. If you have limited roof space, choose a high-efficiency solar panel to get the most out of your system.

Monocrystalline panels typically have the highest efficiency and power capacity. They can reach efficiencies of over 22% and provide over 300 watts (W) of power capacity. Many even exceed 400 W. Polycrystalline solar panels, on the other hand, rarely exceed 17% efficiency and tend to have lower wattages.

Monocrystalline solar panels also tend to perform better than polycrystalline panels in warm temperatures. They usually have lower temperature coefficients, which means they maintain higher efficiencies when it's hot outside.

While they differ in performance, monocrystalline and polycrystalline panels are about the same size physically. Both types of solar panels tend to come in 60, 72, and 96 silicon cell options.

Thin-film solar panels have lower efficiencies and power capacities than monocrystalline or polycrystalline panels. Efficiencies vary based on the specific material used in the cells, but thin-film solar panels tend to be around 11% efficiency.

Thin-film solar cell technology does not come in uniform sizes. The power capacity from one thin-film panel to another largely depends on its physical size. Generally, the power capacity per square foot of monocrystalline or polycrystalline solar panels will exceed that of thin-film panels.

Solar cells include a semiconducting material that converts sunlight into electricity by turning photons into electrons. Silicon is the most common material used as a semiconductor during the solar cell manufacturing process.

Both monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar panels include silicon wafer cells. To build a crystalline panel, manufacturers assemble wafer cells into rows and columns to form a rectangle. They then cover the cells with a glass sheet and frame the glass.

Monocrystalline and polycrystalline panels vary in the composition of the silicon. Monocrystalline solar cells are cut from a single crystal of silicon. When manufacturers create polycrystalline solar cells, they melt fragments of silicon crystals together in a mold.

Unlike monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar panels, thin-film panels can be made from multiple materials. The most prevalent type of thin-film solar panel is made from cadmium telluride (CdTe). To make this type of thin-film panel, manufacturers place a layer of CdTe between transparent conducting layers that help capture sunlight. This type of thin-film technology has a glass layer on the top for protection.

Thin-film solar panels can also use amorphous silicon (a-Si), similar to the composition of monocrystalline and polycrystalline panels. Though these thin-film panels use silicon layers in their composition, they are not made up of solid silicon wafers. Instead, they're composed of non-crystalline silicon placed on top of glass, plastic, or metal.

Copper Indium Gallium Selenide (CIGS) panels are another popular type of thin-film technology. In CIGS panels, the semiconductor material made of copper, indium, gallium, and selenide, attaches to a conductive substrate made of glass, nylon, aluminum, or steel. Manufacturers place electrodes on the panels' front and back to capture electrical currents.

Want solar panels that don't stand out too much against your roof? Pay close attention here. Variations in materials and production cause differences in appearance between each type of solar panel. Some look better than others on a traditional black shingle roof.

While the solar cells are black, monocrystalline solar panels have a variety of colors for their back sheets and frames. The back sheet of the solar panel will most often be black, silver, or white, while the metal frames are typically black or silver.

Thin-film solar cells are roughly 350 times thinner than the crystalline wafers used in monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar panels. However, an entire thin-film panel may be similar in thickness to a monocrystalline or polycrystalline solar panel if it includes a thick frame. There are adhesive thin-film solar panels that lie close to the surface of a roof. But more durable thin-film panels have frames up to 50 millimeters thick.

Monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and thin-film panels each have advantages and disadvantages, and the solution you should move forward with depends on your property and your savings goals.

If you have a lot of space for solar panels, you can save money upfront by installing lower-efficiency, lower-cost polycrystalline panels. If you have limited space and want to maximize your electric bill savings over 20 years, we recommend high-efficiency, monocrystalline solar panels.

As far as thin-film panels go, it's most common to choose this type of solar panel if you're installing a portable or DIY solar system, like on an RV or boat. Businesses also use thin-film panels for large, commercial roofs that can't handle the additional weight of traditional solar equipment. These roofs can also afford the lower efficiencies of thin-film panels because they have more roof space.

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

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.

Find out how much you can save monthly by installing rooftop solar panels

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. 

If you want to learn more, please visit our website 60 Cell Solar Panel.

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. 

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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. 

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

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

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 which solar panels will work 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.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of 36 cell solar panel. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.