Solar Panel
What is Solar Panel?
Solar panel are also known as photo-voltaic solar module, solar plate, solar PV module and solar power panel etc. Solar panels are made up with a bunch of 60-72 solar cells that convert sunlight into electricity.
Solar cells are made from an element called “silicon“. To manufacture the solar cells, fragments of silicon or silicon crystals are melted together in a mold and cut in to wafers.
solar panel
If we install two or more solar panel together and connect them with solar inverter, solar battery than it become a solar power system that can be used in houses, companies, schools, industries etc. Solar panel is the main part of solar system and all types of solar system (on grid solar system, off grid solar system and hybrid solar system) contains same type of solar panel.
Types of Solar PV Panel
Solar panels are invented in many types and capacities. These panel varies from each other on the basis of their formation, material used, etc. To provide a brief knowledge about all types of solar panel, we are listing its type below.
Polycrystalline Solar Panel Monocrystalline Solar Panel Thin Film Solar Panel
Out of these solar panels, only polycrystalline solar panel and monocrystalline solar panel are the most successful panel to use for home solar system and commercial solar system.
Polycrystalline Solar Panel
Polycrystalline Solar Panel
Polycrystalline solar panel is most common type of solar panel. The efficiency rate of poly crystalline solar panel is around 16%-17%. These panels are best to work under extreme weather conditions. To manufacture polycrystalline solar panels, low purity silicon is used.
To read more about polycrystalline solar panels.
Monocrystalline Solar Panel
Monocrystalline Solar Panel
Mono crystalline solar panels are second most successful type of solar panel. Mono Panels are made out of pure high quality silicon. The efficiency level of mono panels are more than poly panels i.e 19%-20%. These panels have blackish-hue on their surface.
For more detail about monocrystalline solar panel.
Mono vs. Poly Technology
Mono vs. poly crystalline solar panel both are best type of solar panel. But often, they create a great confusion while it comes to choose best among them. Here we have a comparison between both type of solar modules to make the selection process easy.
Type of solar panel – mono and poly panels
Difference between Poly crystalline and Mono crystalline Panel
Poly-crystalline solar panel
Mono-crystalline solar panel
Cost Effective.
Panel efficiency up to 16%.
Looks bluish in color.
It takes more rooftop space.
Low efficiency in cloudy weather.
Expensive solar panel.
Panel efficiency up to 20%.
Looks black in color.
It takes less rooftop space.
Better efficiency even in low light.
Which type of solar panel is best?
Solar panel efficiency refers to the amount of sunlight converted to electricity in specific area. Under above two types of solar panel technology, mono crystalline are best in efficiency.
Monocrystalline panel have highest efficiency of up to 20%, require less space but they are little expensive than polycrystalline solar panel. A 100 watt poly and mono crystalline panel will generate the same amount of power but the mono-crystalline panel will take up less space than a poly-crystalline panel.
- Mono-crystalline efficiency – 20%
- Poly-crystalline efficiency– 17%
Solar Panel Application
Solar panel basically generate the DC electricity and this electricity can be use to power different type of applications like solar lights, solar systems, solar pump and air conditioners etc.
solar panel applications
Solar Lights
Battery-based solar lights are a stand-alone system that will store power from the solar panel to illuminate solar street light, solar lantern, solar home lighting system etc. Generally, solar panel for solar lights starts from 3w to 75w.
On grid solar system
Generally, 300 watt solar panel and above rated solar panels are used in on grid solar system. The on grid solar system range starts from 1kW solar system to 10 kW solar system for home purpose and 15kW solar system to 100kW solar system for commercial use.
Off grid solar system
Off grid solar system starts from 1kW to 100kW. In off grid solar systems, 100 watt to 330 watt solar panel is used in these types of solar system.
Hybrid solar system
Generally 300 watt solar panel and above rated solar panel is used in hybrid solar system. These type of solar system starts from 3kW solar system.
Solar water pump
Solar water pump range start from 1HP (3 Panels) to 10 HP. High rating panel are used in these pumps.
Solar AC
Solar air conditioner can be run on solar power where above 300 watt panels are used.
Source - Solar Panel