If you're interested in converting your home to solar power, you've no doubt started doing your research. You've probably come across the term "efficiency" and are wondering what it means for solar panels. In this blog post, we'll discuss what factors determine the efficiency of solar panels and how you can choose the right one for your needs!
The efficiency of a solar panel is determined by a number of factors, the most important of which are the materials used in its construction and the design of the panel itself. The most efficient solar panels on the market today are made from monocrystalline silicon.
This material has been found to be more effective at converting sunlight into electrical energy than any other type of solar cell. However, monocrystalline silicon panels are also more expensive than their polycrystalline counterparts. If you're working with a tight budget, you may want to consider opting for a less efficient but more affordable option.
Solar panels made of polycrystalline solar panels, also called multi crystalline cells are slightly less efficient than those made up of monocrystalline solar cells. They are made of multiple smaller silicon crystals rather than one large crystal. Solar cells that are less efficient still have the ability to produce a significant amount of electrical energy. They just require more surface area to do so. Polycrystalline solar panel efficiency stands at 15-22%. a polycrystalline solar panel is recognized by the square cut and blue speckled colour.
Thin film solar panels are made by covering a substrate of glass, plastic or metal with one or more thin-layers of photovoltaic material. They are the least efficient type of solar panel on the market, but they also tend to be the most affordable. These solar panels degrade faster than mono and polycrystalline solar panels. Producing this kind of panel is less complex, thus their output is 5% less than monocrystalline solar panel efficiency. Normally, thin film cells deliver between 15-22% solar panel efficiency. Solar panels of this kind are very thin and lightweight. They can be made flexible, which makes them ideal for use on curved surfaces like cars and boats.
Now that you know the basics about solar panel efficiency, you can start shopping around for the right one for your needs! If you have any questions, our team of experts at Maverick Energy Solutions is always happy to help. Contact us today to learn more about solar power and how it can benefit your home or business!