Decoding the Different Types of Solar Modules Available
There are many reasons why the best solar panel market is in India. Today, solar energy is one of the most powerful and cleanest sources of energy. With so many benefits, it’s no surprise that more and more people are investing in this type of power. The Indian solar market is also booming. The country has set a target of achieving 450 GW of renewable energy by 2030. As the demand for solar power is increasing, so are the number of companies entering this sector and producing high-quality solar modules.
Criteria for the Best Solar Panels
Solar panels are the most important components of a solar energy system. They convert sunlight into electricity and can be used to generate power for homes and businesses. And with the increased demand for solar panels, there are now several different types of solar modules available.
The best solar panels are those that have high efficiency, long-term warranties, and a good return on investment (ROI). There are many ways to identify the quality of a panel. One way is to look at the type of people on it. The best panels are diverse and comprise experts in their respective fields. Another way to identify if a panel is high-quality is by looking at the topics they discuss. A high-quality panel will have an interesting discussion about relevant topics that will benefit the audience.
There are two types of solar modules, which are highly popular-monocrystalline and polycrystalline.
Monocrystalline solar module
The monocrystalline solar modules are a type of photovoltaic panel that converts sunlight into electricity. Solar modules are the indispensable core components of solar photovoltaic systems. They convert the photons from the sun into electricity. Photons are packets of light that carry energy. Monocrystalline modules are made from a single crystal of silicon with single grain size. These types of solar panels have the highest efficiency rating as compared to other types as they can convert up to 22% of sunlight into electricity. The downside is that they are expensive and require more maintenance than the other two types.
Performance
This solar panel, also called a photovoltaic panel, is made up of one or more layers of semiconductor materials such as silicon. The silicon absorbs the photons and creates an electric current than that of polycrystalline solar modules (16-18%) and amorphous silicon solar modules (13-16%). But this type is different because it has an extra layer on top to help direct and maximize electrons flowing through the material and therefore may produce more electric power than any other type of solar panel. It can generate up to 20-30% more power than other types due to its efficiency in converting light to electricity.
Price
Compared to any other type of solar panel, monocrystalline solar panels are the most expensive. Monocrystalline Solar Modules are now becoming popular in the global market, with an average annual growth rate of 15%. The main driving force behind the popularity of Monocrystalline Solar Modules is their higher conversion efficiency than the other two types of solar modules.
Reusability
It is possible to recycle monocrystalline solar panels, but there is a caveat. There are 3 components in a solar panel: Glass, metal frame, and solar cell. The solar panel’s metal and glass frames are 100% recyclable.
Polycrystalline solar module
A polycrystalline solar module is also a photovoltaic device that converts sunlight into electricity. Polycrystalline solar modules have a higher efficiency rate than thin-film modules, about 10% compared to lower rates of 8%. The process of manufacturing polycrystalline solar modules is fairly simple. The silicon for this type of module must be cut into small pieces before it can be made into the thin wafer that covers the entire surface area of the module. After that, each wafer is then cut into rectangular pieces before they are bonded together to create a surface layer with cells on both top and bottom.
Performance
Polycrystalline solar cells have a standard size of 6 inches. The efficiency of these polycrystalline solar panels is lower than that of monocrystalline panels since different silicon fragments are melted together and then made into solar cells.
Price
The difference in price between monocrystalline and polycrystalline panels is shrinking. But still, the price of Polycrystalline solar panels is less due to their less efficiency compared to monocrystalline solar panels.
Reusability
Polycrystalline solar panels can be recycled. The solar panels consist of 3 components, Glass, a metallic framework, and a solar cell. The metal frame and glass frame of the solar panels are fully recyclable.
