| It can be said that the best panels are the ones | | | | solar panels and cost is considerably less to |
| suited to your demands when taking (location, | | | | produce. Instead of one large crystal, these |
| type, and the power generated and storage | | | | consists of multiple amounts of the much smaller |
| capacity) into consideration. However, their are | | | | silicon crystals. |
| several factors you should consider before | | | | 3. Monocrystalline Solar Panels: Are the biggest |
| jumping into a project. | | | | consisting of three larger crystals and, the most |
| Below are several of the different types of solar | | | | efficient as in absorbing sunlight and converting it |
| panels available today. | | | | into electricity. Thus, making them the most |
| 1. Amorphous Solar Panel: Are made up of a really | | | | costly cells to produce. They perform better in all |
| thin film like material made from molten silicon | | | | light conditions then the other types mentioned |
| which is spread across large plates of stainless | | | | above. |
| steel or very similar materials. This type typically | | | | Solar Cell Efficiency: |
| have a lower efficiency then the other two types | | | | Below are the Approximate Percentages for each |
| of panels, and least expensive to produce. One | | | | type of Solar Panel: |
| advantage of this panels over the other next two | | | | * Monocrystalline- 18% |
| is that it's shadow protected. Shadow protected | | | | * Amorphous (thin-film)-10% |
| meaning that the panel continues to charge while | | | | * Polycrystalline- 15% |
| part of the cells are in the shadow. These work | | | | All three types of panels have both advantages |
| very well on boats and similar types of | | | | and disadvantages depending on the end user's |
| transportation. | | | | budget, the size and type of environment where |
| 2. Polycrystalline Solar Panel: On the other hand, | | | | they are used and the expected output of the |
| are the more common type of panels used on | | | | system to name a few. Any of the three solar |
| the market. The cell in this solar panel look very | | | | cell mention will work it just depends on what |
| similar to shattered crystal. These are slightly less | | | | panel is tailored to your needs. |
| efficient than the more expensive monocrystalline | | | | |