Solar panels offer several benefits for your home, including clean energy, reduced electricity bills, and energy independence. But, when people think about installing them, many questions come up in their minds, like the appearance, performance, sizes, costs, etc. When exploring different types of solar panels best suited for home use, it’s essential to collaborate with trusted solar panel contractors in Minnesota who can guide you toward the most efficient and cost-effective solutions.
If you have a as it will be suitable and come under your budget. However, ultimately, the situation of your home and budget will determine the right solar panel for you. But, to help you make an informed decision, we will highlight the best types of solar panels available for home use.
Different Types of Solar Panels for Home
Whether you select a 165-watt solar panel, 200-watt solar panel, or 400-watt solar panel, you must know your options first. So, the three main types of popular solar panels are monocrystalline, thin-film, and polycrystalline solar panels. All of them have unique features and different appearances. So, let’s delve deeper to learn about these solar panels.
Polycrystalline Solar Panels
It is one of the most popular solar panels that are gaining immense popularity because of its high efficiency. Manufacturers use new and advanced processes to make this solar panel using silicon. As the producers use silicon fragments to make this, it becomes cost-effective. Polycrystalline solar panels come in different sizes, including a 165 watt solar panel, 275-watt solar panel, and 335-watt solar panel. So, if you are low on budget, opt for this solar panel for your home. When the UV ray reflects on the crystals of solar panels, it changes their color to blue. It comes square, and the frames are silver.
Monocrystalline Solar Panels
Among the three types, this solar panel installation is one of the most advanced, making it the most expensive in the market. It is a bit pricey because of its unique manufacturing process called the Czochralski method. The monocrystalline solar panels come in different sizes, including a 200-watt solar panel, and 400-watt solar panel. The shape of this solar panel is also square without any corners to adjust with different houses. Also, you will find tiny gaps between the cells. When sunlight reflects, it produces high energy and becomes black as it contains pure silicon.
Thin-Film Solar Panels
The thin-film solar panel is the newest solar panel that grabbed the attention of many homeowners. It is known for its efficiency, versatility, and flexibility. The best part is that this solar panel has different materials, including Cadmium telluride, indium gallium selenide, and amorphous silicon. People can easily identify this type of solar panel by its thin appearance. Even if it’s thinner than the other two solar panels, it still can be large. However, the color of this solar panel depends on the materials their manufacturers use.
Three Different Types of Solar Panels: Comparison
Apart from appearance and manufacturing, you must know other differences to make a sound decision while purchasing solar panels. Here we will talk about two primary categories: cost and efficiency. So, keep reading, as this comparison will simplify your buying process.
Price
We all know that the solar panel’s cost can influence the homeowners’ buying decision. However, thin-film solar panels are the most affordable due to their low manufacturing cost. They are also lightweight, and you can save money on their installation. However, you can buy this one if you have a budget constraint. A 165-watt solar panel can be used in residential settings to offset the energy consumption of household appliances, lighting, and electronics.
On the other hand, the most expensive solar panels are the monocrystalline solar panels, as it contains pure silicon. Also, remember they are heavy, which further leads to higher installation expenses. The polycrystalline solar panels sit between the other two solar panels in terms of price. So, this specific solar panel’s cost is higher than the thin-film and lower than the monocrystalline solar panels.
Efficiency
Efficiency means the amount of energy a solar panel generally produces after receiving sunlight. You can do multiple things to increase the efficiency of any solar panel. But, a few solar panels have the highest efficiency to offer convenience. Among the three types, the monocrystalline solar panel offers the highest efficiency. It can reach beyond 20% of efficiency.
On the other hand, polycrystalline solar panels generally reach 13% to 16% of efficiency. Besides this, thin-film solar panels can reach 7% to 18% of efficiency, depending on their sizes and models.
Installation and Application for All Types of Solar Panels
Homeowners must evaluate all solar panels installation and application processes to find the right one. You can buy polycrystalline solar panel are the ideal choice for residential properties with ample space. They are affordable and offer enough power and efficiency for larger spaces.
The monocrystalline solar panels will be the perfect option for residential properties with small spaces. You can opt for this solar panel if you wish to save money on your energy bills. These solar panels work great and can be the perfect choice for property buildings and homes. The thin-film solar panels are not suitable for homes as it is specifically designed to meet the requirements of commercial buildings.
Monocrystalline, Polycrystalline, and Thin-film Solar Panels- Which is the Best?
Going through every type of solar panel with its characteristics will narrow down your options. So, consider the following points to select the best one for your home.
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Function:
It is one of the primary things you must consider while choosing your solar panel. You must identify the reason for purchasing the solar panels as they offer different functions (except the core functionalities). So, before buying, you must know whether you want to save money on electricity bills or lower the energy footprint.
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Size
The size of the solar panels plays a pivotal role when buying solar panels. Different sizes are available, including a 165-watt solar panel, 200-watt solar panel, 400-watt solar panel, etc. So, first, you must measure the roof surface and count the number of applications you will run on the energy. Then, you can buy whatever meets all the requirements.
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Price
Another major factor you must consider is the cost of the solar panels. You can compare the prices of the solar panels of different companies to purchase them at the best price.
Conclusion
With many options available on the market, it becomes challenging for homeowners to find the right solar panel. So, if you purchase for the first time, consider going through the above mentioned considerations to simplify your buying process.