New Age Tech Guru- Different types of Solar Panels (common)

 

Part of a series in renewal energy technologies brought by  M/s Paavi Solar

Friends, we have learned about the types of rooftop Solar PV Systems based on different types of usage. We have also seen different components of each PV system. Today onwards we will learn about component-level details and we begin by explaining different types of Solar Panels.

As we know now that Solar Panels are made of a number of Solar Cells in series and parallel connections to achieve requisite voltage and current rating. When the solar cells are arranged in series, the current of the entire panel remains constant and equal to as produced by a single cell but the voltage of each cell is added up. In the same fashion if cells are arranged in parallel connection then the voltage of the panel remains constant and equal to across a single cell but the current produced by each cell is added up. All these cells are further encapsulated in a toughened glass casing for transparency and strength.

Types of Solar Panels based on chemical structure(Composition of Silicon)

1.      Monocrystalline Solar Panels:- These panels are made of Solar Cells cut into wafers from ingots containing pure silicon. These cells are darker in color and have a little higher efficiency of 18-22 %. These are somewhat costlier. Solar Panels made of Monocrystalline Solar Cells can be identified easily as the corners of each cell are cut. These solar panels are used in big projects or installations where space is a constraint.

 

2.      Polycrystalline Solar Panels:- These panels are made of Solar Cells cut into wafers from ingots containing silicon fragments of different structures. These cells are in lighter blue color and different fragments of silicon can be easily identified in its grainy appearance. Its efficiency is somewhat lower at 14-16 % and is cheap. These solar panels can be easily identified as the cells are of a completely rectangular shape. These solar panels are generally used.

 

3.      Thin Film Solar Panels:- These portable, lightweight and flexible solar panels are printed over a PVC film and are made of amorphous silicon (a-Si),  cadmium telluride (CdTe), and copper indium gallium selenide (CIS/CIGS). These Solar films have varying degrees of efficiency from 12- 20 % efficiency, cheap in construction but very less life. These are ideal for small applications and where the solar panel(film) needs to be rolled over like over the yachts, cars, or devices.

 

Friends, in the next blog, we will study new developments in Solar PV Panels and also explain the different specifications of Solar PV Modules.             -G P BOSE