Different Types of Solar Panels (Best) and Which to Avoid in 2023
Solar panels use renewable energy (the sun) to generate electricity, and the different types of solar panels available today all aid in the search for cleaner energy.
In fact, with carbon footprint, solar panels (even with the footprint from manufacturing and waste disposal) offer an energy creation source that is cleaner than coal.
However, understanding the different types of solar panels that are available for home use can be a little tricky. There are a number of manufacturers and cells, and knowing which ones will work best for your specific needs requires a little research.
This complete guide explains the types of solar panels that can be used to reduce your household carbon footprint.
Different Types of Solar Panels
Different types of solar panels have different carbon footprints that begin with materials and manufacturing, that must also be considered when determining the overall carbon footprint of each type of panel.
The different types of solar panels and solar cells include:
- Polycrystalline silicon solar panel
- Cadmium telluride solar panel
- Monocrystalline silicon solar panel
- Amorphous silicon solar panel
- Thin-film solar panel
- Perovskite solar cell
- Biohybrid solar cell
- Organic solar cell
- Multi-junction solar cell
- Plasmonic solar cell
- Hybrid solar cell
- Quantum dot solar cell
SunPower Solar Panels (Best for Efficiency)
SunPower solar panels are also known as Maxeon panels and are well known for having one of the best efficiency ratings of all solar panel options.
REC Solar Panels (Best for Affordability)
REC solar panels are inexpensive and go well with existing aesthetics.
Panasonic Solar Panels (Best for Quality and Warranty)
Panasonic solar panels come with a 25-year warranty.
Silfab Solar Panels (Best for Quality and Affordability)
Silfab solar panels are of the highest quality, but still highly affordable.
LG Solar Panels (Best for Unique Roof Designs)
LG solar panels come with innovative options for rooftop installations.
Q Cells Solar Panels (Best for Long-Term Value)
Q Cells solar panels come with long-term warranties and are well-known for excellent performance.
Trina Solar Panels (Best for Affordable Value)
Trina solar panels are priced right for home installations.
Canadian Solar Panels (Best Economical Choice)
Canadian Solar prides itself on providing economical alternatives.
The best reasons to install solar panels at home or at the office are:
- Going off-grid and cutting down personal carbon footprints.
- Solar power grids can be installed on underutilized land. 19
- Solar power ensures fewer (if any) power interruptions.
- Different types of solar panels come with the added bonus of solar power grants which helps stabilize the conventional electricity grid.
- Solar power job opportunities help grow the economy.
- The solar power energy source will always be free. 1
Installation: The installation process length depends on location and whether necessary permits are readily available. In either case, an installation does take at least a couple of weeks.
SunPower solar panels don’t come cheap, but they are well worth the investment. 25 Their efficiency rating is between 20.1% – 22.8% and they come with a 25-year warranty.
SunPower provides an all-encompassing service by manufacturing panels and solar cells, selling them and installing them. 6
Installation: Installing rooftop solar panels, can take up to 3 days depending on location and whether permits are required.
REC N-Peak Series: Support bars, 20-year product warranty, 25-year power output warranty with a guarantee that panels will continue to produce a minimum of 86% power after 25 years.
REC TwinPeak 2 Series: 300W power, 20-year warranty and 25-year warranty for power output. Using REC-certified installers will add another 5 years to the product warranty.
REC solar panels incorporate half-cut cell technology which cut power losses by 75%. The half-cut designs also ensure higher efficiency and a longer lifespan.
When wondering, how much do solar panels cost, the key is to find an accurate solar panel calculator.
The company offers a wide range of applications for commercial and residential use, including the Alpha series which uses HJT cells. 7
Panasonic solar panels are some of the highest quality solar panels in 2022 and come with a 25–year warranty. 26 Panasonic uses HIT technology to make their solar panels highly efficient (combination of amorphous silicon and monocrystalline layers), and to reduce power loss.
| Advantages of Panasonic Solar Panels | Disadvantages of Panasonic Solar Panels |
| Highly impressive specifications | Similar panels can be purchased at a cheaper cost. |
| Great warranty | The company uses a third party for manufacturing purposes. 8 |
| affordable than premium panels |
Silfab solar panels offer different types of solar panels, and ranges which are made with PERC solar cells. These solar panels have a high efficiency rating and are very temperature coefficient.
| Specifications | Silfab Elite SIL-380 BK Solar Panels | Silfab Elite SIL-370 BK Solar Panels | Silfab Prime SIL-370 HC Solar Panels |
| Solar Panel Power output (Pmax) | 380 Watts | 370 Watts | 370 Watts |
| Solar Panel Efficiency rating | 21.4% | 20.8% | 20.2% |
| Solar Panel Cell type | Back contact mono-PERC cell type | Back contact mono-PERC cell type | Half cells mono-PERC cell type |
| Solar Panel Power tolerance | 0 to 10 Watts | 0 to 10 Watts | 0 to 10 Watts |
| Solar Panel Temperature coefficient (Pmax) | -0.38%/°C | -0.38%/°C | -0.36%/°C |
| Solar Panel Workmanship warranty | 25 year warranty | 25 year warranty | 25 year warranty |
| Solar Panel Power warranty | 30 year warranty | 30 year warranty | 30 year warranty 9 |
Installation: Installation usually takes around 3 days, depending on the type of system being installed.
LG solar panels are specifically designed for residential roofs that have a complicated design or where there is insufficient roof space. 27 Because of their unique design, these solar panels provide more power per panel, which means fewer panels are necessary.
| Advantages of LG Solar Panels | Disadvantages of LG Solar Panels |
| Excellent efficiency | Panels are expensive. |
| Great performance | LG no longer manufacturers solar panels, but will continue to honor warranties. 10 |
| Fantastic warranty |
Installation: Residential solar systems are installed within a few days, while larger projects may take a few weeks.
Q Cells solar panels are becoming increasingly popular because of their long-term value and affordability. Their efficiency is at 18%, which is the middle to high range of efficiency rankings. Q Cells solar panels make use of half-cut solar cell technology to cut down on power loss.
| Advantages of Half-Cut Solar Cell Technology |
| Reduced power loss |
| Additional area for PERC layer of the cell to receive photons |
| Highly durable 11 |
Trina Solar offers a 600W panel and their efficiency is up to 20.4%.
| Module (cells) | Power | Efficiency | Positive power tolerance |
| Half-cut DE06X.05(II) | 355-380 Watts | 20.6% | 0/5 Watts |
| Half-cut DD06M.05 | 310-335 Watts | 19.9% | 0~5 Watts 12 |
The company incorporates half-cut cell technology as well as a option between white or black backsheets.
Canadian Solar manufactures solar panels, as well as solar cells, ingots and wafers that relate to solar panel manufacturing. 28 The company offers an excellent 25-year performance warranty to go along with their high-quality products.
| HiKu solar panels | Standard solar panel offering that is made with polycrystalline cells |
| HiKu Mono modules | Can generate up to 385 watts of power |
| HiKu All-Black | Less efficient, but more aesthetically pleasing |
| HiKu6 | Can generate up to 405 watts of power 13 |
Types of Solar Panel Systems
Along with different types of solar panels and cells come different types of solar panel systems.
| Types of Solar Panel Systems | |
| Off-grid solar panel system | An off-grid solar panel system operates completely separately from the grid, and requires a huge arrangement of batteries, modules and inverters. Off-grid solar panel systems are best for rural areas. |
| Grid-tied solar panel system | A grid-tied solar panel system comes with fixed rates, and a PV system that needs sizing to generate only sufficient power. These types of solar panel systems are good for those who work from home. |
| Grid backup solar panel system | Grid backup systems can operate for long periods of time without the grid. This type of system is essential for regions with frequent power outages. |
Types of Solar Cells and Their Efficiency
The below table indicates the different types of solar cells and their efficiency: 3
| PERC | Monocrystalline | Polycrystalline | Thin-film | |
| Efficiency | PERC has the highest efficiency at 5% more than monocrystalline cells. | 20% efficiency and up | 15-17% efficiency | 13-15% efficiency (Thin-film is the least efficient) |
What Are the Types of Solar Panel and Their Efficiency?
The below list indicates the types of solar panel and their efficiency:
- Poly PERC – 17% efficiency
- Mono PERC – 19% efficiency
- Half-Cut Mono PERC – 20% efficiency
- Shingled Mono Cells – 21.5%
- Half-Cut Mono PERC MBB – 22%
- Half-Cut N-Type TOPcon – 22.5%
- Half-Cut N-Type HJT – 22.5%
- N-Type IBC – 23%
Solar Panel Installation Material List PDF
This solar panel installation material list PDF is a helpful guide that highlights the requirements of solar panel installation, inducing costs and labor. 20
Solar Panel Diagram With Explanation PDF
This solar panel diagram with explanation PDF explains the inner workings of a solar cell with a simple diagram and detailed explanation. 21
Solar Panel Design PDF
This free-to-download solar panel design PDF goes into detail about solar system design, and includes various cost calculations. 22
Solar Panel Construction PDF
This free-to-download solar panel construction PDF details the process of designing and constructing a 2kW solar panel inverter. 23
The 4 main types of solar panels are as follows:
- Monocrystalline
- Polycrystalline
- Passivated Emitter and Rear Cell
- Thin-film
Best Types of Solar Panels
The below table provides a summary of the best types of solar panels available in 2023, including panel efficiency and temperature co-efficiencies.
| Solar Panel Manufacturer | Efficiency (%) | Temperature Coefficient | Warranty |
| SunPower | 22.8% | -0.29 | 25 year warranty |
| REC | 21.9% | -0.26 | 25 year warranty |
| Panasonic | 21.7% | -0.26 | 25 year warranty |
| Q CELLS | 21.4% | -0.34 | 25 year warranty |
| AXITEC | 20.45% | -0.26 | 25 year warranty |
| Silfab | 21.4% | -0.36 | 25 year warranty |
| Solaria | 20.5% | -0.39 | 25 year warranty |
| Mission Solar | 19.35% | -0.35 | 25 year warranty |
| LA Solar Group | 20.6% | -0.37 | 25 year warranty |
| Canadian Solar | 20.6% | -0.35 | 15 year warranty |
| Jinko Solar | 21.33% | -0.35 | 25 year warranty |
| Trina Solar | 20.4% | -0.36 | 25 year warranty |
Types of Solar Panels
When comparing different types of solar panels, it is important to keep in mind that monocrystalline solar panels and polycrystalline solar panels are considered to be the better options because of their high efficiency ratings. 29
Monocrystalline Solar Panel
A monocrystalline solar panel is also referred to as a single-crystal solar panel. These panels are made from a single silicon crystal that has been cut into wafers. Up to 50% of the silicon is wasted during the production of one monocrystalline cell, which makes the resulting panel more expensive.
Types of Monocrystalline Solar Panels
Types of monocrystalline solar panels include:
Monocrystalline Solar Panel Efficiency
The monocrystalline solar panel efficiency rating is over 20%, with PERC panels adding 5% extra efficiency.
Monocrystalline Solar Panels for Home
Monocrystalline solar panels for home installations are the best option because of their high power capacity and high efficiency percentages.
Monocrystalline Solar Panel Diagram
This monocrystalline solar panel diagram fully explains and illustrates the structure of a monocrystalline solar panel. 30
PERC Solar Panels
PERC solar panels are defined as modified conventional solar cells with the ability to produce up to 12% more power than traditional solar cells.
This is because these cells have an extra layer at the back that allows sunlight to be reflected back into the cell, providing another opportunity for energy production.
PERC Solar Panel Efficiency
PERC solar panel efficiency is 23%, compared to an average of 21% efficiency of monocrystalline cells.
PERC vs Monocrystalline
There are several facts to be considered when debating the pros and cons of PERC vs monocrystalline solar panels. These are detailed below:
| PERC vs Monocrystalline (Mono-PERC) Solar Panels | |
| PERC efficiency vs Monocrystalline efficiency | Mono-PERC solar panels absorb more light, therefore they are more efficient. |
| PERC cost vs Monocrystalline cost 31 | Standard monocrystalline solar panels are cheaper than PERC panels but not by much. The extra layers required by Mono-PERC modules increases the cost, but the cost per unit of energy is about the same range. |
| PERC space vs Monocrystalline space | Mono-PERC panels require less space. |
| PERC temperature vs Monocrystalline temperature | Both sets of solar panels can produce an equal amount of power. 14 |
Mono PERC Solar Panel Advantages and Disadvantages
The Mono PERC solar panel advantages and disadvantages are as follows:
- Cost-effective (over the long term)
- Flexible
- Minimum modifications required
- Lower cost of manufacturing
- Power degradation rates are lower
- Initial purchasing costs are high
- High temperatures can cause a decline in performance. 15
Polycrystalline vs Monocrystalline Solar Panel
When comparing the polycrystalline vs monocrystalline solar panel, the following factors should be considered:
| Polycrystalline vs Monocrystalline Solar Panel | |
| Polycrystalline vs Monocrystalline efficiency | Monocrystalline solar panels are more efficient than polycrystalline solar panels because they are cut from a single silicon source. |
| Polycrystalline vs Monocrystalline performance | Monocrystalline solar panels perform better under harsh conditions such as high heat. |
| Polycrystalline vs Monocrystalline cost | Polycrystalline solar panels are cheaper than monocrystalline solar panels. |
| Polycrystalline vs Monocrystalline manufacturing | The production process for monocrystalline solar panels produces more waste than the manufacturing of polycrystalline solar panels. 16 |
Which Type of Solar Panel Is Best for Home Use?
The most common question about solar panels is, which type of solar panel is best for home use.
The below table summarizes the main solar panel options as well as their pros and cons:
| Type of Solar Panel | Pros | Cons |
| Monocrystalline solar panel | Highly efficient | Expensive |
| Polycrystalline solar panel | Average price range | Shortened lifespan |
| Thin-film solar panel 32 | Affordable prices | Least efficient 17 |
Solar Panel Price per Watt
The solar panel price per watt for major metro cities is indicated in the below table (compared to the conventional electricity grid):
Furthermore, to calculate price per Watt, the gross system cost (before the deduction of tax credit and rebates) should be divided by the size of the system (DC Watts).
6 kW system consisting of 15 panels with 400W each, and a gross cost of 20,000 equals 3.33 per Watt.
Solar Panel Cost Calculator
A solar panel cost calculator can also calculate the solar cost per kWh. 33
This is done with the following calculation:
Net cost of solar system / lifespan output = cost per kWh hour.
An example of this calculation is as follows:
- 6.4 kW system with net cost of 20,484 (after the deduction of 30% tax credit)
- 22-year life span
- 90% efficiency over 22 years
Lifespan solar output = 6.4W x 5.5kWh of sunlight per day x 365 days x 22 years x 90% efficiency = 254,390kWh
Cost per kWh = 20,484 / 254,390kWh = 0.08 per kWh 18
What Are the Solar Panel Types and Prices?
For those wondering how much do solar panels cost, here’s a list of solar panel types and their average prices:
- PERC – 0.32 – 0.65 cost per watt
- Monocrystalline – 1 – 1.50 cost per watt
- Polycrystalline – 0.70 – 1 cost per watt
- Copper Indium Gallium Selenide (CIGS) – 0.60 – 0.70 cost per watt
- Cadmium Telluride (CdTe) – 0.50 – 0.60 cost per watt
- Amorphous Silicon (a-Si) – 0.43 – 0.50 cost per watt
All the different types of solar panels can be used for these types of calculations, provided the correct information is entered into a solar panel cost calculator.
Solar panels may be used not only at home or at the office but it can also be used in a solar farm business. Knowing the efficient types of solar panels out in the market will help business owners to maximize their solar farm income per acre.
Kit solaire 420W
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