Types Of Panels

What Are The Types Of Solar Panels?

Purchasing solar is a great decision but you need to know about what type of panels to purchase. There are primarily 3 different types of film for solar. The first being thin film, the second being polycrystalline, and the third being monocrystalline. Often, many companies say “We use the best panels out there.” What exactly entails the “best” panel though? Well, Daybreak has you covered.

Thin Film

Thin film solar is similar to what is used in yard lights, calculators, etc. Obviously, this type of film is designed for smaller use and should never be put up on a roof due to its low-efficiency and short lifespan. Most yard lights or calculators will only last you about 3-5 years so it is not ideal for a home or business.

Polycrystalline

Polycrystalline  panels are the most common panels that are out there. When talking about polycrystalline panels, one often associates them with the blue and gray look. Even though they are the most common, they are not ideal for homes. Poly means multiple. What polycrystalline panels are, are multiple wafers of silicone that are encased in glass. Obviously, glass does not belong up on a roof. Polycrystalline panels are mainly common for things like street lights, charging stations, etc. The main issue with polycrystalline, apart from being made with glass, is that the efficiency of them is not ideal. Typically, they have about a 10-12 year useful life and usually come with a 5-10 year warranty on them. They are usually Chinese-made and tend to be made more for systems that will be leased.

Monocrystalline

The third type of panel is called a monocrystalline panel. In short, mono, means one. A monocrystalline panel is made from one sheet of silicone that is encased in crystalline. Monocrystalline panels have a much better efficiency than that of the polycrystalline variant. Typically, a monocrystalline panel will have a useful life of about 30 years. Monocrystalline panels are also much more durable than polycrystalline. An easy way of determining if a panel is monocrystalline or polycrystalline is looking at the color. Polycrystalline panels are blue and gray while monocrystalline panels are black. When looking into getting a solar system, whether it’s for your home or business, monocrystalline panels are the route to go.

Types Of Monocrystalline Panels

When it comes to the monocrystalline panels, they are broken down into 2 tiers. Tier 2 panels includes panels made from brands like LG, Panasonic, REC, Q-Cell, and Mission. When we think of brands like LG or Panasonic, solar isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. These companies focus on a multiple range of things from televisions all the way to microwaves. We work with a manufacturer that wants to give you tier 1 panels. That’s why our manufacturer only focuses on solar. We want to give you tier 1, commercial grade quality. At Daybreak Solar, we want your system to last well past that 30 year useful life. That’s why we want to provide you, the homeowner, with the best quality product.