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Different Types Of Solar Panels

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If you are considering using solar power to help offset your electric bill, you need to decide what type of solar panels you will use. Here is a bit of information on the three most commonly used panels.

Monocrystalline

These panels were first introduced to the general public in the late 1950s. They are made from silicon. A panel is comprised of 10 wafer-like pieces. They are thicker and last longer than thin, film panels. In addition, they have a very high-performance rating, They work very well in converting sunlight into electrical power. However, they require constant sunlight to work best. If you live in an area that is cloudy often, you should probably consider another type of panel. In addition, these panels are the most expensive.

Polycrystalline

Polycrystalline panels are also made from silicon. However, instead of being cut into wafers, they are molded into the shape of the panel. Being made of silicon makes them very effective, although not quite as effective as monocrystalline panels. The good news is that the manufacturing process makes them much more cost effective. They are a good choice if you live in an area that receives a lot of sunlight and you want to save some money.

Thin Film

Thin film panels are comprised of many layers of photovoltaic cells and silicon. They are lightweight. The biggest advantage of using this type of panel is that they still perform in the shade or when the sky is cloudy. However, their performance is not as good as the crystalline panels. In addition, although the thin film panels themselves are not as expensive as the other panels, they require more panels and cables for the system to operate efficiently.

If you live in an area that does not have enough sunlight for the crystalline panels, you may want to consider using a combination of crystalline and thin film panels. You could have one bank of one type and then a separate bank of the other to increase the efficiency of your system.

Solar power is a great way to save money and the environment. You can use it in conjunction with electricity from the power plant or use it alone. You may want to start off slowly and add to your solar banks over time. Of course, for optimum efficiency, you will also need to have a set of batteries to hold the electricity for use during the night and the days the sun does not shine. To learn more, contact a company to help youbuy solar panels online. 


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