In a country of 1.3 billion people, ensuring electricity reaches to the last home is an uphill task. Government of India, over the years, has come up with various policies to address the issue. Government efforts are slowly but steadily bearing fruits. However, there is still a major issue that no one is talking about. India depends heavily on fossil fuels to generate energy. These fuels are scarce, non-replenishable and do not burn cleanly, which contributes to the already grave pollution problem. Harnessing solar energy can hold the key to this problem. Solar energy is available in abundance, and is clean. You can do your bit by using solar panels to meet your energy needs. These panels have electrons that are knocked when light hits them, generating electricity in the process. There are three major types of solar panels available on the market- Monocrystalline solar cells, Polycrystalline cells, and thin films. To help you choose better, the post compares the three types of solar cells. Take a look.
Monocrystalline Solar Cells
Monocrystalline solar cells are made of cylindrical silicon ingots. Thanks to their uniform look and color, these solar cells are easily recognizable. To keep the production costs down, manufacturers cut four sides from cylindrical ingots and use them to make wafers. High grade silicon is used to manufacture these cells.
Advantages
- High efficiency
- Less space consuming
- Long useful life
- Perform even in low light conditions.
Shortcomings
- Costly
- A considerable amount of original silicon is wasted during the manufacturing process.
- Efficiency takes a severe hit when the panel is covered with dust.
Polycrystalline Solar Cells
Polycrystalline solar cells are manufactured by melting and later pouring raw silicon into a mould. After the mould cools down it is cut into perfectly square wafers.
Benefits
- Less silicon is wasted during the manufacturing process.
- Simple and cost-effective manufacturing process.
- Have a uniform shape that makes them look stylish.
Disadvantages
- Less efficient as compared to monocrystalline solar cells.
- Lower space-efficiency
Thin Film Solar Cells
These solar cells are produced by depositing multiple layers of photovoltaic material onto a substrate. Different types of TFSCs on the market are: Organic photovoltaic cells, amorphous silicon, and cadmium telluride.
What’s Good About Them
- Bulk production is simple and inexpensive.
- Uniform look
- Efficient even at high temperature.
Not so Good Things About Them
- Low space efficiency
- The cost of support equipment such as cables is generally high.
- Short service life
Conclusion
These are some pros and cons of using different types of solar panels. When choosing a solar panel, take into account your location, the material used, and your needs. Before buying solar cells online in India, talk to the retailer and enquire about the warranty period, and learn about the terms and conditions.
Rootefy International Pvt. Ltd. 