Amorphous Solar Panel Pros And Cons

Amorphous cells can withstand higher temperatures without output being affected compared to poly or mono crystalline cells.

Amorphous solar panel pros and cons.

Monocrystalline solar panels are the most popular solar panels used in rooftop solar installations today. Due to complicated thermodynamics and the degradation of amorphous silicon among other factors amorphous solar cells are less than half as efficient as mono or poly crystalline solar panels. 1 slightly better performance in low light conditions not really relevant in most of australia due to our super strong sun 2 slightly cheaper than monocrystalline solar panels per watt in theory. The solar cells within monocrystalline panels are a single flat black color which makes them popular among homeowners.

Amorphous cells are constructed from a fine layer of silicon which enables solar panels to be more flexible and therefore lightweight. One of the biggest benefits of solar panels is that they can provide you substantial savings on your electric bill. Advantages of solar energy 1. Surprisingly the amorphous silicon thin film solar panels which are considered a lower grade and a cheaper version of mono and polycrystalline solar panels show better performance in lower irradiance conditions than more expensive crystalline ones.

The ongoing challenge with amorphous solar panels is their low efficiency. Amorphous solar panels offer around a 7 efficiency rate while mono and poly crystalline panels have efficiency ratings of anywhere from 14 to 20. On the other hand thin film solar panels come with a number of weighty downsides including these. Polycrystalline solar panels are getting their due.

However the recent huge price drops in monocrystalline panels mean that in december 2011 this isn t true any more. One of the reasons people tend to choose monocrystalline solar panels is because of how they look. What are amorphous solar panels. Let s take a closer look at each of these solar energy pros and cons.

Up until a few years ago most solar panels were monocrystalline but in the last three years polycrystalline solar panels have overtaken them as the most commonly used panel. This top benefit of solar panels is pretty straightforward when you install solar power for your home you generate your own electricity become less reliant on your electric utility and reduce your monthly electric bill. These panels are lightweight they are generally immune to problems from shading or obstructions and low light conditions generally don t hinder their performance. These panels are easy to mass produce so they are an affordable option.

Constructed in a very similar fashion to the typical crystalline panels we re so accustomed to seeing amorphous solar panels offer highly efficient renewable energy at a fraction of the cost of the hugely expensive fixed installations that adorn many houses workplaces and even vehicles.