Solar energy is the most widely available and used source of alternative energy for homes. Solar technology has made huge progress in the last 20 years. Photovoltaics especially have seen tremendous changes. Many more types of PV panels are now on the market. Three basic types of PV panels are currently available. The descriptions below are very basic. A lot more is involved, than I can describe in a few paragraphs, in what makes a PV panel efficient, low cost, etc.
- Monocrystaline panels: these panels contain cells that are cut from a single crystal of silicone. The have smooth texture in appearance and the thickness of the silicone slice can seen. Monocrystaline PV panels are the most efficient (about 22%) of all panels and they are also the most expensive. They must be mounted on a rigid frame, because the are totally rigid.
- Polycristaline panels are also called multicrystaline panels because the cells are made of silicon blocks that consist of multiple crystals. These panels are less efficient and less costly than monocrystaline panels. These are probably the panels you have mostly seen. They have that “sparkly” look.
- Amorphous or thin-films panels are somewhat in between the above two panels in efficiency and cost. They are flexible and often used in smaller applications, such as solar garden lights, solar cell-phone charges. Solar roof shingles are usually made with amorphous thin film panels.
Lots of PV solar products are available to be used in and around the house and on the road. These range from cell-phone, i-pod and laptop chargers to mini PV systems for boats or RVs.
Solar heating systems have seen changes in the collectors. Flat plate collectors are more efficient and the more efficient evacuated tube collectors have become more efficient.
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