Types of Solar Panels in India

There are many types of solar panels in India which are of various characteristics and classified primarily based on the material of construction, efficiency, appearance, cost, and the area where it can be best suited for. In this blog, we will discuss all the types of solar panels in India with their features and application areas. It will help you in deciding which type of solar panel to use in your project/property.

The different types of solar panels are as follows:

• Polycrystalline Solar Panels
• Monocrystalline Solar Panels
• Thin-film Solar Panels

1. Polycrystalline Solar Panels:- Best Value

These are referred to as “multi-crystalline” silicon. They are made specially, by melting raw silicon into plates. Smaller bits of appearance silicon are molded as well as treated to create the solar cell. The amount of waste generated in this process is very less because no material is thrown out. The cell is not pure silicon. Here the cells are appearing to be a mixture of blue and black color.

Solar cells have a bluish hue appearance, and they have an efficiency between 15-17%. As compared to other types of solar panels, these are widely used by people because of their reasonable price and efficiency. These types of solar panels can be used when your area’s availability for installation of panels is high. Now a question arises, why it uses in such an area? Polycrystalline solar panels’ efficiency is low, and they come in lower wattages (Eg- 250, 325, 330 watts). Hence, the number of panels’ requirement is more for generating the required energy. Some of the brands of polycrystalline solar panels are Vikram Solar, Waaree, LONGi, RenewSys, etc.

2. Mono crystalline Solar Panels: Most Efficient

These types of panels indicate that the silicon used in the construction of this cell is single-crystal silicon. Silicons are formed into bars and cut into wafers to make solar cells for monocrystalline solar panels. It is the purest form of silicon that has been using in the construction of cells.

Solar cells have a blackish hue appearance, and they have an efficiency of more than 20%. Monocrystalline solar panels tend to generate more power than other types of panels, and hence, they come at higher wattage modules price as well. These panels come in bigger wattage (Eg: 350, 370, 400 watts). Therefore, they are costlier as compared to polycrystalline solar panels. Monocrystalline solar panels should be installed when the area of installation is less, and the energy requirement is more.  These panels with the same size are higher in wattage and a generation as compared to other types. Some of the manufacturers of monocrystalline solar panels are Vikram Solar, Trina Solar, LONGi Solar, Ginko Solar, etc.

• Bifacial solar panels: This is one category of monocrystalline solar panels in which solar panels are imposed on the glass on both sides. These kinds of panels are quite costlier as compared to polycrystalline and single-sided monocrystalline solar panels. These types of solar panels can capture sunlight from both sides of the panel (one side directly facing the sun capturing the energy, and the other side captures energy by the reflection of the terrace) thus, producing more electricity than comparably sized, traditional solar panels. The gain from these modules compared to conventional monocrystalline panels are more than 20% from the backside power boost. Commercially available bifacial solar panels have an efficiency of 20-22%. Some of the companies which are producing bifacial solar panels are LG, LONGi, Lumos Solar, Prism Solar, Silfab Solar, Sunpreme, Trina Solar, and Yingli Solar.

3. Thin film solar panels: portable and light weight

Thin-film panels are a different technology than mono and polycrystalline panels. They are new technology as compared to mono and polycrystalline. These panels tend to have lower efficiencies comparatively. Usually, their efficiencies are between 10-15%. A thin film panel can identify with a solid black appearance. There are different -types of thin-film solar panels based on the construction of solar cells. Generally, power capacity per square foot of monocrystalline or polycrystalline solar panel exceeds thin-film panel technology.

• Amorphous Silicon
• Cadmium Telluride (CdTe) – (First Solar)
• Copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS)
• A dye-sensitized solar cell (DSC)

These are considered low-efficiency solar panels since the technology is still under the invention. Thin-film panels that are commercially available are generally in the 10–15% range. Low material costs are required for the thin-film solar panel, considered as more economical yet efficient panel types. These types of panels can be installed where the area available for installation is higher than the requirement. Sometimes they are not tough when available for installation, and withstands the pressure of panels so that these lightweight/slim panels can come into the picture. Thin-film solar panel installations are easy as they are light-weight and making it easier for the service engineer or technicians to carry panels to rooftops and install. 

There are many types of solar panels available in India. Some of them have been traditionally using for a long time with a little bit of enhancement going on as per the technology, which includes-  Monocrystalline Panel, Polycrystalline Panel, and some other types that are new in the market with some coolest feature which makes them special. Thin-film types of panels are new in the market or still in a development zone. As per our discussion on the different types, appearance, area of usage, and efficiency, let us summarize with the following table.

Last Say:

If you’re considering a solar panel for your home or business, make sure you clearly understand all the differences described in this blog, before you start the process. One of the best solar companies like SolarClue provides a comprehensive range of best solar panels. Its range of solar power panels caters to the requirements of both domestic as well as commercial sectors. People can buy a wide range of solar panels at industry leading prices from a reliable online platform-SolarClue, which is a noted supplier in the solar power industry. It is also known as one of the leading solar installation companies where people also can get a portable solar panel, solar inverter charger, and many others.