In this article we would like to provide you with the basic information that anyone, who wants to start with renewable energy, needs to understand about the types of solar panels that exist. And it is that, every time, there are more people who understand the need to start, in their lives, a transition towards renewables. A transition or a change of mentality that, sooner or later, will reach the rest of the world. However, it is also true that, like any new paradigm, this implies relearning and familiarizing ourselves with concepts that until very recently might have sounded strange to us, such as "solar panels", "photovoltaic panels", etc.
And for this reason, so that you can work on the change that is coming or, simply, because you are interested in getting hold of one of the different types of solar panels; We leave you with these four conceptual brushstrokes that will help you understand a little better which solar panel you should choose.
Why is it important to start understanding everything about the types of solar panels?
In the year 2020 the International Energy Agency published a report: 'World Energy Outlook 2020', in which the different global energy perspectives for the coming decades were analyzed. In particular, the report focused on describing the different scenarios in which a total or partial transition to clean energy could take place worldwide. The most interesting thing is that this publication shows analysis results that confirm that, currently, photovoltaic energy is the cheapest in all of our history, which makes it a very good option for the coming years. In fact, it is predicted that the most probable scenario towards 2040 is that the production of solar energy increases considerably and positions itself among the main sources of energy.
However, in this report the IEA is well aware that, since the last global health crisis, the future is more uncertain than ever and that a complete, or even partial, transition of the different economies depends on political decisions . In other words, such a sustainable future scenario that is predicted depends on the importance that different governments give to climate change.
They also warn us of the importance of our small actions as individuals, which also have great power. Actions such as disclosure or using our own renewable energy sources have great weight.
Now yes, know the 3 types of solar panels
Actually we can group the types of solar panels under many filters such as their format, application, power, etc. But there are 3 factors that allow us to roughly classify the types of plates that currently exist on the market:
- Solar thermal panels or thermal collectors: These panels generate heat and are usually installed, for example, to heat water in showers, swimming pools, heating, etc.
- Photovoltaic solar panels or photovoltaic solar modules:These panels are made up of photovoltaic cells connected to each other, which can then be used in a installation to generate electricity. Within this group it is important to highlight two important categories: the monocrystalline solar panel and the polycrystalline solar panel.
- Hybrid solar panels: As we can deduce from its name, it is a combination of the two types of previous panels.
Currently, the most widely used type of plate at an industrial and domestic level is photovoltaic solar. But we can also find types of thermal solar panels for use in private homes, but above all for heating swimming pools or preparing water for sanitary use. The least used for technical reasons is the hybrid solar panel, although its knowledge and use is spreading more and more each year.
Thermal solar panels
This type of panel has solar radiation collectors that convert it into thermal energy (heat). In this category, we can find different kinds of thermal solar panels. These are differentiated, especially, by the maximum temperature reached by the collectors. We can find panels in which their collectors heat a maximum of 50ºC, a maximum of 90ºC or a maximum of 150ºC.
Each one of these maximum levels makes the board in question ideal for a very specific installation. For example, the plates that reach a lower temperature are usually used for heating or for domestic systems. On the other hand, the panels with maximums of 90 and 150 degrees Celsius are more often used in industrial contexts such as steam generators that move turbines that, in turn, generate electricity.
Photovoltaic monocrystalline solar panel
As I was saying, within photovoltaic solar panels, one of the most important varieties are monocrystalline solar panels. These are, in fact, the most commercialized since they are the ones with the best quality/price/efficiency ratio and also the most durable. The name comes from the type of cells with which the panel is manufactured: monocrystalline cells. These cells give the panel a very characteristic black color. In fact, to recognize this type of panel, you only have to look at the black/dark surface and the chamfered corners.
When to choose a type of monocrystalline solar panel?
- When you are in places where there may be seasons with little sunlight. And it is that thanks to the purity of the silicon of the monocrystalline solar panels they are able to better capture solar energy.
- When you want to do an installation in small spaces. These panels are the ones that, in less space, can achieve better power.
- When you want to do an installation that you want to last between 20 and 30 years.
Flexible monocrystalline solar panels
Before finishing the section on monocrystalline panel types, I did not want to fail to mention this format that is becoming more and more popular and falls into this category. These types of panels have the singularity of being flexible, weighing a maximum of 4-5 kilograms and are extremely practical to use together with batteries on excursions, second homes or van getaways.
The most important thing, in this case, is to confirm that the solar cells on the board are flexible Sunpower Maxeon type. Because in the event that the flexible plate does not have these types of cells, it will have micro-cracks and its operation will be negatively affected.
Polycrystalline solar panel
This type of solar panels is also made of silicon substrate like the previous ones, but the process of obtaining it is much simpler and cheaper. Which is also reflected in the final price of these types of solar panels. However, this same fact also makes its performance lower, being 15% or 17%, compared to 16% or 20% that can be achieved by the types of monocrystalline solar panels. It should therefore be noted that these types of panels are ideal for times when price is a decisive factor.
When to choose a type of polycrystalline solar panel?
- When the navy blue color of the polycrystalline solar panel does not bother you depending on where you are going to install it.
- When space is not a problem since these panels usually take up much more.
- When it is not a main installation such as second homes or industrial buildings.
- When you want to save on the installation of solar panels because polycrystalline panels are cheaper than monocrystalline ones.
Hybrid solar panels
Finally, it is also interesting that you know the type of hybrid solar panels that, basically, are a combination of the two types of previous panels. That is, these plates have the capacity to generate energy and heat simultaneously. They really are a good alternative when there are conditions in which it is required to make use of energy in both directions. As for example in hotels, dining rooms, shopping centers, etc. In short, they are ideal for places where a lot of energy, both thermal and energy, is required and significant space efficiency is required. However, this combination of technology on the same plate implies that the final price of this product is usually much higher than conventional photovoltaics.
