As a rapidly developing country, we have realized that our quest for sources of cleaner, inexhaustible resources ends in Solar power. Not only is it an infinite resource, but also one of the most feasible and reliable resources available in India, given the geographical location.

Despite this, Solar potential in India remains untapped as even by the end of 2019, Karnataka was the leading state, seconded by Rajasthan, even though the number of installations in Rajasthan painted a rather dismal picture in comparison to Karnataka. 

It is important to understand that even though the installation of solar panels may appear to be capital-intensive at first, it is a one-time investment and evidently, more feasible in the long run. It contributes to cost-cutting by a huge margin, speaking economically as well as environmentally.

But, to be able to choose the right setup to suit one’s needs, one must understand the different types of Solar panels and the principle they work on. Solar panels use Photovoltaics (PV) to convert solar energy into electricity. 

A solar panel is made up of a collection of Photovoltaic (Solar) cells. When these cells come in contact with the Sun’s rays, the photons present in the sun’s rays knock loose the electrons present in the PV cells.

This continuous flow of electrons in such a circuit generates electricity. Solar panels are classified in three major types based on their composition and structure.

Types of Solar Panels used in India 

There are innumerable questions in the minds of people considering a switch to Solar power. What are the three major types of Solar panels? Which type of solar panel is the best in India? 

Majorly, there exist three different types of solar panels. These are Monocrystalline, Polycrystalline, and Thin-film solar panels. While the Monocrystalline and Polycrystalline panels are silicon-based, Thin-film panels are made up of a combination of materials. 

Monocrystalline Panels

Known for their black colour and curved edges, these widely used panels are also the most efficient type of panels. On the downside, they also happen to be the most expensive to install. Since every cell is made up of a single crystal, they tend to be more efficient than other variants. Their efficiency ranges from 15% to 20%.

This further implies that they result in a higher power output per square foot and therefore, happen to be more feasible in places that do not have a lot of space. Additionally, they perform better than other types of panels, even in low-light conditions. 

Polycrystalline Panels 

With an average efficiency rate of 13% to 16%, Polycrystalline panels, though more affordable than monocrystalline panels, happen to be slightly less efficient. They appear blue in colour and are also made up of Silicon. However, unlike the monocrystalline panels, their cells are not made up of single silicon crystals.

This is also why they are more affordable. Since they are not made up of single and uniform pieces of silicon, the cost of manufacturing these is also considerably lower. Several fragments of Silicon are melted together to form each cell.

As this does not allow the electrons to move as freely as in the case of Monocrystalline panels, they are slightly less efficient. This is not to suggest that they are inferior in any way. 

Thin-film panels

Thin-film Solar Panels are not as common as the other variants. They are best suited for installation in larger spaces. They can be classified into four different types, based on the constituent material.

These materials are Cadmium Telluride (CdTe), Amorphous Silicon (a-Si), Copper Indium Diselenide (CIS), and Gallium Arsenide (GaAs). Thin-film panels are extremely lightweight and flexible. 

These are the most affordable panels but compromise on efficiency, which usually ranges between the efficiency rate of 7% to 13%, depending upon the type of panel. 

Most popular Solar Panels in India

Given the sub-tropical location of India and a vast physiography, certain areas get sunlight in more abundance than others. However, almost every region is ideal for the installation of solar panels.

Monocrystalline panels happen to be the most popular, followed closely by Polycrystalline panels. But it is always better to zero in on the right panel based on requirements. The ideal Solar panel should meet the criteria that you set for yourself.

What are the criteria to choose a Solar panel? 

When it comes to Solar panels, there is no right or wrong choice. The right type of Solar panel for a particular area will depend on various determining factors ranging from energy requirements to the efficiency of the cells. Some might even consider aesthetics to be an important factor. Here is a checklist that might help choose the right Solar panel. 

Budget

This is the most crucial parameter for choosing the right panel. While the Monocrystalline panel is the most expensive, it is also the most efficient of the lot. One must also keep in mind that the Monocrystalline panels are ideal for smaller areas as they give a higher output even in the absence of large spaces. 

The Capacity Requirement

This is another determining factor to take into consideration. You must calculate your usual energy requirement. As far as regular households are concerned, the capacity requirement is not unreasonably high. Therefore, the unnecessary expenditure of investing in Monocrystalline panels can be avoided. Polycrystalline panels appear to be the better choice in such scenarios.

Area

Certain panels need more surface area to give the same output as others. For instance, Thin-film panels are not ideal for smaller areas. They are best for open and wide spaces where the flow of sunlight is uninterrupted by external factors. Since Solar panels work solely on Solar energy, they require the maximum concentration of sunlight to yield the best results. 

Recommendations 

For residential properties with a smaller area, highly efficient Monocrystalline panels make for an ideal choice. In cases where Monocrystalline panels are inaccessible to people owing to budget constraints, Polycrystalline panels also make for an equally reasonable choice. They seem to strike a good balance in the fact that they are slightly less efficient and more affordable than their Monocrystalline counterparts.

Thin-film panels, though less efficient in comparison, have their advantages in that they tend to be flexible, light-weight, less labour-intensive, and the most affordable option. Therefore, in larger areas, they prove to be the ideal and cost-effective option.