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Home solar panels

There is more than one type of home solar panel on the market. In fact, there are two main types: crystalline modules and amorphous modules. Before deciding which you want for your own home, find out the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Amorphous Photovoltaic (PV) Modules

These home solar panels take up more space than their crystalline PV counterparts, but they are generally considered to be more aesthetically pleasing. There are standings-seam thin-film amorphous PV laminates that can easily be bonded directly onto a metal roof. This makes a uniformly dark surface that does not detract from the overall beauty of the home.

Two main benefits of amorphous home solar panels is that they are less affected by high temperatures and partial shading as crystalline panels are. When just one crystalline solar cell is shaded, the flow electricity in that entire series is blocked. Amorphous home solar panels, on the other hand, have weblike series of connection that can bypass the shaded areas.

Of course, the majority of these home solar panels do not have as long of warranties as their crystalline counterparts (they are a newer technology), and they a slightly poorer efficiency. Of course, as technology changes and improves, the warranty will likely go up, as will their efficiency.

Crystalline Photovoltaic Modules

This type of home solar panel can further be divided into two types: mono and poly. Monocrystalline home solar panels are generally thought to be the least aesthetically pleasing of all – the dark solar cells often have a white backing that is visible around each solar cell corner. They are the first generation of solar cells and have a great conversion rate. But they are expensive to make and it takes a lot of energy to obtain the pure crystal needed to make them.

On the other hand, polycrystalline cells are much more appealing to homeowners – they completely cover the white background. Thus, no visible pattern is apparent: polycrystalline home solar panels have a uniform appearance. Generally, polycrystalline cells have a slightly lower conversion efficiency than monocrystalline solar cells, but they use less energy to make and cost less to make.

However, as mentioned above, crystalline home solar panels do not take up as much space as amorphous PV; they work more poorly in the partial shade; high temperatures affect them more; and the their warranties are generally longer.