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Technical Advancement in Solar Panels
Making Solar a seamless part of our daily life
Just as Bill Gates states generally for technical advancement it’s also true in context of advancement solar panels. Solar technology is on a trend to become even more seamless, less intrusive and integral part of our daily routine. The future holds fascinating applications because of significant advances in solar technology. We have certainly came a long way from inception of solar technology.
Let’s have a look at panel types available and recent technological advancement in solar panel technology.
The advance of technology is based on making it fit in so that you don’t really even notice it, so it’s part of everyday life.
Solar Panel Technology
Mono-Crystalline
A monocrystalline solar panel is a type of solar panel where the individual solar cells are made from a single, pure silicon crystal. It generates electricity from a single, continuous crystal of silicon, maximizing energy capture from sunlight.
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Most efficient 15-20 %
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Highest cost
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Black and sleek appearance
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Ideal for Small Spaces
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Performance dips under cold climate.
Poly-Crystalline
A polycrystalline solar panel is a type of photovoltaic (PV) panel that generates electricity from sunlight using multiple silicon crystals fused together to form a single cell, resulting in a textured, mosaic-like appearance on the panel.
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Lower efficiency 13-16 %
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More cost effective
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Blue and speckled.
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Ideal for Large roof installations
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More space requirements.
Thin Film
Thin film solar panels are composed of several layers of light-absorbing materials, such as amorphous silicon, CdTe, or copper indium gallium selenide. These materials are deposited onto a substrate, often glass, metal, or plastic
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Least efficient
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Cheapest type of panel
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Black or dark blue.
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Specialized use, limited space installation or projects.
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Perform well at extreme angles therefore can be installed vertically.
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Perform well in cloudy and shaded conditions.
Research trends in Solar Technology
Manufacturing Process
Innovations in the fabrication and manufacturing process of solar plates with the aim to reduce cost and improve performance. Innovation techniques include
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Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact (TOPcon)Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact (TOPcon)
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Interdigitated Back Contact Cells (IBCs)Interdigitated Back Contact Cells (IBCs)
Material Innovation
Innovations in the material composition solar plates. Some new successful materials are
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Perovskite Solar Cells: 22% effecient at reduced cost.Perovskite Solar Cells: 22% effecient at reduced cost.
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Multi-Junction Cells:: with recorded effeciency of 40% at concentrated sunlight.Multi-Junction Cells:: with recorded effeciency of 40% at concentrated sunlight.
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Organic Photovoltaics (OPVs): Specialized useage with integration into building.Organic Photovoltaics (OPVs): Specialized useage with integration into building.
Cost and Efficiency optimization
Researchers are exploring possibilities outside the solar panel itself to reduce system cost and improve efficiency of solar generation. Some examples include:
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AI and IoT Integration: To boosts efficiency by optimizing energy output and predictive maintenanceAI and IoT Integration: To boosts efficiency by optimizing energy output and predictive maintenance
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Advanced Coatings: Anti-reflective and self-cleaning surfaces improve energy capture by 4% and 7%,.Advanced Coatings: Anti-reflective and self-cleaning surfaces improve energy capture by 4% and 7%,.
Solar Panel longevity
Researchers are exploring new frontiers to improve durability and weather resilience of panel to increase their life. Research aspects include:
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Use of self healing materials in solar panels.Use of self healing materials in solar panels.
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UV absorption and moisture resistant coatings.UV absorption and moisture resistant coatings.
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Flexible and shatter proof panels.Flexible and shatter proof panels.
Improved Light absorption
Researchers are exploring possibilities to improve the quantity of energy absorbed from same amount of sunlight per meter square by techniques like:
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Plasmonic NanostructurePlasmonic Nanostructure
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Textured Glass SubstratesTextured Glass Substrates
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Polydimethylsiloxane StickersPolydimethylsiloxane Stickers
Research in Solar That Matters
With so much happening in the research side of solar panels it becomes truly difficult to keep track of it all. Here is the critical technological leap in solar panels that you must be aware of when embarking on your solar journey.
PERC solar panels
A PERC solar panel, which stands for “Passivated Emitter and Rear Cell” (or sometimes “Passivated Emitter and Rear Contact”), is a type of solar panel that utilizes a special layer on the back of the solar cell to reflect unused light back into the cell.
How it works
When sunlight hits the solar cell, some light is absorbed and converted to electricity, but some passes through and is typically lost. The PERC layer on the back reflects this unused light back into the cell, giving it another chance to be absorbed and generate electricity.
Key Features
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Improved efficiency
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More light absorption than conventional panels
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Can generate more energy in smaller footprint
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Cost effective upgrade from conventional solar panels
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Can operate effectively even in high temperature climates.
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Longer life span
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20 % more effecient than conventional panels
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Can operate effectively even in high temperature climates.
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China Photovoltaic Industry Association (CPIA) states PERC solar cells make up 91.2% of the global market share
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The International Energy Agency (IEA) notes that PERC has almost 60% market share
TOPCon panels
A “TOPCon solar panel” refers to a solar panel utilizing “Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact” technology, which is a cutting-edge solar cell design that significantly improves efficiency by adding a thin oxide layer between the silicon cell and its metal contacts, minimizing energy loss and allowing more sunlight to be converted into electricity compared to traditional solar cells; essentially, this technology enhances the panel’s ability to capture energy from sunlight per unit of surface area by preventing charge carrier recombination at the cell’s surface.
How it works
They work by adding a layer of tungsten oxide to the back of the solar cell, which helps to create a better electrical connection between the solar cell and the metal contact.
Key Features
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Improves effeciency even beyond PERC panels
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Can reach efficiencies up to 26%
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Can generate even more energy in the same amount of sunlight.
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Expected to be even more cost effective than PERC in near future.
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Latest technology
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Use more effecient n type materials
Comparison among Conventional panels, PERC and TOPCon
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Cost of Solar Dream
Now you have a grasp of available options in solar panels so let’s address the elephant in the room, How much do they cost?
Solar Inverter
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Solar Batteries
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Mounting and Racking
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Factors effecting cost of system
To estimate your solar system cost
Specify energy demand / solar system size
Demand can be estimated from annual energy consumption from your electricity bills, use the calculator to get daily energy demand and suggested systems that meet your needs.
Choose your panel tier.
Specify the dimensions, alignment and angle of roof or specify the dimension of ground location proposed for installation.
Get quote based on your custom demands or choose from available options
Solar Demand Calculator
Let us Empower your Solar Dream
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