Are solar thin-film modules good

How efficient are thin film solar panels?

However, the materials and thickness differ drastically. The average efficiency of thin film panels ranges between 7–13%, depending on the type and quality of material used. This is lower than monocrystalline panels, which reach up to 24%, but that doesn’t tell the full story. Here’s where thin solar panels shine:

Are there different types of thin-film solar panels?

Because the technology for thin-film solar panels has been around for decades, there are multiple different types of thin-film solar panels in use today, and each has its own pros and cons.

How are thin film solar panels made?

Thin film solar panels, also called thin film photovoltaic solar panels, are made by depositing one or more layers of photovoltaic material onto a substrate like glass, plastic, or metal. These layers are incredibly slim, around 1 micron (1µm) compared to 300 microns in traditional silicon wafers.

What materials are used for thin-film solar panels?

There are four different types of materials used for thin-film solar panels: Cadmium telluride is the most commonly used substrate in manufacturing thin-film panels. In fact, it holds 50% of market share. These panels have an efficiency range between 9% and 11%, but some have seen up to 18.7% efficiency ratings.