3 Types of Solar Panels

By Sarah Stasik

October 23, 2024

A snowstorm, a thunderstorm or rolling outages to make up for intense summer heat — these are just a few reasons your power might go out if all your electricity comes from the traditional grid. Installing solar panels can help you maintain power without relying on the grid, and in some locations, solar panels may help you reduce energy costs or even earn money by feeding your excess energy back into the grid.

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If you're interested in solar energy for your home, understanding the types of solar panels that might be right for your project is important.

What Are the Different Types of Solar Panels Available to Homeowners?

Different solar panel types offer varied benefits to homeowners. Three types of solar power panels to consider include monocrystalline, polycrystalline and thin-film panels. These are all PV panels in that they contain photovoltaic (PV) cells that convert sunlight into usable energy. However, the way each is constructed impacts overall cost and potential use cases.

How Do Solar Panels Work in General?

Solar panels include many PV cells. These cells absorb energy from the sun. This occurs because photons strike or pass through the cell, knocking loose electrons. These free-flowing electrons create electricity. Typically, an inverter built into the solar panels or attached devices converts the direct current generated by this activity into alternating current that can be used in the home. Battery banks can also store this electricity for later use.

Kinds of Solar (PV) Panels

Monocrystalline

These panels are made with one crystal. For this reason, they're also called mono panels. Monocrystalline solar panels are popular for residential installations because they're efficient — meaning you can create more power with fewer panels. This makes them a good choice for installing on a roof or other area with limited square footage.

You can choose from two overall types of monocrystalline panels. Bifacial panels have light-absorbing panels on both sides, which allows you to harvest solar energy as the sun moves across the sky. PERC panels have only one light-absorbing side but are backed with a conductive layer to help increase how much energy they absorb. Bifacial panels might be a good choice for ground installation, while PERC panels work well on roofing and walls.

The cost of monocrystalline panels varies by location, the area you need to cover and the power you want to support. For example, you can purchase a four-piece rooftop kit from Home Depot for around $2,300 (CAD 3,165) or a 20-piece kit from Amazon for $4,860 ( CAD $6,688). If you're not comfortable installing your own solar power kit, you may want to connect with a local company that can provide a quote for the materials and labor required.

Monocrystalline panels tend to last around 25 years. They're slightly less efficient in cold weather than in warmer weather.

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Polycrystalline

These solar panels have more than one crystal and rely on older technology compared to monocrystalline panels. This makes them less efficient, which means you may need more of them to drive as much energy. However, they are, in general, less expensive than monocrystalline panels. For example, you can get a five-piece polycrystalline panel kit at Home Depot for around $900 ( CAD 1,238).

Polycrystalline solar panels also have an average lifespan of around 25 years. They can be impacted by high temperatures, so they may not be as efficient in very warm climates or months as they are in cooler seasons or locations.

Thin-Film

These types of panels are less efficient and less durable than the options above. However, they may be a more affordable option if you only want to power a small project, such as a boat or hobby shed. They're also more flexible than the other types, lending to more creative use or coverage options. Thin-film solar panels are more common in industrial or commercial uses where space isn't at a premium. You can get thin-film solar panel kits for around $270 to $2,300 (CAD 372 to CAD 3,165), depending on your coverage and project needs.

Thin-film solar panels are often designed with industrial uses in mind, which makes them fairly durable. They also hold up to high temperatures better than some other types of solar panels. However, these panels aren't efficient enough to work for residential roof installations, as there won't be enough space, even on large homes, for the amount of panels required to gather the energy you'd use.

Solar panel installation projects can be a big effort. If you don't understand your solar panel options or aren't sure what type might be best for your residence, consider working with a licensed solar panel installation contractor to choose the right types of solar panels and install them safely.

All CAD conversions are based on the exchange rate on the date of publication.

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