The renewable energy sector is one of the sectors that has experienced the greatest technological and R&D&I growth in the last decade. From the first solar panels to the current ones, there is a huge difference in terms of efficiency and profitability.

EFFICIENCY, PROFITABILITY AND COSTS DEPENDING ON THE TYPES OF SOLAR PANELS

We can distinguish different types of solar panels in terms of their uses. They are not all designed for the same operation:

  • Photovoltaic solar panels: they convert light energy from the sun into electrical energy, thanks to their silicon cells. When photons hit the silicon cells, electrons are broken and their release generates an electric current.
  • Thermal panels: They use the energy from the sun to generate heat, thermal energy. These panels can be used to heat water or power heating systems.
  • Hybrid panels: This type of panels are a mixture of the two previous ones. They can generate both electrical and thermal energy and generate heat and electricity at the same time.

Within the photovoltaic solar panels, we can also draw certain characteristics that differentiate them into several types, of which we will talk about the two main ones:

  • Monocrystalline panels: They are formed with silicon and are composed of several cells that connect, in series and in parallel. Monocrystalline panels are made up of single-crystal cells.

Visually, they are easily recognized because they are a darker blue, almost black, and their sheets have rounded edges. They are more efficient and have a high degree of efficiency, but they are also more expensive.

The use of these panels is the best option when you need a higher energy production, when the installation is going to receive an adverse climate and when you have limited space.

  • Polycrystalline panels: Unlike the previous ones, these are formed by the union of several silicon crystals.

These panels have a lighter blue color than monocrystalline panels and the manufacturing process is different from monocrystalline panels. There is less waste of materials and therefore their manufacturers can afford to reduce costs. They are much cheaper, but much less efficient.

If the efficiency of the installation is not your main concern, because you do not need to generate a lot of energy or because you have a lot of space for the placement of panels, these are the right panels, due to their low cost.

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