| A photovoltaic module or photovoltaic panel is a | | | | multiple amounts of smaller silicon crystals. |
| packaged interconnected assembly of photovoltaic | | | | Amorphous (thin-film) consist of a thin-like film made |
| cells, also known as solar cells. The photovoltaic | | | | from molten silicon that is spread directly across large |
| module, known more commonly as the solar panel, is | | | | plates of stainless steel or similar material. These |
| then used as a component in a larger photovoltaic | | | | types have lower efficiency then the other two |
| system to offer electricity for commercial and | | | | types , and the cheapest to produce. One advantage |
| residential applications. | | | | of amorphous solar panels over the other two is that |
| Types of Solar Panels: | | | | they are shadow protected. That means that the solar |
| Monocrystalline are made from a large crystal of | | | | panel continues to charge while part of the solar panel |
| silicon. These type are the most efficient as in | | | | cells are in a shadow. |
| absorbing sunlight and converting it into electricity, | | | | Efficiency |
| however they are the most expensive. They do | | | | Solar Panel efficiency is the percentage of solar |
| somewhat better in lower light conditions then the | | | | energy that is captured and converted into electricity. |
| other types of solar panels. | | | | It's difficult to give an exact number, so the numbers |
| Polycrystalline are the most common type on the | | | | below are an average percentage of efficiency that |
| market today. They look a lot like shattered glass. | | | | the different types of solar panels output. Thin film |
| They are slightly less efficient then the monocrystalline | | | | will generally degrade approximately 1% each year, |
| solar panels and less expensive to produce. Instead of | | | | where as crystalline panels degrade at approximately |
| one large crystal, this type of solar panel consists of | | | | .5% . |