Photovoltaic (PV) solar panels are now considered to be a ‘mature technology’, with three ‘generations’ of technological development that continue producing innovative new products today. A typical home or business will use a mix of these technologies, and one of the growing fields of work for independent electricians is to service and install different types of solar panels. Let’s look at the main types of panels you might come across in your work:
First Generation (Gen 1):
The earliest generation of solar panels, first developed in the 1960s to power satellites, were made from crystalline silicon, and are still among the most common types of solar panels used by homes and businesses across the UK. They are known for their good value for money, long service life, and relatively high efficiency under varying light conditions.
- Monocrystalline solar panels: these are made from a single crystal structure and have a sleek appearance and high energy efficiency. They are popular among homeowners because they perform well in low light conditions and have a long lifespan of 25 to 30 years.
- Polycrystalline solar panels: engineered from multiple silicon crystals, these panels are generally less expensive upfront but also slightly less efficient than their monocrystalline counterparts. Polycrystalline panels are recognisable by their bluish hue. Polycrystalline are not so readily available now as the preference is for either Monocrystalline or the more advanced third generation products.
Second generation (Gen 2):
As the technology advanced, the next generation (late 1990s/early 2000s) developed thin-film solar panels, which are generally lighter and more flexible than first-generation panels, but are not always more efficient. Applications include portable solar devices, solar farms, and building-integrated photovoltaics, and some businesses prefer Gen 2 panels because of their lower production costs and environmental impact.
- Thin-film solar panels: these PV panels are made by depositing multiple thin layers of photovoltaic material onto a substrate. These materials include amorphous silicon, which is typically less efficient than crystalline silicon but cheaper to produce, and cadmium telluride, which combines low production costs with relatively high efficiency.
Third-generation (Gen 3):
The latest generation (from the mid-2010s onward) encompasses various emerging solar technologies, many of which are still in the research and development stage or early phase of commercialisation. These include organic photovoltaics and high-efficiency perovskite solar cells. At the time of writing, some of the most popular Gen 3 applications are:
- Bifacial solar panels: these panels capture sunlight on both sides, increasing their energy generation potential and value for money. They are often deployed in or around reflective surfaces, such as the edge of reservoirs and rivers, to maximise energy capture.
- Concentrated solar thermal power: these systems use mirrors or lenses to focus solar energy into a small area to create concentrated heat, which is used to generate electricity. Although the power output is impressive, these panels require large installations to be cost-effective.
- Solar water heating: these small-scale installations use a high potency PV panel array (usually using an advanced film technology) to capture solar energy in order to heat water in an insulated tank.
Find Out More
To find out more about solar PV installation and energy storage technologies, please download our free Guide to PV Installation today.
Image Source: Canva
