A new record for thin film solar cell efficiency of 22 3 has been achieved by solar frontier the world s largest cis solar energy provider.
Most efficient thin film solar panels.
However because of their cost they are typically used in building spacecrafts and other types of specialized applications where pv energy is required.
The most obvious difference between the traditional silicon wafer solar panel and newer thin film varieties is the thickness.
Thin film solar are not the most efficient solar panels but have the advantage of being capable of being flexible solar cells and can be applied to curved surfaces.
Thin panel solar panels made with gallium arsenide are considered the most efficient of all thin panels with a high of 28 8 percent.
There are also currently gaps in solar capture efficiencies between first generation silicon based wafers and newer second generation methods that use different compounds.
Thin film solar panels helps achieve the true intent and essence of using solar panels as they are cost effective produce efficient power supply don t emit ods.
The thin film solar panel is one of the most efficient type of solar panels and it s an advanced technology which is versatile cost efficient and a viable form of solar panel.
This would not be that cost efficient with crystalline modules as they require a more complex structural reinforcement because of the weight.
Researchers have recently achieved 23 4 efficiency with thin film cell prototypes but thin film panels that are commercially available generally have efficiency in the 10 13 range.
How do thin film solar cells work.
The low efficiency rating means you would need to install more thin film panels to produce the same amount of electricity as a mono or polycrystalline solar panel.
Monocrystalline polycrystalline also known as multi crystalline and thin film these solar panels vary in how they re made appearance performance costs and the installations each are best suited for.
Most of the solar panel options currently available fit in one of three types.