What are thin-film solar modules

What are thin-film solar panels?

Thin-film solar panels use a 2 nd generation technology varying from the crystalline silicon (c-Si) modules, which is the most popular technology. Thin-film solar cells (TFSC) are manufactured using a single or multiple layers of PV elements over a surface comprised of a variety of glass, plastic, or metal.

How are thin film solar panels made?

Thin film solar panels, also called thin film photovoltaic solar panels, are made by depositing one or more layers of photovoltaic material onto a substrate like glass, plastic, or metal. These layers are incredibly slim, around 1 micron (1µm) compared to 300 microns in traditional silicon wafers.

What materials are used for thin-film solar panels?

There are four different types of materials used for thin-film solar panels: Cadmium telluride is the most commonly used substrate in manufacturing thin-film panels. In fact, it holds 50% of market share. These panels have an efficiency range between 9% and 11%, but some have seen up to 18.7% efficiency ratings.

Are thin film solar panels more efficient?

Thin-Film solar panels are less efficient and have lower power capacities than mono and polycrystalline solar cell types. The efficiency of the Thin-Film system varies depending on the type of PV material used in the cells but in general they tend to have efficiencies around 7% and up to 18%.