Thin-film solar panels are an exciting invention which can efficiently convert sunlight into electricity. They are thin and flexible, unlike the bulky monocrystalline or polycrystalline photovoltaic (PV) solar panels everyone is used to seeing.
Thin-film solar panels are more effective in generating electricity from various unique applications. In this article, we will discuss the strengths and weaknesses of thin-film solar panels.
What Is Thin-Film Solar?
Thin-film solar panels consist of one or more thin layers of semiconducting materials situated on a base, such as metal, glass, or plastic.
Thin-film solar cells can be made from many materials, namely:
- Amorphous Silicon (a-Si).
- Cadmium Telluride (CdTe).
- Gallium Arsenide.
- Copper Indium Gallium Diselenide (CuInSe2).
Standard Silicon Solar Panels Vs Thin-Film Solar Panels
The main differences between the two types of solar panels lie in their cost, size, and strength. As told before, thin-film panels are slim and thin, while silicon solar panels are bulky and heavy. This makes thin-film solar panels easier to install, transport, and mount on curved surfaces.
However, monocrystalline and polycrystalline photovoltaic (PV) solar panels are still more efficient than thin-film solar panels. Thin-film solar panels need a larger surface area to convert the same amount of sunlight into electricity. But they are cheaper and lighter, easy to produce and transport. With proper research and development, they will surpass traditional solar panels in the future.
The Primary Thin-Film Solar Cell Materials
We will take a detailed look at the materials composing thin-film solar cells.
Copper Indium Gallium Selenide (CIGS) Solar Panels
This technology is prevalent in the market. CIGS uses gallium, copper, selenide, and indium layers to capture sunlight and convert it into electricity. In the panels, a multi-step process takes place to gather and separate electrical charges, resulting in highly efficient power generation.
With extensive research, modules have been created with efficiency levels of 23%. However, layering gallium, copper, selenide, and indium has made this technology more expensive than other thin-film applications.
Amorphous Silicon (a-Si) Solar Panels
Amorphous Silicon (a-Si) are the oldest solar panel technology in this regard, having been used since the 1970s. Their cells have low efficiency but can still operate well in a wide range of light intensities.
The panels constitute the deposition of a layer of amorphous silicon on a glass surface by utilising chemical vapour deposition (CVD). This creates a material with low thermal conductivity.
These panels can absorb more heat than standard solar panels without overheating. Although they are cheap to create, a-Si panels deteriorate faster than other types of thin-film solar panels and cannot give the best performance in freezing temperatures.
Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) Solar Panels
Speaking of sturdy solar technologies, Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) solar cells top the list, with 40% efficiency in testing environments. They also come with heat and electric resistance. GaAs solar cells are used for high-power applications.
Furthermore, they have been tested on earth and in space (like the Mars Rover) and perform exceptionally well. Although they are an expensive gamble, they guarantee a promising future in the field of renewable energy.
Cadmium Telluride (CdTe) Solar Panels
Cadmium telluride (CdTe) solar panels are famous for their cheap and rapid development process. Moreover, they have achieved similar efficiencies as traditional silicon solar panels, with reduced costs.
These solar panels are one of the most extensively researched and tested technologies in new solar generation. However, they utilise some toxic materials, raising environmental concerns.
Advantages And Disadvantages Of Thin-Film Solar Panels
Advantages:
- Flexible and can be installed on curved surfaces easily.
- Less invasive and more aesthetically pleasing than photovoltaic arrays.
- They are lightweight, making producing, transporting, and installing them easy.
- Cheaper to produce and manufacture.
Disadvantages:
- In its early stages, new technology needs a lot of testing and capital for development.
- Thin-film solar panels need more space to generate the same amount of electricity as a traditional solar panel (less efficient).
- Flexibility can cause an increased risk of malfunctions, breaks, and cracks from harsh weather conditions.
Thin-film Solar Panels For Homes
Thin-film solar panels are in their early stages and used for commercial buildings with plenty of space, so a residential roof with a limited area might not be the best place to install them. However, since this technology is being developed, residential options will become more cost-effective in the future.
The Future of Thin-Film Solar Panels
The future for these solar panels looks exciting. The ease of access and reliability combined with easy production will go a long way towards speeding up their research and development, and the applications will go far beyond just home energy generation.