Most solar panel come in either blue or black color. However, there are different colored solar panels, and it’s not just limited to just two colors. But the fact that blue and black colored solar panels are the norm is because other colors might not work or perform well. However, rapidly progressing technology will enable you to see more colors in the future.
More Colors
There are different colored solar panels. However, they are expensive, and you can't just order them if you like them. Not only are they expensive, but colored panels produce less power due to their lower efficiency. This reduced efficiency is due to the coating or dyeing process. Colored panels can be 45% less efficient than black and blue solar panels.
This will elongate your solar payback period and ultimately lower your savings. Homeowners aren’t focused on aesthetics but aim to lower their electricity bills and increase their savings. So they’ll always go for blue or black colored panels since they have the highest efficiency in the market. Due to the low demand for colored solar panels, manufacturers avoid dyeing panels as this is cost-prohibitive and will only be a loss for them.
Blue And Black
The blue and black colors are the natural colors of silicon during the manufacturing process. These two colors are due to two primary kinds of solar panels:
- Polycrystalline.
- Monocrystalline.
Polycrystalline:
These blue panels are composed of polycrystalline silicon. Each cell has several silicon crystals. The interaction of these crystals gives them a blue look. Due to the interaction between multiple crystals, conduction is reduced, ultimately decreasing solar efficiency. This is an older and cheaper technology compared to monocrystalline panels.
Monocrystalline:
These black panels comprise silicon in each cell. However, each cell is surrounded by a single crystal. Black is more light-absorbent than blue. This increases its efficiency. However, this newer technology is more expensive than blue solar panels. It is highly efficient, which is why newer solar installations favor black solar panels.
Tesla And Colored Solar Panels
In 2017, Tesla unveiled the Solar Roof. It stated that this roof would have four designs. These would be panels made to resemble regular roof tiles. The four options were:
- Tuscan.
- Smooth glass.
- French slate.
- Textured glass.
People started to think that Tesla had found the secret to higher efficiency with colored panels. However, Tesla only offered black, blue, and dark blue colors. Even their website doesn't have solar roof tiles in other colors or textures. Eventually, technology will improve, and Tesla will start providing colored roof tiles. But these different colors may be at the cost of lower efficiency and a higher cost.
The Possibility Of Buying Colored Solar Panels
It’s possible to purchase colored solar panels for your roof. However, current models don't have high efficiency and cost much. You'll have to reach out to a specialized solar installer to order different colored solar panels. Since the weather in any area can be unpredictable, storms or rains could cause the coatings and dyes on colored panels to be washed away.
They'll surely lose their color in their 25-year lifespan. This is why blue and black panels reign the market. Firstly, their color comes from the manufacturing process. Secondly, manufacturers aim for maximum efficiency rather than aesthetics. Lastly, you'll need to find a solar installer that can work with you to install colored panels in such a design that efficiency isn't lowered. This is easier said than done. But you can install blue or black solar panels now and wait for the technology to improve so that colored solar panels surpass their efficiency.