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Types Solar Panel Systems
There are two main componets to a solar panel system
* Solar Panels
* Inverters
Both are important in determing how efficient your system will be at producing electricity. Given you want your system to work correctly for up to 25 years and and in both cases it is best to go with a well known brand
Type of Solar Panels
There are essentially 4 types of solar panel systems available in Australia.
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Types
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Description |
Advantages & Disadvantages
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Amorphous Silicon Film |
Amphorous or Thin Film Solar panels are manufactured by laying a thin layer of silicon on glass or plastic which allows them to be flexible and more durable.
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Advantages:
More effective in shade
Do not lose effectiveness when hot
Cheaper to manufacturer
Can be made flexible
Disadvantage:
Require a lot more roof space
May have a shorter life span
Least effective at producing electricity
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Monocrystalline Panels |
Monocrystalline panels use crystalline silicon produced in large sheets and integrated into the panel as a single large cell.
Conducting metal strips are laid over the entire cell to capture electrons in an electrical current.
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Advantages:
Energy Efficient
Smallest Panel size
Long Life span
Long Term cost effective
Disadvantage:
Lose effectiveness when hot
Expensive to Manufacturer
Ineffective in shade
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Multicrystalline Panels or Polycrystalline Panels |
Polycrystalline, or multicrystalline, photovoltaics use a series of cells instead of one large cell. The main advantage is they are cheaper to make but lose little in efficiency over Monocrystalline
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Advantages:
Energy Efficient (only slightly behind mono)
Cheaper than Monocrystalline Panels
Require less roof space
Long Life span
Long Term cost effective
Disadvantage:
Lose effectiveness when hot
More expensive than Amorphous
Ineffective in shade
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Hybredcrystalline Panels |
Hybredcrystalline Panels mix the monocrystalline technology with multi layers of amorphous film. Creating the best of both products
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Advantages:
Highest Energy Efficiency
Require less roof space
More effective in hotter temperatures
Long Life span
Long Term cost effective
Disadvantage:
Most expensive panels
Ineffective in shade
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Solar Panel Types
