Meaning And Types Of Solar Modules

Solar energy is the best alternative to produce electricity where everyone should invest. To avail the solar power, the solar modules are installed which hosts a range of variants that comes with diverse features and specifications. Let’s find out the meaning and types of solar modules which are to be installed at your place.

What is Solar Module?

A Solar Module, also known as a panel, is an assembly of connected solar cells that absorb the energy of sunlight to produce electricity. A group of photovoltaic (PV) modules is wired into a wide range of PV arrays to develop the power of a specific voltage and current.

To install a solar power system in your home or office, you will have to purchase a solar module which is of three different types distinguished by their features, specifications, and aesthetics. Let’s get a brief understanding of its types to find the most relevant type for our homes.

Types of Solar Modules

There are three different types of solar modules available to choose from:

1. Monocrystalline Solar Modules – The solar modules have monocrystalline solar cells that absorb the energy from the sunlight and develop an electric field through a complex procedure. The cells in this module exist in a pyramid pattern which gives a larger surface area to gather more energy. The cells of this module are coated with silicon nitride which reduces reflection and increases absorption. These modules are heat resistant and have a life span of over 25 years.
2. Polycrystalline Solar Modules – The polycrystalline solar modules consist of various crystals of silicon in a single PV solar cell. These are made up of many photovoltaic cells where each cell holds silicon crystals which work as a semiconductor device. The conversion efficiency of polycrystalline modules is better than monocrystalline modules, even in dim lighting conditions. Also, they are economical than monocrystalline modules and last for around 25 years.

3. Thin-film Solar Modules – The thin-film module gets benefitted from the tariffs introduced for crystalline silicon solar modules. It is a great option for various projects that have got power requirements with lightweight and portability. Thin-film modules can develop maximum efficiency of 20.3%. It is quite easy to handle and flexible when compared to conventional solar technology.