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Step 3Choosing Panels
There are two basic kinds of panels: Crystalline and thin-film. Choosing one or the other has major consequences for the rest of the installation process, so we'll look at the differences between the two before we make any decisions about how to mount them.
Crystalline
Crystalline modules are the big blue panels that usually come to mind when you think about solar power. They're very efficient and very durable. A 40 year lifespan is more than you can ask of many home improvement projects, and gives you more than enough time to make your money back in savings. A drawback of crystalline is installation. These cells require a somewhat elaborate racking system. We'll cover racking on the next page.
For a 6kW system (fully power an average household), crystalline panels would cost about $16,500: You would need 25 panels supplying 240W each. 240W panels cost $660.
Thin-Film
Thin-film comes on a roll of flexible material. Though crystalline modules are more popular, thin-film is gaining a strong foothold in the market due to its ease of use. The two biggest advantages of thin-film are cost and convenience, since installation is as simple as slapping the module onto a smooth surface. One major drawback of thin-film, however, is durability - Thin-film usually only lasts around 25 years. Compared to crystalline, thin-film is usually more efficient in the dark, but less efficient in general.
For a 6kW system using thin-film, you would need 44 panels supplying 136W each. The panels cost $472, so the total would be $20,768. Although the thin-film panels are slightly more expensive, you don't have to buy expensive racking for them.
Keep the differences between these two modules in mind as we discuss location considerations on the next page.
Further Reading:
Buy solar modules at SolarTown.com
Consumer Guide to Buying Solar Panels
Comparison of Several Leading Solar Panels
Comparison of Thin-Film and Crystalline Panels
Blog: Aesthetics of Solar Panels
Crystalline
Crystalline modules are the big blue panels that usually come to mind when you think about solar power. They're very efficient and very durable. A 40 year lifespan is more than you can ask of many home improvement projects, and gives you more than enough time to make your money back in savings. A drawback of crystalline is installation. These cells require a somewhat elaborate racking system. We'll cover racking on the next page.
For a 6kW system (fully power an average household), crystalline panels would cost about $16,500: You would need 25 panels supplying 240W each. 240W panels cost $660.
Thin-Film
Thin-film comes on a roll of flexible material. Though crystalline modules are more popular, thin-film is gaining a strong foothold in the market due to its ease of use. The two biggest advantages of thin-film are cost and convenience, since installation is as simple as slapping the module onto a smooth surface. One major drawback of thin-film, however, is durability - Thin-film usually only lasts around 25 years. Compared to crystalline, thin-film is usually more efficient in the dark, but less efficient in general.
For a 6kW system using thin-film, you would need 44 panels supplying 136W each. The panels cost $472, so the total would be $20,768. Although the thin-film panels are slightly more expensive, you don't have to buy expensive racking for them.
Keep the differences between these two modules in mind as we discuss location considerations on the next page.
Further Reading:
Buy solar modules at SolarTown.com
Consumer Guide to Buying Solar Panels
Comparison of Several Leading Solar Panels
Comparison of Thin-Film and Crystalline Panels
Blog: Aesthetics of Solar Panels
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