Thin Film Solar Panels vs. Traditional Silicon Photovoltaic Solar Panels

What are “Thin Film” solar panels?  Should I buy thin film or traditional silicon photovoltaic solar panels?  These are a few of the questions that we often hear from customers.

Thin film solar panels are manufactured via a process that looks like spray-painting paint on paper.  The materials used are less expensive than silicon, which makes for a very cost effective manufacturing process, which ultimately translates into panels that are half the cost of traditional silicon PV solar panels.

Thin film panels can be made into just about any shape/structure which allows them to be made to blend in with a roof, which may be more appealing to some home owners.  Global-Solar is making panels shaped to look like asphalt roof shingles that can be installed by roofers the same way normal asphalt tile would be installed.  US-Tile is making solar "barrel tiles" that are in the shape of Spanish barrel tiles.  The idea with the barrel shape tiles is that they're able to get usable sunlight earlier and later in the day.  In either case the simple installation is supposed to help reduce the installation cost.

Half the cost and much more flexible from a design perspective sounds great, but there is a catch.  Thin film panels have lower efficiencies, generally about half that of crystalline solar panels, which balances out the price differential.  Thin film is half the cost, but half as efficient.

If roof space is not an issue, and you do have an aesthetic preference of one over the other, then you can’t go wrong with either.

Thin film needs about twice as much roof space for the same size system, but the total cost is about the same. 

- Crystalline PV panels have efficiencies that average 15% and get as high as 25%

- Thin Film has efficiencies between 7% and 15%

- A leaf on a plant has efficiencies of 5% or 6%.

(The efficiency means the amount of sunlight that is converted into usable energy.  It can be thought of as power per square foot. )

If you'd like to speak with one of our experts about your home and what type of solar power system is right for you, please fill out our "free evaluation" form and we will happily give you a call.