What are thin-film solar panels?

Key takeaways

• Thin-film solar panels are less efficient than crystalline panels, but also less expensive, lighter, and more flexible.

• There are several materials used to make thin-film solar panels that vary in efficiency, cost, and other properties.

• Thin-film solar panels can be a strong option for portable or mobile systems and low-energy-use applications.

Thin-film solar panels are far less popular for rooftop residential solar energy systems than their silicon crystal counterparts. However, thin-film solar technology offers some specific advantages that makes it a more-than viable option for certain uses.

In this article, we go over the details of what thin-film solar panels are, what they’re made of, and their production capabilities in solar energy systems. You’ll also learn about their advantages and disadvantages as well as how they compare directly to other types of solar panels.

What are thin-film solar panels?

Thin film solar panels are photovoltaic devices made by depositing one or more thin layers of semiconductor material onto a substrate such as glass, plastic, or metal. 

These https://poweroutage.us/solar">solar panels use materials like amorphous silicon, cadmium telluride, or copper indium gallium selenide to convert sunlight into electricity. They are lighter and more flexible than traditional silicon solar panels, which allows for a wider range of applications, including building-integrated photovoltaics and portable solar products.

Thin film panels generally have lower solar efficiency but can perform better in low-light or high-temperature conditions. Their manufacturing process also tends to use less material.

Types of thin-film solar technologies

There are several materials used to produce thin-film solar panels. Each has distinct features that give them their own advantages and disadvantages.

Amorphous silicon (a-Si)

Some thin-film solar panels use silicon as the base material for their photovoltaic cell layers, but they rely on a different form called amorphous silicon. Amorphous silicon is non-crystalline, which makes it less efficient at converting sunlight to electricity compared to crystalline silicon. However, this material maintains performance in low-light conditions and at high temperatures, making it suitable for small electronics and certain building-integrated solar applications.

Cadmium telluride (CdTe)

Cadmium telluride panels offer the cheapest cost per watt of any of the types of thin-film solar panels. This efficiency advantage is the reason why CdTe panels make up a majority of the commercial thin-film solar panel market. The cadmium used in these panels is toxic to humans, but panels that contain CdTe feature sealed modules that keep it contained and safe for use.

Copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS)

Copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) thin-film solar panels provide high efficiency and lightweight flexibility, making them suitable for aerospace, automotive, and portable solar uses. Their advanced material properties allow for installation on curved or mobile surfaces where traditional panels may be impractical. However, the relatively high production cost of CIGS panels has limited their adoption in residential solar energy systems.

Organic Photovoltaics (OPV)

Solar film that uses carbon-based molecules is still in the early stages of development for commercial use. However, their transparency and high degree of flexibility offer lots of promise for use in applications such as solar-powered wearable technology and panels built for curved surfaces.

Flexible solar panels

Most consumer solar panels feature a rigid construction, but some thin-film panels are flexible. These are becoming more popular thanks to their lightweight and adaptable design. These panels can bend to fit curved or uneven surfaces, making them best for portable uses like on boats and RVs. Their favorable efficiency-to-weight ratio supports use in mobile applications where weight and flexibility are priorities.

Thin-film solar panel efficiency and performance factors

Several key factors influence the performance and efficiency of thin-film solar panels:

• Solar cell material: The type of photovoltaic (PV) material used directly impacts solar conversion efficiency.

• Construction: Manufacturing quality and structural components, such as the top glass, affect panel efficiency. Higher-quality materials typically result in better performance.

• Location: Geographic placement and site conditions determine sunlight exposure, which influences energy output.

• Age: All thin-film panels gradually lose efficiency, with an average annual degradation rate between 0.5% and 0.8%.

Advantages of flexible and thin-film solar panels

Solar panels made with thin-film technology have a few notable advantages over crystalline solar panels. These reasons might make them the best option for you. These include:

• Less weight: Thin-film solar panels are lighter than other types of panels, so they’re more portable and easier to install.

• Lower cost: In general, thin-film solar panels are cheaper than crystalline panels—especially monocrystalline panels. This makes them a good choice for low-energy use applications.

• Superior flexibility: The ability to bend and contort means thin-film solar panels can be installed where crystalline panels sometimes can’t. It also means they can wrap around curved or angled surfaces to maximize exposure to sunlight.

• Greater sustainability: Many types of thin-film solar panels are less resource-intensive to produce than crystalline solar panels, making their production friendlier to the environment.

Limitations of thin-film photovoltaic technologies

There are also downsides to thin-film photovoltaic cell panels compared to mono- and polycrystalline solar panels. These include:

• Lower efficiency: In general, thin-film solar panels are less efficient than n-type solar panels and others at converting sunlight to energy. That means they may not be a feasible option for replacing grid energy for your home.

• Inferior durability: The downside of being thin and flexible is that thin-film panels are also more susceptible to damage and breaking.

• Developing technology: Most thin-film solar technologies are in earlier stages of development than crystalline cell technology. That means that they are likely to become more efficient, more affordable, and more widely available in the future.

Thin-film vs monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar panels

There are times when thin-film solar panels are a superior option to crystalline solar panels. That said, monocrystalline panels are best for most use cases, and polycrystalline can be better for budget or commercial operations. Let’s take a closer look at the three main types of solar panels.

Factor	Thin-film	Monocrystalline	Polycrystalline
Material	Amorphous silicon, CdTe, or CIGS	Single-crystal silicon	Multi-crystal silicon
Efficiency	Low to moderate (10% to 13%)	High (18% to 22%)	Moderate (15% to 17%)
Appearance	Solid black or dark, often matte	Black, uniform look	Blue with a speckled pattern
Cost	Lowest (per watt, but varies by type)	Highest	Lower than mono
Weight	Lightest	Standard	Standard
Lifespan	10 to 20 years (some shorter)	25 to 30+ years	20 to 25 years
Temperature tolerance	Excellent	Good (low degradation with heat)	Moderate
Performance in low light	Best in diffuse or shaded light	Good	Moderate
Space efficiency	Low (requires more area)	High (more power per square meter)	Moderate
Installation flexibility	Highly flexible (can be curved or surface-mounted)	Limited to rigid, fixed mounts	Limited to rigid, fixed mounts
Best use cases	Portable systems, irregular surfaces, building integration	Residential rooftops, space-limited installations	Budget-friendly residential or large land-based installations

Bottom line on thin-film solar panels

Thin-film solar panels have lower efficiency compared to traditional silicon crystal panels, which limits their widespread use in residential solar systems. However, they offer benefits such as lower production costs, lighter weight, and greater flexibility, making them best for specialized applications. Ongoing development in thin-film solar technology may expand its potential uses in the future.

That said, their lower efficiency and greater space requirements mean they may not suit homeowners with limited roof area or high energy needs. You might decide https://poweroutage.us/solar/reasons-not-to-get-solar-panels">solar isn’t best for you, depending on your home and energy costs.

FAQ about thin-film solar panels

Below are a few frequently asked questions about thin-film solar panels:

What is a thin-film solar panel?

A thin-film solar panel is a photovoltaic panel that uses one or more layers of light-absorbing materials, typically only a few micrometers thick, deposited onto substrates like glass, plastic, or metal.

Are thin-film solar panels any good?

Thin-film solar panels are good options for certain applications. While they aren’t typically as efficient as silicon-crystal solar panels, their lightweight and flexible properties make them good for use in applications such as portable solar devices, RVs, boats, small consumer electronics, and more. They may not be a good fit for off-grid solar systems, where solar efficiency is a priority.

What are the advantages of thin-film?

The main advantages of thin-film technology are their lightweight and flexible nature. They are also often less expensive than silicon-crystal solar panels.

What is the efficiency of thin-film solar panels?

Thin-film solar panel efficiency typically ranges from 10% to 13%, lower than crystalline silicon panels. Efficiency is affected by material type, thickness, and light absorption properties, making thin-film suitable for applications where flexibility, low weight, or large surface coverage is needed.

What equipment do you need for a solar energy system?

The basic equipment needed for a working solar energy system includes the panels themselves, racking, a solar inverter, a solar charge controller, and wiring infrastructure. In hybrid solar energy setups, you’ll also need a solar battery and other infrastructure.