How much do thin-film solar panels cost?

Thin-film solar panels cost an average of $0.50 to $1 per watt for the materials. For example, an average thin-film system would consist of ten panels. The total cost of these panels including materials and installation averages between $2,000 and $8,800, depending on the thin-film technology you use and how many you install.

What are the different types of thin-film solar panels?

There are four main types of thin-film solar panels: amorphous, cadmium telluride, copper gallium indium diselenide, and organic solar panels. Amorphous solar panels are more flexible but less efficient than other types of thin-film solar panels. Cadmium telluride (CdTe) is the most popular material for manufacturers of thin-film solar panels.

What are thin-film solar panels used for?

Thin-film solar panels are primarily used in commercial- and utility-scale installations like solar panel farms, solar for corporations, and solar for schools and universities. The "economies of scale" concept applies to thin-film panel technology because the lightweight, versatile panels are easy to install.

Are thin-film solar panels better than crystalline solar panels?

These thin, light-absorbing layers can be over 300 times thinner than a traditional silicon solar panel. Thin-film solar cells have built-in semiconductors, making them the solar panels the lightest panels available. However, they don’t operate as efficiently as crystalline solar panels, so you need more to generate the same amount of electricity.

What are thin-film solar panels made of?

Each thin-film solar panel is made of 3 main parts: Photovoltaic Material: This is the main semiconducting material and it’s the one responsible for converting sunlight into energy such as CdTe, a-Si, or CGIS. It doesn’t matter what type of thin-film solar cell you are making as they are all made the same way.

How efficient are thin-film PV panels?

Whereas today's standard silicon PV panels will have somewhere in the range of 15-22% efficiency, thin-film panels will likely hold a median closer to 11-13%, which can significantly impact your system's physical size and electricity output.