Types Of Solar Panels?.

As the name might suggest, these solar panels are an integrated part of your roof. They have a sleek and technical appearance whilst also protecting your roof and generating solar power. They also have the added benefit of being able to withstand most weather types.

However, they’re not as commonly produced as other types of solar panels. This means the waiting times for these particular solar panels can be quite long. They’re also more expensive than other types of solar panels.

Polycrystalline solar panels are both cheaper and less wasteful in their production than monocrystalline solar panels. This is due to “poly” referring to the fact that they’re constructed from a mixture of silicon crystals that are melted down and fused into single solar crystalline cells. This makes the panels a popular choice for most homeowners.

However, this process means that the efficiency and resilience of the panels are generally lower than their monocrystalline counterparts. Polycrystalline cells may also suffer in high-temperature environments, so bear this in mind.

Monocrystalline solar panels are made from a purer grade of silicon. This has the benefit of increased efficiency when compared to polycrystalline solar panels. It also means that the panels look more uniform due to their colouration and the way that they’re made.

However, they’re more expensive than polycrystalline panels. The process also lacks the recycling of silicon involved in creating polycrystalline panels.

These are a more recent, inexpensive, inventions when considering types of solar panels. As the name suggests, they are thinner than other solar panels and some are even flexible. This means they can be installed in more versatile places than traditional solar panels. They’re also not bound to a set cell count, meaning it’s much easier to ask for a custom size or shape.

However, although thin film solar cells are more customisable than other types of solar panels they’re not as efficient. They also have a shorter lifespan, meaning that warranties on these types of panels are typically shorter as well.

Founded in 2005, JA Solar has quickly established itself as a leading global manufacturer within the industry. The PV solar systems have been sold in 135 countries and regions with over 33,000 clients worldwide.

In particular, JA solar panels have been favoured for use in commercial solar farms and ground-mounted power plants across the planet. Founded in China they now have 12 manufacturing bases and 20 branches worldwide. JA Solar is commonly considered one of the best solar panel brands for large-scale projects.

Founded in Canada in 2001, Canadian Solar is another world-leading manufacturer of solar panel technology. With contracts in more than 160 countries, they’ve supplied the means to deliver green energy to more than 17.7 million households.

Canadian Solar aims to reduce costs for industrial and commercial customers by studying the solar panels’ lifecycle and engineering the manufacturing process.

Founded in 1997, Trina Solar Co., Ltd is mainly engaged in PV products, PV systems and smart energy. PV products include R&D, production and sales of PV modules.

Globalization is regarded as Trina Solar’s main corporate strategy. In recent years, the Company has recruited international high-level management and R&D talents from more than sixty countries and regions. It has set up regional headquarters in Zurich, Fremont (USA Silicon Valley), Miami, Tokyo, Singapore, Dubai, offices or branches in Madrid, Mexico, Sydney, Rome, etc., as well as manufacturing bases in Thailand and Vietnam with operations in more than 160 countries and regions around the world, making them one of the largest solar panel manufacturers in the world.

By the first half of 2023, its cumulative shipment of solar modules had exceeded 150GW, which is close to the installed capacity of 6.5 Three Gorges Dam power stations and equivalent to planting 11 billion trees worldwide.

Founded in 2000, LONGi Green Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (LONGi) is committed to being the most valuable solar technology company in the world.

Under the mission of “To make the best of solar energy to build a green world” with a brand positioning of “The most trusted, reliable solar company that blazes the trail for green technology, “LONGi is developing solutions for large-scale power plants, for different industries and households with its innovation-focused development.

Eventually, we will also supply “Green Power + Green Hydrogen” solutions for global zero-carbon development.

Solis is an Australian-based company with more than twenty years of solar inverter technical development experience. They offer both single and three-phase solar inverters depending on your budget VS worries about voltage drop. They also offer energy storage inverters that have the benefit of a built-in battery.

Solis has a wide selection of solar inverters; differing in efficiency, functions, and noise generated. This enables you to balance your budget against what you need from your PV solar setup.

SolarEdge has a focus on solar inverters as smart energy managers. This means as well as converting DC to AC energy your inverter can choose when to use energy from the grid VS its own stored energy. Some models may also choose when to power certain smart devices in your home to save money by heating water when energy rates are low, for example.

SolarEdge is a global company with 16 offices worldwide. Their website  allows you to download localized PDF datasheets listing the efficiency, noise level, and other important factors of their inverters.

Sunsynk is based in Cheshire in the United Kingdom. Their solar inverters are available with an integrated app and customisable installation. This means you can choose which inverter setup to start with and upgrade as your needs change.

You can start with a grid-tied system consisting of solar panels and the inverter. You can also choose a hybrid system consisting of panels, the inverter, and a battery or go entirely off grid. You’re also able to install the inverter and battery with no solar panels to better regulate your energy use.

Huawei offers leading Solar PV and battery storage solutions harnessing more than 30 years of expertise.

Quality inverters, batteries and control systems that all link seamlessly with the Solar Fusion APP give fingertip control of your entire system.

The batteries are in a modular format so additional modules can be added at a later date, the batteries start at 5kw and go up to a huge 30kw.

Huawei are one of a few companies offering their own panel optimisers, providing an excellent solution for projects where shading is an issue.
The optimisers also link with the solar Fusion APP providing detailed information of what each individual panel is producing.

“GivEnergy is on a mission; to make sustainable energy accessible and affordable to all. In the process, we’re building a world where energy doesn’t cost the earth”

From the conception in 2012 and becoming GivEnergy in 2018, this British based company has very rapidly become a market leading provider of Solar inverters, batteries, EV chargers, energy management software and a host of supporting accessories.

GivEnergy provides premium energy management solutions at an accessible price. They engineer and manufacture a portfolio of electronic equipment designed to manage energy use and production.
Together, these products create an end-to-end ecosystem for customers to control their energy.