Are amorphous solar panels the cheapest?

Amorphous solar panels are the cheapest per watt ($/watt). Amorphous solar cells are more widely used in low-power electronics than solar panels. Amorphous solar panels aren't for everyone: they are much less efficient than traditional solar panels. To compare quotes with different types of solar equipment, check out the EnergySage Marketplace.

Are amorphous solar panels a viable option?

If you’re looking into DIY solar or small-scale solar, amorphous solar may be a viable option for you. However, amorphous solar panels are still limited in their availability and may be difficult to find. If you’d like to learn where you might find thin-film or amorphous solar panels, contact a solar installation company near you.

Are amorphous solar panels more efficient than traditional solar panels?

Amorphous solar panels are significantly less efficient than traditional solar panels. Most amorphous solar panels are only about 7 percent efficient, whereas monocrystalline and polycrystalline panels can exceed 20 percent efficiency. This means you'll need much more roof space to get the same output as traditional solar panels.

Where can I find amorphous solar panels?

However, amorphous solar panels are still limited in their availability and may be difficult to find. If you’d like to learn where you might find thin-film or amorphous solar panels, contact a solar installation company near you. Karsten Neumeister is a writer and solar energy specialist with a background in writing and the humanities.

What are amorphous solar panels?

These solar panels are made from non-crystalline silicon on top of a glass, plastic, or metal substrate. Unlike other solar panels, amorphous solar panels don't use traditional cells; instead, they're constructed using a deposition process that involves forming an extremely thin silicon layer on top of a substrate.

Do amorphous solar panels produce electricity?

In other words, your amorphous solar panels only produce electricity at around a third of the rate of a standard panel. Even with further investment, experts believe the theoretical efficiency limit of amorphous solar is 15%, still below the average solar panel.