Tech & Auto
Everything You Need To Know About Thin Film Solar Panels
By ROB RICH
Thin film solar panels are composed of solar cells that are much slimmer than the average solar panel. They are also more flexible, weigh less, and are easier to install.
There are four basic kinds of thin film solar panels, each with pros and cons: Amorphous silicon, organic photovoltaic, cadmium telluride, and copper indium gallium selenide.
a-Si
Predating the other thin film panels, amorphous silicon panels, or a-Si, have been used for decades in small electronics like solar-powered watches.
These are the cheapest on a per-panel basis and are tough to break due to their flexibility, but the overall efficiency of a-Si panels is around 6-8%, which degrades quickly.
OPV
Organic photovoltaic, or OPV, solar panels are low-cost but have better efficiency than a-Si panels and won’t lose efficiency as quickly.
Unfortunately, they don’t tend to last as long as other non-organic options. An OPV panel’s approximate lifetime is around 10 years before needing changing.
CdTe
The most commonly used thin film solar panel is cadmium telluride or CdTe. CdTe panels are also the less expensive option for powering a home.
However, cadmium is highly toxic. While it’s not dangerous when the panels are installed or used, getting rid of them can be a challenge.
CIGS
Copper indium gallium selenide panels boast 12-14% efficiency, making them a rival for CdTe. CIGS panels are typically made from zinc oxides, which are easier to dispose of.
The issue with CIGS panels is their cost. The manufacturing process is significantly more expensive, so these panels are less accessible price-wise.