The solar energy industry has experienced significant advancements, resulting in a variety of solar panel technologies tailored to different needs. There are three main aspects to consider when understanding solar panels: cell types (e.g. monocrystalline, polycrystalline, PERC, HJT), cell layouts (e.g. half-cut, bifacial, shingled) and Semiconductor types (e.g. N-Type and P-type). These aspects can be combined in different ways to create panels with unique characteristics and performance benefits creating higher efficiency, better performance, and more cost-effective solutions. In this comprehensive guide, we will break down the differences between these solar panel types to help you make an informed decision.
Types of Solar Cells
Solar cells are the fundamental components of solar panels, converting sunlight into electricity. The solar cells are constructed from silicon wafers that are “doped” with different elements to create a semiconductor with either a positive (P-type) or negative (N-type) charge. This doping process is what distinguishes N-type cells from P-type cells.
N-Type Solar Cells
- Description: N-type cells are created by doping silicon with elements such as phosphorus, which adds an extra electron, resulting in a negative charge.
- Efficiency: Generally higher than P-type cells.
- Benefits:
- Higher Efficiency: Greater tolerance to impurities and lower defect rates leads to improved efficiency.
- Better Performance: Higher temperature tolerance and lower light-induced degradation (LID).
- Longer Lifespan: Minimal power loss over time.
- Applications: High-performance installations where efficiency and longevity are critical.
- Examples: HJT, TOPCon, and IBC cells often use N-type silicon due to its superior performance characteristics.
P-Type Solar Cells
- Description: P-type cells are made by doping silicon with elements like boron, creating a positive charge due to the presence of “holes” where electrons can move.
- Efficiency: Moderate to high, depending on the technology (e.g., standard monocrystalline, PERC).
- Benefits:
- Proven Technology: P-type silicon is the traditional choice for solar cells, offering a balance of efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
- Cost-Effective: Lower production costs compared to N-type cells.
- Drawbacks:
- LID and PID: More susceptible to light-induced degradation and potential-induced degradation, which can impact performance over time.
- Applications: Residential, commercial, and utility-scale installations where cost-effectiveness is a priority.
- Examples: Standard monocrystalline and polycrystalline cells, as well as PERC cells, are typically made with P-type silicon.
Types of Solar Cells
1. Monocrystalline Solar Cells (Typically P-Type)
- Description: Made from a single, pure silicon crystal, recognisable by their dark black colour.
- Efficiency: High (20% and above).
- Benefits: They offer high power output, are space-efficient, and have a long lifespan.
- Applications: Ideal for residential rooftops and commercial installations.
- Combinations: Can be combined with half-cut, bifacial, or shingled layouts.
- Shift: The market is shifting toward N-type monocrystalline cells (e.g. TOPCon, HJT) for higher performance.
2. Polycrystalline Solar Cells (P-Type)
- Description: Made from multiple silicon crystals, resulting in a blue colour.
- Efficiency: Moderate (15-17%).
- Benefits: Lower cost and easier to manufacture than monocrystalline cells.
- Applications: Suitable for large installations where space is not a constraint.
- Combinations: Often used in traditional, cost-effective panel designs.
- Status: Becoming less common due to advancements in monocrystalline and N-type technologies.
3. PERC (Passivated Emitter and Rear Cell) Solar Cells (P-Type or N-Type)
- Description: Enhanced monocrystalline cells with a passivation layer on the back.
- Efficiency: Up to 5% more than standard monocrystalline.
- Benefits: Improved efficiency, better low-light performance, and reduced electron recombination.
- Applications: Widely used in residential, commercial, and utility-scale installations.
- Combinations: Can be paired with half-cut, bifacial, or shingled layouts.
- N-Type PERC: Some manufacturers have developed N-type PERC cells to reduce degradation and improve performance.
4. HJT (Heterojunction Technology) Solar Cells (N-Type)
- Description: Combines crystalline silicon and amorphous silicon thin-film technologies into one cell.
- Efficiency: High (up to 25%).
- Benefits: High efficiency, low temperature coefficient, long lifespan, and minimal light-induced degradation (LID).
- Applications: Ideal for high-performance residential and commercial installations.
- Combinations: Often combined with shingled or bifacial layouts.
- N-Type: HJT cells use N-type silicon to minimise power loss and enhance overall performance.
5. TOPCon (Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact) Solar Cells (N-Type)
- Description: An advanced technology that builds on PERC by adding a tunnelling oxide layer and a passivating contact layer.
- Efficiency: High (up to 23-25%).
- Benefits: Enhanced efficiency, improved temperature tolerance, reduced degradation and longer lifespan.
- Combinations: Compatible with half-cut and bifacial layouts.
- N-Type: TOPCon cells use N-type silicon for superior efficiency and stability over time.
6. Thin-Film Solar Cells (Not Defined by N-Type or P-Type)
- Description: Made by depositing thin layers of photovoltaic material.
- Efficiency: Lower (6-15%).
- Variations: CdTe, a-Si, and CIGS.
- Applications: Weight and flexibility-focused installations.
- Status: Not a common market panel as the efficiency is low and would only be required where heavy weight constraints are applied.
Solar Cell Layouts
Different cell layouts can be combined with N-type and P-type cells to enhance performance:
- Half-Cut Cell Layout: Reduces resistance and increases efficiency, often used with monocrystalline and PERC cells.
- Bifacial Solar Panels: Capture sunlight from both sides, typically paired with N-type cells (TOPCon, HJT) to maximise efficiency.
- Shingled Cell Layout: Higher efficiency and power density, often used with HJT or monocrystalline cells.
Combining Cell Types, Material Properties, and Layouts
Manufacturers combine these elements to optimize panel performance:
- N-Type TOPCon Half-Cut Panels: Combines high efficiency of N-type silicon with half-cut layout to improve shading tolerance.
- P-Type PERC Bifacial Panels: Enhances light capture on both sides, utilising P-type PERC cells to improve performance.
- N-Type HJT Shingled Panels: Maximises power output with the high efficiency of N-type HJT cells and the seamless design of shingled layouts.
Summary of Solar Panel Combinations
| Cell Type | Material Type (N-Type/P-Type) | Typical Layout Combinations | Efficiency | Best For | Top Brands & Models |
| Monocrystalline | N-Type/P-Type | Half-Cut, Shingled, Bifacial | 20% and up | Limited space, high power output | Tindo Karra, JA Solar DeepBlue 3.0 |
| Polycrystalline | P-Type | Standard, Bifacial | 15-17% | Budget-friendly, large properties | Outdated |
| PERC | N-Type/P-Type | Half-Cut, Bifacial, Shingled | Up to 25% | High efficiency, low-light performance | REC TwinPeak 5, Jinko Tiger Neo |
| HJT | N-Type | Shingled, Bifacial | Up to 25% | High-end installations, long lifespan | REC Alpha Pure R, Huason Himalaya G10 |
| TopCon | N-Type | Half-Cut, Bifacial | 23-25% | High efficiency, temperature tolerance | Trina Vertex S+, Jinko Tiger Neo |
| Thin-Film | Not defined by N/P | Flexible, Lightweight | 6-15% | Large-scale, unique surfaces | First Solar Series 6, Solar Frontier SF |
Which Solar Panel Type and Layout is Best for You?
- Space Constraints: If you have limited roof space, N-Type Monocrystalline panels with a Shingled or Half-Cut layout maximise energy output.
- Budget: P-Type Polycrystalline panels provide a cost-effective solution if space is not an issue.
- Maximising Energy Yield: Bifacial panels paired with N-Type TOPCon or HJT cells provide higher energy output, especially in reflective environments.
- Extreme Weather: N-Type HJT panels with a shingled layout are robust and maintain performance in high temperatures.
Conclusion
Understanding the differences between solar cell types, layouts, and how they can be combined is crucial for selecting the best solar panels. Each technology, whether it’s monocrystalline, PERC, HJT, TOPCon, or thin-film, offers unique benefits. By choosing the right combination of cell type, material property, and layout, you can optimise energy production, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness for your solar installation.
| Brand | Notable Series | Key Features | Efficiency | Warranty | Performa-nce warranty | Performance guarantee percentage |
| REC | Alpha Pure R Series | Made in Singapore, HJT technology, high efficiency, low degradation, +10w tolerance | 21.2% | 25 | 25 | 92% |
| REC | Twinpeak 5 series | Made in Singapore Lead Free, | 20.8% | 25 years | 25 years | 86% |
| Tindo Solar | Walara Series | High-quality, Australian-made, robust performance, $$$, Half Cell Mono Perc | 21.8% | 25 years | 25 years | 87.4% |
| Trina Solar | Vertex S+ Series | Multi-busbar, half-cut cells, high power output | 22% | 25 years | 30 years | 87.4% |
| Sumec Phonosolar | Helios Clear Dual glass | Dual Glass, 30 year warranty, HJT, Ntype | 22.02% | 30 years | 30 years | 88.1% |
| Sumec Phono solar | Twin plus | 120 cell Monocrystalline | 21.02% | 15 years | 25 years | 84.8% |
| Qcell | Q.maxx | Mono Half cell | 21% | 25 years | 25 years | 86% |
| JA Solar | JAM72S10 | Half-cell, monocrystalline | 20.4% | 12 years | 25 years | 84% |
| Jinko Solar | Tiger Neo Series | TopCon cells, superior efficiency, long-term reliability | 22.53% | 25 years | 30 years | 87.4% |
| TW Solar | TWMND | N-type, Halfcell, Mono | 22.5% | 25 years | 25 years | 87.4% |
| Huason | Himalaya G10 | HJT, Halfcut, Dual Glass, Bifacial | 22.53% | 15 years | 30 years | 90.3% |