Solaranlage mit Sonne

Modules - Typs and differences

Up to now four types of solar modules are existing:
1) Mono crystalline modules    2) Poly crystalline modules
3) Thin-film modules        4) CIGS modules



The material, the material thickness and the structure of the material are the most distinguishing characteristics of solar modules. For the production of thick-film modules and thin-film modules silicon is used as the most popular production material. Thick-film modules are divided into mono crystalline and poly crystalline modules. CIGS modules are an alternative, they are manufactured with a combination of various chemical substances.


Mono crystalline modules

have a smooth surface structure and achieve the highest efficency. Their production is complex and more expensive than the production of poly crystalline modules and thin-film modules. The technical lifetime of mono crystalline modules is high. Low light or high temperatures is restricting the efficiency. Round about one third of the worldwide produced solar modules are having a mono crystalline structure.


Poly crystalline modules

have a lower efficiency than mono crystalline modules. The manufacturing process of poly crystalline modules is less expensive than mono crystalline modules; therefor they are cheaper. Light and thermal behavior as well as technical lifetime are comparable to mono crystalline modules. Half of all solar modules are poly crystalline.


Thin-film modules

are significantly lighter than thick-film modules and reach a thickness of only one micron. Their production is simple and therefor thin-film modules are cheaper. Low light or high temperatures don't influence the efficiency as much as thick-film modules. Technical lifetime of thin-film modules are lower than of mono crystalline or poly crystalline modules.