Solar panels are becoming an increasingly common consideration in new home construction. For builders, choosing a solar panel system involves more than comparing the price of individual panels. Efficiency, available roof space, system design, durability, aesthetics, energy goals, and local conditions can all affect which technology makes sense for a project.
Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels generally fall into two broad categories: crystalline silicon and thin-film. Within those categories are several different technologies and cell designs.
Here is what builders should know about the major types of solar panels and how they compare.
Crystalline Silicon Solar Panels
Crystalline silicon is the dominant solar panel technology used today. DOE notes that monocrystalline silicon represented 96% of global solar shipments in 2022, with other technologies making up a much smaller share.
Crystalline silicon panels are made using silicon wafers and generally offer a combination of efficiency, durability, and long service life. DOE says silicon modules are expected to last 25 years or more while still producing more than 80% of their original power.
The two traditional types of crystalline silicon panels are monocrystalline and polycrystalline.
Monocrystalline Solar Panels
Monocrystalline panels are made from silicon wafers formed from a single crystal structure. This manufacturing approach allows electrons to move more efficiently through the material, which generally results in higher efficiency than traditional polycrystalline panels.
Monocrystalline panels are typically recognizable by their dark, uniform appearance.
For builders, one of their biggest advantages is high power production within a limited amount of roof space. When roof area is constrained, higher-efficiency panels can make it easier to reach a project's energy goals without covering as much of the roof.
Modern monocrystalline panels also use a variety of cell architectures. These can include technologies such as passivated emitter and rear cell (PERC), tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon), and heterojunction (HJT).
The takeaway is that "monocrystalline" describes the underlying silicon material, while the cell architecture can vary considerably between products. Find out more here.
Polycrystalline Solar Panels
Polycrystalline panels are made from silicon containing multiple crystal structures rather than a single crystal. Traditional polycrystalline panels were generally less efficient than monocrystalline panels but could be less expensive to manufacture.
They can often be identified by their blue, somewhat textured appearance.
Polycrystalline panels played a much larger role in the solar market when this technology was more common. Today, however, monocrystalline technology dominates the market, so builders are less likely to encounter polycrystalline panels when evaluating new residential systems.
Thin-Film Solar Panels
Thin-film solar panels use a different manufacturing approach than crystalline silicon panels. Instead of using silicon wafers, manufacturers deposit one or more thin layers of photovoltaic material onto a supporting material such as glass, plastic, or metal.
Thin-film technology can offer advantages in certain applications because the modules can be lightweight, flexible, or designed for applications where conventional crystalline silicon panels may not be the best fit.
However, thin-film panels have historically had lower efficiencies than crystalline silicon, meaning more surface area may be needed to generate the same amount of electricity.
There are several types of thin-film photovoltaic technology.
Copper Indium Gallium Diselenide (CIGS)
CIGS panels use a combination of copper, indium, gallium, and selenium as the photovoltaic material.
CIGS has demonstrated strong efficiency potential, but manufacturing the material consistently at scale is more complex than some other PV technologies. DOE identifies CIGS as one of the principal thin-film technologies used in the solar industry.
Amorphous Silicon
Amorphous silicon, or a-Si, is another thin-film technology. Unlike crystalline silicon, the silicon atoms are not arranged into a regular crystal structure.
Because relatively little semiconductor material is needed, a-Si can be used in applications where traditional solar panels are not practical. However, its efficiency is generally lower than that of crystalline silicon.
What About Newer Solar Technologies?
Solar panel technology continues to evolve. Builders may encounter terms such as TOPCon, HJT, PERC, bifacial, and tandem solar cells when comparing products.
These terms do not necessarily represent completely different types of solar panels. Instead, many describe different cell architectures or ways of improving how a solar cell captures and converts sunlight.
For example, bifacial modules can generate electricity from light reaching both the front and rear of the panel. The amount of additional energy they produce depends on factors such as the installation surface, mounting configuration, and how much reflected light reaches the back of the module.
Perovskite solar cells are another emerging technology. DOE describes perovskites as a type of thin-film solar cell with rapidly improving laboratory efficiency, but durability and large-scale manufacturing remain important challenges before they can compete broadly with established technologies.
For most residential construction projects today, however, crystalline silicon remains the primary technology to consider.
Solar Panel Efficiency
Efficiency measures how much of the sunlight reaching a panel is converted into electricity.
Higher efficiency can be particularly valuable when roof space is limited. A higher-efficiency panel can produce more electricity from a given amount of roof area.
That does not mean efficiency should be the only consideration.
The right system also depends on the home's location, roof orientation and pitch, shading, electricity needs, local requirements, and the overall system design. DOE's PVWatts tool, developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, can be used to estimate the energy production of potential PV systems.
Solar Panel Power Output
Panel power output is generally measured in watts. Unlike the older 240- to 300-watt ranges often used to compare solar panels, today's module options come in a much wider range of power ratings.
A panel's wattage should not be considered in isolation. Panel size, efficiency, system configuration, roof space, and expected energy production all matter when determining how much electricity a complete solar system can generate.
For builders, the more useful question is not simply "Which panel has the highest wattage?"
It is:
Which combination of panels and system components can meet the home's energy goals within the available space and project requirements?
Cost and Installation
The cost of a solar system depends on much more than the type of panel.
Total project cost can include:
- Solar modules
- Inverters or other power electronics
- Mounting and racking
- Electrical work
- Labor
- Permitting and inspections
- Monitoring equipment
- Battery storage, if included
- Roof or structural considerations
- System design
DOE's solar industry reporting shows that system pricing varies significantly by project type and market, so comparing panel prices alone does not provide a complete picture of project cost.
Builders should evaluate the entire system rather than selecting a panel based solely on its upfront price.
The Right Solar Panel Depends on the Home
Solar technology has changed significantly, but the basic decision remains the same: choose a system that fits the home and its long-term needs.
For most residential projects, crystalline silicon is the primary technology builders will encounter, with monocrystalline panels making up the majority of today's market. Thin-film technology can still make sense for specific applications where its characteristics offer an advantage.
The panel itself is only one part of the decision. The complete system, the home, the site, and the information needed to maintain that system all matter.
For builders, documenting those decisions and keeping product information organized can help turn a solar installation into a better long-term homeowner experience.
Digs is an AI-powered collaboration software built for homebuilders. From pre-con to aftercare, it keeps your team, trades, and clients aligned with one centralized workspace for decisions, documentation, digital handoff, and ongoing warranty support.
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