A residential solar installation company is deciding between two types of PV modules: crystalline silicon with an efficiency of 18% and thin-film amorphous silicon with an efficien... A residential solar installation company is deciding between two types of PV modules: crystalline silicon with an efficiency of 18% and thin-film amorphous silicon with an efficiency of 9%. Considering space constraints are a major concern for the client, what is the critical implication of choosing the thin-film option regarding the array size needed to meet the client's energy needs?
Understand the Problem
The question asks you to compare two solar panel technologies (crystalline silicon and thin-film) and determine how their different efficiencies affect the array size needed to meet a client's energy needs, given space constraints are a concern. In essence, it's about understanding the relationship between solar panel efficiency and the required surface area for a solar installation.
Answer
Using thin-film requires a larger array size due to its lower efficiency compared to crystalline silicon.
The critical implication is that the array using thin-film modules would need to be significantly larger in size compared to an array using crystalline silicon modules to generate the same amount of energy, due to the lower efficiency of thin-film technology.
Answer for screen readers
The critical implication is that the array using thin-film modules would need to be significantly larger in size compared to an array using crystalline silicon modules to generate the same amount of energy, due to the lower efficiency of thin-film technology.
More Information
The space needed for solar arrays is directly related to the efficiency of the solar panels; lower efficiency means needing more physical space to produce the same amount of power.
Tips
The most common mistake is to only focus on cost without considering the space implications of lower efficiency panels.
Sources
- What is the Difference between Thin-Film and Crystalline Silicon ... - chintglobal.com
- Thin Film vs. Crystalline Silicon PV Modules - Greentech Renewables - greentechrenewables.com
- [PDF] Design and Sizing of Solar Photovoltaic Systems - CED Engineering - cedengineering.com
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