Six years ago, I installed a 1 kW solar panel system on my rooftop. At that time, the only option available was Polycrystalline (Poly) Solar Panels, which were the most common choice.
But today, the solar industry has evolved significantly, and there are multiple types of Best Solar Panels available in the market, each with unique features and benefits. From Bifacial Panels that generate electricity from both sides to Flexible Solar Panels that can be bent and mounted on uneven surfaces, the choices are endless!
In this article, we will discuss all the major types of solar panels, their efficiency, pricing, and best use cases, so you can choose the right solar panel for your home or business.
Page Contents
Polycrystalline (Poly) Solar Panels
- Recognizable by light blue square-shaped solar cells
- Efficiency: 13-17%
- Maximum power output: Up to 350-400W per panel
- Price Range: ₹8-10 per watt
- Best for: Homeowners with large rooftop space
Polycrystalline panels were the standard choice a few years ago, but their low efficiency means you need more panels to generate the same power compared to modern alternatives.
Monocrystalline (Mono) Solar Panels
- Recognizable by dark blue/black cells with cut corners
- Efficiency: 18-20%
- Maximum power output: Up to 400W per panel
- Price Range: ₹20-22 per watt
- Best for: Homeowners who want higher efficiency in limited space
With better technology, Mono PERC (Passivated Emitter Rear Cell) Solar Panels were introduced, improving efficiency to 21%, making them a great upgrade over traditional monocrystalline panels.
Half-Cut Solar Panels
- Uses laser-cut solar cells for better efficiency & durability
- Efficiency: 21-22%
- Maximum power output: Up to 650-700W per panel
- Price Range: ₹22-25 per watt
- Best for: Areas with partial shading & high power needs
Half-cut solar panels minimize power losses due to shading and have a longer lifespan due to reduced micro-cracking.
Bifacial Solar Panels
- Generates power from both front & back sides
- Efficiency: 22-23% (30% extra power with reflective surfaces)
- Maximum power output: Up to 700W per panel
- Price Range: ₹23-25 per watt
- Best for: Open areas with high reflectivity (white rooftop, desert, etc.)
To fully utilize bifacial panels, they should be mounted on a 10-feet elevated structure with a bright-colored reflective surface underneath.
TOPCon (Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact) Solar Panels
- Latest solar technology for better efficiency & durability
- Efficiency: 23%
- Maximum power output: Up to 750W per panel
- Warranty: 12 years manufacturing, 30 years performance
- Best for: Future-proofing your solar investment
TOPCon technology reduces degradation over time, ensuring higher efficiency retention compared to previous technologies.
HJT (Heterojunction Technology) Solar Panels
- Combines two solar cell technologies for superior efficiency
- Efficiency: 23.8% (world record efficiency)
- Maximum power output: 700-750W per panel
- Best for: Large-scale projects & high-budget installations
HJT panels require a special production line, making them exclusive & costly. Only a few top-tier manufacturers offer this technology.
Flexible Solar Panels
- Thin & lightweight – Can be bent & mounted on any surface
- Best for: Vehicles, tents, military use & portable applications
- Top Brands: Kosol Energy & Waaree
- Cons: Prone to damage, lower durability & shorter warranty
Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) Solar Panels
- Used in high-rise buildings with glass facades
- Best for: Architects & builders designing energy-efficient buildings
- Can be customized – Glass color, transparency & solar cell density
Agri-Voltaic Modules are a similar technology used in farming greenhouses, allowing sunlight for plants while generating electricity.
All-Black Solar Panels
- Aesthetic, fully black design for modern homes
- Efficiency: Slightly lower than standard panels due to heat absorption
- Best for: Homeowners who want solar panels to blend with their roof
DCR vs. Non-DCR Solar Panels
- DCR (Domestic Content Requirement) Panels – Made entirely in India & eligible for government subsidies.
- Non-DCR Panels – Contain imported cells & are not eligible for subsidy but are slightly cheaper.
N-Type vs. P-Type Solar Panels
- N-Type Panels – Higher efficiency & slower degradation, making them superior to P-Type Panels.
- P-Type Panels – More common but degrade faster than N-Type.
When choosing solar panels, always opt for N-Type if available for better long-term performance.
A-Grade and B-Grade Solar Panels
- A-Grade Panels: Higher efficiency & superior performance
- B-Grade Panels: Slightly lower efficiency, available at a lower price
- Difference can only be identified through Flasher Reports
When buying solar panels, always request the Flasher Report to ensure you’re getting A-Grade Panels for better durability and efficiency.
BEE Star Rating Solar Panels
- Introduced in 2024 to indicate solar panel efficiency
- Helps buyers compare performance levels easily
- Mandatory from 2026 for all solar panels in India
ALMM Approved Solar Panels
- Approved under the Approved List of Models & Manufacturers (ALMM) by the Government of India
- Mandatory for government solar projects
- Ensures high-quality production standards
BIS Approved Solar Panels
- Certified by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) for quality & safety
- Ensures reliability & long-term performance
- Best for: Homeowners & businesses looking for government-approved pan
Comparison of Solar Panel Types
Solar Panel Type | Efficiency | Best For |
---|---|---|
Polycrystalline | 13-17% | Budget buyers with ample space |
Monocrystalline | 18-20% | Higher efficiency with fewer panels |
Half-Cut Panels | 21-22% | Shaded areas & high durability |
Bifacial Panels | 22-23% | Extra power from reflections |
TOPCon Panels | 23% | Long-term investment |
HJT Panels | 23.8% | High-end industrial use |
Flexible Panels | – | Portable applications |
BIPV Panels | – | Modern building projects |
Best Solar Panel Companies in India
If you’re planning to buy solar panels, consider top manufacturers with a proven track record. Here are the best solar panel companies in India:
- Tata Power Solar – Offers top-tier solar technology solutions
- Waaree Solar – One of India’s largest solar panel manufacturers
- Adani Solar – Offers high-efficiency solar panels with ALMM approval
- Vikram Solar – Known for high-quality & durable solar panels
Solar Panels Buying Guide
The solar panel is the best alternative way to reduce your electricity bill. But don’t get too carried away by fancy advertising. There are other important factors that you need to consider before choosing solar panels for your home.
Here are the top tips for buying the best solar panels.
1. Manufacturer’s Warranty
When purchasing a solar panel, a warranty is the first and most basic factor that needs to be checked carefully. This might be something very easy for other products like a battery, an inverter, or a charge controller but in the case of solar panels, it’s a bit tricky.
Do You Know: the current produced by a solar panel decreases year after year. This is known as panel degradation and it’s a common phenomenon with any solar panel.
For solar panels, there are 2 types of warranties. The first one is the manufacturer’s warranty and the other one is the performance warranty. The manufacturer warranty as suggested by the name covers manufacturing defects, durability, and other environmental issues. Usually, the period of the manufacturer’s warranty is 5-15 years. This is very important as the solar panel is something that is kept outside hence it needs to be strong enough to tolerate outside issues such as a hailstorm. Do cross-check with your solar panel brand about this period.
Performance warranty, on the other hand, defines the panel degradation rate. Like we said earlier that solar panels’ performance degrades every year. Some manufacturers provide a performance warranty on the power-producing capacity within the next 25 years. This means solar panel performance will degrade year after year but it will not degrade beyond a certain percentage. Usually, this is around a 0.7% drop. Also, the smaller this percentage gets the better it is.
2. Solar Panel Ratings
This shows the capacity of a solar panel to generate current under certain conditions. Solar panel ratings are a useful parameter to compare solar cells. If a solar panel has more rating then it means that it would produce more current compared to any other panel with less rating.
However, if two solar panels have the same efficiency ratings, but different power ratings, then it is very much likely that the one with the greater power rating is bigger in size compared to the other one. Hence, it is necessary to consider other parameters as well.
3. Solar Panel Price
When buying solar panels, the most important factor is the price of solar panels. Everyone wants to buy solar panels at a substantially less price. However, buying less might have some limitations.
Fact: If you are getting something at a considerably lower price than the average, then you might get poor-quality components.
Always check things like components quality, warranty period, installation charge, etc. in detail. In this way, you will get what you pay for.
Do You Know: You can convert your existing inverter and battery into a solar inverter and battery. Check out more details here.
4. Solar Panel Certifications
Solar panel certification is very important especially when you are looking forward to getting a government subsidy on your installation. Always buy solar panels that are (Ministry of New and Renewable Energy) MNRE Approved to avail of government rebates. Only grid-connected projects can avail of government subsidies.
Also Read: Telangana Village Turns to Solar Energy for ‘100% of Its Needs’
Solar Panels Installation Guide
In Which Direction Should Solar Panels be Installed in India? And why?
When installing solar panels, one of the most valid questions to ask is how exactly can we decide in which direction our panel is supposed to be placed. The answer to this question varies from country to country.
The straight answer to this question for India is — South.
Why should solar panels in India be south-facing?
Our country India lies in the northern hemisphere so when the sun travels, it takes an elliptical trajectory going from east to west having an inclination towards the south, hence to get the maximum quantity of solar energy we have to place our panel accordingly. As you can see, be it summer or winter, the inclination is towards the south.
After the direction, the other important parameter is the tilt angle.
What should be the angle of solar panels in India?
The tilt angle is determined according to the latitude of your position. For example, if you are living in Cochin-Kerala, the tilt angle for your solar panel will be approx. 10-12 degrees. On the other hand, if you want to incorporate a panel in Delhi, your tilt angle will be almost 28-30 degrees.
Before incorporating a panel, we need to ensure that there is no tall obstacle coming in between the sun rays and the panel as the shadow of the obstacle will fall on the panel and will disintegrate its efficiency So the next time you think of installing a solar panel, take out your personal gizmo and check your orientation with respect to the direction and enjoy the benefits of free energy – The Solar Energy.
Check out all solar installation-related FAQs here in detail.
Final Thoughts – The Best Solar Panels
With rapid advancements in solar technology, TOPCon, HJT, and N-Type solar panels are set to dominate the future. If you are installing a solar system in 2025 or beyond, it’s best to invest in high-efficiency solar panels for maximum savings & sustainability.
📢 Thinking about going solar? Make sure you choose the best solar panel based on your roof space, budget & energy needs.
🔴 Still confused? Drop a comment below, and I’ll help you choose the perfect solar panel for your home or business!
#BestSolarPanel #SolarPanels #RenewableEnergy #SolarTechnology #GoSolar
Also Read: Number of Solar Panels, Battery Bank & Inverter Load You Need for Your Home
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Is the Adani brand good for Bi facial Solar Panels?
it is not referenced in this article anywhere
We’ve harnessed a combination of manufacturing excellence and superior product performance to bring the world a lifetime of dependable and sustainable energy at huge savings. We have designed a unique solar panel for home that’s save your energy.
How is benefecial for all …village and city, minimum capacity solar?
1. What is a Solar Rooftop System?
2. What is a Solar Rooftop System with Storage facility?
3. What is a Grid Connected Solar Rooftop System ?
4. Where such plants can be installed ?
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