N-Type and P-Type Solar Panels: A Comprehensive Comparison
Solar Panels are becoming very popular in the world and therefore the knowledge of solar panels is also becoming of great importance. In this blog, we will discuss types of solar panel which are primarily N-type and P-type solar panels. We have written a comprehensive comparison of N-type and P-type solar panels to help you out in choosing the one which fits you the best.
Solar panels are basically categorized into two types, N-type and P-type. These solar panels vary depending upon their material, cost, sustainability and reliability. Let’s take a deep look on N-type and P-type solar panels’ difference.
N-Type Solar Panels
N-type solar panels are a type of photovoltaic cells (PV cells) which are characterized by their N-type (negative-type) silicon. In case of N-type solar panels, the silicon is doped with phosphorus that gives silicon extra electrons and makes it negative. This is the reason that they are called N-type solar panels. This extra electron is moves freely, creating a material with extra electrons (negative charge carriers).
N-type solar panels often use high-quality silicon wafers, which makes them more reliable and increase their life span. Therefore, due to their additional features, they are widely used at different places. Now the trend is shifting towards N-type solar panels and they have a future in solar technologies. See the latest prices of N-type solar panels.
P-Type Solar Panels
P-type solar panels are traditionally and widely used solar panels. They are called P-type because the silicon used in P-type solar panels is doped with boron which makes a positively charged base layer. This type of doping creates a semiconductor which is known as P-type semiconductor.
P-type solar panels have dominated the market for many years due to their cost-effectiveness and reliable performance. However, the world is turning towards the N-type panels. If you are interested in buying P-type solar panels, then see the latest prices of P-type solar panels.
Comparison of N-Type and P-Type Solar Panels
N-type and P-type solar panels have few differences over each other and each have different features over the other.
Performance Comparison
Efficiency
N-type solar panels offer more efficiency compared to P-type panels. N-type panels can achieve efficiency over 22% with some cutting-edge technologies which may reach higher value. On the other hand, P-type solar panels offer 15-20% efficiency and are less efficient compared to N-type panels. It is due to more mobility of N-type charge carriers which results in reliable performance and great efficiency.
Low-light Performance:
Generally, N-type solar panels perform better in low-light conditions due to better carrier collection. Whereas, P-type solar panels’ performance is adequate, not as much better as of N-type panels in low-light scenarios.
Durability and Longevity:
N-type panels typically offer higher resistance to degradation mechanisms such as Light-Induced Degradation (LID) and Potential-Induced Degradation (PID). Since N-type panels have lower susceptibility to degradations, so they have more performance durability and longer life span of 25 years or more.
Comparatively, P-type panels may experience faster degradation than N-type panels leading to performance decline but have longevity of 25 years or more similar to N-type panels.
Temperature Coefficient:
Temperature coefficient means how the efficiency of solar panels changes with fluctuations in temperature. Lower temperature coefficient causes lesser decrease in efficiency as temperature rises. N-type solar panels generally have lower temperature coefficient compared to P-type panels. It means N-type panels maintain their efficiency in high temperatures which is beneficial in areas and regions with hot climate.
P-type panels have comparatively higher coefficient than N-type panels which may decrease its efficiency in higher temperatures and cannot be used in hot climate regions. The temperature coefficient of N-type panels typically ranges from -0.3% to -0.4% per degree Celsius whereas temperature coefficient of P-type panels ranges from 0.4-0.5% per degree Celsius.
Cost & Market Availability
Cost Differences:
The cost difference between N-type and P-type solar panels depends on various factors such as manufacturing processes, material quality, efficiency and market demand. N-type solar panels typically involve more manufacturing costs and higher materials for their manufacturing whereas P-type solar panels comparatively require less expensive materials for their manufacturing and less time in manufacturing process. The materials used in N-type panels are expensive than those used in P-type solar panels. This also leads to the major difference in their cost and prices.
Market Availability and Trends:
Generally, N-type solar panels being more efficient and due to long life-span are less available in the market. Their manufacturing also take time which makes them short in supply. The materials used in N-type panels are also present on earth in less quantity. On the other hand, P-type panels require less expensive materials and less time to manufacture which makes them cheap and are present in the market in bulk quantities.
However, people are now moving towards N-type technology due to their efficiency and great performance and mostly those who are typically concerned with panels’ performance and don’t care about the costs. Clearly the people who are budget concerned may move towards P-type panels which are not bad at all and have been used before N-type panels.
Applications of N-Type and P-Type Solar Panels
N-type and P-type solar panels are used at different places and areas according to their need and depending on various factors and affordability.
In Commercial Areas
Usually in commercial areas, where large projects are working, N-type solar panels are more likely to use because of their efficiency and long-term performance. Most of the industrial areas use N-type panels to run their heavy machinery and equipment. But some small industries are also using P-type panels because they are also efficient and perform better but less than N-type panels.
In Residential Areas
In most of the residential areas and societies, P-type panels are most likely to be used because they can run a house’s appliances very easily and perform good in a moderate cost of installation. People with budget consciousness use P-type panels for their home according to their affordability but many also use N-type panels who are not much thinking of their budget instead they are only concerned with their rest and peacefulness.
In Large Scale Operations
The areas which are dealing with projects scaled on high level and they got a responsibility of the project prefer to use N-type panels instead of P-type panels because they don’t want their work disturbed due to some technical issues of solar panels such as decreased performance and efficiency before time because of heavy load on the panels.
Pros & Cons of N-Type and P-Type Solar Panels
N-type and P-type basically both of them are solar panels but they have some advantages and disadvantages that are different of each other. Each have its own benefits and each have its own lacks because practically, a system of 100% output efficiency does not exist. So lets see their pros and cons.
Pros and Cons of N-Type Solar Panels
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Cons
Pros and Cons of P-Type Solar Panels
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Cons
Conclusion
If we see from the other side, both N-type and P-type panels have their own benefits and lacks. If you are going to buy solar panels for your home, then P-type and N-type both are options for you. You can buy what you like depending on your budget and other factors. But if you are installing solar panels on a commercial land, then N-type panels are more likely to perform better and maintain themselves for a longer life. Here P-type panels are not more suited but still they can work. We have written a detailed article on Single Glass Vs Double Glass Solar Panels which might be helpful to you.
