What are the main differences between crystalline and thin film PV technology?
To provide the maximum range of flexibility in module design, crystalline cells are used allowing varying grades of transparency to be achieved. The crystalline cells are available in different colours and power levels. It is possible to use ‘thin film’ technology, as opaque or semi-transparent surfaces since they have a significantly lower investment cost but power per square-metre is also significantly less than that gained with crystalline cells. Thin film PV technology lacks flexibility in design. In aesthetic terms the two technologies are very different with thin-film-technology generally a homogenous black (depending on the angle of solar radiation this may have a hint of red and brown) colour. It is usually the desire of the designer that decides the technology to apply.
