Quick Summary
Thin-film panels are made by depositing photovoltaic materials (like Cadmium Telluride or CIGS) onto substrates like glass, metal, or plastic. They are flexible and lightweight, but have low efficiency (10% to 13%).
Thin-film modules do not rely on rigid silicon wafers. Their flexible nature makes them ideal for building-integrated PV (BIPV), commercial metal roof sheets, and RV/marine systems.
Types of Thin-Film Materials
- Cadmium Telluride (CdTe): The most common thin-film technology, popular in utility-scale solar farms.
- CIGS (Copper Indium Gallium Selenide): Offers higher efficiency among thin-film options, sometimes used in flexible solar shingles.
- Amorphous Silicon (a-Si): Used in calculators and low-power portable solar products.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you put thin-film panels on residential rooftops?
Typically no, because their low efficiency requires massive surface area, which residential roofs do not have.