Types of solar panel

There are three main types of solar panel in commercial production, all with some advantages and disadvantages. All three are based on silicon semiconductors - the difference being the form that the silicon is in. Panels based on other chemistries are under development: Cadmium telluride and copper indium diselenide panels may well appear in production soon; and also research is being conducted on using the photosynthesis effect that plants use to convert sunlight to useful forms of energy. However, you are unlikely to come across technologies other than silicon for the time being, so we will just consider silicon on this page.

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solar panels
Framed panels
Framed polycrystalline silicon solar panels. Great for a wide variety of uses.
Framed panels - large
Larger framed silicon solar panels - for more power hungry installations.
Semi-flexible panels
3 ranges of low-profile, marine-grade panels designed with the yachtsman in mind. Great range of sizes from 5W to 70W.
Flexible panels
Ideal on boats, or expeditions!
Peel 'n' stick panels
Flexible thin-film solar panels with an adhesive backing.
Solar panel kits
A range of framed, laminate and semi-flexible solar panel kits complete with solar regulator, cables and connectors.
Grid-connect PV

On the grid

With the government's new feed-in tariffs, solar on your house at last makes sense financially as well as environmentally.

UNDERSTAND
Introduction
Schematic

We manage the whole process of installing PV from start to finish, to make it as simple and cost-effective as possible for you.

INSTALLATION
What we do
Request an estimate
DIY grid connect solar

Installers - please visit our trade website for great deals on panels, inverters and other essentials...

trade.midsummerenergy.co.uk

regulators
Solar Regulators
The world leaders in PWM solar regulators.
MPPT Solar Regulators
Get more power from your panels.
wind turbines
Leading Edge
Bombproof and British.
Rutland Turbines
Small, economical wind turbines, ideal for battery charging on yachts.
Forgen Turbines
Reliable vertical axis turbines - great for remote power solutions.
lights
Fluorescent lights
Efficient fluorescent lighting from Labcraft for boats and caravans.
LED lights
Stylish efficient lighting with new LED technology.
inverters
Modified sine inverters
A range of 12V-240V inverters providing great value for money.
Sine wave inverters
Sophisticated sine wave inverters for improved versatility and reliability.
batteries
Elecsol leisure
Elecsol batteries last around 3 times as long as conventional leisure batteries!
Elecsol AGM Batteries
New range of quality AGM batteries from Elecsol
Haze Gel batteries
High-spec zero- maintenance gel batteries at great prices
Rolls Solar
A full range of these robust top-end solar batteries is now available
Mastervolt chargers
Very high-spec chargers suitable for marine use
Chargers and accessories
Battery terminals, chargers, split charging devices and more.
odds & ends
Meters & Monitors
Keep an eye on your battery bank's state of charge with these meters and battery monitors.
Cable & Connectors
All the connectors you need, and high-grade cable to finish off your system
Solar Panel Mounts
Versatile mounting solutions to secure solar panels to poles and roofs
Clearance!
Keep an eye on this page for the latest bargains.
systems
Off-grid power
Complete power systems for properties with no grid connection
Bespoke Solutions
We design and build remote power systems to fit your needs and budget
trade
Trade customers
We offer great discounts for trade customers placing multiple orders. Please contact us for more information