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Contact UsThin-film solar panels are sleek and lightweight and offer a modern look with flexible installation options. You’ve probably thought that thinner products use less material, and naturally, less material means less environmental impact, right? It sounds logical, but the reality isn’t that simple.
Some factors affect their environmental impact. These include the materials that manufacturers use, their energy efficiency, and the disposal methods. Let’s look past their slim design and style and explore the ecological benefits and challenges of thin-film solar panels.
Material Concerns: Thin-film panels use materials like cadmium telluride, which can be harmful, and rare materials that have environmental costs.
Lower Efficiency, More Panels: Thin-film panels are less efficient. You will need more of them to generate the same energy as traditional panels, which increases their overall impact.
Recycling Challenges: Recycling thin-film panels is harder because of toxic materials, and current recycling methods aren’t as effective as for traditional panels.
Traditional Panels Strikes a Balance Between Benefits and Challenges: Traditional solar panels, like the 1KOMMA5° full-black modules, offer better efficiency, durability, and overall sustainability.
You may have heard of mono-crystalline or polycrystalline panels, but there is a third main type of panel commonly used in Australia, and that is thin film solar panels.
Thin film panels are widely regarded as being a more affordable option, they're also lightweight and easy to install. But there is a catch, while yes they require a lesser upfront cost they also lack the efficiency of their counterparts.
That's not to say they are 'bad' panels, the best panel design for you is dependent on your individual situation and for some thin film panels may be the way to go.
Due to their thin and flexible design these panels have the ability to mold to any surface, making them ideal for unique installations.
Thin film panels can be installed on curved surfaces making them a versatile solar solution. They are commonly used in building integrated solar installations due to their versatile nature, in comparison with crystalline panels, which are rigid.
The main materials used in thin-film solar panels are:
Cadmium telluride (CdTe)
Amorphous silicon (a-Si)
Copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS)
These materials give thin-film solar panels their unique features. However, we must also think about their environmental impact when we assess their sustainability.
Cadmium telluride is a common material in thin-film solar panels. It is affordable and efficient in turning sunlight into electricity. The production process for CdTe panels is less energy-intensive than other types of solar panels.
However, Cadmium is a toxic substance. Although manufacturers seal the Cadmium in the panel, concerns persist regarding its potential environmental impact during production, disposal, and recycling.
Amorphous silicon are flexible and versatile in varying applications. They have a lower efficiency in converting sunlight into energy than traditional crystalline silicon. Utilising this material would require more panels to generate the same amount of power.
However, the production process for amorphous silicon panels is less energy-intensive. The lower energy requirement during production makes amorphous silicon panels a more sustainable option than more power-hungry alternatives.
CIGS offers higher efficiency than amorphous silicon. They are ideal for maximising energy output in a limited space.
CIGS panels use copper, indium, gallium, and selenium. This mix creates a thin film that captures sunlight well. It works even in less-than-ideal conditions.
One challenge with CIGS is that some materials, like indium, are rare and need mining. The extraction and processing of these rare materials can contribute to environmental degradation and high energy consumption. With this, the sustainability of CIGS a more complex issue.
On the positive side, CIGS panels have a longer lifespan and higher efficiency. They provide more power over their lifetime, helping to offset some of the environmental costs associated with their production.
Energy payback time refers to the time it takes for a solar panel to produce the same amount of energy used to manufacture it. This metric shows how long it takes for a panel to offset the energy and resources that went into making it. Thin-film panels are more efficient in energy payback because they generally require less energy to manufacture than traditional silicon-based panels.
The production process for thin-film panels is less resource-intensive. Due to their lightweight and flexible design, they often have simpler manufacturing processes, such as direct deposition of materials onto substrates. This process needs less energy and fewer resources than the complex processes required to create traditional crystalline silicon panels.
Due to their lightweight nature, thin-film panels are easier to transport, which helps reduce emissions associated with transportation. Also, their installation is adaptable to many settings, requiring no significant structural changes.
Thin-film panels can be integrated into building materials or installed on curved or non-traditional surfaces, such as rooftops that might not support traditional panels. This adaptability minimises the need for specialised shipping or installation techniques, reducing the energy and resources required to set them up.
The lifecycle of thin-film solar panels encompasses several stages, from manufacturing and energy generation to disposal and recycling. One of the most significant hurdles in the lifecycle of thin-film panels is recycling.
Thin film solar panels contain materials hazardous to human health and the environment if processed incorrectly. Cadmium telluride, for example, is toxic if not handled properly, creating challenges for safe disposal and recycling.
As a result, the recycling process for thin-film panels is more complex. It needs specialised equipment and techniques to safely recover valuable materials and prevent harmful substances from leaching into the environment.
Current recycling methods for these panels are not yet as widespread or efficient as those used for silicon-based panels. A large portion of thin-film panels may end up in landfills. Recycling technologies are still developing, and much more needs innovation to make the recycling of thin-film panels economically viable and environmentally effective.
Flexibility is the key feature that enables thin-film panels to integrate solar energy into building materials. Builders directly incorporate solar technology into building structures, such as windows, roofing tiles, and facades. This integration helps reduce the overall environmental impact by minimising the need for additional materials and providing energy generation directly from the building itself.
Recycling technologies are improving, and new methods are emerging to safely recover the rare and toxic material used in these panels. Close-loop recycling, for example, allows manufacturers to recycle the panels in a way that recovers nearly all of the materials used, ensuring they can be reused for the production of new panels.
Thin-film solar panels may offer flexibility and lower manufacturing energy, but their environmental impact extends beyond hazardous materials and recycling challenges. Their lower efficiency means more panels are needed to generate the same power as traditional panels and their shorter lifespan leads to quicker replacements. Together, these factors increase their overall footprint.
Traditional solar panels strike a better balance between efficiency, durability, and sustainability. Panels like the 1KOMMA5° full-black solar modules combine reliable performance with sleek aesthetics, making them a solid choice for homeowners looking to invest in long-term, eco-friendly solar energy solutions.
Head over to the 1KOMMA5° blog for more helpful tips and other important guides on everything solar, from inverters, panels and batteries to how to make the most of your investment for years to come.
Get all the right information before installing a solar power system for your home in NSW.
Learn about how you can reduce your power bills, government rebates, how to select the right system for you and of course how to get the most out of your solar.
There are great government rebates/incentives still in place for eligible households. Basically, the larger the panel array, the more STCs your solar system generates as it is based on the expected output of the system over time.
When you buy a solar system, the purchase price is normally reduced by the value of the STCs created by your system. You simply fill out a form on the day of installation to confirm that the system has been installed, and that’s it. There is no additional paperwork that you need to do.
Small-scale Technology Certificates (STC’s) – previously known as Renewable Energy Certificates or RECS – are created when a Renewable Energy System such as a Solar PV system is installed.
The number of STC’s depends on the predicted amount of energy generated and hence the larger the system the greater the rebate. In essence, one STC is created for every megawatt-hour of production capacity of the system.
This is further multiplied by the number of years the system is likely to generate energy (for home solar systems, this is usually 15 years, although the life of the solar panels themselves is considerably more than that).
This incentive program is being phased out until 2030, so each year the number of certificates your system is eligible for reduces.
The system for trading and pricing STCs for small systems is managed by the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES).
STCs are bought by Liable Parties (usually electricity retailers) and must be surrendered at the end of each quarter. As the number of STCs that are required to be surrendered is a fixed amount each year, but the number of STCs created is variable, the price paid for STCs also varies and is determined by supply and demand.
The Federal Government legislated in 2010 a fixed price for STCs by implementing a Clearing House system where STCs can be bought and sold for $40. However, there is no requirement for Liable Parties to purchase from the Clearing House, so they are likely to only do so if there is a shortage of STCs or the market price exceeds $40. There is currently a surplus of STCs in the market which means the market price of STC’s below $40
The Feed In Tariff is only something you need to worry about if you don’t have battery storage.
The price your chosen energy retailer pays for any excess electricity generated from your solar panels is recorded as a credit on your power bill.
In NSW, solar power is fed into your home as it is generated and your household will use it first before you draw power from the grid.
This means that for every kWh of solar power used in the home you are directly saving money you’d spend on your power bill. This reduction in your power bill is the main financial benefit of solar power.
Everything else will be bought up at an agreed rate by your electricity retailer.
At the moment, most feed-in tariffs are between 5 and 10 cents per kWh, with many being about 7 cents. They bounce up and down a lot, for example in previous years they have been up over 20 cents per kWh. Typically, they are always at least 5 cents per kWh.
Once you sign up for a 1KOMMA5° Installation, we immediately submit your grid application to the relevant energy distributor. For systems up to 5kWs, this is a formality. For larger systems it can take a few days or more. Once we receive approval, your installation will be managed by our installation coordinator, who will welcome you to 1KOMMA5° and book an installation date for you. This is generally booked within around two weeks and installation dates are available Monday to Friday, weather permitting.
We endeavour to have your system installed within 2-4 weeks unless you request us to hold for whatever reason. Due to our strict safety policy, we do not install solar systems when it rains. In the event of inclement weather, we will rebook your installation as soon as possible. We always work with your requests as we strongly recommend that someone be home on the day of installation.
Green Loans can be an affordable way to pay for your solar power system and is only available for approved products. As a Clean Energy Council Accredited installer, all our systems qualify.
Green Loans can be used to finance 1KOMMA5° systems from $1,000 to $30,000 over a 2-7 year term. Once you have received a referral from 1KOMMA5°, online approval usually occurs within 1-2 business days. Green Loans have a competitive fixed interest rate that is as low as 7.99% p.a.* | Comparison rate 9.21% p.a.^ Establishment fee of $299 added to the loan amount. $2.70 per week account keeping fee included in repayments.
To be eligible to apply you must:
Be over 18 years old and an Australian resident or citizen
Own or be purchasing a home
Be employed, self-employed, a self-funded retiree; or is receiving the Government Age Pension
Have an Australian driver’s license or Passport
Provide two most recent payslips or 90 days of bank statements
There are a number of good, competitive Green Loan providers – ask us about the options available.
Head over to the 1KOMMA5° blog for more helpful tips and other important guides on everything solar, from inverters, panels and batteries to how to make the most of your investment for years to come.