What is Thin-Film Solar Panels?
Panels made from thin layers of semiconductor rather than silicon wafers, cheaper but lower efficiency.
Quick Answer
Thin-film is rare on UK homes because roof space is usually limited and the lower efficiency means more area for the same power. It appears mainly in large utility-scale solar farms (where First Solar CdTe is common) and in flexible or portable panels for caravans, boats and sheds. For a typical UK roof, crystalline silicon is the better choice.
Fact-checked by John Rooney, Solar Energy Editor. Editorial policy
Thin-Film Solar Panels Explained
Thin-film solar panels are made by depositing very thin layers of photovoltaic material onto glass, metal or plastic, rather than using crystalline silicon wafers. Common types include cadmium telluride (CdTe), copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) and amorphous silicon. Thin-film is cheaper to manufacture, lightweight and flexible, and performs reasonably in heat and diffuse light, but its efficiency (typically 10 to 15 percent) is well below crystalline silicon, so it needs much more roof area for the same output.
How Does Thin-Film Solar Panels Work in the UK?
Thin-film is rare on UK homes because roof space is usually limited and the lower efficiency means more area for the same power. It appears mainly in large utility-scale solar farms (where First Solar CdTe is common) and in flexible or portable panels for caravans, boats and sheds. For a typical UK roof, crystalline silicon is the better choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are thin-film solar panels good for homes?
Usually not for UK homes. Thin-film panels are cheaper and lightweight but only 10 to 15 percent efficient, so they need much more roof space than crystalline silicon for the same output. They suit large solar farms and flexible or portable uses rather than space-limited roofs.
What are thin-film panels made of?
Thin-film panels use thin layers of photovoltaic material such as cadmium telluride (CdTe), copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) or amorphous silicon deposited onto a backing, rather than crystalline silicon wafers. This makes them cheaper and flexible but less efficient.
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John Rooney is the founder of Solar Info and has been covering the UK solar energy market since 2023. He researches every battery and inverter brand against manufacturer datasheets, MCS and Ofgem data, and feedback from the MCS-certified installers in our directory before publishing.