When most people think of solar panels, the image they have is either a sleek, jet-black solar panel or one in a dark blue shade. This perception has dominated the solar industry for years, but as technology advances and more homeowners seek to embrace solar energy, a new question is emerging: Are black and blue the only solar panel color options?
Let’s explore the evolving world of solar panel colors and what these changes mean for those who are considering going solar.
Before diving into newer colored solar panels, it’s important to understand why black and blue solar panels are standard and most common. The color of solar panels is largely determined by how the silicon is used and how the solar panels absorb sunlight.
Black solar panels are associated with monocrystalline silicon, one of the most efficient and widely used materials for solar cells. These solar panels have a higher efficiency rate because of the purity of the silicon used in the manufacturing process, which allows them to absorb more sunlight. Their dark black hue results from how the silicon wafers interact with light, absorbing more sunlight with minimal reflection.
While monocrystalline silicon’s single crystal structure appears dark to the human eye, there may be some variation in color depending on the manufacturer, size of the solar panel, and even treatments or back sheets used to protect the solar panels. Despite this, many homeowners prefer the sleek, uniform appearance of monocrystalline solar panels, which tend to blend better with asphalt shingles.
Polycrystalline solar panels are slightly less efficient when compared to monocrystalline panels, but they remain a popular choice due to their affordability. These solar panels have a blue hue because the silicon crystals used in the manufacturing process are less pure, causing more reflection of light.
While some homeowners prefer the unique bluish tint, these solar panels can sometimes stand out more visibly on roofs, making them a less discreet option for homes with specific architectural designs. Additionally, there can be a variety of blue colors in polycrystalline solar panels due to the many silicon crystals used in their manufacturing. Because of this, each brand and size can vary.
For both types of solar panels, framing also makes an impact on the overall aesthetic of the solar panels. While silver is most cost effective, it doesn’t blend with the black monocrystalline panels and can stick out, so solar customers often request black frames.
In response to the growing demand for customization, researchers have started developing colored solar panels extending beyond the traditional two color options.
Colored solar panels use specialized coatings and treatments on the surface of the solar panel. The coating allows the solar panel to reflect certain wavelengths of light, giving it a distinct color. However, these coatings and treatments can reduce the efficiency of solar panels by as much as 45% in some cases. Other methods of coloring panels are being tried and tested, including a new soft-print lithography technique.
Most solar customers want a solar panel system that blends in seamlessly with their roof. Because of this, there is a big appeal for green panels in more forested areas, or even transparent solar panels that would be almost completely hidden when installed. A growing trend in solar energy is building-integrated photovoltaics, where solar cells are incorporated directly into the building materials, like roof tiles. These systems allow architects and homeowners to fully customize the color and design of their rooftop solar installations. Some of the most popular solar tiles are the Tesla Solar Roof. However, these currently only come in blue, dark blue, and black, with hopes to increase the selection in the future.
The short answer is yes, you can get colored solar panels. Some manufacturers currently sell them in a variety of colors like orange, red, purple, or green. However, these solar panels are typically far more expensive and less efficient than their black or blue counterparts. This is due to the higher cost to manufacture and treat them, which treatments then get in the way of producing efficient electricity.
Currently, Blue Raven Solar exclusively offers black, monocrystalline solar panels as they are the most efficient solar panels available on the market and provide the highest aesthetic appeal.
Whether black, blue, or a more customized hue, the right solar panel for your home depends on a variety of factors, including efficiency, budget, aesthetics, and more. If your primary goal is maximizing energy output, we recommend sticking with the tried-and-true monocrystalline or polycrystalline solar panels. However, if your priority is integrating solar into a particular architectural style or design, colored solar panels could be something to explore, keeping in mind the higher expense and reduced efficiency that comes in return.
Blue Raven Solar is ready to help you navigate the expanding world of solar technology. Our team of experts can help assess your energy needs, roof structure, and design preferences to find the best solar solution for your home. Reach out to our solar specialists today, to learn more.
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