Every Type of Solar Panel in Ireland (2026)
There are three main solar panel cell technologies sold in Ireland: monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and thin-film. Modern Tier 1 panels split further into PERC, TOPCon, HJT, and IBC variants, each with different efficiency and price profiles. Beyond the cell, panels also differ by physical form: bifacial, hybrid PV-T, building-integrated (BIPV), solar tiles, and in-roof vs on-roof mounting all change what a system looks like and what it costs.
Quick Answer
The most common type of solar panel in Ireland is monocrystalline N-type TOPCon, used by Jinko, JA Solar, Trina, and most Tier 1 brands. It delivers 21 to 23% efficiency and a 25-year warranty. Polycrystalline and thin-film are now rare in residential installs. Premium variants like HJT and IBC cost 20 to 30% more for marginal efficiency gains. Bifacial panels add 2 to 30% output and are best on ground-mounted or flat roofs.
Types of solar panels by cell technology
Cell technology determines how efficiently a panel converts sunlight to electricity. Almost every residential panel sold in Ireland in 2026 is monocrystalline, and the difference is which variant of mono cell is inside.
Monocrystalline (Mono)
Best for almost every Irish home
Cut from a single silicon crystal. Black, uniform appearance. Highest efficiency of mainstream technologies at 20 to 24%. All Tier 1 brands sold in Ireland are monocrystalline, including Jinko, JA Solar, Trina, Aiko, Hyundai, and Canadian Solar. If your installer quotes a 'standard' panel today, it is mono.
Polycrystalline (Poly)
Now rare, older stock only
Made from melted silicon fragments. Blue, speckled appearance. Lower efficiency at 15 to 18% and lower cost, but largely phased out of Tier 1 product lines from 2022 onwards. If you are offered poly in Ireland in 2026, it is likely clearance stock.
Thin-film (a-Si, CdTe, CIGS)
Niche use: flexible, portable, BIPV
Photovoltaic material deposited as a thin layer on glass, metal, or plastic. Flexible, lightweight, and works in low light, but efficiency is poor at 10 to 13% and area required is large. Used for caravans, boats, and building-integrated facades, not standard Irish home roofs.
PERC (Passivated Emitter Rear Cell)
Older mainstream, being replaced
A monocrystalline cell upgrade that adds a rear passivation layer to capture more light. Was the industry standard until 2023. Still common as discounted stock. Lower efficiency and higher first-year LID (light-induced degradation) than newer N-type panels.
N-type TOPCon
Current mainstream, best balance
The 2024 to 2026 industry standard. N-type silicon with a tunnel-oxide passivated contact layer. Higher efficiency, better low-light performance, lower temperature coefficient, and minimal LID. Used by Jinko Tiger Neo, JA DeepBlue 4.0, Trina Vertex S+, Canadian TOPHiKu6, and Longi Hi-MO 7.
HJT (Heterojunction)
Premium efficiency
Sandwiches a crystalline silicon wafer between thin amorphous silicon layers. Very high efficiency, excellent temperature performance, and the lowest degradation rate of any mainstream tech at around 0.25% per year. Premium price, typically 20 to 30% more than TOPCon. Made by Meyer Burger, REC, and Panasonic.
IBC / Back-contact (ABC, HPBC, Maxeon)
Best efficiency, best aesthetics
All electrical contacts sit on the rear of the cell, with no front busbars. Highest residential efficiency at 23 to 25% and a clean all-black look. Best when roof space is limited or aesthetics matter. Brands include Aiko Neostar ABC (up to 25%), Longi Hi-MO 9 HIBC (24.8%), and SunPower Maxeon 7 (24.1%).
Types of solar panels by physical form
Beyond what is inside the cell, panels also differ by how they are built and how they integrate with the roof.
Monofacial (standard)
Standard pitched roofs
The default. Generates power only from the front face. Lower cost than bifacial. Suitable for standard tile or slate roofs where the panel sits flush with the roof line.
Bifacial
Ground mounts, flat roofs, carports
Generates electricity from both sides. The rear picks up reflected light (albedo) from the roof, ground, or surrounding surfaces, boosting output by 2 to 30% depending on install. Most Tier 1 panels (Jinko Tiger Neo, JA DeepBlue 4.0, Trina Vertex S+) are now bifacial by design, so you may already be getting one.
Solar tiles / solar roof tiles
Listed buildings, new builds, premium aesthetics
Photovoltaic tiles that replace conventional roof tiles. Blend in with the roof rather than sitting on top. Two to three times the cost of standard panels for the same output, but the only option for some listed buildings or planning-restricted properties.
Hybrid PV-T (photovoltaic-thermal)
Maximising roof yield: power and hot water
A combined panel that generates electricity (PV) and captures heat for hot water (thermal) in one unit. Higher upfront cost and more complex install (needs both electrical and plumbing). Niche in Ireland but growing for high-demand homes.
BIPV (Building-Integrated PV)
New builds, commercial facades
Solar built into the building envelope: facades, skylights, transparent windows, and canopies. Replaces conventional building materials rather than being added on top. Common in commercial and architectural projects, rare on existing Irish homes.
Flexible / portable panels
Caravans, boats, sheds, off-grid
Lightweight, bendable thin-film or lightweight mono panels. Used where roof load is limited or panels need to follow a curved surface. Lower efficiency and shorter lifespan than rigid panels, and not used on Irish homes.
Types of solar panels by mounting type
On-roof (above the tiles)
Most Irish retrofits
Panels mounted on rails fixed to roof rafters, sitting 5 to 10 cm above the existing tiles or slates. Cheapest and fastest install. Existing roof remains intact, so it is easier to repair or replace if needed.
In-roof (integrated)
New builds, full roof replacements
Tiles or slates removed beneath the panels and replaced with a weatherproof tray. Panels sit flush with the roof line for a cleaner look. Better aesthetics but 15 to 25% more expensive and harder to access for repairs. Best done at the same time as a new roof.
Ground-mounted
Large gardens, farms, sites with no suitable roof
Frames anchored to the ground in your garden or paddock, angled for optimal sun. Best yield per panel due to perfect orientation. Needs planning permission above 25m² in most cases. Common on farms (TAMS 3 grant) and rural sites.
Solar tiles (tile-replacement)
See solar tiles section above
A specific in-roof variant where the panels themselves are tile-shaped and replace conventional roof tiles. Covered in the physical form section above.
Which type of solar panel is best for an Irish home?
For 9 out of 10 Irish homes, the answer is the same: monocrystalline N-type TOPCon, mounted on-roof, from a Tier 1 brand. Here is when to consider something different:
Limited roof space: IBC or HJT
If you can only fit 6 to 8 panels but want maximum output, pay the premium for back-contact (Aiko ABC, Longi HPBC, SunPower Maxeon) or HJT. You get 10 to 15% more power from the same footprint.
Ground mount or flat roof: Bifacial
If you can install at a height with reflective ground beneath, bifacial panels add 10 to 25% extra yield from the rear side at little extra cost.
New build or re-roofing: In-roof
If you are building or replacing the roof anyway, in-roof integration gives a cleaner look without much extra labour. Don't strip a perfectly good roof to do this.
Listed building or planning issues: Solar tiles
Solar tiles may be the only way to get planning approval on a listed building or in an architectural conservation area. Expect to pay two to three times the cost.
Farm or large site: Ground mount
TAMS 3 grants up to 60% make ground-mounted arrays cost-effective on farms. See the farm solar guide.
Hot water demand: Hybrid PV-T or solar thermal
If your priority is hot water rather than electricity, consider solar thermal or hybrid PV-T panels. PV alone with a diverter is usually cheaper.
Solar panel types compared
| Type | Efficiency | Price tier | Lifespan | Common in Ireland? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mono PERC | 19 to 21% | Budget | 25 years | Phasing out |
| Mono N-type TOPCon | 21 to 23% | Mid-range | 25 to 30 years | Yes, current standard |
| HJT | 22 to 24% | Premium | 30 years | Available, niche |
| IBC / Back-contact (ABC, HIBC) | 23 to 25% | Premium | 30 years | Yes, Aiko and Longi |
| Polycrystalline | 15 to 18% | Budget | 25 years | Rare, clearance only |
| Thin-film | 10 to 13% | Varies | 15 to 25 years | Niche / portable |
| Bifacial | +2 to 30% bonus | 5 to 15% premium | 25 to 30 years | Yes, most Tier 1 |
| Solar tiles | 10 to 22% | Premium (2 to 3x) | 25 to 30 years | Niche, listed buildings |
| Hybrid PV-T | 15 to 20% PV plus heat | Premium | 20 to 25 years | Niche |
| BIPV | 10 to 18% | Project-specific | 25 to 30 years | Commercial only |
Indicative figures for residential panels typically quoted by SEAI-registered installers in Ireland in 2026. Actual specs vary by manufacturer and product line.
Frequently Asked Questions About Solar Panel Types
What are the main types of solar panels?
The three main types of solar panels by cell technology are monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and thin-film. Within monocrystalline, the current variants are PERC (older), N-type TOPCon (current standard), HJT (premium), and IBC or back-contact (premium). Panels also differ by physical form (monofacial, bifacial, solar tiles, hybrid PV-T, BIPV) and mounting (on-roof, in-roof, ground-mounted).
What type of solar panel is most common in Ireland?
Monocrystalline N-type TOPCon panels are the standard in Ireland in 2026. Brands like Jinko Tiger Neo, JA Solar DeepBlue 4.0, and Trina Vertex S+ all use this technology. They deliver 21 to 23% efficiency, a 25-year product warranty, and excellent low-light performance, which is important for the Irish climate.
Is monocrystalline or polycrystalline better?
Monocrystalline is better for almost every Irish home. It is more efficient (20 to 24% vs 15 to 18%), lasts longer, and performs better in low light. Polycrystalline is now rare in residential installs because most Tier 1 manufacturers stopped making poly panels by 2023. If you are offered poly in 2026, it is likely older clearance stock.
What is the difference between PERC and TOPCon solar panels?
PERC (Passivated Emitter Rear Cell) is the previous generation of monocrystalline cell, with efficiency of 19 to 21%. N-type TOPCon is the current generation, with 21 to 23% efficiency, better low-light performance, lower temperature coefficient, and minimal first-year light-induced degradation (LID). All major Tier 1 brands have switched mainstream production to TOPCon.
What are HJT solar panels?
HJT (heterojunction) panels sandwich a crystalline silicon wafer between thin layers of amorphous silicon. They achieve 22 to 24% efficiency, perform well in heat, and have the lowest degradation rate of any mainstream technology at around 0.25% per year. They cost 20 to 30% more than TOPCon panels and are made by manufacturers like Meyer Burger, REC, and Panasonic.
What are IBC or back-contact solar panels?
IBC (Interdigitated Back Contact) panels move all the electrical busbars to the rear of the cell, leaving a clean all-black front surface. This delivers the highest residential efficiency available (23 to 25%) and excellent aesthetics. Brands include Aiko Neostar ABC (up to 25%), Longi Hi-MO 9 HIBC (24.8%), and SunPower Maxeon 7 (24.1%). Worth the premium when roof space is limited.
What is the difference between in-roof and on-roof solar panels?
On-roof panels sit on rails fixed above the existing roof tiles, leaving the roof intact and giving the cheapest install. In-roof (integrated) panels replace the tiles beneath them, sitting flush with the roof line for a cleaner look. In-roof costs 15 to 25% more, has slightly lower yield due to reduced ventilation, and is best done at the same time as a new roof or major re-tiling job.
Are bifacial solar panels worth it in Ireland?
Bifacial panels are worth it on ground-mounted systems, flat roofs with light-coloured membranes, or carports, anywhere the rear of the panel can capture reflected light. On standard pitched roofs the gain is modest at 5 to 10%. Many Tier 1 panels sold in Ireland are already bifacial by design, so you may already be getting one without paying extra.
Related Guides
Bifacial Solar Panels
How they work, output gain, cost, and whether they are worth it in Ireland.
Solar Panel Efficiency
2026 efficiency ratings by cell type and brand, plus what efficiency means in practice.
Panel Brands
Best solar panel brands available in Ireland.
Solar Panel Costs
Full cost breakdown and payback periods.
Sources
- SEAI: Solar Energy for the Home, seai.ie
- Bloomberg NEF: Tier 1 Solar Module Maker List, bnef.com
- NREL: Best Research-Cell Efficiencies, nrel.gov
Last updated: May 2026
Fact-checked by John Rooney, Solar Energy Editor. Editorial policy
John Rooney is the founder of Solar Info and has been covering the Irish solar energy market since 2023. He fact-checks all content against official SEAI data and maintains relationships with SEAI-registered installers across Ireland.
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