The three main types of solar panels are monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and thin film. Polycrystalline solar panels can be the most cost-effective. Learn efficiency, cost, and performance differences to choose the best panels for your home in 2025. What kind of home do you live in? When you're considering whether to get solar panels, it's a good idea to look into all the different types, to ensure you choose the best. There are many solar panel types, each with distinct characteristics, materials, efficiency rates, applications, and costs. They are constructed from a single crystal structure, allowing them to convert sunlight into solar electricity with great efficiency.