Thin-Film Solar Panels
About Unilux Solar
Launched in 2024, Unilux Solar is dedicated to driving the large-scale embrace of solar energy throughout Telangana State in India. As a leading EPC provider, we’ve enabled over 30 households to transition to clean energy. Our key offerings include:
- Deployment of grid-connected rooftop solar solutions for homes and residential complexes
- Comprehensive post-installation support and maintenance services
- Customizable financing options, including easy EMI plans
- Use of innovative, pre-engineered mounting systems for seamless solar panel setup
We collaborate closely with our clients to create enduring, eco-friendly energy solutions designed to last for a minimum of 2 years, fostering a brighter, sustainable future.
Here’s what makes Unilux Solar stand out:
- Free solar consultations to help you understand your options.
- High-quality mounting structures built to withstand cyclonic winds up to 170 kmph, perfect for coastal Andhra Pradesh.
- Quick 10-minute loan approvals to make going solar hassle-free.
- 3D rooftop models created within 15 minutes of a site visit, so you can visualize your solar setup.
- Flexible EMI plans, including our popular zero-cost EMI option.
- 5-year maintenance contracts for peace of mind.
Our mission? To create a trusted brand that puts you, the customer, first while lighting up Telangana and Andhra Pradesh with clean, green energy.
What Are Thin-Film Solar Panels?
Thin-film solar panels are made by depositing thin layers of photovoltaic materials, such as amorphous silicon, cadmium telluride (CdTe), or copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS), onto a substrate like glass, plastic, or metal. Unlike crystalline panels, thin-film panels are lightweight, flexible, and less expensive to produce, though they have lower efficiency (10–13%). They are ideal for large-scale installations or unconventional surfaces in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, where their flexibility and low cost make them suitable for specific applications.
How Do Thin-Film Solar Panels Work?
Thin-film solar panels generate electricity through the photovoltaic effect, similar to crystalline panels but with different materials. Here’s a simple breakdown:
- Sunlight Absorption: Thin layers of photovoltaic materials absorb sunlight, exciting electrons to create a direct current (DC).
- Power Optimization: Thin-film panels perform better in diffuse light or high temperatures, making them suitable for cloudy or hot conditions in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
- Power Aggregation: Panels are wired in series or parallel to optimize voltage and current, feeding into a combiner box for safety and monitoring.
- DC to AC Conversion: An inverter converts DC electricity into alternating current (AC) for household appliances or grid connection.
- Energy Storage or Grid Feed: In off-grid systems, excess energy charges batteries via a charge controller. In on-grid systems, surplus power is fed to the grid, earning credits from your DISCOM.
Features of Thin-Film Solar Panels
Thin-film solar panels are known for their unique characteristics:
- Low Cost: Cheaper to produce than crystalline panels (₹30–40/Wp), ideal for budget-conscious projects.
- Lightweight and Flexible: Can be installed on curved or unconventional surfaces, such as sheds or temporary structures.
- Moderate Efficiency: 10–13% efficiency, lower than monocrystalline (20–23%) or polycrystalline (15–18%) panels.
- High-Temperature Performance: Better efficiency in hot climates like Telangana and Andhra Pradesh compared to crystalline panels.
- Durability: Last 15–20 years, with coatings to withstand coastal humidity and monsoons.
Components of a Thin-Film Solar Panel System
A solar system using thin-film panels includes the following components, optimized for cost and flexibility:
- Thin-Film Panels: Layers of photovoltaic materials (e.g., amorphous silicon, CdTe, CIGS) on a substrate, offering flexibility and low weight.
- Inverter: Converts DC to AC power. Modern inverters offer up to 96% efficiency and smart monitoring.
- Charge Controller (for off-grid systems): Uses Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) to optimize battery charging and extend lifespan.
- Battery (for off-grid or hybrid systems): Lithium-ion batteries (8–12 years lifespan) or lead-acid (3–5 years) store excess energy.
- Mounting Structures: Pre-engineered, lightweight frames to secure panels, designed to withstand winds in coastal Andhra Pradesh.
- Accessories: Includes DC/AC cables, MC4 connectors, earthing strips, and lightning arresters for safety during Telangana’s monsoons.
When Should You Use Thin-Film Solar Panels?
Thin-film solar panels are ideal for specific scenarios in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh:
- Large-Scale Installations: Perfect for farms or industrial sheds in Srikakulam, Nalgonda, or Kurnool, where large surface areas are available.
- Budget Projects: Suitable for rural homes or community projects in Warangal or Anantapur seeking low-cost solar solutions.
- Unconventional Surfaces: Ideal for curved roofs, temporary structures, or non-traditional surfaces in rural or semi-urban areas.
- High-Temperature Areas: Perform well in hot climates like Hyderabad or Rajahmundry, where crystalline panels may lose efficiency.
- Portable Applications: Used in mobile or temporary setups, such as agricultural camps or rural clinics.
For urban homes with reliable grid access and limited roof space, Unilux Solar recommends on-grid systems using monocrystalline or polycrystalline panels for higher efficiency. Thin-film panels are better for large-scale or budget-conscious projects.
Estimated Costs of Thin-Film Solar Panel Systems in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh (2025)
The cost of a thin-film solar panel system is lower than crystalline systems but requires more panels due to lower efficiency. Below are approximate costs for 2025:
|
System Capacity |
On-Grid Cost (After Subsidies, ₹) |
Off-Grid Cost (₹) |
|
2 kWp |
70,000–1,20,000 |
1,40,000–1,80,000 |
|
3 kWp |
80,000–1,30,000 |
2,20,000–2,70,000 |
|
5 kWp |
1,60,000–2,40,000 |
3,80,000–4,60,000 |
|
10 kWp |
3,80,000–4,80,000 |
5,20,000–6,50,000 |
Note: On-grid costs reflect subsidies under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. Off-grid costs include batteries. Unilux Solar offers on-grid and hybrid systems; thin-film and off-grid prices are market estimates.
Subsidies for Thin-Film Solar Panels
The PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana offers subsidies of ₹30,000–₹78,000 for on-grid rooftop solar systems, including those using thin-film panels, depending on capacity. No subsidies are available for off-grid systems. Contact Telangana’s TSSPDCL or Andhra Pradesh’s APSPDCL for local incentives and application details.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Thin-Film Solar Panels
Advantages
- Low Cost: Cheapest among solar panels (₹30–40/Wp), ideal for budget-conscious projects.
- Lightweight and Flexible: Can be installed on curved or unconventional surfaces, perfect for sheds or temporary structures.
- High-Temperature Performance: Maintains efficiency in hot climates like Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
- Good in Diffuse Light: Performs well in cloudy conditions or partial shade, common during monsoons.
- Eco-Friendly: Uses less material in production, reducing environmental impact.
Disadvantages
- Lower Efficiency: 10–13% efficiency requires more panels and space compared to monocrystalline (20–23%) or polycrystalline (15–18%).
- Shorter Lifespan: Lasts 15–20 years, shorter than crystalline panels (20–30 years).
- Battery Costs for Off-Grid: Off-grid systems require batteries, adding ₹50,000–₹2,00,000 to costs.
- No Off-Grid Subsidies: Only on-grid systems qualify for government financial assistance.
Thin-Film vs. Other Solar Panels
Here’s how thin-film panels compare to other types in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh:
|
Feature |
Thin-Film |
Monocrystalline |
Polycrystalline |
|
Efficiency |
10–13% |
20–23% |
15–18% |
|
Cost |
₹30–40/Wp |
₹50–70/Wp |
₹40–50/Wp |
|
Lifespan |
15–20 years |
25–30 years |
20–25 years |
|
Best For |
Large-scale, budget projects |
Urban homes, limited space |
Budget installations, large rooftops |
|
Appearance |
Thin, uniform |
Sleek black |
Blue, speckled |
Why Choose Unilux Solar for Thin-Film Solar Panels?
Unilux Solar is exploring thin-film panel technology to deliver cost-effective, flexible solutions:
- Expert Guidance: We help you evaluate thin-film panels for large-scale or unconventional projects in Srikakulam, Kurnool, or rural areas.
- Affordable Financing: 10-minute loan approvals and zero-cost EMI plans make adoption seamless.
- Durable Design: Our pre-engineered mounting structures ensure panels withstand coastal winds and monsoons.
- Long-Term Support: 5-year maintenance contracts guarantee performance for at least 2 years and beyond.
Conclusion
Thin-film solar panels are an affordable, flexible solution for large-scale or budget-conscious projects in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, particularly for farms, industrial sheds, or unconventional surfaces. While less efficient than crystalline panels, their low cost and high-temperature performance make them valuable for specific applications. For urban homes with reliable grids, Unilux Solar’s on-grid systems using monocrystalline or polycrystalline panels offer higher efficiency and subsidies, but thin-film panels are a great choice for large or rural setups. Contact Unilux Solar for a free consultation to explore how thin-film solar panels can power your sustainable future!
FAQs
Q: How much does a thin-film solar panel system cost in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh?
A: Costs vary by system type and capacity:
- On-Grid (after subsidies): ₹70,000 (2 kWp) to ₹4,80,000 (10 kWp)
- Off-Grid: ₹1,40,000 (2 kWp) to ₹6,50,000 (10 kWp)
Note: Unilux Solar offers on-grid and hybrid systems; thin-film and off-grid prices are market estimates.
Q: What are the drawbacks of thin-film solar panels?
A: Lower efficiency (10–13%), shorter lifespan (15–20 years), and larger space requirements are the main drawbacks, along with battery costs for off-grid systems.
Q: Are there subsidies for thin-film solar panel systems?
A: Yes, on-grid systems qualify for ₹30,000–₹78,000 under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. Off-grid systems are not subsidized.
Q: How many thin-film panels are needed for a typical home?
A: For a 3 kWp system, 10–12 panels (250–300W each) are typically required, depending on roof space and energy needs, due to lower efficiency.

