Solar panel types: cells, glass and bifacial construction
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Panel types describe both the cells that generate electricity and the construction protecting them. Monocrystalline, polycrystalline and thin-film are broad cell families. Glass-glass, glass-backsheet, bifacial, framed and flexible describe other characteristics and can overlap.
Cell technology is one layer of the choice
Monocrystalline framed glass modules are common on pitched domestic roofs. TOPCon, HJT and back-contact names describe cell construction. Half-cut describes the cell arrangement. None of these labels replaces comparison of the finished module's power, area, temperature behaviour and warranties.
Compare module efficiency under the same test conditions rather than mixing cell efficiency with finished-panel figures. The electrical limits still need to fit the inverter.
Construction must suit the location
A bifacial module uses light reaching its rear surface as well as its front. The extra output depends on rear illumination, the surface below, clearance and spacing; there is no fixed guaranteed gain for a panel installed close to a pitched roof.
Glass-glass or full-black styling does not establish superior performance in every installation. Check weight, permitted mounting zones, handling, warranty and the roof design for the actual model.