Monocrystalline Solar Cells Polycrystalline Difference

Monocrystalline solar panels are the most popular solar panels used in rooftop solar installations today.

Monocrystalline solar cells polycrystalline difference.

In addition when you seek polycrystalline solar panels for sale the sellers may highlight the blue hue of these panels compared to the monocrystalline panels black hue. Monocrystalline solar panels have solar cells made from a single crystal of silicon while polycrystalline solar panels have solar cells made from many silicon fragments melted together. Polycrystalline panels have about 13 to 16 efficiency while monocrystalline panels have an efficiency rate of anywhere from 15 to 20. The main difference between the two technologies is the type of silicon solar cell they use.

One of the reasons people tend to choose monocrystalline solar panels is because of how they look. The key difference between monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar panels is that comparatively the monocrystalline solar panels are black in color and are more efficient and durable whereas polycrystalline solar panels are blue in color and are less efficient and less durable. Let s look at the differences between the two options. The efficiency of polycrystalline solar panels is somewhat lower but the benefit for customers is that this option is more affordable.

The solar cells within monocrystalline panels are a single flat black color which makes them popular among homeowners. Therefore the primary component of a solar cell is silicon. Monocrystalline solar panels contain cells that are cut from a single crystalline silicon ingot. You would need a much larger array of polycrystalline panels to produce the same amount of energy than if you used monocrystalline which may not work for households with limited roof space.

Solar cells can either be monocrystalline cut from a single silicon source or polycrystalline from multiple sources. However there are certain differences that relate to the types of technology used for the manufacturing of these panels.