Monocrystalline vs Polycrystalline Solar Panels

Looking at solar panels, it will be seen that there are two main types: monocrystalline & polycrystalline which both have their own advantages & disadvantages.

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Solar electricity generation Solar panels Monocrystalline vs polycrystalline solar panels

When investigating solar electricity or photovoltaic, PV electricity generating systems, one of the major decisions to be made is whether to select monocrystalline or polycrystalline solar panels.

Although both forms of solar panel will generate electricity from solar energy, they are rather different and there will be some noticeable differences in cost, size and performance.

Before making and selection about whether to select a monocrystalline panel or a polycrystalline one, it is worth having a good understanding of the differences, so that the cost, performance and mechanical benefits of both types can be weighed up and the best decision made.

It is worth noting that both monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar panels can be used in most solar electricity generating systems. It is that some of the parameters are slightly different and these may affect the cost and some aspects of their operation.

Both forms of solar panel are able to generate solar power from the incident solar energy, but there are differences in various aspects of their performance

Monocrystalline solar panels

Monocrystalline solar cells can also be referred to as single crystalline cells. The key factor about monocrystalline solar panels is that the solar cells are made from a single crystal of silicon.

In many respects they are considered to be the premium form of solar panel and they are normally characterised by their dark black colour.

Their key advantage is that these solar panels made using this technology have a much higher solar power conversion efficiency than their polycrystalline cousins. This makes them a much more space efficient form of solar energy capture for a given area to be covered.

A further advantage of the monocrystalline panels is that they have a longer lifespan. Typically this is expected to be around 50 years and manufacturers often offer warranties for 25 years - about half the expected lifespan.

It is a well known fact about solar cells that their performance degrades with time.

The downside to monocrystalline solar panels is that they are more expensive than their polycrystalline relatives. This mainly arises because the four sides of each cell are cut and this means that there are large amounts of waste.

Some of the key factors of monocrystalline solar panels are:

High efficiency: Monocrystalline solar panels have a high solar energy conversion efficiency level which is typically between 15 - 20%.
Space efficiency: As a result of their conversion efficiency monocrystalline solar panels require less space for a given output.
Lifetime: The lifetime of these panels is longer - often 50 years useful life is quoted.
Cost: They are more expensive than other forms of solar panel and this may restrict them as an option in some instances.
Performance degradation with temperature: It is found that the performance of these panels degrades more with temperature than polycrystalline panels. However even with this degradation they still outperform the polycrystalline ones.
More waste in production: The production of these panels creates more waste than other types.

Overall the monocrystalline solar panels provide a more efficient form of solar energy capture, although there is a cost premium to be paid.

Polycrystalline solar panels

Polycrystalline solar panels tend to have lower efficiency figures for solar energy conversion to electrical power when compared to the monocrystalline types. However their main advantage is their much lower cost.

It is also interesting to note that the polycrystalline solar panels tend to have a blue hue rather than the much blacker colour of the monocrystalline types. This makes them quite easy to identify.

The polycrystalline solar panels also use silicon for their manufacture. The difference is that instead of using a single crystal of silicon, many individual elements are combined together to form the wafers for the panel.

In view of the manufacturing techniques used, polycrystalline solar panels may also referred to as “multi-crystalline,” panels.

The difference in the manufacturing technique means that because there are many separate crystals in each overall cell, there is less freedom of movement for the electrons. This lower electron mobility results in a lower level of overall efficiency when compared to the monocrystalline panels.

Some of the key factors of polycrystalline solar panels include:

Lower efficiency levels: The polycrystalline solar panels have a lower efficiency level when compared to the polycrystalline types.
Lower cost: The cost of the polycrystalline panels is much lower than the other types. This can be a significant factor for their selection in some systems.
Lifetime : The expected lifetime of the polycrystalline types is generally specified as being up to 25 years, so it is not as long as the monocrystalline ones.
Space efficiency: Their lower efficiency means that more space is needed to generate the same level of power when compared to monocrystalline panels.
Colour: The aesthetics of the polycrystalline panels is different tot hat of the monocrystalline types. Their speckled bluish tint may not be as appealing to some people.

Polycrystalline solar panels have some advantages, but many people consider them to be the less effective option for solar energy systems. That said, from a cost viewpoint, they may offer a more viable solution.

When making a selection between monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar panels it is worth looking into the various aspects of their performance.

As technology is moving forwards apace, it is always checking the latest products to see the level of performance they offer. However being aware of the advantages and disadvantages of the current products gives a view of some of the points to investigate.