WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MONOCRYSTALLINE AND POLYCRYSTALLINE SOLAR PANELS?
Many families have shifted to renewable forms of energy in the past decade. If you haven’t already, chances are you’re on the market for good options. Well, you’re in luck! If you’re looking for the best, it doesn’t get better than solar power. Australia is one of the largest producers of solar power. Solar panels have become more efficient and cheaper to produce. But at the heart of the solar panel lies the solar cell. Knowing which solar cell is the best for you is crucial.
There are two options that are popular on the market: monocrystalline and polycrystalline. Both of these types have their pros and cons. But it can be difficult to compare — especially if you’re new to the market.
That’s why we’ve made this comparison guide for you. With this guide, you’ll make the best financial decision. Read on to find out the best solar panel type for you!
Differences between monocrystalline and polycrystalline Solar Panels
Both panel types harness light energy from the sun. Then, they use it to generate power. But the way they do it is different. So are the efficiencies you’re going to get. Thus, we’ve compared the two solar panel types on some key metrics. They are solar cell type, efficiency, cost, and aesthetics.
Solar Cell Type
The solar cell is the building block of every solar panel. That’s why it pays to know about them. You’ll have a better understanding of how some panel types operate.
Monocrystalline panels are more refined. Producers make them from silicon, the same as for polycrystalline. But people consider them a premium product. Why? Because this solar panel uses a uniform, single-crystal silicon for their solar cells.
Single-crystal silicon is purer than other types of silicon. That’s because producers don’t cut single-crystal silicon into chunks. They also don’t meld those chunks back together. Single-crystal silicon keeps its original structure. These pure silicon crystals form into wafers that go into making the panel.
Polycrystalline panels are less refined. Producers make these solar panels with silicon chunks. They break up pure silicon into many fragments. Then, they meld those fragments together into a wafer. Those wafers make their way into the solar panel.
As you can tell, silicon fragments are less pure. They don’t keep their original structure. When they meld with other fragments, their purity decreases.
Efficiency
For the average consumer, efficiency is a big deal. The more efficient solar panel will produce more power over a given period. That means you’ll meet your initial investment much faster. After that, you’ll be making real money.
Monocrystalline solar panels are more efficient. The efficiency is thanks to the purity of the silicon wafers. Purer silicon has a better structure for power generation. The electrons that are responsible for this process have more freedom to move. They can charge up and flow with ease.
That’s why you’ll see these solar panels with efficiencies ranging from 18–24%. Some solar panels have even more than that. For example, Sunpower solar panels hit the 25% mark without breaking a sweat.
Polycrystalline solar panels are less efficient. The reason for this is the same as the one above. The silicon wafers in these solar panels are less pure. The electrons cannot charge up and flow with as much freedom. That’s because the silicon structure is different. These panels will generate less power over a given period.
But that doesn’t mean these solar panels are bad at efficiency. In recent times, they’ve gotten quite good. Some have even caught up to monocrystalline solar panels. You’ll see efficiencies ranging from 14–21%. In the future, this percentage will only increase.
Aesthetics
Of course, looks matter — especially when you have a clean home design in mind.
Monocrystalline panels have a darker hue. In most cases, they appear to be black. There are minimal grid lines on the solar panel. These features mean you’ll get a sleeker-looking solar panel.
The darker hue of these panels happens because of the sun. Light from the sun reflects from pure silicon in a particular way. That reflection tends to result in a blackish colour.
Polycrystalline panels have a bluish hue. The colours range from dark blue to indigo to sky blue. There are also clear gridlines on the solar panel. Depending on your preferences, you may not like this look. But there are many who appreciate it.
Like monocrystalline solar panels, this bluish hue is due to the reflection of light. Polycrystalline has silicon fragments in their wafers. So, light reflects in a different way. That reflection results in a blue tone.
The durability of these solar panels
You don’t want a solar panel that degrades after a couple of years of use. You want one that’s going to last you a long time. That’s why durability is important.
Monocrystalline solar panels are more durable, but only by a slight margin. Pure silicon has a better temperature coefficient. That means these solar panels will withstand temperature changes better.
Polycrystalline solar panels are less durable, but not by a lot. Silicon fragments have a worse temperature coefficient. That means these panels will degrade faster than monocrystalline. But in practice, the difference is only around 2–3 years.
Cost of these solar panels
Cost is a huge factor for consumers. You’d want an affordable option that will give you a good return on investment.
Monocrystalline solar panels are much more expensive. That’s because producing and shaping pure silicon takes a lot of resources. The process is also very wasteful.
Polycrystalline solar panels are affordable. They are not cheap; they are in the midrange. That’s because it’s easier to break up silicon into fragments and meld them together.
Which one is the best for me?
It comes down to personal preferences and needs. If you have a limited rooftop space, then opt for monocrystalline solar panels. They are more efficient and need less space to operate.
But if you have huge open spaces, then buy polycrystalline solar panels. They are cheaper and will net you the same efficiency if you use a lot of them. And over time, these solar panels will only get better.
Conclusion
Both of these solar panel types are amazing at solar power generation. But what you choose will depend on how much money you’re willing to spend. And on how much space you have on your property. We hope with this comparison, the decision is more clear for you.