If you’re considering installing solar panels on your home or business, you’ve probably heard of polycrystalline and monocrystalline solar Panels. But what’s the difference between them? And which type is better for your installation? In this blog post, we’ll answer those questions and more!
Polycrystalline Solar Panels
Polycrystalline solar cells are made from multiple, smaller crystals of silicon. They’re produced by melting raw silicon and then cooling it into a block. The block is then cut into thin wafers. Polycrystalline solar cells are less efficient than monocrystalline solar cells, but they’re also less expensive to produce.
Monocrystalline Solar Panels
Monocrystalline solar cells are made from a single, continuous crystal of silicon. They’re cut from a cylindrical ingot of silicon and then sliced into thin wafers and are more efficient because the structure allows electrons to move more freely and generate electricity.
Monocrystalline solar cells are more expensive to produce than polycrystalline solar cells, but they’re also more efficient. That means that they produce more power when new and they’re able to convert more sunlight into electricity. Generally they degrade less over time as well, which means they will produce more power in the future.
Monocrystalline solar cells have another advantage over polycrystalline solar cells: they’re less affected by shading. That’s because each individual cell in a monocrystalline panel is identical, and so if one cell is shaded, it doesn’t affect the others. In a polycrystalline panel, the cells are all different sizes and shapes, so if one cell is shaded, it can adversely affect the performance of the whole panel.
So, which type of solar panels should you choose for your installation?
When it comes down to it, it largely depends on your needs and budget.
There are a few different types of solar panels available on the market, but not all of them are created equal. If you are putting panels on your home, business or rental property you definitely want the best and most efficient panels available, so go with monocrystalline.
But if you’re looking to put in solar on a remote, primitive cabin, storage shed or some other low use scenario then you can probably just go with polycrystalline panels. They might not be as efficient as monocrystalline solar panels, but they’ll still get the job done and save you money in the process.
Just know this, whichever option you choose, you can be sure that you’re making a smart investment in renewable energy.
Still have questions about polycrystalline vs monocrystalline solar cells?
Feel free to contact us for a free solar estimate!
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