Difference Between Monocrystalline And Polycrystalline Solar Panels

Manufacturers use silicon in making solar panels.

Difference between monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar panels.

The main difference between the two technologies is the type of silicon solar cell they use. 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. Polycrystalline solar panels will appear somewhat differently in terms of color. Monocrystalline solar panels are highly efficient and have a sleek design but come at a higher price point than other solar panels.

Polycrystalline solar panels have a thick construction which makes them less aesthetically pleasing. Therefore the primary component of a solar cell is silicon. The typical polycrystalline panel will have a bluer shade while the monocrystalline panel will be darker black in color. It requires covering more area for generating a similar amount of power that you can obtain through monocrystalline solar panels.

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 thermal vs photovoltaic. 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 solar panels are less space efficient.