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.
Manufacturers use silicon in making solar panels. Therefore, the primary component of a solar cell is silicon. However, pure, crystalline silicon is a poor conductor of electricity. We consider it as a semiconductor material. But when making solar cells in solar panels, we intentionally mix silicon with some other components in order to increase the conductivity. These components increase the silicon’s ability to increase the capability of capturing the solar energy and converting it into electricity. There are two major forms of crystalline solar panels; namely, monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar panels. Among these two forms, monocrystalline solar panels are more efficient compared to polycrystalline solar panels.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What are Monocrystalline Solar Panels
3. What are Polycrystalline Solar Panels
4. Side by Side Comparison – Monocrystalline vs Polycrystalline Solar Panels in Tabular Form
5. Summary
What are Monocrystalline Solar Panels?
Monocrystalline solar panels are the dark black colored solar panels that are more efficient than other forms. Some people call this form as single crystalline cells. These solar panels contain pure silicon cells. Moreover, these solar panels require less space (hence they are space-efficient).
Figure 01: Monocrystalline Solar Panels
These solar panels are the form that lasts the longest among other silicon-based solar panels. However, the cost of these solar panels is high. They are the most expensive form of solar panels. Some of the advantages of monocrystalline solar panels include; high level of efficiency (up to 20%), requires less space for installation, longer shelf life and better performance at the low level of sunlight. The disadvantages include; high cost, the temperature increases at high-performance levels and the waste production are high during the manufacturing process.
What are Polycrystalline Solar Panels?
Polycrystalline solar panels are the blue colored solar panels that have a less efficiency level. These also consist of silicon. However, during the manufacturing process, we should melt many fragments of silicon together (instead of a single fragment of silicon) in order to forms wafers of the solar panel. Therefore, we call this form of solar panels as multi-silicon cells.
Figure 02: Polycrystalline Solar Panels
The advantages of using polycrystalline solar panels include; easier and cheaper manufacturing process, less waste production, etc. The disadvantages include; increase in temperature at high-performance levels, less efficiency (up to 16%) and lower output rate.
What is the Difference Between Monocrystalline and Polycrystalline Solar Panels?
Monocrystalline solar panels are the dark black colored solar panels that are more efficient than other forms. Polycrystalline solar panels are the blue colored solar panels that have a less efficiency level. Monocrystalline solar panels are dark black in color while Polycrystalline solar panels are blue in color.
Furthermore, Monocrystalline solar panels are well-known as the form that lasts the longest among other silicon-based solar panels since their efficiency is high. And Polycrystalline solar panels do not last that much longer since their efficiency is comparatively low. Similarly, Monocrystalline solar panels are expensive whereas Polycrystalline solar panels are comparatively cheap.
Summary – Monocrystalline vs Polycrystalline Solar Panels
There are two main forms of solar panels as monocrystalline solar panels and polycrystalline solar panels. The difference between monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar panels is that monocrystalline solar panels have a black color whereas polycrystalline solar panels have a blue color.\
Reference:
1. “Mono vs. Poly Solar Panels Explained.” EnergySage. Available here
2. Boateng, Samuel, et al. “Which Solar Panel Type Is Best? Mono-, Polycrystalline or Thin Film?” Energy Informative. Available here
3. “Monocrystalline Solar Panels: Advantages and Disadvantages.” Amorphous Silicon Solar Cells: Solar Facts and Advice. Available here
Image Courtesy:
1.’Monocrystalline solar panel’By Lamiot (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2.’1916121′ (Public Domain) via Max Pixel