What is a monocrystalline solar panel?

Monocrystalline solar panels have black-colored solar cells made of a single silicon crystal and usually have a higher efficiency rating. However, these panels often come at a higher price. Polycrystalline solar panels have blue-colored cells made of multiple silicon crystals melted together.

What is a polycrystalline solar panel?

Polycrystalline solar panels are also made from silicon. However, instead of using a single silicon crystal, manufacturers melt many silicon fragments together to form wafers for the panel. Polycrystalline solar cells are also called "multi-crystalline" or many-crystal silicon.

How do polycrystalline solar panels work?

Polycrystalline or multi-crystalline solar panels combine several non-uniform silicon crystals in a single PV cell. Several silicon fragments are melted to form wafers of polycrystalline solar panels. As there are multiple silicon crystals used in manufacturing, there is less space for electrons to flow.

How are monocrystalline solar panels made?

In order to produce monocrystalline solar panels the silicon is formed into bars before being cut into wafers. The cells are made of single-crystal silicon which means that the electrons have more space to move around and can therefore generate more energy.

How long do monocrystalline solar panels last?

Both monocrystalline and polycrystalline panels will produce electricity efficiently for 25 years or more. Like efficiency, monocrystalline solar panels tend to outperform polycrystalline models regarding temperature coefficient.

Are monocrystalline solar panels more efficient?

In general, monocrystalline solar panels are more efficient than polycrystalline solar panels because they're cut from a single crystal of silicon, making it easier for the highest amount of electricity to move throughout the panel.