What color is a solar panel?

The color of a solar panel depends on the type of silicon used during the manufacturing process. Black solar panels are more efficient because monocrystalline silicon captures sunlight more effectively than the polycrystalline variety.

What are polycrystalline solar panels?

Polycrystalline solar panels (or poly panels) are made of individual polycrystalline solar cells. Just like monocrystalline solar cells, polycrystalline solar cells are made from silicon crystals. The difference is that, instead of being extruded as a single pure ingot, the silicon crystal cools and fragments on its own.

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.

Why do polycrystalline solar panels look blue?

The polycrystalline solar panels will appear bluer in color because of the way sunlight falls and interacts with multiple crystals. The silicon wafers will not appear round-edged because they are cut from the cubic-shaped crucibles. What materials are they made of? Monocrystalline solar cells are made of silica sand, quartzite.

Why are blue solar panels better than monocrystalline solar panels?

The multiple crystals in the formation process create less silicon waste and require less energy than the monocrystalline process. It makes the blue-colored solar panels less expensive, but it also means blue panels are less efficient. Which Color is Better for My Home Solar Power System?

How do I know if my solar panel is monocrystalline?

To identify a monocrystalline solar panel, ask yourself if it looks black and smooth. Monocrystalline solar panels are characterized by their higher efficiency, primarily because they are made from the highest quality silicon.