Mono Crystalline Solar Panels Are More Efficient Than Polycrystalline Panels

The blanket statement that monocrystalline panels are better than polycrystalline cells however is not accurate.

Mono crystalline solar panels are more efficient than polycrystalline panels.

It is mainly used in large scale commercial applications. Because monocrystalline solar cells are made from purer grade silicon they lay claim to the most efficient solar panels on the planet at 24 1 efficiency. Instead of black they come in a blue finish with perfectly square wafers making them quick to distinguish from mono si panels. If you can fit the system size you need on your roof with more affordable less efficient panels then there is no difference between mono and poly.

They normally have a 335w output for a 72 cell panel. The polycrystalline solar panels are also made from silicon. Monocrystalline solar cells are more efficient because they are cut from a single source of silicon. Polycrystalline solar panels generally have lower efficiencies than monocrystalline options but their advantage is a lower price point.

Polycrystalline solar cells are blended from multiple silicon sources and are slightly less efficient. Mono cells are also found in ridged panels. Also polycrystalline solar panels tend to have a blue hue instead of the black hue of monocrystalline panels. Monocrystalline solar cells have historically had a higher peak efficiency and were more readily available than polysilicon solar cells.

However when we turn away from premium ultra efficient panels and look at more standard offerings the efficiency of mono and poly panels are actually quite similar. Crystalline panels need to be as perpendicular to the sun as possible to achieve the best performance. Each panel and its manufacturer should be considered on a case by case basis. They are more efficient than polycrystalline cells and can be smaller in size for the same output.

To make my point let s compare the specs of 2 similarly priced good quality solar panels that are available in australia in 2019 one polycrystalline and one monocrystalline. As a result monocrystalline panels are more efficient than their polycrystalline counterparts. Monocrystalline silicon solar panels are more space efficient these solar panels are capable of yielding the highest power outputs. Since they are monocrystalline and perform better in heat these panels are projected to have the longest life.

Polycrystalline silicon p si panels on the other hand are made of wafers from various silicon fragments melted together. Performance suffers somewhat as temperature goes up but less so than with polycrystalline solar panels. Monocrystalline solar panels tend to be more efficient in warm weather.