The efficiency of polycrystalline solar panels is somewhat lower but the benefit for customers is that this option is more affordable.
Monocrystalline vs polycrystalline solar.
So monocrystalline solar panels will usually have a higher power output rating than either polycrystalline or thin film modules.
Monocrystalline panels are more efficient than polycrystalline modules with the top of the range sunpower panels achieving 22 efficiency.
In addition polycrystalline solar panels tend to have a blue hue instead of the black hue of monocrystalline panels.
However there are certain differences that relate to the types of technology used for the manufacturing of these panels.
Polycrystalline solar panels generally have lower efficiencies than monocrystalline options but their advantage is a lower price point.
Polycrystalline solar panels are also made from silicon.
In addition when you seek polycrystalline solar panels for sale the sellers may highlight the blue hue of these panels compared to the monocrystalline panels black hue.
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.
Thin film technology costs less than mono or poly panels but is also less efficient.
In recent years polycrystalline silicon solar panels have surpassed monocrystalline to become the highest selling type of solar panel for residential projects.
Monocrystalline solar panels remained the number one seller in the industry for many decades yet that s no longer the case.
In other words you would need less monocrystalline solar panels in your solar power system to generate the same amount of power that say a greater number of polycrystalline solar panels would.
Monocrystalline solar cells are more efficient because they are cut from a single source of silicon.
The monocrystalline panels typically have an efficiency of between 18 22 while polycrystalline panels achieve between 15 17 efficiency.
Manufacturers use silicon in making solar panels.