How do Monocrystalline Solar Panels Compare with Polycrystalline Solar Panels?

 

This question is part of the Super Big Solar Panel FAQ from Solar Mango, where expert answers to over 100 important questions on solar panels are provided.

 

Well, this is an often asked question. Which is better – Monocrystalline or Polycrystalline solar panels?

As you would expect, which of the two is better depends on the situation.

Monocrystalline cells (and modules) usually have a much higher efficiency that polycrystalline cells and modules. As of mid 2016, some monocrystalline modules have reached efficiencies of about 22% while the best polycrystalline modules can at best boast about 18% at the module level.

 

Super Big Solar Panel FAQGet to know answers to over 100 important questions on solar panels from here.

 

Higher efficiencies mean a correspondingly lower area for monocrystalline solar modules than for polycrystalline of the same wattage. So, you need lesser areas, and also to a certain extent, your capital costs for balance of systems dependent on area reduce.

On the flip side, monocrystalline modules that have 20% efficiencies are much more costly than polycrystalline modules which exhibit efficiencies in the range 15-17%.

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3 thoughts on “How do Monocrystalline Solar Panels Compare with Polycrystalline Solar Panels?

  1. Pingback: What is an Amorphous Silicon (a-Si) Solar Module? Is it Used Now? - Solar Mango – #1 guide for solar

  2. Pingback: What are Bifacial Solar Cells? Are they Commercially Available? - Solar Mango – #1 guide for solar

  3. Pingback: What are Multi-junction Solar Cells? How are They Different from Conventional Solar Cells? - Solar Mango – #1 guide for solar

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