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Did you know that solar panels have an energy efficiency of about 20%? Some advanced models can convert up to 23% of sunlight into usable energy. If you want to buy these devices, you know that choosing between polycrystalline vs monocrystalline solar panels is vital.
Still, picking the right one may be tricky if you don’t know much about these devices. Are you wondering how to determine the best types of solar panels for you?
Read on to learn more about monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar panels. We’ll also discuss their pros and cons to help you pick the best choice based on factors like functionality and aesthetics.
What Are Monocrystalline Solar Panels?
Monocrystalline solar panels consist of cells cut from one single crystalline silicon ingot. Their most distinguishable feature is the black PV cells and rounded edges.
Since mono solar panels come from a single piece of silicon, they are relatively purer than polycrystalline ones. These features also allow them to be more efficient in converting light to energy.
What Are Polycrystalline Solar Panels?
Unlike mono solar panels, polycrystalline ones contain a blend of multiple silicon pieces. Instead of creating the cells from single silicon, manufacturers mold and treat smaller bits to make the panel. The main aim of this process is to avoid the wastage of raw materials.
Polycrystalline solar panels have a characteristic blue color derived from the blended cell makeup. If you take a closer look, you can quickly notice the irregular color and texture.
Choosing Between Polycrystalline VS Monocrystalline Solar Panels
Deciding whether to buy monocrystalline or polycrystalline solar panels is essential. Learning more about their features and benefits is the best way to identify the ideal one for you. Monocrystalline solar panels are the most efficient option in producing energy.
These models are also aesthetically pleasing due to their dark hue that blends well with many roofing materials.
More benefits of monocrystalline solar panels are:
- Better heat tolerance
- A longer lifespan of 25-45 years
- They need less space
Despite these benefits, mono solar panels also have some cons. For example, their production method is less eco-friendly since it leads to raw material wastage. The devices are also costlier than poly solar panels.
Polycrystalline PV panels also have some benefits that may make them preferable depending on the aspects you consider. These devices are eco-friendly to produce as they don’t need individual crystal shaping and placement. They are also relatively affordable than mono solar panels.
The main cons of polycrystalline models are that they have a lower heat tolerance. Hence, they can break when exposed to extremely high temperatures.
If you are unsure about the right solar panel based on your budget, get an estimate from an expert. This way, you can compare the cost of buying and installation against the expected benefits. This information will also help you pick a manufacturer offering quality products within your budget.
Selecting the Best Solar Panels
Learning more about polycrystalline vs monocrystalline solar panels will help you pick the ideal one for your needs. You can also know what to expect when you install either of the two.
For more informative posts about solar panels, browse the rest of this page now.