Efficiency Of Mono And Polycrystalline Solar Panels

Thin film technology costs less than mono or poly panels but is also less efficient.

Efficiency of mono and polycrystalline solar panels.

The efficiency of polycrystalline solar panels is somewhat lower but the benefit for customers is that this option is more affordable. In addition polycrystalline solar panels tend to have a blue hue instead of the black hue of monocrystalline panels. But bear in mind that this specification is notoriously unreliable if you rely on the manufacturers to measure it. Polycrystalline solar panels are also made from silicon.

Because of the lower efficiency rate they are not as space efficient since they produce less power per square foot. Monocrystalline panels are more efficient reaching efficiencies between 15 20 on average while polycrystalline panels are only 13 16 efficient. You would need a much larger array of polycrystalline panels to produce the same amount of energy than if you used monocrystalline which may not work for households with limited roof space. Monocrystalline solar cells are more efficient because they are cut from a single source of silicon.

The mono solar panel is a bit better according to the manufacturer s spec. Polycrystalline panels have lower efficiency rates typically in the 13 16 range. Monocrystalline panels have higher efficiencies in the range of 15 20. However once we get into the range of 270 275 watts efficiency of the poly panels are about the same as the monocrystalline panels around 16 5 to 16 9.

Polycrystalline solar panels generally have lower efficiencies than monocrystalline options but their advantage is a lower price point. Polycrystalline panel efficiency ratings will typically range from 15 to 17. But as you climb the wattage efficiency scale poly panels are left behind and mono panels break above 17 efficiency. For this reason if maximising electricity generation and reducing costs is a priority monocrystalline are likely to be slightly more effective.

However thanks to new technologies polycrystalline panels are now much closer in efficiency to monocrystalline solar panels than they have been in the past. 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. Both monocrystalline and polycrystalline are solar power panel made of silicon and work on same. It is mainly used in large scale commercial applications.

Polycrystalline panels have about 13 to 16 efficiency while monocrystalline panels have an efficiency rate of anywhere from 15 to 20. This crystal structure makes the efficiency rate of polycrystalline panels lower than monocrystalline panels.