With technological advancements, the applications of solar power are not limited only as a power backup option for homes. Instead, the new generation of solar panels can effortlessly fulfil all the power needs of your home or even industries.
The two commonly used types of solar panels for this purpose are monocrystalline and polycrystalline. Both choices are good, and each boasts its own advantages. Monocrystalline solar panels may have some perks over polycrystalline. However, the ultimate choice depends on individual personal preferences.
This article will investigate various attributes of these panels and will provide a comprehensive comparison to find which solar panel is better monocrystalline or polycrystalline.
What Are Monocrystalline And Polycrystalline Solar Panels?
Solar installations require a high initial cost, which makes it necessary to choose every component of the installation wisely. The choice of solar panels, being the backbone of this system, should be even more deliberate.
Thermal and Photovoltaic are two commercially available types of solar panels. They differ depending on their mode of action. Thermal panels concentrate solar heat and convert it into electricity. In contrast, photovoltaic panels absorb solar radiation by solar cells and produce electricity..
The use of thermal panels as compared to photovoltaics in both industrial and residential installations is very limited. This is because their installation is complicated and requires complex infrastructure.
Photovoltaic panels are the most widely used panels today due to their ease of use, high efficiency, and reliability. They are manufactured from silicon cells. Both monocrystalline and polycrystalline are photovoltaic panels. However, they differ depending on the type of silicon cell used.
What Are Monocrystalline Solar Panels?
As evident from their name, monocrystalline solar panels are made of monocrystalline cells. These cells are crafted from specially lab-grown silicon crystals called ingots.
Ingots have cylindrical shapes that undergo a slicing process with edges to make octagonal solar cells. This octagonal structure helps to fit the maximum amount of solar cells on a solar plate, ultimately boosting their efficiency.
Monocrystalline solar panels are black in color and have efficiency ratings varying between 15% to 20%, with BLUETTI monocrystalline panels leading with 23.4% efficiency ratings.
What Are Polycrystalline Solar Panels?
Polycrystalline solar panels are made of the same silicon crystals as monocrystalline. However, their cells are products derived from an amalgamation of multiple crystals, and thus, they are called polycrystalline.
Multiple silicon crystals are grown in the lab and further melted together to give them a cube shape, which ultimately cuts into thin slices. Unlike monocrystalline ingots which require a specific cylindrical shape, this process does not involve excessive standardization and polycrystalline cells can be produced in bulked quantity making the panels cost-effective.
Polycrystalline are blue in color and exhibit low efficiency ratings usually varying between 13% to 16%. This is because the melting process involved leaves less space for electrons to move.
Although, the efficiency difference between both mono and poly cells seem little but when calculated for complete solar installations, it could be significatnt.
Comparison Between Monocrystalline And Polycrystalline Solar Panels
Monocrystalline and polycrystalline both are widely used to harness sun power. Each has its distinctive set of features including efficiency, cost, life span, and durability. Below is a detailed comparison between Monocrystalline Polycrystalline solar panels
Cost Factors
The careful manufacturing of monocrystalline set the bar of their price comparatively higher than polycrystalline. Additionally, the wastes of monocrystalline manufacturing could not be recycled for the same purpose which further adds to cost factor.
The average cost of mono cells per watt is between $1 to $1.5 while for polycrystalline this $0.75 to $1.
BLUETTI solar panels offer a price match guarantee, which means if you find any other low-priced panel with the same specification, you can claim the extra amount within 30 days of purchase.
Outlook
If you are aesthetically cautious, monocrystalline could be your way to go. Their black colour shines well under the sun and their uniform appearance offers a pleasing look. Colour-wise, the polycrystalline’s blue is also well-appreciated. However, because they are made of multiple crystals, they lack uniformity, ultimately compromising their overall outlook.
Efficiency Ratings
The fundamental purpose of any solar installation is to cultivate maximum power from available sunlight which depends on their efficiency ratings. Simply put if a panel has an efficiency of 20%, it captures 20% of the available solar radiation and converts it into electricity.
Monocrystalline and polycrystalline have average efficiency ratings of 15% to 20% and 13% to 16% respectively.
Shelf life
The difference in lifespan between the two panels is minimal. Both have an average shelf life of 25 to 30 years. The degradation process is also slow.
Lastly, the efficiency warranties offered by the manufacturer ensure reliable performance throughout the shelf life.
Space compatibility
Solar panels require sufficient space to capture sunlight and convert it into electricity. This is a major concern that has hindered the widespread growth of solar panels.
However, monocrystalline panels are good news in this regard. Their high efficiency and power outputs enable consumers to get more electricity from less space. Contrarily, polycrystallines are not recommended cases as they will need more space to supply the same amount of power.
Optimum temperature requirements
Generally, the optimum temperature range for solar panels functioning lies between 15°C to 35°C.
The ability of solar panels to perform within specific ranges of temperatures is expressed as temperature coefficient. The more the temperature co-efficient a panel has the more its output capacity is prone to get affected by temperature.
Monocrystalline solar panels due to their low temperature coefficient perform well as compared to high coefficient polycrystalline.
Durability
Both photovoltaic panels are durable and work well even under harsh weather conditions. Monocrystalline are slightly on the upper edge due to their uniform structure, which offers more durability.
Further, to ensure the durability of your panels, you can check specifications like IP65 water resistance and ETFE coatings which make panels more efficient and splashproof.
Pros And Cons Of Monocrystalline Solar Panels
Monocrystalline solar panels are the most recommended panels both for residential and commercial installations. This is surely for some good reasons as they have multiple benefits to offer. However, there are also some disadvantages associated with them.
Below highlighted are the pros and cons of monocrystalline solar panels so you can make informed choices.
Pros
- Their good efficiency ratings ensure maximum conversion of sunlight into electricity.
- Monocrystallines offer high power output while occupying less space.
- The aesthetics of the panels are more pleasant due to the black color and uniform structure.
- Perform significantly well in extreme temperature ranges.
- They offer a good life span and are durable.
Cons
- They are costly so their installations require high upfront costs.
- Their manufacturing produces a lot of waste which potentially has a harmful environmental impact.
- As they are manufactured from a single crystal they have size limitations. The large-scale installations will need panels in high quantities to fulfill their power needs.
Pros And Cons Of Polycrystalline Solar Panels
Polycrystalline solar panels are an effective choice to harness the benefits of solar power without burdening your pocket. Below are the pros and cons of polycrystalline solar panels. You can review them to see if they align with your needs and preferences.
Pros
- Their cost-effectiveness is their fundamental benefit ensuring their availability for almost everyone.
- The almost same durability and shelf life as monocrystalline.
Cons
- Large space requirements make them infeasible for both residential and commercial purposes. However, could be installed at locations where space is not an issue.
- Low-efficiency ratings may not be able to meet your power output requirements.
- The overall look is not as aesthetic as other photovoltaic panels including thin films and monocrystalline.
- Heat sensitive. Even slightly high temperature could minimize their productivity.
What Are The Best Applications Of Monocrystalline Solar Panels?
Besides their cost, every other aspect of monocrystalline solar panels makes them surely a good choice for all solar installations.
Their high-efficiency ratings can help you reap maximum power from the available sunlight. Ultimately this translates into optimum power production even in bad weather conditions. So in areas with low peak sunlight hours, these panels are the best choices.
Further, if you have space issues, like living in an apartment, monocrystalline solar panels are easily adjustable and offer the same amount of power as a large polycrystalline panel. To make things easier, it is recommended to opt for portable monocrystalline solar panels.
Last but not least, their compatibility with hot climates makes them an ideal choice in such areas.
What Are The Best Applications Of Polycrystalline Solar Panels?
Polycrystalline panels are cost effective solutions to harness solar power. So they are good choices for residential and commercial installations with budget constraints.
Further, in solar parks or solar farms, where space availability is not an issue, their low per-watt price makes them a good fit for these large-scale installations.
Low-efficiency ratings of polycrystalline solar panels are a fundamental issue. This means they would not be able to produce power under low sunlight conditions. But in areas with frequent solar radiations, they might be a good option.
Lastly, if you are not aesthetically cautious, they are a good way to save a significant amount of money on the upfront cost of solar installations.
Should I Choose A Monocrystalline Or Polycrystalline Solar Panel?
While choosing between the monocrystalline and polycrystalline, no option could be a one-in-all solution. Both choices have their merits and demerits. So the ultimate choice should be according to your personal needs and goals.
If you want to shift to solar power but have a limited budget, polycrystalline panels are more recommended. It is important to keep in mind that you will need large spaces for their installations as they have low-efficiency ratings. However, this issue is very much addressed owning to new technological advanacement in solar panels.
The other option is monocrystalline panels that are costly but offer high efficiency, shelf life, durability and power outputs. Their portable versions further made it easy to carry them while traveling off the grid. So if we look at the case in the large picture, their high cost are very much worth their features.
Still, if you have concerns about pricing, you can review the BLUETTI solar panels. These monocrystalline solar panels have industry-leading efficiency ratings of 23.4% and what is exceptional about them is their PRICE MATCH GUARANTEE.
Review below the two top-tier products that could be a go-to solution for all your solar installations whether residential or commercial.
BLUETTI PV350 Solar Panel
This monocrystalline solar panel has an output capacity of 350W, which can power all small to medium-sized home appliances.
This budget-friendly choice is not limited to fixed home installations. It is foldable and portable, ensuring a reliable power supply whether at home or camping in the countryside.
With its high-efficiency ratings of 23.4%, it can generate sufficient power even under low light conditions and also works well in high temperatures.
Further, its ETFE coatings and IP65 water resistance make it splashproof to withstand harsh weather conditions offering unparalleled durability.
BLUETTI PV420 Solar Panel
This panel with its 420W output could be your reliable partner to go completely off-grid. With almost 6 hours of peak sunlight, this can produce 2kWh of power daily, which is enough to fulfill the basic power requirements of an average home.
This model is easily portable with its foldable dimensions requiring significantly less space while commuting. With its advanced kickstand design, you can adjust the angle of panels to cultivate much of the available solar power.
Its plug-and-play design ensures smooth usage and does not involve any complicated installations. Other specifications include monocrystalline solar cells with ETFE coatings, IP65 water resistance, and 23.4% industry-leading efficiency ratings.
Simply put PV420 could be your one-stop solution to say permanent good bye to hefty energy bills.
The Bottom Line
Both monocrystalline and polycrystalline are choices for solar installation. There are minor, negligible differences regarding their shelf life and durability. However, when it comes to overall efficiency and power outputs, monocrystalline has a clear lead. This also justifies their high pricing in the long run.
If you want high-grade monocrystalline solar panels at guaranteed low prices, BLUETTI solar panels offer a vast variety to choose from.
