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How to choose Monocrystalline and Polycrystalline solar panels?

2022-02-18
You want to purchase solar panels, but which solar panels should you purchase now, polycrystalline or monocrystalline?
What exactly is the difference between these 2 types of solar panels? Polycrystalline silicon and monocrystalline silicon are both made from silicon sand, the difference is mainly in the production process and the color of the final panel.
During the production process of the polycrystalline ingots, liquid silicon is poured into a square mold. Gradual cooling creates solid silicon that consists of several crystals. The crystals are then crisscrossed, creating “spots” in the polycrystalline solar panels. Due to innovation, the poly solar panels have become more and more beautiful and even in color in recent years.
Fig. 1 Poly (old) Fig. 2 Poly (new)
Poly solar panels 

With monocrystalline silicon, the polarization of the crystals is influenced during solidification, the so-called Czochralski process. Due to this process, the crystals all lie in the same direction and form a homogeneous whole, which results in an even panel color. In contrast to poly solar cells, mono cells are sawn from a round silicon rod. To make optimal use of the rod, manufacturers have calculated the optimal surface. This means that 4 pieces are cut from the round disc, leaving a square with small round corners. And that is one of the points where the monocrystalline cells can be recognized. Nowadays, however, completely square mono cells are also being produced, the so-called square mono cells.
Fig. 3 Mono (old) Fig. 4 Mono (new) Afb. 5 Mono (Full Black)
Mono solar panels

When exposed to direct sunlight, a monocrystalline cell will generate slightly more current than a polycrystalline cell of the same surface area. A mono panel yields more with direct radiation, a poly panel, on the other hand, works better with diffused light, on an annual basis there is hardly any difference in yield. Because more operations have to be performed when manufacturing monocrystalline cells, the price of a mono cell is higher than that of a poly cell.
Although a monocrystalline cell can generate more current than an equivalent polycrystalline cell, various tests have shown that there is virtually no difference in yield per Watt Peak used.
The biggest difference is in the price and appearance. Many people find the smooth (black appearance) of a mono solar panel more attractive and the choice is therefore more often made on appearance and price, instead of on yield.

 

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