Efficiency Of Monocrystalline And Polycrystalline Solar Panels

There is a third type of solar technology called thin film panels which are usually deployed for large scale utility projects and some specialty applications.

Efficiency of monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar panels.

This makes monocrystalline solar panels suitable for places where there is a space crunch and more. The price of a monocrystalline panel ranges from 200 to 300 which mainly depends on the quality and size of a solar panel. Because monocrystalline solar cells are made out of a single crystal of silicon electrons are able to flow easier through the cell which makes the pv cell. As a result polycrystalline solar panels have lower efficiency ratings than monocrystalline panels.

The monocrystalline panels typically have an efficiency of between 18 22 while polycrystalline panels achieve between 15 17 efficiency. Polycrystalline refers to the makeup of the solar cells in each type of panel. The majority of solar panels deployed today are made from either monocrystalline or polycrystalline solar cells. 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.

Polycrystalline panels have about 13 to 16 efficiency while monocrystalline panels have an efficiency rate of anywhere from 15 to 20. The average efficiency of solar panels falls between the 17 to 19 percent efficiency range. Polycrystalline solar panels are also referred to as multi crystalline or many crystal silicon. Monocrystalline panel efficiencies can range from 17 to 22.

Monocrystalline solar panels usually have the highest efficiency and power capacity out of all types of solar panels. Because there are many crystals in each cell there is less freedom for the electrons to move. Monocrystalline panels are more power efficient than the polycrystalline ones due to their structural difference. The efficiency of polycrystalline solar panels is somewhat lower but the benefit for customers is that this option is more affordable.

For instance a polycrystalline 100 watt solar panel can give you efficiency at the rate of 17 maximum while its monocrystalline counterpart at the same rating can deliver up to 19. The highest efficiency solar panels on the market today can reach almost 23 percent efficiency.