Since their inception, solar panels have made long strides in the field of energy although most of them are still made of the material, the monocrystalline silicon. During that period, monocrystalline solar panels have been making the most sells in the market though that is not the case anymore.
Polycrystalline Solar Module panels in the recent years have overthrown monocrystalline solar panels in residential projects to become the kingpin. This competition between the two has left many consumers in a dilemma thinking of which solar panel to choose and what makes the difference.
How Monocrystalline is made
Though both monocrystalline and polycrystalline are made of silicon, producing monocrystalline is a much more tedious process. The making of monocrystalline is through a process referred to as the Czochralski process, which is a name of the Polish scientist who unexpectedly discovered it after he accidentally dipped his pen in molten silicon instead of ink. The process which involves rotating a solid seed crystal while slowly extracting it from a pool of molten silicon creates a pure block of silicon made of just one crystal there as giving out the name monocrystalline. The silicon block, which is referred to as an ingot, is then cut into a square, which also leads to a lot of silicon being wasted. The square silicon is thereafter sliced uniformly into wafers and assembled into the form of monocrystalline solar panel pattern.
How Polycrystalline is Made.
Compared to monocrystalline, the making of polycrystalline in much simple. A single silicon crystal seed and molten silicon are put in a square silicon mold for setting, the different variations in cooling make the outer silicon cool much faster hence setting first. The uneven setting creates many different crystals thus giving the name polycrystalline.
Polycrystalline Solar Panels
The fact that polycrystalline is 20% cheaper in production and results into less waste make it a good choice for some. Although due to the many crystals resulting to lower purity of the silicon, these panels suffer inefficiency. When compared to monocrystalline, which have an efficiency of 15 to 20%, the monocrystalline take the day. This therefore means that to produce a certain amount of energy, one will need more polycrystalline compared to monocrystalline panels.
Monocrystalline Solar Panels
The overall cost efficiency that comes with these panels over the times makes them cheaper even though they are expensive when buying them. This is because the number of monocrystalline used to produces a given amount of energy is different from that produced by the same number of polycrystalline. Monocrystalline Solar Panels are also known to perform better in shady and higher temperate regions. The merits that couple monocrystalline make it the better technology in terms on returns on investment.
What to Choose Between the Two?
Depending on the use, you want to put your solar panels to and where you are located should the determinant factors when making your choice. To those planning to use the panels for a short-term period then the polycrystalline becomes the best option while those with a small roof and intend to use the solar panels for a long-term period then Monocrystalline Solar Panels will sufficiently prove to be the best.
Find more information relating to Polycrystalline Solar Module and Monocrystalline Solar Panels
