There are three main types of solar panels used in solar projects: monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and thin-film.
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Each kind of solar panel has different characteristics, thus making certain panels more suitable for different types of solar installations.
Luckily, we&#;ve created a complete guide to help you differentiate each type of panel, and help you decide which type is right for your home.
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There are three different types of solar panels: monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and thin film.
Monocrystalline solar panels are highly efficient and have a sleek design, but come at a higher price point than other solar panels.
Polycrystalline solar panels are cheaper than monocrystalline panels, however, they are less efficient and aren&#;t as aesthetically pleasing.
Thin film solar panels are the cheapest, but have the lowest efficiency rating and require a lot of space to meet your energy needs.
The brand of solar panels and the solar installer you choose is far more important than which type of solar panel you install.
Monocrystalline solar panels are the most popular solar panels used in rooftop solar panel installations today.
Monocrystalline silicon solar cells are manufactured using something called the Czochralski method, in which a &#;seed&#; crystal of silicon is placed into a molten vat of pure silicon at a high temperature.
This process forms a single silicon crystal, called an ingot, that is sliced into thin silicon wafers which are then used in the solar modules.
Polycrystalline panels, sometimes referred to as &#;multicrystalline panels&#;, are popular among homeowners looking to install solar panels on a budget.
Similar to monocrystalline panels, polycrystalline panels are made of silicon solar cells. However, the cooling process is different, which causes multiple crystals to form, as opposed to one.
Polycrystalline panels used on residential homes usually contain 60 solar cells.
Thin film solar cells are mostly used in large-scale industrial and utility solar installations because of their lower efficiency ratings, but you can purchase portable thin-film solar panels from BougeRV.
Thin film solar panels are made by depositing a thin layer of a photovoltaic substance onto a solid surface, like glass. Some of these photovoltaic substances include Amorphous silicon (a-Si), copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS), and cadmium telluride (CdTe). Each of these materials creates a different &#;type&#; of solar panel, however, they all fall under the thin film solar cell umbrella.
During the manufacturing process, the photovoltaic substance forms a thin lightweight sheet that is, in some cases, flexible.
Efficiency ratings of monocrystalline solar panels range from 17% to 22%, earning them the title of the most efficient solar panel type. The higher efficiency rating of monocrystalline panels makes them ideal for homes with limited roof space, as you&#;ll need fewer panels to generate the electricity you need.
Monocrystalline solar panels have their manufacturing process to thank for being so efficient. Because monocrystalline solar cells are made of a single crystal of silicon, electrons are able to easily flow throughout the cell, increasing overall efficiency.
Not only do monocrystalline panels have the highest efficiency ratings, they typically also have the highest power capacity ratings, as well. Most monocrystalline panels on the market today will have a power output rating of at least 320 watts, but can go up to around 375 watts or higher!
Polycrystalline panel efficiency ratings will typically range from 15% to 17%. The lower efficiency ratings are due to how electrons move through the solar cell. Because polycrystalline cells contain multiple silicon cells, the electrons cannot move as easily and as a result, decrease the efficiency of the panel.
The lower efficiency of polycrystalline panels also means they tend to have a lower power output than monocrystalline panels, usually ranging between 240 watts and 300 watts. 300 watt solar panels aren't seen as often in residential applications, but some polycrystalline panels have power ratings above 300 watts.
However, new technologies and manufacturing processes have given the efficiency and power ratings of polycrystalline panels a slight boost over the years, slowly closing the performance gap between mono and polycrystalline panels.
Thin-film solar panels have incredibly low efficiency ratings. As recently as a few years ago, thin-film efficiencies were in the single digits. Researchers have recently achieved 23.4% efficiency with thin film cell prototypes but thin-film panels that are commercially available generally have efficiency in the 10&#;13% range.
In order to meet your energy needs, you would need to install more thin-film panels over a large area to produce the same amount of electricity as crystalline silicon solar panels. This is why thin-film solar panels don&#;t really make sense for residential installations where space is limited.
Fun fact! Thin film panels have the best temperature coefficients!
Despite having lower performance specs in most other categories, thin film panels tend to have the best temperature coefficient, which means as the temperature of a solar panel increases, the panel produces less electricity. The temperature coefficient tells you how much the power output will decrease by for every 1°C over 25°C the panel gets.
The standard temperature coefficient for mono and polycrystalline panels typically falls somewhere between -0.3% and -0.5% per °C. Thin film panels, on the other hand, are around -0.2% per °C, meaning thin film panels are much better at handling the heat than other panel types.
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Monocrystalline panels are the most expensive of the three types of solar panels because of their manufacturing process and higher performance abilities.
However, as manufacturing processes and solar panel technology in general has improved, the price difference between monocrystalline and polycrystalline panels has shrunk considerably. According to the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, monocrystalline solar panels now sell for just about $0.05 per watt higher than polycrystalline modules.
Historically, polycrystalline panels have been the cheapest option for homeowners going solar, without majorly sacrificing panel performance. Low prices allowed polycrystalline panels to make up a significant market share in residential solar installations between and .
But as we said earlier, the price gap between monocrystalline and polycrystalline panels is narrowing. Now, more homeowners are willing to pay a slightly higher price to get significantly better efficiency and power ratings from monocrystalline panels.
Thin film solar panels have the lowest cost of the solar panel types, largely because they are easier to install and require less equipment. However, they also have much lower performance abilities and require a substantial amount of space to generate enough electricity to power a home.
Plus, thin film panels degrade much faster than other panel types, meaning they need to be replaced more often, which leads to more long-term recurring costs.
Thin film panels have a clean, all-black look. Their thin design allows them to lie flat against roofs, so they are able to blend in more seamlessly. In fact, with some thin film panels, it&#;s hard to even see the individual cells within the panel. They also tend to have less wiring and busbars, meaning there&#;s less white space.
However, because they are so inefficient, you would need to cover your entire roof in thin film panels - which may or may not be your style.
Monocrystalline panels have a solid black appearance, making them pretty subtle on your roof. But, the way monocrystalline solar cells are shaped causes there to be quite a bit of white space on the panel. Some manufacturers have worked around this with black packing or shaping the cells differently, but these aesthetic changes can impact both the price and performance of the panels.
Overall, monocrystalline panels still look sleek, but they&#;re a bit more pronounced than thin film panels.
Polycrystalline panels tend to stick out like a sore thumb. The process in which polycrystalline solar cells are manufactured causes the cells to have a blue, marbled look. This means each individual polycrystalline panel looks substantially different from the one next to it. Most homeowners aren&#;t too keen on the aesthetics of polycrystalline panels.
Fun fact! Crystalline panels are more durable than thin film
Thin film panels tend to have lower wind and hail ratings than mono and polycrystalline panels. So, while thin film panels might look nice at first, one bad storm could cause significant damage.
Monocrystalline solar panels are the best solar panel type for residential solar installations.
Although you will be paying a slightly higher price, you&#;ll get a system with a subtle appearance without having to sacrifice performance or durability. Plus, the high efficiency and power output ratings you get with monocrystalline panels can provide you with better savings over the lifetime of your system.
If you&#;re on a tight budget, polycrystalline panels might make more sense for you. We do not recommend thin film solar panels for residential installations - their performance and durability don&#;t make the low cost worth it, and it&#;s unlikely you&#;ll have nearly enough space to install the number of thin film panels you would need to cover your household electricity usage.
Here&#;s a quick summary to help you choose the right one for your home!
Characterized by smooth, black appearance and high-quality silicon
Occupy less space and have a longer lifespan
Formed through energy-intensive production process which generates a lot of waste
Carry a higher price tag for installers and consumers
Characterized by visible crystals, more scattered look, and lower-quality silicon
Require slightly more space for producing the same amount of energy as black panels
Less complicated production process with minimal waste production
More affordable
There are two things we here at SolarReviews think are more important than solar PV cell type when choosing panels for your home: the brand of solar panels and finding the right solar installer.
Going with a high-quality solar panel manufacturer ensures that you&#;re installing a great product on your roof, regardless of the type of panel it is. Our official ranking of the best home solar panel brands of can help you find what solar panels will work best on your roof without sacrificing quality.
Regardless of which type of solar panel you choose, installing solar to power your home is a sustainable decision that has the following benefits:
Reduces harmful emissions
Get easy financing options for solar panel installation
Claim sales and property tax exemptions
Receive credits for surplus power production
And the most important of all, installing either type of panel will significantly lower your monthly energy bills.
Perhaps the most important thing to consider when going solar is the installer. A solar panel system will be on your roof for at least 25 years, so you need an installer you can trust for two-plus decades! We recommend local, reputable solar installers with high customer review scores, as they give the most personalized customer service on solar projects.
See what local solar installers are charging for solar panel installations
Solar energy, once a sideline to carbon-based energy sources, is rapidly proliferating and is powering more homes than ever. Of the estimated 3 million solar installations across the country, one-third were built just in the last couple of years &#; with searches for the best solar companies increasing yearly.
So it pays to scrutinize all aspects of your solar energy system, especially the choice between monocrystalline or polycrystalline solar panels. Efficiency, cost and durability hinge on your choice of the type of solar panel.
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There are two types of solar panels: thermal and photovoltaic. Thermal solar panels concentrate sunlight to produce heat. Photovoltaic (PV) solar panels capture energy from the sun and convert it into electricity.
Photovoltaic solar panels are often favored by homeowners as the best solar panels for residential use. Though they are actually less efficient than solar thermal panels, they work better on a residential scale because they do not require large facilities.
A solar panel can be likened to a picture frame. It is rectangular; it has a metal frame around it and the front has protective glass. There are several layers to a solar panel, the most important of which is the layer that contains the matrix of solar cells.
Anywhere from 32 to 96 solar cells are arranged within each solar panel, with all of the cells wired together side to side and outputting anywhere from 230 to 275 watts of electricity.
The solar cells can either be monocrystalline or polycrystalline. Monocrystalline solar cells comprise the more premium panel since they more effectively harness the sun&#;s rays. But polycrystalline panels are less expensive and can be a good option for high sunlight areas.
Monocrystalline Cells
Monocrystalline solar panels (or mono panels) are made from monocrystalline solar cells. Each cell is a slice of a single crystal of silicon that is grown expressly for the purpose of creating solar panels.
In the lab, the crystal is grown into a cylindrical log shape called an ingot and is then sliced into thin discs. Each disc is cut along the edges to form octagons.
When the solar cells are placed on the solar panel, the octagonal shapes help the solar panels fit a maximum number of solar cells into the array. It&#;s much like cookies on a baking sheet. Even tightly spaced round cookies always have spaces between them, but octagonal cookies can be placed tightly together with little wasted space.
Distinctive for their black color, monocrystalline solar panels typically have an efficiency range of between 15% to 20%, with some newer experimental models even reaching close to 50%.
Polycrystalline Cells
Polycrystalline solar panels (or poly panels) are made of individual polycrystalline solar cells.
Just like monocrystalline solar cells, polycrystalline solar cells are made from silicon crystals. The difference is that, instead of being extruded as a single pure ingot, the silicon crystal cools and fragments on its own. These fragments are melted in an oven and formed into cubes which are cut into thin wafers. So, many different crystals form this amalgam, rather than the single crystal of the monocrystalline solar cell type. It&#;s a less exacting production process than with monocrystalline cells, so it allows for more solar cells to be produced faster and less expensively.
The blue-colored square polycrystalline cells fit neatly side by side, eliminating any empty space between the cells. Polycrystalline solar panels operate less efficiently than monocrystalline panels because the melted fragments of silicon afford less room for the electrons to move around.
Polycrystalline panels generally have an efficiency rating of between 13% and 16%. While only a few percentage points less than monocrystalline panels, it&#;s a difference that can count for a lot when compounded across many solar panels.
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Find a Solar Panel InstallerMonocrystalline solar panels are best for areas where space is limited since they produce more electricity on a smaller scale than poly panels. Monocrystalline solar panels can draw out the maximum amount of energy even in areas of lower sunlight. So, they are ideal when the goal is efficiency more than cost.
Though all solar panels are bulky, monocrystalline solar panels, with their dark hue, fade into the background better than poly units.
Monocrystalline solar panels tend to have better heat tolerance than polycrystalline panels. So, they are a good choice for areas of extreme heat, such as desert environments.
Polycrystalline solar panels are best when you need to observe the bottom line.
Because monocrystalline panels tend to cost about $0.05 per watt more, the polycrystalline units are a better value, as long as you have enough space for the panels.
Polycrystalline solar panels work better in areas that are rich in sunlight since they deliver less wattage than the panels.
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Find a Solar Panel InstallerThe bluish tint and speckled appearance of the polycrystalline panels may not suit everyone, especially when installed in large numbers in residential areas. But they do work well for rural areas or for urban areas where the panels can be conveniently tucked away, like on a rooftop or in back of the property.
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Explore OptionsHow Do Monocrystalline vs. Polycrystalline Solar Panels Compare?
Monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar panels are two common types of photovoltaic panels used to harness solar energy and convert it into electricity. While both solar panel types serve the same purpose, they differ in appearance, efficiency, durability, etc.
Color
If you&#;re looking for a more modern and sleek aesthetic, monocrystalline solar panels are your best bet. They&#;re typically black in color and have a more uniform appearance. Polycrystalline solar panels are bluish in color and have a less uniform appearance due to the multiple silicon crystals used in their manufacturing process.
Cost
Typically, monocrystalline solar panels are more expensive to produce than polycrystalline panels due to their manufacturing function and higher efficiency. However, the cost gap has been narrowing over time, and both types are now more competitively priced, with only modest cost differences.
The average cost of monocrystalline solar panels, known for their high energy efficiency, ranges from $1 to $1.50 per watt. Consequently, setting up a 6kW solar panel system would cost approximately $6,000 to $9,000. Polycrystalline solar panels are available at a lower cost ranging from $0.75 to $1 per watt. Consequently, installing a 6kW solar panel system with polycrystalline panels would cost approximately $4,500 to $6,000, making it a more budget-friendly choice.
Efficiency Rating
In terms of efficiency, monocrystalline solar panels usually outperform polycrystalline panels thanks to their higher conversion rates of sunlight into electricity resulting from the single-crystal structure. In contrast, polycrystalline solar panels have lower efficiency ratings due to the presence of multiple crystals, which can ultimately hinder the smooth flow of electrons, making them less efficient.
Life Span
Monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar panels both have a long life span. Under proper maintenance and care, they can last for 25 to 30 years or more The degradation rate over time is generally low for both types, and most manufacturers provide warranties that guarantee a certain percentage of power output after a specified number of years.
Temperature Coefficient
The temperature coefficient measures how much the efficiency of your solar panel decreases as the temperature rises. A lower temperature coefficient is desirable because it means your panel performs better in hot conditions. Monocrystalline solar panels typically have a slightly lower temperature coefficient than polycrystalline panels, making them perform slightly better in high-temperature environments.
Durability
Both monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar panels are designed for durability, so you can trust your solar energy system won&#;t be affected by the elements. However, monocrystalline panels may have a slight advantage over polycrystalline panels due to their single-crystal structure. This enhanced structural integrity makes them an appealing choice for those seeking increased reliability and longevity in their solar energy systems.
Monocrystalline PolycrystallineColor
Black
Blue
Cost
$1 &#; $1.50 per watt
$0.75 &#; $1 per watt
Efficiency Rating
More efficient
Less efficient
Life Span
25 &#; 30 years
25 &#; 30 years
Temperature Coefficient
Lower temperature coefficient
Higher temperature coefficient
Durability
More durable
Less durable
Other Types of Solar Panel Cells
In addition to monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar panels, there are other types of solar panels as well: thin-film solar cells, bifacial solar cells, copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) solar cells, organic solar cells and dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC). These alternative technologies offer different benefits and applications than traditional silicon-based polycrystalline or monocrystalline panels.
Thin-film solar cells
: Thin-film solar cells utlize thin layers of semiconducting materials to convert sunlight into electricity. They offer flexibility and are suitable for specific applications such as building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) due to their lightweight and adaptable nature.
Bifacial solar cells:
Bifacial solar cells generate electricity from both sides, boosting overall efficiency. They could be used on the roofs of buildings where they would capture sunlight reflected off their own surface and direct sunlight hitting them.
Copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) solar cells:
CIGS is a type of thin-film solar cell that combines materials to convert sunlight into electricity. CIGS solar cells are known for their good efficiency and versatility, making them suitable for various applications in the renewable energy industry.
Organic solar cells:
Organic solar cells are lightweight and flexible that utilize organic materials as the semiconductor to convert sunlight into electricity. However, their efficiency is currently lower compared to traditional crystalline silicon-based solar cells.
Are Monocrystalline or Polycrystalline Solar Panels Worth It?
Deciding between monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar panels depents on many factors, and no option is necessarily better than the other. It&#;s important to consider what you&#;re looking for in a solar panel and how much money you want to spend.
Monocrystalline panels are generally more efficient and space-efficient than polycrystalline panels, meaning they produce more energy with less space. This makes them ideal if you have limited roof space or want to maximize energy production. Their higher efficiency means you might need fewer monocrystalline panels to achieve the same energy output as polycrystalline panels, leading to cost savings in the long run.
If your goal is to achieve a cost-effective solar installation without compromising performance, polycrystalline panels might be the right fit. Additionally, technological advancements have improved the efficiency of polycrystalline panels, making them a viable and cost-efficient choice for many homeowners.
To further determine if monocrystalline or polycrystalline solar panels are worth it, it&#;s essential to conduct thorough research, seek quotes from reputable solar providers and consult with solar professionals to determine the best option for your home&#;s needs.
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