Monocrystalline vs. Polycrystalline Solar Panels: 2024 Guide

Average Cost

The manufacturing process has the biggest impact on solar panel costs. Monocrystalline panels have a complex production process and use higher-quality materials. Polycrystalline panels are produced with lower-quality silicon cells, some of which are recycled from the monocrystalline production process. These savings translate to lower costs. Additional components of the solar panel installation process, including the inverters and wiring, cost the same for both panel options.

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Your selected panel type can also influence your system&#;s payback period, typically six to 10 years. With more efficient mono panels, your system will convert more energy, leading to better solar power production for your home. Since solar power costs less than expensive fossil fuels, those savings could speed up your payback period. Polycrystalline panels don&#;t offer those same long-term savings, so they won&#;t decrease your payback period. 

Efficiency Rating

An important difference between mono and poly panels is their efficiency rating. Solar panel efficiency expresses how much sunlight the panel can absorb and convert into electricity. For example, a solar panel with a 15% efficiency rating can absorb and convert 15% of the sunlight it receives. Polycrystalline panels have an average efficiency of 13% to 16%. Monocrystalline panels&#; efficiency ranges from 15% to 23%.

Panel Appearance

Many homeowners have a personal preference regarding their solar panels&#; appearance. If preserving your home&#;s aesthetics is important to you, monocrystalline panels might be a better option. These panels are black and blend better with most roof types. Polycrystalline panels have a blue hue, making them more noticeable on rooftops.

Roof Space

Roof space is another key factor when choosing between mono and poly panels. Since mono solar panels are more efficient, they convert sunlight at a better rate. Thus, homeowners need fewer monocrystalline panels to power their homes effectively. These panels are a great choice for homes with less roof space.

The opposite is true for poly solar panels. Due to their lower efficiency rating, you&#;ll need more panels to meet your home energy needs. You&#;ll also need ample roof space to accommodate these additional panels.

Typical Life Span

Most crystalline solar panels have a life span of about 25 years. This corresponds with the length of a typical solar panel warranty. However, your panels can last longer than the manufacturer&#;s 25-year warranty with regular maintenance. Polycrystalline panels can last 25 to 35 years, while monocrystalline panels can last up to 40 years. 

Although panels can last for decades, they lose their efficiency over time. According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory for the U.S. Department of Energy, solar panels have an average degradation rate of 0.5% per year. This is how much they drop in power output and wattage. High-efficiency panels have a higher wattage and efficiency, so a degradation drop isn&#;t as impactful. A drop in performance can have a significant impact on lower-efficiency panels.

Temperature Coefficient

Manufacturers test solar panels&#; performance in Standard Test Conditions (STC) of 77 degrees Fahrenheit. The panels remain at peak efficiency between 59 degrees Fahrenheit and 95 degrees Fahrenheit, but anything outside of this range will cause a drop in efficiency.

The amount a panel will decrease power production when exposed to extreme temperatures is represented by its temperature coefficient. The higher the temperature coefficient, the worse a panel will perform in extreme weather. Monocrystalline panels have a low temperature coefficient and perform well under extreme temperatures. Polycrystalline panels have a higher temperature coefficient and typically decrease performance in hot climates.

Monocrystalline vs polycrystalline &#; that&#;s the biggest dilemma when shopping for solar panels. But what does mono vs poly even mean? Simply put, these terms refer to the manufacturing process used to create the solar cells in a panel.

In this article, we&#;ll outline the main differences between monocrystalline vs polycrystalline solar panels to help you decide which is right for your project.

Monocrystalline vs Polycrystalline Solar Panels

In brief, monocrystalline solar panels contain solar cells which are cut from a single source of silicon. Polycrystalline solar panels are created by melting smaller silicon fragments and blending them to create the solar cells.

But let&#;s take a more detailed look at polycrystalline vs monocrystalline solar panels to understand their differences.

Monocrystalline Solar Panels

With over 75% share of the market, monocrystalline solar panels are the dominant technology.

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While mono panels originally emerged as a premium option that used to carry a higher price tag, that is no longer the case. As companies have focused their production on mono panels and adopted modern manufacturing processes, the cost of monocrystalline vs polycrystalline solar panels has evened out.

In terms of performance, mono panels are more efficient because the single-crystal silicon cells allow electrons to flow freely through the cell. For example, a 1 sq ft. mono solar panel produces more electricity than a 1 sq ft. poly panel. This is especially useful for rooftop arrays where you may have limited space to build your system.

More efficient panels also means that you can buy fewer panels to meet your target output, and fewer panels can translate to lower installation costs. With fewer panels to install, you&#;ll spend less money on racking materials and labor for installation.

Read more: Solar Panel Efficiency Explained

There are also aesthetic differences. Mono solar panels have a sleek black look that feels more stylish on a modern home, unlike poly panels that have a blue tint. Of course, that comes down to personal preference &#; you may decide you like the look of blue poly panels better.

Read more: Black Solar Panels &#; Everything You Need to Know

Key Takeaways

A quick summary of monocrystalline solar panels:

• More energy efficient
• Better long-term value
• Mass-produced and widely available
• Black tint
• Ideal for residential and commercial solar projects

Polycrystalline Solar Panels

After manufacturers produce their run of mono panels, the leftover silicon scraps are melted and blended to create polycrystalline solar panels. Due to the imperfections from the blended nature of the solar cells, poly solar panels are less efficient.

Moreover, supply of polycrystalline solar panels is limited because they are a byproduct of mono panels. The limited amount of poly cells is often reserved to produce smaller solar panels that are better suited for RVs and boats, which makes sense because space efficiency is a huge concern for portable solar applications.

While you can still find full-sized poly solar panels, they are becoming less common as the industry trends toward more up-to-date monocrystalline technology. Even if you can find them, it may be challenging to source replacements if one of your panels fails down the road.

Key Takeaways

A quick summary of polycrystalline solar panels:

• Less energy efficient
• Smaller in size
• Cheaper
• Less long-term value
• Limited availability
• Blue tint
• Ideal for portable solar applications (RVs, boats, etc.)

Monocrystalline vs Polycrystalline: What&#;s Best for You?

Taken all into account, we recommend mono solar panels for home and commercial solar use. They are more efficient, represent a better value over the life of the system, and are much more widely available on the market.

On the other hand, poly solar panels are more suited for small-scale use cases, like a camper with one or two panels to power essential electronics or appliances on the road.

If you&#;re still unsure and need help planning your solar project, reach out to us for a free solar design consultation. We&#;ll help you evaluate your site location and design a custom solar kit that is tailored to suit your needs.

If you want to learn more, please visit our website Monocrystalline 72 Cells Solar Panel.