When it comes to choosing solar panels, monocrystalline solar panels and polycrystalline solar panels are two common types, each with its own unique advantages and features.
First of all, from the perspective of photoelectric conversion efficiency, the photoelectric conversion efficiency of monocrystalline solar panels is about 18%, and it can reach up to 25% under laboratory conditions, which makes it have the highest conversion efficiency among all kinds of solar cells. In contrast, the photoelectric conversion efficiency of polycrystalline silicon solar panels is about 16%, and it can reach up to 20 under laboratory conditions4%, slightly lower than monocrystalline silicon panels.
Secondly, monocrystalline silicon solar panels and polycrystalline silicon solar panels are also different in appearance. The cells of monocrystalline silicon solar panels are square, rounded, and dark blue. Polycrystalline solar panels, on the other hand, have a square cell and are sky blue in color.
In terms of manufacturing process, monocrystalline silicon uses the straight-pull lifting method, while polycrystalline silicon uses the predestined method. Monocrystalline silicon is more expensive to manufacture because it requires high-purity silicon materials, while polysilicon is less expensive to manufacture and has less stringent requirements for raw materials.
Although polycrystalline solar panels are slightly inferior to monocrystalline solar panels in terms of photoelectric conversion efficiency and manufacturing costs, they are not as popular in the market. Polycrystalline solar panels are favored by the market because of their low performance and the lack of performance gap with monocrystalline silicon solar panels.
Monocrystalline solar panels are slightly better than polycrystalline solar panels in terms of photoelectric conversion efficiency and performance, but polycrystalline solar panels have certain advantages in cost and market acceptance. Which solar panel to choose ultimately depends on the individual's needs and budget.