In the previous sections, we have gone through all of the processes required to make a crystalline solar panel, we shall proceed to analyzing several points that must be considered in placing proper value on each solar panel.
At the end of this section, you would be able to identify what solar panel is best for you based on their characteristics.
● Appearance Difference
How the different panels are made contributes to how they eventually look.
For instance, the monocrystalline panel is made out of a single crystal of silicon and thus it has a uniform color throughout the entire material. Whereas, the polycrystalline panel would have varying color differences across the entire material due to the fact that its ingot is gotten from several crystals of silicon.
Most times monocrystalline panels are black or dark blue in color and each cell (finished wafer) has a rounded edge. Do not forget that we have seen that the ingot obtained from melting the silicon rocks looks like a rounded cylinder and thus the individual wafers originally are rounded and needs to be cut into square shape to meet up with the required standard, but this would waste a whole lot of the monocrystalline silicon.
Therefore, it is then cut so that, part of the rounded part of the circular wafer does not waste. Hence, the reason for its rounded edge.
Polycrystalline panels have a bluish color and appears as though there are particles (looks more like rocks) are present inside the panel. Each cell has a square shape because it was cut out of a square shaped ingot.
● Module Convert Efficiency
How efficiently the panels would be able to convert solar energy into electricity greatly depends on the molecular structure of each material.
The monocrystalline panel because of its consistent make-up allows electrons to flow freely, but the polycrystalline would not as much as a monocrystalline panel would owing to the same reason of molecular structure. The conversion efficiency of the monocrystalline panel is from about 15% to about 20%
● Temperature Factor
The conversion efficiency of the panel also depends on the temperature, such that an increase or decrease in temperature above a threshold of 25oC causes an increase or decrease in the efficiency of any of the panels (be it monocrystalline or polycrystalline).
However, how much temperature affects the efficiency of the panel (temperature coefficient) varies between different brands e.g. a certain type of panel may have a temperature coefficient of about -0.123% per oC which means for every increment of 10C the efficiency reduces by 0.123%.
It has been observed that generally polycrystalline panels can withstand more heat than the monocrystalline panel
● Shading Factor
No solar panel works well when it is completely shaded. However, because of some particular reasons the monocrystalline panel functions better in cases where there’s no extreme shade.
● Cost
The monocrystalline panel costs more than the polycrystalline solar panel. This is due to the cost of producing the mono panel which costs approximately 20% more than the cost of production of polycrystalline panel.
The cost of production of mono panel is more of a function of the wastage procured during the reduction of the shape of the ingot to a rounded square shape.
● Space Efficiency
If you need a panel that efficiently converts and you’re willing to trade cost for space, the monocrystalline panel is your best bet. Though it’s not impossible to get polycrystalline panels of the same efficiency as a mono, but since the conversion efficiency of the polycrystalline panel is less one would need a large poly to match the required efficiency.
So, for less space and great efficiency the monocrystalline panel works well.
