When starting solar power generation with solar panels, many people may be wondering which material to choose, monocrystalline or polycrystalline.
Since the power generation efficiency and cost differ depending on the material, it is necessary to fully understand the characteristics of each material before making a selection.
In this article, we will compare monocrystalline and polycrystalline materials used for Solar companies in Pakistan and thoroughly compare their characteristics and power generation efficiency.
Compare monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar panels
The manufacturing process, power generation efficiency, and cost differ greatly depending on the material of the solar panel.
In addition, there is a difference in the beauty of appearance between single crystals and polycrystals, which are of the same silicon type.
Now let’s see what the differences are.
◆ Difference in manufacturing process
Silicon-based solar panels are manufactured in the process of processing and melting silica stone containing silicon to create ingots.
An ingot is called a “cell”, which is the smallest unit of a solar panel, and a solar panel product is completed by arranging the cells and joining them together.
Single crystal refers to ingots made by processing silica stone to increase its purity. Polycrystalline, on the other hand, is polysilicon made by reusing silicon grains produced in the manufacturing process of single crystals.
Simply put, monocrystalline is a single plate, and polycrystalline is plywood .
◆ Difference in arrangement of crystals
Monocrystalline and polycrystalline have different arrangements of cells.
Specifically, single crystals are regularly arranged, and polycrystals are irregularly arranged .
How the crystals are arranged affects the appearance.
◆ Difference in appearance
The single crystals, which are arranged in an orderly manner, have a glossy panel surface and a pure, beautiful color.
On the other hand, polycrystals, in which crystals are arranged irregularly, have a slightly mottled pattern.
In the case of a residential solar power generation system, the installation area is large. So if you want to be particular about the appearance, monocrystalline will be selected.
◆ Difference in power generation efficiency
The power generation efficiency of solar panels, which convert solar energy into electrical energy, differs depending on the material.
In conclusion, single crystals are superior in power generation efficiency and can generate power with high performance compared to other materials.
Power generation efficiency is expressed in the word “conversion efficiency”, and solar panels with a conversion efficiency of 20% or more can be judged to be high performance.
A single crystal has a high crystal density, so there is little loss in power generation, and the conversion efficiency is about 20% at maximum.
Polycrystals, on the other hand, have a low crystal density, resulting in more power generation loss than single crystals. Therefore, the maximum conversion efficiency is about 15%.
The power generation efficiency also affects the power sales efficiency when selling electricity to the power company, so be sure to check it when choosing a solar panel.
◆ Cost difference
Solar Panel Lahore are not a cheap purchase, so many people are concerned about the cost.
Single crystals, which have excellent power generation efficiency, are relatively expensive due to their high manufacturing costs.
Many products are sold at relatively low prices because polycrystals are cheaper to manufacture than single crystals.
For example, even for foldable solar panels with the same output. There is a price difference of 10,000 Pkr or more between monocrystalline and polycrystalline panels.
