What is the Difference Between Monocrystalline & Polycrystalline?
Monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar panels are both types of photovoltaic (PV) panels that are used to convert sunlight into electricity. The main difference between the two types of panels is the way they are made.
Monocrystalline solar panels are made from a single crystal of silicon, which is grown in a cylindrical shape known as a "boule." The boule is then cut into thin wafers, which are treated and assembled into solar cells. These cells are placed in a frame and covered with a protective layer of glass to create the finished solar panel. Monocrystalline solar panels are typically more efficient and have a longer lifespan than other types of solar panels.
Polycrystalline solar panels, on the other hand, are made from melted silicon that is poured into a square mold and cooled. The resulting material is made up of many small crystals, rather than a single large crystal like in monocrystalline panels. The material is then cut into thin wafers and assembled into solar cells in the same way as monocrystalline panels. Polycrystalline solar panels are generally less efficient and have a shorter lifespan than monocrystalline panels, but they are also typically less expensive to produce.
In summary, the main difference between monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar panels is the way they are made and the resulting efficiency and lifespan of the panels. Monocrystalline panels are made from a single, continuous crystal of silicon and are more efficient and have a longer lifespan, while polycrystalline panels are made from many small crystals of silicon and are less efficient and have a shorter lifespan.