Solar panels enable you to enjoy renewable and clean electricity by converting sunlight into solar energy. There are three types of solar panels you can use to generate electricity: monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and thin film panels, with each suited for specific power needs. This article compares the three types, so you can buy the most viable model.
What Are The Differences Between Monocrystalline, Polycrystalline, and Thin Film Solar Panels?
|
Monocrystalline |
Polycrystalline |
Thin Film |
|
|
Appearance |
Dark blue sleek appearance with rounded corners |
Light blue appearance with square-shaped cells |
Can be dark blue or light blue depending on the technology |
|
Efficiency |
15% to 20% |
13% to 16% |
8% to 30% depending on the technology |
|
Temperature coefficient |
-0.26% to -0.35% (Celsius) |
-0.5% (Celsius) |
-0.2% (Celsius) |
|
Lifespan |
Over 20 years |
Over 20 years |
10 to 20 years |
|
Cost per wattage |
$1 to $1.5 |
$.90 to $1.4 |
$0.50 to $1 |
As you can see, monocrystalline solar panels are the most expensive costing up to $1.5 per wattage without considering installation. Furthemore, the process of making solar cells from silicon crystals (Czochralski process) is expensive and energy-intensive. Polycrystalline solar panels are less expensive since there’s minimal silicon wastage.
Cadmium telluride thin film solar panels are the cheapest while Gallium arsenide panels are the most expensive. However, the installation of either of the four types of thin film panels is cheaper than monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar panels installation.
Both monocrystalline and polycrystalline panels are made from silicon wafer cells. Thin film panels, on the other hand, are made from thin PV materials. The most common PV materials are cadmium telluride (CdTe) and amorphous silicon (a-Si).
When it comes to appearance, monocrystalline panels are the most appealing, boasting of a dark blue color. They blend in best with most roofs. Polycrystalline panels have a bluish hue, which might not be appealing to every homeowner. Thin film solar panels can come in both blue and black hues, depending on their composition.
What are Monocrystalline Solar Panels?
Monocrystalline solar panels are made from monocrystalline solar cells. Each cell is made of a slice of a single silicon crystal. To create a monocrystalline cell, solar panel manufacturers grow the silicon crystal into an ingot (cylindrical log shape) and then slice it into thin discs. The discs are then cut into octagons. The octagon shape of the solar cells allows manufacturers to place many cells, increasing the efficiency of the solar panels.
Their distinctive dark blue color makes them stand out among the other types of panels. Monocrystalline panels have the highest efficiency ranging from 15% to 20%. BLUETTI monocrystalline panels have a rating of 23.4%, which is higher than its competitors.
For example, the BLUETTI PV420 Solar Panel has a 23.4% conversion rating, enabling it to capture adequate solar energy during peak sun hours. It has a portable and lightweight design, allowing you to change its orientation easily. Besides, it has a sturdy kickstand that can withstand outside abuse. With it, you can rest assured it will charge your power station quickly.
Applications of Monocrystalline Solar Panels
Unlike polycrystalline and thin film solar panels, monocrystalline units are more efficient and require less space to produce as much electricity as the other two types. As such, they are ideal for smaller applications and areas with short peak sun hours.
They are also a perfect choice where space is an issue. For example, if you have space on your roof, it would be more viable to install monocrystalline panels than polycrystalline units. This is because they require minimal spaces to produce ample electricity. And since they have higher efficiency, they can draw out the maximum energy even in cloudy and overcast conditions.
Monocrystalline panels are also heat tolerant, making them ideal for areas of extreme heat. For example, if you live in Florida, Louisiana, or Texas, you can opt for the BLUETTI PV350 Solar Panel, which can withstand high temperatures. It is made up of a durable glass surface that can withstand the scorching heat in either of the states.
Alternatively, you can buy the BLUETTI PV200D Solar Panel, a compact and lightweight model, ideal for outdoor activities. This Monocrystalline panel has a 23.4% conversion rating, meaning it can produce maximum solar energy, whether in cloudy or overcast conditions. And thanks to its IP65 rating, it withstands outside abuse seamlessly.
Monocrystalline Solar Panels Pros
- Offers the best heat tolerance
- Appealing to the eye
- Offers the best efficiency
- Requires less space
Monocrystalline Solar Panels Cons
- Relatively more expensive
- There’s widespread wastage of material during production
What Are Polycrystalline Solar Panels
Unlike monocrystalline solar panels, polycrystalline units are made of single polycrystalline solar cells sourced from silicon crystals. They are not extruded into ingots, rather, the silicon crystal cools and fragments individually. The fragments are then melted in ovens to form cubes, which are cut into thin wafers.
This process reduces wastage, allowing faster, safer, and cheaper production of more solar cells. And since they are square shaped, they fit seamlessly side by side, reducing space wastage. Unfortunately, polycrystalline solar panels are less efficient, producing less electricity. The silicon fragments do not provide ample space for the movement of electrons.
As mentioned, they have a lower efficiency rating than monocrystalline solar panels. Generally, they have a rating between 13% and 16%. They are also less heat tolerant, but have a decent lifespan that extends beyond 20 years. Their Blue color is lighter than monocrystalline solar panels and have distinctive square shaped cells.
Applications of Polycrystalline Solar Panels
Polycrystalline solar panels are ideal if you are on a tight budget. However, you need to have enough space to install more units than monocrystalline models. They produce more electricity in areas with maximum sunlight. As mentioned, they have lower efficiency, meaning they need more peak sun hours to produce as much electricity as monocrystalline panels.
If appearance is not a priority, you might consider installing polycrystalline solar panels. The light bluish tint is not appealing to the eye, especially when installed in large numbers. Most homeowners will install polycrystalline panels in the backyard to avoid tainting the appearance of their property.
Polycrystalline Solar Panels Pros
- Cheaper and faster to produce
- Cheaper than monocrystalline panels
- A decent lifespan
Polycrystalline Solar Panels Cons
- Less efficient than monocrystalline panels
- Require more space
- Lower power output
- Not appealing to the eye.
What Are Thin Film Solar Panels?
Unlike monocrystalline and polycrystalline panels that are made up of silicon crystals, thin film panels are made up of a layer or layers of PV materials. They come with built-in semiconductors, making them the lightest of the three. That said, they are not as efficient as monocrystalline panels, meaning you’ll need more to generate the same amount of electricity.
As you’d guess, they’ll require more space to generate electricity. This makes them ideal for large scale operations such as commercial solar power plants. There are four basic types of materials used to make thin film solar panels:
- Cadmium telluride (9% - 11% efficiency)
- Amorphous silicon (6% - 8% efficiency)
- Copper indium gallium selenide (18% efficiency)
- Gallium arsenide (30% efficiency)
Of the four, gallium arsenide is the most efficient, but the most expensive. Cadmium telluride is the most common technology, but has the most toxic element (cadmium). Most solar panel manufacturers are pivoting to amorphous silicon which is less toxic and more durable.
Copper gallium selenide has a better efficiency, but is hard to manufacture. The first copper gallium selenide solar panel was produced in Germany in 2011. Chinese and U.S. companies have since started producing similar panels.
Applications of Thin Film Solar Panels
Well, since they require ample space to produce electricity, they are not suitable for residential applications. They are widely used in utility and commercial application, where more space is crucial.
They are also used in off-grid projects such as hiking, overlanding, and camping. RV owners fit them on the rooftop since they can shape to the roof. They are also lightweight and foldable, making them ideal for a nomadic lifestyle.
Thin Film Solar Panels Pros
- Low installation costs
- Lightweight and portable
- Excellent temperature coefficient
- Relatively ecofriendly than monocrystalline panels
Thin Film Solar Panels Cons
- Not ideal for residential projects
- Lower efficiency than silicon panels
- Require more space
- More expensive
Final Thoughts: Which Solar Panel Do You Need?
Well, monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar panels can be used for residential applications. If you want to install a robust solar system, consider using monocrystalline panels since they have a higher efficiency rating.
Polycrystalline solar panels are cheaper, but require more space. And you will buy more panels to produce the same amount of power. Nevertheless, they are an ideal option if you are on a budget.
Thin film solar panels are not viable for residential applications. Unless you want to start a solar power plant, robust monocrystalline panels are all you need. And you can buy the most efficient models from BLUETTI.
