Monocrystalline vs Polycrystalline Solar Panels: Which is Best?

When examining what types of solar panels are out there, you may run into terms like polycrystalline and monocrystalline. Both of these systems can generate energy from sunlight, but the differences between their performances are stark, with the former exhibiting outputs and efficiencies far lower than those of monocrystalline panels.

That said, polycrystalline panels do have their own benefits, being cheaper and easier to produce. Can these advantages make up for their deficits in performance? In this article, we’ll compare these technologies and see what they have to offer.

Regardless of what type of solar panels you want, you’ll have to get in touch with an installer. Finding a good installer ensures a proper installation and the best prices, but finding one on your own can take hours of research. That’s where our handy service comes in, saving you time and providing you with up to 4 free, non-binding quotes.

Getting started is as simple as filling out a 30-second form. Click the button below, and we’ll handle the rest.

The two main types of solar panels are monocrystalline and polycrystalline. Monocrystalline panels are made from one large silicon cell, while polycrystalline cells are made from several. The use of a single crystal allows for a more uniform structure within the solar cell, which produces better energy output.

Most silicon crystals are polycrystalline by nature (meaning they are composed of multiple smaller crystals), which makes their material characteristics uneven. With a singular silicon crystal, the structure has relative uniformity. Mono crystals are manufactured from the original silicon and go through an additional growing process to refine them. It is recast as a cylindrical ingot (a cylindrical shape from which silicon wafers can be easily produced).

This “ingot” contains a single larger crystal structure with more purity. While this process produces better materials, it adds a lot to the cost of the process. Polycrystalline panels were invented so as to allow for cheaper materials through a less refined type of panel. However, when it comes to market prices, polycrystalline panels can have less of a price advantage for multiple reasons.

When comparing mono vs poly solar panels and their core differences, the most striking one is the price. The average monocrystalline panel is 20% more expensive than polycrystalline panels. This is due to the difficulties in refining one uniform crystal, which takes up additional processes.

Their appearances also differ. Monocrystalline cells are darker in appearance, with some even being entirely black. Polycrystalline panels are bluer, with a more diverse molecular structure. Aside from the colour, they both look identical in size and structure.

Monocrystalline panels have a higher output and efficiency per cell. Modern mono panels have seen many advances, with companies like SunPower providing 750W solar panels. For the same output, you often need multiple polycrystalline panels. This will take up more space (usually twice the amount), which makes monocrystalline panels more space-efficient.

Polycrystalline panel lifespans tend to be up to 20 years, with many companies offering warranties of 10 to 15 years. Monocrystalline panels also beat polycrystalline panels in this regard, lasting 30 to 40 years before degradation makes them useless. Warranties tend to be 25 to 30 years from most well-regarded manufacturers.

When comparing polycrystalline vs monocrystalline panels, the one area where the former has a definite advantage is in cost per panel. They are cheaper per panel for the consumer, and each one is theoretically easier to produce for the manufacturer (there are caveats to this).

However, polycrystalline panels are less relevant nowadays. They are much less common than monocrystalline panels, especially since refinement technology has improved significantly. Since they are rarer, they don’t have much of a price advantage on the market.

Additionally, while their lower per-unit price may seem like a major advantage, it becomes a drawback since polycrystalline panels have to compensate for low output and efficiency by using up more panels. This increases the price of producing them in batches since you need to make more panels to get the same output, decreasing the price advantage in the use of more materials.

They are also rarely produced with very few manufacturer options, which drives up the market price when it comes to sales. Similarly, with more panels to put up to cover the same amount of kWs (due to lower output per panel), labour prices will go up. This can make the costs more or less similar to monocrystalline panels.

For a system of a similar size, polycrystalline panels will have a lower return on investment since they are likely to break down sooner and can cost roughly the same due to increased labour costs and current retail prices. With a smaller pool of manufacturers on the market, there are also fewer choices in polycrystalline panels.

Solar panel grants can make solar panels cheaper, but they are more likely to cover monocrystalline panels since they are more widely available. Grants can cover a large chunk of the cost of solar panels and, in some cases, even provide them for free.

Monocrystalline panels are 18% to 25% efficient, while polycrystalline panels have 13% to 16% efficiency. As a result, the lattr produces less electricity from the sunlight they absorb. For the same number of kWs, more solar panels would be required.

In terms of performance, they will take more panels to achieve the same level of energy output. Polycrystalline panel setups will require up to 40m2 for a 4kW solar panel system (the best size for a 2 to 3-bedroom house).

This also matters because it can take more manpower and time to install, which will double the installation costs.

Monocrystalline panels are better by almost every metric. While polycrystalline panels can be cheaper and easier to produce for manufacturers, monocrystalline solar panels have higher outputs, better efficiency, take up less space for the same amount of energy production, and are more varied since most companies produce more of them.

Monocrystalline panels also last longer and have better warranties than polycrystalline panels. They can ensure a better rate of return for a longer period, especially since installing them can get similarly expensive when external costs are added.

That said, installation costs can vary based on the company you hire. Getting the best prices and panels takes extensive research and calling up companies. However, finding a reliable installer does not have to be a chore, especially when you use our service. Click the button below, fill out a 30-second form, and we’ll provide you with up to 4 free quotes from reliable installers we’ve personally vetted.