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Mono vs Poly Panels
Mono vs Poly solar panels
Mono means one, while poly means many. MONO is one wafer sheet of crystalline, where POLY is multiple parts of crystalline in one wafer. It is similar to the difference between Plywood being one continuous veneered sheet of wood and chip board or particle board being many chips of wood in one board. Which is stronger and better? Which one will cost more and will last the longest? Sure we can argue the difference in them, the pros and cons of each. However at May Electric - Solar Division we choose the best and the most dependable. The cost after the 30%% tax credit and figuring the extra saving in electric due to the higher efficiency is not worth the savings you save on the shelf price comparison. A solar electric PV system is a separately derived energy system, don't not cut corners on something so important. In comparison, the Solarworld USA made and manufactured MONO crystalline photovoltaic panels are pressure treated 5/8ths plywood while POLY panels are chip board "lets save money now and deal with the problems later" solar PV panels. Sure for a couple years they will be very similar in production but after years of use the MONO crystalline solar panels will outperform the lesser grade panels every time.
Have you ever walk on a roof made of chip board rather than plywood? We do often while installing solar electric systems. It matters! Trust us. For the first 10 years it's just as good as plywood at a lower cost to the builder. Once installed it is too costly to go back and change it.
Let's talk about the difference in design and how they are built.
The difference starts during the process of creation. Monocrystalline silicon is created by slowly pulling a monocrystalline silicon seed crystal out of melted monocrystalline silicon using the Czochralski method to form an ingot of silicon. Monocrystalline cells are made from a single crystal of pure silicon. A seed crystal is a small piece of silicon which is used as a foundation for the molten molecules. By having a foundation, the molten molecules are able to connect together faster to form an ingot. While the seed crystal is being withdrawn, it is rotated slowly and temperature is lowered slowly. This helps form the cylindrical shape until it has the right diameter which is when temperature remains constant.
Polycrystalline silicon is made through a simpler method. Instead of going through the slow and more expensive process of creating a single crystal, molten silicon is just put into a cast and cooled with a seed crystal. By using the casting method, the crystal surrounding the seed isn’t uniform and branches into many, smaller crystals, thus "polycrystalline". Polycrystalline panels are made up of several crystals, this means that they also absorb less sunlight and produce less.
The boundaries between the crystals in a polycrystalline grain boundaries can impede the flow of electricity, so mono crystalline cells which have no grain boundaries have a higher efficiency.
The Cost
Monocrystalline solar cells cost more than polycrystalline for the same size wattage. Accurately calculate the efficiency and actual performance the gap in price narrows every year in service.
The Size Of The Panel
Since monocrystalline panels are more efficient per area, the size of the solar panel is less than a polycrystalline solar panel for the same wattage.
Visual Look
In terms of looks, monocrystalline panels have a nice uniform color and have a more circular cell shape. Polycrystalline cells are in squares and have inconsistencies in the color sort of like granite.
Customers ask? Is poly better in some ways? So many contractors recommend them.
Poly panels are cooler running panels? A contractor told me this.
Like all types of solar panels, monocrystalline solar modules suffer a reduction in output once the temperature from the sunlight reaches around fifty degrees celsius/a hundred and fifteen degrees Fahrenheit. Reductions of between twelve and fifteen percent can be expected. These are lower than the reductions in output experienced by polycrystalline cells.
Looking on the spec sheets of the MONO and POLY panels locate the Power Temperature Coefficient. This is the rate at which the panel power output falls as its temperature rises. Polycrystalline panels lose their power output more quickly, by about 0.02%% more per degree C. For example, a Monocrystalline solar panel when operating at 70C on a hot and sunny day, would be producing 0.41 x (70-20) = 20.5%% less power than is measured under standard test conditions (20C). A polycrystalline solar panel would be producing 0.43 x (70-20) = 21.5%% less power than tested at (20C).
A poly panel will produce 1%% less production than a MONO panel. No opinions, or recommendations can change the math. The facts are in the Spec sheets.
We have installed projects containing poly panels and of course MONO panels. The heat losses in the summer effect POLY more so than MONO. Side by side watt for watt MONO is more efficient and produce 5 to 15%% more each year. We have seen minor losses in comparing Black frame panels to silver frame panels on a few summer days. This is due to the frame heating up and effecting the entire system including the panels' cells and wiring.
The size of the PV system will be larger with POLY panels to achieve the same production output as in a MONO panel system. Leading to extra cost in panels, wiring, and mounting. When it is broken down by dollar for dollar - KWH for KWH, production on a yearly average MONO solar energy panels are the best choice for your solar investment, they will last the length of time you deserve.
LG360R Solar systems 25/25 warranty
LG panels have a full 25 workmanship and performance warranty. Give us a call to learn more on the difference.
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