Solar energy usage has increased as a result of the quest for renewable energy sources. The solar business has grown by about 50% in the last decade, thanks to federal incentives like the Solar Investment Tax Credit and significant commercial and industrial demand for sustainable energy.
If you are also planning to make a sustainable choice and switch to a cleaner energy source and get a Solar panel installation done, it is essential to understand the various types of solar panels available in depth before you can make an informed choice. In this article, we will discuss the Monocrystalline solar panels in detail.
It is feasible to grow pure silicon from a single crystal during polysilicon manufacture. Monocrystalline solar panels, also known as single-crystal panels are solar panels manufactured from a single crystal of pure silicon that is sliced into many wafers. They are easily distinguished by their dark black hue, which indicates that they are constructed of pure silicon.
The electrons that form an electric current have greater room to move because the cell is made up of a single crystal. As a result, they are significantly more efficient than similar polycrystalline solar panels under similar circumstances.
Monocrystalline panels are also the most space-efficient and long-lasting of the three solar panel types due to their usage of pure silicon. They are also regarded as a high-end solar product. Monocrystalline solar panels provide higher efficiency and a more streamlined appearance.
Before diving into the specifications of how monocrystalline solar panels work, we shall begin with understanding the basic working of solar panel.
Solar panels are used to gather and convert solar energy from the sun into electricity. Individual solar cells, each made up of layers of silicon, boron, and phosphorus, make up a standard solar panel. The positive charge is provided by the boron layer, the negative charge is provided by the phosphorus layer, and the semiconductor is provided by the silicon wafer.
When photons from the sun impact the panel’s surface, they knock electrons out of the silicon “sandwich” and into the electric field created by the solar cells. This produces a direct current, which can then be converted into useful energy.
When sunlight strikes a monocrystalline solar panel, the cells absorb the energy and form an electric field through a sophisticated process. This electric field generates power by combining voltage and current, as defined by the equation P (power) = V (voltage) x I (current) (current). This energy can be used to power direct current (DC) devices directly. An inverter can also convert this power to alternating current (AC).
It is essential to understand that at the fundamental level, both monocrystalline solar panels and polycrystalline ones have similar working. In a solar panel system, both monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar panels perform the same function: they gather solar energy and convert it to electricity. They’re also both constructed of silicon, which is used in solar panels because it’s a plentiful and long-lasting material.
Both monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar panels can be good alternatives for your house, but there are several major differences to be aware of before committing to a solar purchase. These differences in efficiency and output arise from the fundamental difference in the making of the solar cells for these panels. Solar cells in monocrystalline solar panels are created from a single silicon crystal, whereas solar cells in polycrystalline solar panels are made from numerous silicon pieces melted together.
Some of the major factors on which these two types of solar panels differ are:
When it comes to manufacturing costs and the selling price, monocrystalline solar panels take the lead over polycrystalline panels. Since each solar cell in a monocrystalline solar panel is made up of a single silicone piece, the process of manufacturing becomes typical and the costs increase.
Although monocrystalline solar panels are on the expensive side, they also take the lead when it comes to their energy efficiency. Their single-crystal, uniform structure allows more room for conducting electrons to move and thus, generate more electricity as compared to a similar sized polycrystalline solar panel.
Since each cell component of the monocrystalline solar panels is more efficient as compared to polycrystalline solar panels, the number of cells or panels required to generate the same amount of energy is also less.
You can also read about “Bifacial Solar Panels – The Ultimate Guide (2023)“
On one hand, the monocrystalline solar panels are more efficient and thus produce more energy with the lesser area, on the other hand, they are also on the expensive side. When it comes to return-on-investment, any kind of solar panel installation will sooner or later pay itself off depending upon the usage and maintenance. However, there are still some factors that seal the deal when choosing between monocrystalline vs polycrystalline solar panels.
Thus the conclusion to the debate between monocrystalline vs polycrystalline solar panels ultimately depends on:
If you are conscious of the overall aesthetics of your house and worried about how the solar panels will look with your exteriors, then you have a choice between the characteristic, uniform dark blue hue of monocrystalline solar panels and the bluish tint of polycrystalline solar panels.
As mentioned above, the space available also plays a significant role in determining the type of panels that can be used. If you have limited space that receives ample sunlight then going with more efficient monocrystalline solar panels is a wise choice.
Every project ultimately comes down to your budget, if you have sufficient funds for monocrystalline solar panels, then you can go for those. Otherwise, installing polycrystalline solar panels will also pay off sooner or later.
If you want to switch to solar panel systems and make a sustainable change while also saving on your utility bills, call us at 1800-2121-321 to get a quote or visit our website, www.waaree.com to get more details.
Read more: Is it true that the life of Solar Panel is 25 years?
