What is a monocrystalline solar panel?

Monocrystalline solar panels have black-colored solar cells made of a single silicon crystal and usually have a higher efficiency rating. However, these panels often come at a higher price. Polycrystalline solar panels have blue-colored cells made of multiple silicon crystals melted together.

What is a polycrystalline solar panel?

Polycrystalline solar panels are also made from silicon. However, instead of using a single silicon crystal, manufacturers melt many silicon fragments together to form wafers for the panel. Polycrystalline solar cells are also called "multi-crystalline" or many-crystal silicon.

How are monocrystalline solar cells made?

Monocrystalline silicon solar cells are manufactured using something called the Czochralski method, in which a ‘seed’ crystal of silicon is placed into a molten vat of pure silicon at a high temperature. This process forms a single silicon crystal, called an ingot, that is sliced into thin silicon wafers which are then used in the solar modules.

What is a monocrystalline photovoltaic (PV) cell?

Monocrystalline photovoltaic (PV) cells are made from a single crystal of highly pure silicon, generally crystalline silicon (c-Si). Monocrystalline cells were first developed in the 1950s as first-generation solar cells. The process for making monocrystalline is called the Czochralski process and dates back to 1916.

Are monocrystalline solar panels more efficient?

In general, monocrystalline solar panels are more efficient than polycrystalline solar panels because they're cut from a single crystal of silicon, making it easier for the highest amount of electricity to move throughout the panel.

Are solar panels crystalline or noncrystalline?

This type of solar panel is noncrystalline and can absorb up to forty times more solar radiation than monocrystalline silicon.