Products Details

Solar Panel

2 Different Types of Solar Panels

 

Monocrystalline Cells

Monocrystalline solar panels (or mono panels) are made from monocrystalline solar cells. Each cell is a slice of a single crystal of silicon that is grown expressly for the purpose of creating solar panels. In the lab, the crystal is grown into a cylindrical log shape called an ingot and is then sliced into thin discs. Each disc is cut along the edges to form octagons. When the solar cells are placed on the solar panel, the octagonal shapes help the solar panels fit a maximum number of solar cells into the array. It’s much like cookies on a baking sheet. Even tightly spaced round cookies always have spaces between them, but octagonal cookies can be placed tightly together with little wasted space. Distinctive for their black color, monocrystalline solar panels typically have an efficiency range of between 15% to 20%, with some newer experimental models even reaching close to 50%.  

Polycrystalline Cells

Polycrystalline solar panels (or poly panels) are made of individual polycrystalline solar cells. Just like monocrystalline solar cells, polycrystalline solar cells are made from silicon crystals. The difference is that, instead of being extruded as a single pure ingot, the silicon crystal cools and fragments on its own. These fragments are melted in an oven and formed into cubes which are cut into thin wafers. So, many different crystals form this amalgam, rather than the single crystal of the monocrystalline solar cell type. It’s a less exacting production process than with monocrystalline cells, so it allows for more solar cells to be produced faster and less expensively. The blue-colored square polycrystalline cells fit neatly side by side, eliminating any empty space between the cells. Polycrystalline solar panels operate less efficiently than monocrystalline panels because the melted fragments of silicon afford less room for the electrons to move around. Polycrystalline panels generally have an efficiency rating of between 13% and 16%. While only a few percentage points less than monocrystalline panels, it’s a difference that can count for a lot when compounded across many solar panels.    

Best Brands For Solar Panels In The World

Several renowned brands are well-known for producing high-quality solar panels. Below are the details of some of the world’s top solar panel brands:

SunPower:

SunPower is a renowned solar panel manufacturer noted for producing highly efficient and dependable panels. They use cutting-edge technology to attain some of the industry’s greatest efficiency rates.

LG Solar:

LG Solar is well-known for its solar panels’ durability and performance. They are dedicated to producing high-quality products that are supported by considerable research and development.

JinkoSolar:

JinkoSolar is one of the world’s largest solar panel producers, offering a diverse selection of dependable and cost-effective panels. They prioritize innovation and have constantly upgraded their product offerings.

Canadian Solar:

Canadian Solar is a well-known brand known for its high-quality panels and considerable industry experience. They provide a wide range of solar panels ideal for a variety of purposes.

Trina Solar:

Trina Solar is a market leader in integrated solar energy solutions. They provide efficient and dependable panels that have received praise for their efficiency and durability.