Monocrystalline vs. Polycrystalline Solar Panels: 2024 Guide

Average Cost

The manufacturing process has the biggest impact on solar panel costs. Monocrystalline panels have a complex production process and use higher-quality materials. Polycrystalline panels are produced with lower-quality silicon cells, some of which are recycled from the monocrystalline production process. These savings translate to lower costs. Additional components of the solar panel installation process, including the inverters and wiring, cost the same for both panel options.

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Your selected panel type can also influence your system&#;s payback period, typically six to 10 years. With more efficient mono panels, your system will convert more energy, leading to better solar power production for your home. Since solar power costs less than expensive fossil fuels, those savings could speed up your payback period. Polycrystalline panels don&#;t offer those same long-term savings, so they won&#;t decrease your payback period. 

Efficiency Rating

An important difference between mono and poly panels is their efficiency rating. Solar panel efficiency expresses how much sunlight the panel can absorb and convert into electricity. For example, a solar panel with a 15% efficiency rating can absorb and convert 15% of the sunlight it receives. Polycrystalline panels have an average efficiency of 13% to 16%. Monocrystalline panels&#; efficiency ranges from 15% to 23%.

Panel Appearance

Many homeowners have a personal preference regarding their solar panels&#; appearance. If preserving your home&#;s aesthetics is important to you, monocrystalline panels might be a better option. These panels are black and blend better with most roof types. Polycrystalline panels have a blue hue, making them more noticeable on rooftops.

Roof Space

Roof space is another key factor when choosing between mono and poly panels. Since mono solar panels are more efficient, they convert sunlight at a better rate. Thus, homeowners need fewer monocrystalline panels to power their homes effectively. These panels are a great choice for homes with less roof space.

The opposite is true for poly solar panels. Due to their lower efficiency rating, you&#;ll need more panels to meet your home energy needs. You&#;ll also need ample roof space to accommodate these additional panels.

Typical Life Span

Most crystalline solar panels have a life span of about 25 years. This corresponds with the length of a typical solar panel warranty. However, your panels can last longer than the manufacturer&#;s 25-year warranty with regular maintenance. Polycrystalline panels can last 25 to 35 years, while monocrystalline panels can last up to 40 years. 

Although panels can last for decades, they lose their efficiency over time. According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory for the U.S. Department of Energy, solar panels have an average degradation rate of 0.5% per year. This is how much they drop in power output and wattage. High-efficiency panels have a higher wattage and efficiency, so a degradation drop isn&#;t as impactful. A drop in performance can have a significant impact on lower-efficiency panels.

Temperature Coefficient

Manufacturers test solar panels&#; performance in Standard Test Conditions (STC) of 77 degrees Fahrenheit. The panels remain at peak efficiency between 59 degrees Fahrenheit and 95 degrees Fahrenheit, but anything outside of this range will cause a drop in efficiency.

The amount a panel will decrease power production when exposed to extreme temperatures is represented by its temperature coefficient. The higher the temperature coefficient, the worse a panel will perform in extreme weather. Monocrystalline panels have a low temperature coefficient and perform well under extreme temperatures. Polycrystalline panels have a higher temperature coefficient and typically decrease performance in hot climates.

First, we&#;ll review the pros and cons of monocrystalline solar cells vs polycrystalline solar cells. Then, we&#;ll let you decide: Which would you want for your residential power plant?

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Monocrystalline Silicon Solar Cells

Solar cells made of monocrystalline silicon are black and very uniform in appearance, which is an indication of their high purity.

Pros:

1. Monocrystalline solar panels have the highest efficiency rates, typically in the 15-20% range.
2. This high efficiency rate means they produce more power per square foot, and are therefore very space-efficient.
3. Monocrystalline solar panels tend to be more efficient in warm weather. Performance suffers somewhat as temperature goes up, but less so than with polycrystalline solar panels.
4. Since they are monocrystalline and perform better in heat these panels are projected to have the longest life. Most come with a 25-year warranty but will probably last substantially longer than 25 years.
5. They perform better than similarly rated polycrystalline solar panels at low-light conditions.
6. Many people find their uniformity and black color more aesthetically pleasing than the blue color and sometimes variegated pattern of the polycrystalline panels.

Cons:

1. Monocrystalline solar panels cost more than polycrystalline panels. See below for a cost comparison.

Polycrystalline Silicon Solar Cells

The first solar panels based on polycrystalline silicon were introduced to the market in . These panels are blue and sometimes have a variegated pattern.

Pros:

1. The process used to make polycrystalline silicon is simpler and costs less.

Cons:

1. Polycrystalline panels have lower efficiency rates typically in the 13-16% range. Monocrystalline panels have higher efficiencies in the range of 15-20%.
2. Because of the lower efficiency rate they are not as space-efficient since they produce less power per square foot.
3. Polycrystalline panels tend to have lower heat tolerance than monocrystalline solar panels and perform slightly worse than monocrystalline solar panels in high temperatures.
4. Heat can affect not only the performance of polycrystalline solar panels and but is projected to substantially shorten their lifespan.
5. These panels are also less efficient in low-light condition.
6. Polycrystalline panels then to be less aesthetically pleasing since they have a non-uniform look and sometimes a speckled blue color.

Cost Comparison

We&#;ll compare on as equal a basis as possible using the following solar panels available on the AltE store website:

• SolarWorld SunModule 260W (poly) = $196 per panel
• SolarWorld SunModule 285W (mono) = $249 per panel

To normalize for wattage, multiply $196 times 285W and divide by 260W. Therefore, the adjusted cost difference is $215 per panel for poly vs. $249 per panel for mono. For an average 2,000 SF house that uses 7,500 kwHr annually, the required 18 monocrystalline panels would cost $612 more than the less efficient, shorter-lived poly panels.

A Caveat on Warranties
Most solar panels on today&#;s market come with a 25-year warranty (performance guarantee). This generally means a guaranteed electrical production for 10 years at 90% of rated power output and 25 years at 80%. But be advised that all performance guarantees are not the same.Be sure to check the small print on the warranties for the panels you&#;re considering.

Of course we don&#;t have data on the performance of solar panels 30-40 years down the line but the projection is that monocrystalline panels (based on purity and the other characteristics mentioned above) will keep generating a significant amount of electricity and bring in savings for many years after the warranty expires and will ultimately stand the test of time far better than polycrystalline panels.

Is it more than just polycrystalline solar cells vs monocrystalline solar cells? Thin-film solar cells also exist, but their prevalence in the residential market is so limited at this time that we don&#;t consider them a viable option in this comparison.

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