Monocrystalline Solar Cell

Advantages:

 Monocrystalline solar panels have the highest efficiency rates as these are made of highest-
grade silicon. The efficiency rate is 15-20%.(Efficiency)
 Monocrystalline silicon solar panel are space efficient. Monocrystalline solar panels produce up
to 4 times the amount of electricity as thin-film solar panel.(Space efficient)
 Monocrystalline solar panel live the longest. Warranty for this kind of solar panel is given for 25
years.(Life span)
 Tend to perform better than similarly rated polycrystalline solar panels.(Comparison)

Disadvantages:

 Most expensive one.

 If the solar panel is partially covered with shade, dirt or snow, the entire circuit can break down.
That’s why micro inverter is suggested instead of central inverter.
 The Czochralski process is used to produce monocrystalline silicon. It results in large cylindrical
ingots. Four sides are cut out of the ingots to make silicon wafers. A significant amount of the
original silicon ends up as waste.

Polycrystalline Silicon Solar Cells: The polycrystalline which is known as polysilicon(p-Si) and multi-
crystalline silicon(mc-Si) do not require Czochralski process. Raw silicon is melted and poured into a
square mold, which is cooled and cut perfectly square wafers.

Advantages:

 Simpler manufacturing process

 Comparatively Lower Price
 Less wastage compared to monocrystalline.
 Poly-crystalline solar panel have better heat tolerance than monocrystalline solar panels.

Disadvantages:

 Lower efficiency(13-16%)
 Lower space efficiency
 Monocrystalline and thin-film solar panels tend to be more aesthetically pleasing since they have
a more aesthetically pleasing since they have a more uniform look compared to the speckled
blue color of polycrystalline silicon.