Monocrystalline Solar Panels

Monocrystalline solar panels

The majority of PV modules in use and for sale are monocrystalline panels. They are the best type in terms of efficiency/price ratio at the moment. In this section you’ll learn some details about them.

What are Monocrystalline Solar Panels?

Monocrystalline solar panels differ from polycrystalline in the way they are produced. To make them, engineers get cells from one silicon crystal instead of melting together several of them. The difference in color between mono- and poly- panels is explained by the antireflective coating. The modern technology called “black silicon” is used to make monocrystalline panels.

Most manufacturers focus primarily on monocrystalline panels as an efficient and modern type, but still affordable at the same time. While many see great potential in thin-film panels, rigid PV mono-modules currently have a larger scope of application.

Efficiency of monocrystalline solar panels

Efficiency of your panel determines how much sunlight it can actually turn into energy. Obviously, the higher it is, the better, and it is especially important when you don’t have much space. Mono-modules have the highest efficiency of three most prominent types. Best monocrystalline solar panels on the market have 20 %. Apparently, Jinko Solar has set a record of 23.25% conversion rate with their n-type mono-panels in summer of 2021. 

Benefits of Monocrystalline Solar Panels

When it comes to advantages that monopanels have before other widespread types, they include:

• Best efficiency among the most prominent types;
• Better performance at high temperatures;
• Longer lifespan than any kind of flexible panels;
• Best warranties in the industry are issued for monocrystalline panels;
• Stylish look and visually appealing design.

Average prices for monocrystalline panels

Mono-panels are slightly more expensive than polycrystalline modules. However, prices have already dropped by 80% in the last 10 years and we expect them to keep falling. The brand and the number of watts that a panel provides are what determines the price. The cheapest and relatively weak Chinese panels can cost around $100-$120. High-quality super-powerful Panasonic modules reach $450-$500 in price per unit. We provide a variety of monocrystalline solar panels for sale from brands all over the world so you can find the one model that fits your preferable price range. 

Lifespan

The lifespan of a PV module is said to be around 25 years on average, but they usually live much longer than this. A panel doesn’t explode or crumble to pieces after the warranty runs out – it just keeps on slowly losing power year after year. Some manufacturers even issue a 30-year performance warranty that ensures that the output of your panels won’t drop below a certain threshold even after three decades. To prolong the lifespan of your panels we recommend regular checkups by an electrician and occasional cleanup.

How to choose the right monocrystalline solar panel

When it comes to choosing panels, you need to think about their purpose and their working conditions. Ask yourself following questions:

• Is it for home or business? Residential systems mostly consist of 300-350W 60-cell or 120-cell panels. PV modules for commercial systems are 400 W and have 72 or 96 cells each.
• What is the weather like in my area? Is it cloudy or sunny? Is it hot? Do strong winds, extreme weather conditions and natural disasters occur on a regular basis? The answers determine whether or not you need panels with good performance in low-light conditions, improved tolerance to high temperatures or reinforced panels that are especially sturdy.
• Is shading going to play a part? Shading affects some panels more than the others. Look for panels with good shading tolerance and at least 3 bypass diodes in construction.