The renewable energy source doesn’t just save the planet, and it also saves your wallet by replacing the expensive energy bills with replenishing sources. Solar energy is the single most efficient and renewable energy source that you can go for today. As technology’s evolving, solar energy becomes more efficient with high-tech solar panels. If you’re planning to get new solar panels, you’ll get into a dilemma about which type of panel you should go for.
Deciding between monocrystalline vs polycrystalline solar panels is a big decision as it has to serve you for years. Both the panel types have their distinguished features and benefits that can help you get optimal service. I’ll get you through what you must know about the solar panel types to decide which to go with. Stick to the article to get the solar panels that can get you the most out of your investment.
Table Of Content:
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Comparison Chart:
Follow this quick comparison chart to get an idea about the solar panels we’ve selected as the best ones for both types you’re looking for:
| Image | Product | Technical Spec | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Renogy Solar Panel, Single |
| Check Price On Amazon |
 | Newpowa 100 Watts |
| Check Price On Amazon |
Monocrystalline Vs Polycrystalline Solar Panels: What Is The Difference?
Both monocrystalline vs polycrystalline solar panels have their advantages and disadvantages, but which one should you go with? To know the answer, you must know how they work and what they offer. Here, I’ll get you through both their benefits and the best products in both types:
About monocrystalline solar panels
The monocrystalline solar panels have the most solid construction from a single piece of a crystalline silicon ingot. They are recognizable due to their signature diamond-cut design on the panel with dark black color. Monocrystalline solar panels are the most efficient solution because they can exploit the sun irradiation better with pure silicon in them. The cost of these solar panels is higher than other types as it uses pure silicon without mixing other materials. However, you’ll get a significantly higher life expectancy with them, more than for 25 years of warranty.
Benefits Of Monocrystalline Solar Panels
Using monocrystalline solar panels can bring you a significant change in the turn even though they have a higher price range. Here are the main benefits that you can expect if you go for the monocrystalline solar panels:
- Monocrystalline solar panels are the most efficient solar panel solution compared to the other types of the panel because of their pure silicone construction.
- These panels need a smaller area to install than the other as they have more efficient sun irradiation exploiting power with less installation.
- With monocrystalline solar panels, you will get a significantly longer lifespan than any other type, and they come with 25 years of warranty.
- Monocrystalline solar panels can perform well even under a low sun irradiation condition and absorb power in the less required time.
- These solar panels can significantly reduce your electric bills by producing high energy, no matter how windy or shady a day you have.
1. Renogy 100 Watts 12 Volts Monocrystalline Solar Panel
This monocrystalline solar panel from Renogy has encapsulated highly effective pure silicon solar cells to get longer, maximized performance. Its cells have an EVA film on them along with a durable low-iron tempered glass topping for maximum rigidity for the cells.
It has a TPT back sheet on the back of the cells along with a pre-attached junction box, which has MC4 connectors as well. You can use the panel outdoors in RV, boat, tent, or roofing as the panels and the connectors are fully waterproof and rigid.
You will get a heavy-duty hard-anodized aluminum frame around this panel along with pre-drilled mounting holes and drainage holes. Although it’s a compact panel for the 47 “x21.3” in size, it can produce up to 100 watts with 12 Volts, which makes it the best 100 watt solar panel.
Renogy 100 Watts Features:
- This monocrystalline panel can produce up to 100 watts with 12 Volts.
- It has EVA film and low-iron and transparent tempered glass topping on the cells.
- The cells have a TPT back sheet to protect the solar cells from the back.
- You can use the panel outdoors in an RV, boat, as it has IP67 waterproofing on the junction box.
- It comes with an anti-corrosion frame, made with hard-anodized aluminum.
About polycrystalline solar panels
The polycrystalline solar panels also have silicon in the construction, but they contain multiple other mixtures as well. Unlike the construction of monocrystalline panels, the construction materials are molten and poured into a mold in square shape. Once the mold is cool, they go through a slicing process to square savers that you can see on the polycrystalline solar panels. They are recognizable because they don’t have a diamond cut to shape in them like the monocrystalline panels. Instead of dark black color, they usually come with blue and might have different esthetical designs to them.
Benefits Of Polycrystalline Solar Panels
Using polycrystalline solar panels can come with multiple advantages with better overall esthetics. Here are the main benefits of using polycrystalline solar panels:
- The costs per panel for polycrystalline is cheaper than the monocrystalline as they have a composite construction.
- The polycrystalline panels are durable and have a longer life span, as the mono panels, for about 25 years.
- The electric bill tends to be lower than monocrystalline panels when you’re using the polycrystalline panels in the long run.
- Environmentally, the polycrystalline solar panels are efficient at enhancing the reduction of greenhouse gas effects.
- The solar circuits of the polycrystalline panels don’t break down easily when it gets covered with snow, dirt, shade, or other obstacles.
2. Newpowa 100 Watts 12 Volts Polycrystalline Solar Panel 100W 12V High Efficiency Module Rv Marine Boat Off Grid
This Polycrystalline panel from Newpowa has a smaller cell design yet powerful enough to produce 100 watts with 12 Volts. With its high efficiency in the production from a small form factor, it can power a small house or Rv.
Its cell panels are all encapsulated in ethyne vinyl acetate (EVA) to maximize the performance. Furthermore, they have fully transparent, low iron tempered glass on the front for the best weatherproofing, making it the best solar panels for boats.
In the back of the panels, they have a durable Tedlar polyester Tedlar (TPT) sheet for extra support. Along with the heavy construction, its pannel cells have a heavy-duty frame with anodized aluminum that maximizes the rigidity of the panel.
Newpowa 100 Watts Features:
- This polycrystalline solar panel comes with the capability to produce 100 watts with 12 Volts.
- It comes with a junction box with diodes, pre-installed to the box, and 3-ft MC4 Cables.
- You’ll get a rigid anodized aluminum frame around the solar panel cells for durability.
- The solar cells have a heavy construction with ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA).
- Its panels have a transparent tempered glass in the front and TPT in the back for weather resistance.
My Opinion: Which Is A Better Monocrystalline Or Polycrystalline Solar Panels
Selecting the right solar panel comes with a perspective measure that you must consider before getting the panel. If you’re planning to go outside a lot with the panel or planning to attach it to your RV roof or boat, you should get the Monocrystalline Panel. It has a highly respected IP67 waterproofing rating along with a rigid hard-anodized aluminum frame to protect it. However, if you’re not planning to rush with the panel or have a smaller plan for the job, you can go for the Polycrystalline Solar Panel. Although it has waterproofing both for the panel and the junction box, it has no rating for that, which is important for the users to understand.
Frequently Asked Question
Here are the most frequently asked questions about both the solar panels that you should know about:
How long do Monocrystalline solar panels last?
Can you mix polycrystalline with monocrystalline?
How long do solar panels last on average?
Watch Out The Comparison Between Monocrystalline Vs Polycrystalline To Choose The Right One
Final Thought
With all the information about both monocrystalline vs polycrystalline solar panels, selecting the right panel becomes easier. After getting through the specifications, I hope you’ve selected the right solar panel unit that can fit your needs. However, if you’re still confused and need an expert suggestion, I can suggest you get the Monocrystalline Panel.
It has the best possible waterproofing rating with IP67 for the junction box and the connectors. The cells have a transparent tempered glass weather resistance and protection in the front and TPT in the back. You can use it in any situation from RV, boat to house roof for decades with the rigid construction with a hard-anodized frame.
