Polycrystalline Solar Panels were introduced to market in 1981. The main advantage of a polycrystalline solar panel is their lower price point.
Polycrystalline Solar Panels are also made from silicon. Instead of using a single crystal of silicon, raw silicon is melted and poured into a square mould, which is cooled and cut into perfectly square wafers.
Benefits of a Polycrystalline Solar Panel:
- The process used to make polycrystalline silicon is simpler and cost less.
- The amount of waste is also less on the panel itself because of the way the silicon wafers are applied to the panel.
- Polycrystalline solar panels tend to have slightly lower heat tolerance than monocrystalline solar panels.
Disadvantages of a Polycrystalline Solar Panel:
- The efficiency of polycrystalline-based solar panels is a little less because of lower silicon purity.
- Monocrystalline solar panels tend to be more aesthetically pleasing then polycrystalline solar panels since they have a more uniform look.