Solar energy, which was once a luxury and only accessible to the rich, is now a common power choice for more home and business owners. A rapid escalation in the number of solar installations across the country has been observed in the last couple of years – with the hunt for the top solar panels in Australia increasing every year. While considering solar quotes from various companies you might be wondering, which solar panels are the best in Australia?
But before you go further into selecting the right brand, you must first know the two main types of solar panels – polycrystalline and monocrystalline solar panels.
Both types of solar panels are made using a durable material called silicon. The difference between the two solar technologies lies in the different types of solar cells used. While one type of solar panel is more efficient in producing energy, the other is cheaper in price.
An in-depth perusal of all aspects of this huge long-term investment is vital for optimizing benefits, especially the choice between the type of solar panels, as it will directly impact the cost, durability, and efficiency of your solar system.
Therefore, in this article, we shall discuss the difference between monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar panels, their perks, and their limitations, for making a sound choice of solar panels for your project.
A solar panel garners sunlight and turns it into electricity. It is a big, rectangular tablet with a strong metal frame and a protective glass layer on its surface. The solar cell matrix layer is the most critical layer of a solar module. Mono solar cells are made of a single silicon crystal and polycrystalline solar cells are made of many silicon crystals amalgamated together.
Monocrystalline solar panels
Mono panels are comprised of monocrystalline solar cells which are basically a slice of one silicon crystal. So for constructing monocrystalline solar cells, silicon is shaped into cylindrical rods and then sliced into octagonal discs. These octagon-shaped mono cells are now fitted closely on solar panels without wasting much space. These modules are black in color. Mono solar panels are highly efficient offering a conversion efficiency of 15 to 20 percent. Some popular top mono solar panel brands in Australia include Jinko solar panels and Risen solar panels.
Merits
1) Highly productive
2) Aesthetically appealing
3) Space-efficient
4) High heat tolerance
Demerit
Expensive
Polycrystalline solar panels
Unlike mono cells which are made of a single silicon crystal, polycrystalline cells are made of multiple silicon crystals that are added together by melting, cooled into cubes, and finally cut into thin slices. Due to its construction design, the poly cell consists of multiple crystals and thus the electrons have lesser space to move. This makes polycrystalline solar panels less efficient than mono panels. However, due to the easier production process, more poly cells can be produced at greater speed and at a lesser expense. Poly solar panels are blue in color and usually offer a conversion efficiency of 13 to 16 percent. They are cheaper and less efficient than mono panels and are a great choice of panels in abundant sunshine areas. Trina solar panel manufacturers offer some excellent and reliable polycrystalline (as well as mono) panels in Australia.
Merits
1) More affordable than mono panels
2) Durable
Demerits
1) Less heat-tolerant
2) Less efficient
3) The blue color is less appealing than the black-colored mono panels.
Conclusion
There are some top solar panel brands in Australia that supply the best quality polycrystalline solar panels and monocrystalline solar panels like Trina solar panels, Risen solar panels, Jinko solar panels, and more. After gathering the basic information about the different solar cell technologies that the two types of solar panels are based on, you can decide what to opt for, for your solar plant. The selection of the best solar panels in Australia should be shaped in accordance with your budget and area of installation (daily sunlight hours).
We at Austra Solar offer genuine deals on the best solar panels and solar inverters in Australia!
