Polycrystalline vs. Monocrystalline efficiency

[Walt_Solartown]

Aren't monocrystalline panels more efficient than polycrystalline? I have been reading a spec sheet very closely and I'm wondering why Solon's 225 - 240 watt panels (specifically Solon Black 230/15 vs. Solon Blue 230/07) have the same efficiencies? The panel size and solar cells are also the same measurements. Any insights? Thanks, Walt

[russ]

The specs for the two -

1) Solon black 230 monocrystalline - 14.9% efficiency and 245 Wp

http://www.solon.com/export/sites/default/solonse.com/_downloads/products/modules/SOLON-Black-230-02/datasheet/SOLON-Black-230-02-Datasheet_en.pdf

2) Solon blue polycrystalline - 15.2% efficiency and 250 Wp

http://www.solon.com/export/sites/default/solonse.com/_downloads/products/modules/SOLON-Blue-230-07/datasheet/SOLON-Blue-230-07-Datasheet_en.pdf

Not much difference but it is there. There are minor other differences throughout the documents as well.

Russ

[Schott Insider]

Any insights?

Kind of difficult to tell based on the spec sheet but the Mono looks like it has a black backsheet and the poly appears to have a white one. The darker blacksheet runs hotter and therefore lowers the module's performance / efficiency.

It could also be related to a chemical coating / cell fab process difference.

I'm actually very curious about this POLY product. I need to see one in person. I'm curious what cell spacing they are using to achieve that density, based on their cell size (6.2") and frame size. You need a gap between cells to allow for movement based on movement caused during thermal contractions.

By having proper spacing you loose published efficiency, but the trade-off is the panels will actually work in 5 years. Not saying Solon didn't account for that, I'm just wondering how they did it...

[DenverSolar]

I guess a lot of it would depend on what brand of panel you are using. We've seen great results from Canadian Solar and Schuco mono's.

[Schott Insider]

CEC listing gives unbiased (but far from perfect) real-world ratings:

http://www.gosolarcalifornia.org/equipment/pv_modules.php

[amansingh]

Mono crystalline solar cells vs Polycrystalliane

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