Cruisers & Sailing Forums - View Single Post - Mono- or Multi-Crystalline? What say Ye?

GordMay · 02-07-2009, 07:13

I think you have to compare specific examples (products) of each technology.

Generally:

Single Crystal Silicon cells are more expensive, more efficient, and work better in hot weather & low light conditions.

Poly/Multi-Si cells are less expensive & less efficient.

Multicrystalline panels, while having lower efficiencies than single crystal panels, can nonetheless have the same wattage per square foot as some single crystal panels, because the cells can be rectangular, filling all of the available surface without the gaps left by round or octagonal cells.

02-07-2009, 07:13	#2
GordMay Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario - 48-29N x 89-20W Boat: C.L.O.D. (Cruiser Living On Dirt) Posts: 12,576	I think you have to compare specific examples (products) of each technology. Generally: Single Crystal Silicon cells are more expensive, more efficient, and work better in hot weather & low light conditions. Poly/Multi-Si cells are less expensive & less efficient. Multicrystalline panels, while having lower efficiencies than single crystal panels, can nonetheless have the same wattage per square foot as some single crystal panels, because the cells can be rectangular, filling all of the available surface without the gaps left by round or octagonal cells. __________________ Gord May ~~_/)_~~ (Gord & Maggie - "Southbound") "If you didn't have time/$ to do it right in the first place, when will you get the time/$ to fix it?"