Polycrystalline silicon solar panels and solar glass

What are polycrystalline solar panels?

Polycrystalline solar panels are the result of melted polysilicon being poured into moulds, which are cut into wafers and fashioned into solar cells. This type of silicon panel dominated the UK market for decades, starting with the country’s very first domestic solar panel system in 1994.

Can I buy a new polycrystalline solar system?

Polycrystalline solar panels now make up 0% of global production, so you almost certainly won’t find an installer offering to install a new polycrystalline system for any price. You can pay for used solar panels, but this is usually a bad idea.

What is a monocrystalline solar panel?

This type of silicon panel dominated the UK market for decades, starting with the country’s very first domestic solar panel system in 1994. But as monocrystalline panels became increasingly effective, this less technologically advanced version fell by the wayside.

How efficient are polycrystalline solar panels?

Typical efficiency ratings for polycrystalline panels sit at around 15 to 18 per cent. As a result, more panels and more roof space are needed to achieve the same output as a monocrystalline solar panel system. For homes with larger roofs, this may not be an issue, but it can be a limiting factor for many UK properties.