HOW SHOULD ONE CHOOSE BETWEEN MONOCRYSTALLINE AND MULTICRYSTALLINE PANELS? but are confused about which type to opt for, you’re in the right place. There’s a myriad of variables to take into account when you are investing in a solar energy system – our job at Vikram Solar is to help you sort through them! When it comes to choosing the most appropriate photovoltaic solar panels for your business, you are faced with countless choices regarding quality, performance, and price. Let’s start by considering the benefits and comparing the different types of solar panels currently available.

1. HOW SHOULD ONE CHOOSE
BETWEEN MONOCRYSTALLINE AND
MULTICRYSTALLINE PANELS?

2. SLIDE2
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As a decision maker, if you are thinking about installing a solar panel system,
but are confused about which type to opt for, you’re in the right place.
There’s a myriad of variables to take into account when you are investing in a
solar energy system – our job at Vikram Solar is to help you sort through them!
When it comes to choosing the most appropriate photovoltaic solar panels
for your business, you are faced with countless choices regarding quality,
performance, and price. Let’s start by considering the benefits and comparing
the different types of solar panels currently available.
INTRODUCTION

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Almost 90% of the world’s photovoltaics today are based on some variation of silicon.
The main difference is in the purity of the silicon
The efficiency of solar panels is directly proportional to purity. The processes used to enhance
the purity of silicon, however, are expensive
Today we focus on two major variants of crystalline silicon - monocrystalline and
multicrystalline solar panels
CRYSTALLINE SILICON (c-Si)
MONOCRYSTALLINE
SOLAR PANEL
MULTICRYSTALLINE
SOLAR PANEL

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Creating Climate For Change
Solar cells made of monocrystalline silicon also called single-crystalline silicon
Monocrystalline solar panels are made out of cylindrical shaped silicon ingots
To optimize performance and lower costs of a single monocrystalline solar cell, four sides
are cut out of the cylindrical ingots to make silicon wafers, which gives monocrystalline
solar panels their characteristic look
A good way to tell the difference between mono- and multi-crystalline solar panels is that
multicrystalline solar cells look perfectly rectangular with no rounded edges
MONOCRYSTALLINE
SOLAR PANELS

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ADVANTAGES
Monocrystalline solar panels have the highest efficiency as they are composed of the
highest-grade silicon. Efficiency rates of monocrystalline solar panels are typically
between 19-21%
High efficiency means needing fewer solar panels, lowering the panel mounting
structure cost, fewer cables, lower balance of system cost and fewer panels to clean
in long run
Monocrystalline silicon solar panels are space-efficient. Since these solar panels yield
the highest power outputs, they also require less space when compared to multicrystalline
solar cells
These panels also perform better than similarly rated multicrystalline solar panels in
low-light conditions
Monocrystalline panels are now treated with PERC technology and Mono PERC panels are
producing higher outputs. Mono PERC has become a preferred technology choice because
of its proven high efficiency properties

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DISADVANTAGES
The cost of monocrystalline is slightly higher than multicrystalline solar panel, however,
panel cost is not the single determinant factor of calculating project ROI
Light Induced Degradation (LID) for the first year is higher in monocrystalline than
multicrystalline
During conversion, the Cell to Panel (CTM) loss is higher from monocrystalline than from
multicrystalline

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MULTICRYSTALLINE
SOLAR PANELS
Solar panels made of multicrystalline silicon component, which also is known as
multisilicon or multicrystalline silicon
These panels were first introduced to the market in 1981
Raw silicon is melted and poured into a square mold, which is cooled for 3 days and
cut into perfectly square wafers, which give the panel a metal-flake effect
ADVANTAGES
The process used to make multicrystalline silicon is simpler and cost effective than
monocrystalline
Low LID: Compared to monocrystalline, multicrystalline panel has slightly lower Light Induced
Degradation (LID)

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Because of its lower silicon purity, the efficiency of these panels is typically 15-18%,
whereas for monocrystalline it is 19- 21%
Since the efficiency is significantly less than monocrystalline, a larger number of panels are
required to achieve same generation, which increases panel mounting structure cost, cable cost,
balance of system cost, and operation and maintenance cost
These panels have lower space-efficiency and require a larger surface to output to generate
the same electrical power as monocrystalline silicon
Monocrystalline panels tend to be more aesthetically pleasing since they have a more uniform
look compared to the speckled blue color of multicrystalline silicon
DISADVANTAGES

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WHICH ONE WOULD
YOU CHOOSE?
Multicrystalline solar panels, for instance, are ideal for projects with large
ground space available.
The answer depends on the project’s specification & project requirements.
Monocrystalline solar panels, on the other hand,
give you a better cost-benefit performance due to
lesser balance of system cost, space utilization, and
high temperature areas. Since monocrystalline solar
panels are more efficient, you get more power on the
same surface area and it is a perfect fit for rooftop
application. Finally, these panel types have a lower
temperature coefficient than multicrystalline panels.

10. www.vikramsolar.com
Get in touch:
1800 212 8200 (Toll Free)
+91 33 2442 7299 / 7399
sales@vikramsolar.com
Vikram Solar is a Trademark of Vikram Solar Limited registered in India.