When shopping for a new solar attic ventilation fan you are bombarded by all kinds of technical terminology and long-winded explanations that sound like they belong in a science textbook. We’re here to clear a few things up with a brief explanation of the basics of solar panels that doesn’t require an engineering degree to understand. There are two primary types of solar panels you will find on the market; polycrystalline solar panels and monocrystalline solar panels.
Polycrystalline Solar Panels
Polycrystalline solar panels, also known as multi-crystalline solar panels are less efficient than monocrystalline panels. Polycrystalline solar panels are manufactured by mixing multiple raw silicon fragments in square molds and melting them together, then cooling them to form wafers. Since these cells contain multiple crystals, electrons have less space to freely flow.
Polycrystalline solar panels provide lower efficiency due to the lower purity of the silicon used to form the crystals. They take up more space, becoming more of an eyesore in residential applications.
Monocrystalline Solar Panels
Monocrystalline solar panels are far more efficient. They are currently considered the most efficient type of solar panel, making them one of the most popular options for many types of solar installations. They are sometimes also referred to as single-crystalline solar panels. Monocrystalline solar cells contain cylindrical silicon ingots sliced into silicon wafers. These cells are a single piece of silicon, making them purer than other types of cells, giving electrons more space to flow.
Monocrystalline solar cells function for small-scale applications such as electronics and batteries, as well as larger rooftop systems. They are the best option for solar attic ventilation fans as they are powerful yet compact. Monocrystalline solar panels have the highest efficiency of any solar panel as they require the least amount of space. They have the most extended lifespan of any solar panel on the market.
Solar Royal has chosen to utilize monocrystalline solar panels in our SR1800 Solar Attic Ventilation Fans in order to provide you with the highest efficiency, most cost-effective product on the market. These panels allow us to provide a lower profile, space-efficient fan that won’t be an eyesore on your roof.
