Monocrystalline Vs Polycrystalline

Submitted: Friday, Aug 28, 2009 at 19:38

ThreadID: 71850 Views:9048 Replies:3 FollowUps:5

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Dremus

I have recently bought an 80w BP Solar polycrystalline panel with reg etc, to mount to the vehicle roof to help with keeping the batteries topped up while running the fridge.

I have been doing some research, I know a bit late now, but it seems I should have gone for a monocrystalline panel as they seem to be more efficient. I looked at all the ones on ebay but I ended up with a BP Solar as I heard that they are reliable.

Should I have bought a cheaper mono panel or BP mono panel, and is the difference noticable? (mono to poly)

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Reply By: Boobook2 - Friday, Aug 28, 2009 at 20:14

Friday, Aug 28, 2009 at 20:14

Don't worry, be happy.

In theory mono's are more efficient. In practice 0.00000001% difference.

AnswerID: 380873

Follow Up By: Dremus - Friday, Aug 28, 2009 at 21:59

Friday, Aug 28, 2009 at 21:59

Ok. Thanks

FollowupID: 648311

Follow Up By: Maîneÿ . . .- Friday, Aug 28, 2009 at 22:13

Friday, Aug 28, 2009 at 22:13

Dremus,
you have the panel now so don't think about it again, it will do exactly what you expect it to do
The name Poly-crystalline is used in Europe for panels sold here as Multi-crystalline

Maîneÿ . . .

FollowupID: 648312

Reply By: Mandrake - Saturday, Aug 29, 2009 at 08:53

Saturday, Aug 29, 2009 at 08:53

What you lose in amps in is negligible and you'll gain a slightly better shady day input
Lost another one - LOL

Rgds

Mandrake in Hawker SA .. and loving it !!!

AnswerID: 380912

Follow Up By: Member -Signman - Saturday, Aug 29, 2009 at 10:23

Saturday, Aug 29, 2009 at 10:23

Are ya going to let me know when the 80w panels are in??

FollowupID: 648342

Reply By: Member - Scoof (SA) - Saturday, Aug 29, 2009 at 09:48

Saturday, Aug 29, 2009 at 09:48

The way it was explained to me and I can't ever remember which ones which.

One works better at lower light conditions and the other producers more power but dos'nt work as well at low light, is that right.

So all in all not much difference in total daily output.
Unless the total day is over cast.

Cheers Scoof . :-)

AnswerID: 380918

Follow Up By: Maîneÿ . . .- Saturday, Aug 29, 2009 at 10:23

Saturday, Aug 29, 2009 at 10:23

It's a bit like comparing a Toyota to a Nissan, both are very similar in many ways, but not exactly the same overall, same as there is no exact comparison for ALL Solar panels, some will work better in low light, some won't, depends on far too many paremeters to make a direct comparison that says all of one type is better than all of the other type.

Then there is unisolar, a 3rd type of panel that does give good service in some conditions not available with either Mono or Polly (Multy) crystalline panels, but they give a lot less performance over all and are physically HUGE by comparison.
The output is almost half the Amps per sq mtr of surface of the panel when compared to either of the other panels.
( 3.9 Amp sq mtr v 7.4 Amp sq mtr )

Maîneÿ . . .

FollowupID: 648343