How efficient are solar panels?

Most solar panels today have efficiencies ranging from 15% to 20%, but some manufacturers sell panels that exceed 20% efficiency ratings. The cost of a solar panel installation varies by location, property type, and, of course, the panels used for the installation.

Are monocrystalline solar panels better than polycrystalline panels?

In general, monocrystalline panels are capable of higher efficiencies than polycrystalline panels. Polycrystalline solar panels are also made from silicon, but their cells are made by melting together many fragments of silicon rather than from a single silicon crystal.

Why do solar panels have a higher efficiency rating?

This is important because higher efficiency panels produce more energy with less space than lower efficiency models. Most solar panels today have efficiencies ranging from 15% to 20%, but some manufacturers sell panels that exceed 20% efficiency ratings.

What factors should you consider when comparing solar panels?

Some important aspects to consider when comparing your options include panel type, cost, wattage, efficiency, and warranty offering. All of these aspects plus more are considered in each panels' quality rating. Solar panels are generally broken into two groups by cell type: monocrystalline and polycrystalline.

What are monocrystalline solar panels?

Monocrystalline solar panels are thought of as a premium solar product and are made with silicon wafers cut from a single crystal, hence the name "monocrystalline". In general, monocrystalline panels are capable of higher efficiencies than polycrystalline panels.