Polycrystalline or Monocrystalline.

[Fascadale]

Yes, another solar panel question. Sorry.

From what I have been able to read the "poly" panels are more efficient than the "mono" panels in less than perfect light conditions. A shadow over a mono panel and you get no output, but in perfect conditions a mono panel will produce more than a poly panel. This may all be an urban myth, given my understanding of photovoltaics.

There is a considerable price difference between the poly and mono panels

£158 50W poly

£69 50W mono

How real is the difference in output, and does that deserve the price differential?

I'm looking for a panel that will keep my batteries (start 85Ahrs, domestic 85 Ahrs, soon to be 170Ahrs) in a reasonable condition through a short dayed Scottish winter. I'm also wanting to make myself less alternator dependent when away sailing on my low tec 26ft MAB. No fridge, no radar, no ebersbacher, LEDs fitted, plotter turned down low, radio on.

Thanks

 

[CreakyDecks]

I am a bit confused. The manufacturing process for polycrystalline silicon is simpler so those panels should be cheaper.

 

[Hoolie]

I think they are cheaper generally, but I have also seen the £69 mono and put it in my watch list as it's exceptionally low priced.

 

[SvenglishTommy]

I've found mono's to be quite a bit better, and more expensive usually so I think you have a no brainer here. I found a 35W mono did me fine on my 28'er running a coolbox 24/7.

 

[nigelmercier]

How real is the difference in output, and does that deserve the price differential?

The latest type of cell is a CIGS cell. These are starting to enter the market at reasonable prices.

 

[V1701]

I think I remember reading somewhere that the majoruty of the world's PV cells are made in Germany (?), that might go some way towards explaining why the price for this particular one is so reasonable. I've had three mono panels and been very pleased with them. At present have a 20 & a 40w, far from ideally positioned but do me on my lowish tech Albin Vega. Buy the £69 panel, my guess is you'd be very happy with it for the money...

 

[pappaecho]

If you want to charge up in a short scottish overcast day, then you need area. From your figures you can get nearly 3 times the area with the cheaper panel.
If you shade the panel, the output is only reduced, no eliminated

 

[SHUG]

The latest type of cell is a CIGS cell. These are starting to enter the market at reasonable prices.

Fascinating stuff. Just as I thought the solar cell business was reaching a dead end!!

 

[lenseman]

Buy the cheap stuff as a first fit and if and when they go tits up, then 3rd, 4th or 5th generation panels will certainly be available and the prices would have certainly reduced to a decent level.