Polycrystalline Silicon
Solar cells made from multiple silicon crystal fragments melted together. Slightly less efficient (17-20%) than monocrystalline but historically cheaper to manufacture.
Why It Matters
Polycrystalline panels were the budget choice for years, but monocrystalline prices have dropped so much that poly panels are being phased out of most residential offerings.
Related Topics
Related Terms
Monocrystalline Silicon
Solar cells made from a single continuous crystal of silicon. They offer the highest efficiency (20-24%) among mainstream technologies and are identified by their uniform dark appearance.
Module Efficiency
The percentage of sunlight that a solar panel converts into electricity. Modern panels range from 15-22% efficient.
Solar Panel
A photovoltaic (PV) module that converts sunlight into electricity. Multiple panels are combined to form a solar array.