Monocrystalline

Monocrystalline

Monocrystalline solar cells are the oldest type of solar cell.

While they cost more per watt, they are the most efficient solar cell available.

Because of their higher efficiency rating, the monocrystalline solar panels are perfect for homes and businesses alike and especially for properties with little roof space.

They also perform better in heat and low light conditions, making them the best solar panels in South Africa.

Read more about Solar Panels here:

Solar Panel Guide

Monocrystalline cells are cut into wafer-thin slices from a cylindrical silicon ingot.

Because the solar cells are a square shape, the production of the mono panels produces wastage. These cut off pieces are either disposed of or remelted to make a new solar cell.

Monocrystalline cells are easy to identify due to their dark, uniform appearance compared to Polycrystalline cells, which are mottled with varying shades of blue.

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Polycrystallines

Polycrystalline solar cells are newer than Monocrystalline solar cells.

They are more affordable in price but are less efficient than monocrystalline solar panels.

Polycrystalline solar cells are easy to spot because they are blue. If you look at them closely, you’ll see that these cells have a mottled appearance with varying shades of blue.

While these PV panels are still fully functional in South Africa, they are slightly less productive in high heat and cloudy weather.

Because they are less efficient than monocrystalline panels, you may find that you will need to add a couple more panels to your array so that you’ll be able to produce enough solar power to cover your usage.

Currently, Canadian Solar Panels are the only brand of Polycrystalline panels that we stock. But all of our solar panel prices are market competitive.

Polycrystalline cells are created by fusing pieces of silicon crystals using extreme heat, then they are poured into a mould and then thinly cut once they have cooled.

If you’re looking to buy solar panels and are unsure where to start, I highly recommend reading our solar guides because you will need other solar equipment.

In short, you’ll need a solar inverter to convert your produced and stored DC power to usable AC power. You’ll also need peripheral items such as disconnect switches, wiring and mounting, and a battery if you want to be load shedding proof.

If you’ve got an inverter and battery in mind but need help sizing a PV array, you can read our guide: Solar Panel Array: How To Size An Array

We also have a nifty calculator on our Load Shedding and Solar Power Kit pages where you can enter your average monthly electricity spend. The calculator will tell you how many panels and batteries you need.