Mono vs poly solar panels: which is better for commercial solar?

There are a lot of companies out there that offer commercial solar installation in Melbourne. So many in fact, that it can be hard to select the best quote for your business.

And the sheer amount of complex solar jargon out there doesn’t help, either!

There are a lot of long, technical words that will get thrown around when you’re looking at commercial solar quotes. We’ve explained some of them before – however, we barely scratched the surface.

Two of the terms we covered back then?

Monocrystalline
Polycrystalline

What exactly is the difference between these different types of technology?

And more importantly, which one is the best choice for commercial solar installation?

Monocrystalline vs polycrystalline solar panels: what’s the difference?

Monocrystalline, explained

We all know that “mono” means only one of something. Little surprise, that’s the reason monocrystalline panels are named that (as well as the key difference between them and their polycrystalline counterparts).

Solar cells are the beating heart of any solar panel. Each panel is made up of a series of individual cells – in monocrystalline panels, these individual cells are made up of a single crystal of silicone.

Basically, manufacturers take a sheet of silicone, before cutting it into wafers for individual solar cells.

If you notice your panels are pure black, odds are it’s mono panel.

What about polycrystalline?

If monocrystalline solar panels use a single piece of silicone crystal for individual solar cells, then logically polycrystalline panels should use multiple.

Basically, manufacturers of polycrystalline panels take many fragments of silicone and melt them together to create silicone crystals.

Recognisable thanks to their blue-ish tint, when it comes to residential solar, polycrystalline panels (just poly for short) are the most common choice.

But what about for commercial solar installation in Melbourne? How do polycrystalline panels hold up when faced with the energy demands of commercial properties like yours?

How the two types of panel stack up in terms of…

Cost

The whole reason you’re considering commercial solar installation in Melbourne is to save money (don’t worry, there’s no shame in admitting it!)

So naturally, the upfront cost of the panel itself is going to factor into the equation.

When it comes to cost, polycrystalline solar panels are the cheaper option, which explains why they’re a more common sight on Melbourne roofs.

By contrast, the manufacturing process for polycrystalline panels is longer and more involved, driving up their cost.

Of course, upfront cost is only one part of the financial equation when thinking about solar. There’s also the question of how much energy (and therefore, money) your solar panels will save you. And that brings us to…

Efficiency

When we talk about efficiency in terms of commercial solar, what we really mean is how much power your solar panels generate. The more sunlight is converted, the more efficient.

It’s true that the type of crystal chosen can have an effect on efficiency. Despite what many armchair experts will tell you however, the difference in efficiency is marginal.

Monocrystalline panels are more efficient than their poly counterparts precisely because of the fact that it’s a single crystal. Not only that, but they also perform better in extreme heat and low-light conditions for the same reason.

Of course, in practice, the difference is pretty marginal. Still, if you’re looking for a true top-of-the-line system, monocrystalline is the way to go.

Which type of panel should your business use? The importance of system design

While the difference in performance between these two panels is only slight, in some cases, this tiny gap can make a difference.

Whether or not this small edge is worth it comes down to a range of factors unique to your business and site.

And that’s what makes system design so important.

Essentially, this is the part of commercial solar installation where our team evaluates your circumstances and energy requirements, before deciding what sort of set-up is most suited for your needs.

In some cases, the extra edge monocrystalline panels offer may be worth the added cost – in others, it might be better to go with cheaper polycrystalline solar panels, and offset the difference by getting an extra panel installed.

At the end of the day, it all comes down to your budget and energy usage.

The importance of solar brand

As we mentioned above, the difference between mono and polycrystalline solar panels is pretty small. In many cases, it isn’t the type of panel that has the biggest difference, but the brand that you choose.

At Pacific Solar, we’re LG Solar Platinum Partners – one of only a dozen or so in the entire country.

The reason we’ve chosen to work primarily with LG? Simple: their panels are some of the most efficient on the market.

One of the reasons for this is LG’s focus on developing high-efficiency monocrystalline solar panels. Choose an LG panel, and you can be confident you’re getting the best on the market.

When you call us for commercial solar installation in Melbourne, you’ll know that you’re getting the most efficient and effective commercial solar solutions possible. After all, it’s what your company deserves!

Choose Pacific Solar for commercial solar installation in Melbourne

Polycrystalline, monocrystalline… if you ask us, the question you should be asking yourself is which option will allow your business or company to save the most money possible.

Confused? We get it – it’s a lot to take in when you decide to go solar.

That’s why our team takes a different approach when it comes to solar quotes.

Instead of focusing on how much it will cost you, our attention is instead on how much you will save. We provide accurate predictions based on meter readings to tell you:

Exactly how much money you’ll save over the life of your system
How much money we will shave from your power bills
Your return on investment
The amount of your daily energy requirements we’ll be able to cover

Using plain English and numbers, we make it clear from the beginning how much you stand to save by choosing commercial solar, helping you make the best decision for your business.

And it all starts with a phone call.

Start saving money today with efficient commercial solar installation – give Pacific Solar a call today on 1300 448 447, or click here to get in touch online.