PolyCrystalline or MultiCrystalline solar panels are solar panels that consist of several crystals of silicon in a single PV cell. Several fragments of silicon are melted together to form the wafers of polycrystalline solar panels. In the case of polycrystalline solar panels, the vat of molten silicon used to produce the cells is allowed to cool on the panel itself. These solar panels have a surface that looks like a mosaic. These solar panels are square in shape and they have a shining blue hue

How do polycrystalline solar panels work?

These solar panels are made of multiple photovoltaic cells. Each cell contains silicon crystals which makes it function as a semiconductor device. When the photons from the sunlight fall on the PN junction (junction between N-type and P-type materials), it imparts energy to the electrons so that they can flow as electric current. Here, P-type materials are deficient of electrons while N-type materials have an abundance of electrons.

Features of PolyCrystalline Solar Panels:

• Polycrystalline solar panels are more eco-friendly than monocrystalline solar panels as they do not require individual shaping and placement of each crystal and most of the silicon is utilized during production. So, very less waste is produced.
• The acceptable maximum temperature of polycrystalline solar panels is 85 °C while the acceptable minimum temperature is -40 °C.
• Polycrystalline solar panels have lower heat tolerance than monocrystalline panels. So, at higher temperatures, these solar panels have lower efficiency than others.
• Polycrystalline solar panels have a higher temperature coefficient than monocrystalline panels.
• These panels have a high power density.
• They come with a structural frame of their own which makes mounting cheaper and simpler.