Polycrystalline solar panels are a type of solar panel that is made up of several crystals of silicon in a single PV cell. The cells are made from several fragments of silicon that are melted together to form the wafers of polycrystalline solar panels 1. 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 1.

Polycrystalline solar panels have several advantages over monocrystalline solar panels. They are less expensive, meaning they can be a more cost-effective option for those looking to install a solar energy system 1. They also have a shorter energy payback time than monocrystalline solar panels, meaning they can produce more energy over their lifetime than it takes to produce them 2.

However, polycrystalline solar panels are less efficient than monocrystalline solar panels. This is because the multiple crystals in each cell create boundaries that can impede the flow of electrons, reducing the efficiency of the panel 1. They also have a shorter lifespan than monocrystalline solar panels, with most manufacturers offering warranties of up to 25 years 2.

In summary, polycrystalline solar panels are a type of solar panel that is made up of several crystals of silicon in a single PV cell. They are less expensive and have a shorter energy payback time than monocrystalline solar panels. However, they are less efficient and have a shorter lifespan than monocrystalline solar panels