The first solar panels
based on poly-crystalline silicon, which also is known as
poly-silicon (p-Si) and multi-crystalline silicon
(MC-Si), were introduced to the market in 1981. Unlike
mono-crystalline-based solar panels, poly-crystalline solar panels
do not require the Czochralski process. Raw silicon is melted and
poured into a square mold, which is cooled and cut into perfectly
square wafers.
Advantages
The
process used to make poly-crystalline silicon is simpler and cost
less. The amount of waste silicon is less compared to
mono-crystalline.
Poly-crystalline solar panels tend to have slightly lower heat
tolerance than mono-crystalline solar panels. This technically
means that they perform slightly worse than mono-crystalline solar
panels in high temperatures. Heat can affect the performance of
solar panels and shorten their life spans. However, this effect is
minor, and most homeowners do not need to take it into
account.
