Choosing between black and blue solar panels.
These days homeowners are increasingly turning to rooftop solar panels to reduce energy bills and to help them live more sustainably. In the UK there have historically been two main types of solar panels to choose from – black monocrystalline and blue polycrystalline.
In our quick guide below, we'll break down the key differences between these two solar panel types, so you can confidently choose the best ones for your home.
Black and blue solar panels - what’s the difference?
Both blue and black solar panels have their advantages and disadvantages. While the differences between the two types of panels aren’t huge, it’s worthwhile getting to know the two types so you can see which might work best for you. First up, let’s cover blue, or polycrystalline panels.
Blue solar panels (polycrystalline).
Blue polycrystalline solar panels are easy to spot due to their distinctive blue hue and speckled appearance. They’re a little less efficient than black (monocrystalline) solar panels, but tend to be more affordable due to their lower manufacturing costs.
Due to their lower efficiency, they take up more space than monocrystalline solar panels for the same energy output, so could be a good choice if you’re looking for solar panels and have plenty of space for your solar installation.
How are they made?
Polycrystalline solar panels are made by melting multiple silicon crystals together and then cooling the mixture into a square mould. This process is simpler and less energy-intensive than that of monocrystalline panels, which are made from a single silicon crystal.
How efficient are they?
Polycrystalline panels are generally less efficient than monocrystalline panels. This is because the multiple crystal boundaries in polycrystalline panels can slightly hinder the flow of electrons. This reduces their ability to convert sunlight into electricity. They’re still energy-efficient, and as solar technology improves, the efficiency gap should narrow.
How much do they cost?
The simpler manufacturing process of polycrystalline panels translates into lower production costs, making blue panels more affordable than black monocrystalline versions. In the UK, polycrystalline panels tend to cost between £0.90 per watt. So a 5 kW setup of these panels would cost £4,500.
How do they look?
Due to the way they’re manufactured, polycrystalline panels have a speckled look that appears blue to the human eye. This is because sunlight interacts with different crystal orientations in silicon. Monocrystalline panels have a more uniform black appearance as they’re just made from a single crystal. So depending on your budget, aesthetic preference and other needs, you can choose between the two.
Who are they best suited to?
With their slightly better affordability than monocrystalline panels, blue polycrystalline panels are best suited for those on a tight budget. They’re also suitable for those with the space to fit a larger installation of solar panels due to their marginally lower efficiency than monocrystalline panels.
Black solar panels (monocrystalline).
Black monocrystalline solar panels are the highest performing type of solar panels currently available on the mass market. Though marginally more expensive than blue solar panels, they offer better efficiency and arguably a more attractive appearance. Here we’ll go through a quick rundown on this type of solar panel and who they might be best suited to.
How are they made?
Black monocrystalline solar panels are made from a single, high-purity silicon crystal. This crystal is formed using the Czochralski process, where a seed crystal is dipped into molten silicon and slowly pulled upwards, resulting in a cylindrical ingot. This ingot is then meticulously sliced into thin wafers, which are then washed to remove dust and scratches. After a few more processing steps, the wafers are then assembled into panels.
How efficient are they?
Monocrystalline panels are the most efficient type of solar panel. The best available currently can achieve at least 20% efficiency. This means that monocrystalline panels can generate more energy per square metre. Key to this boosted performance is the uniform atomic structure of the single crystal used in monocrystalline panels. This means that electrons can flow around the panel more easily. So if space is tight and you want to generate as much energy you can, then monocrystalline panels are the way to go.
How much do they cost?
The manufacturing process for black solar panels is more intricate, energy intensive and wasteful than the process for polycrystalline panels, so they are more expensive. As solar technology develops though, it’s possible that costs will come down. Currently, monocrystalline panels cost about 10% more than polycrystalline versions at approximately £1.00 per watt. So a 5 kW panel setup would cost about £5,000.
How do they look?
Unlike the blue hued, speckled look of polycrystalline panels, monocrystalline panels have a sleek, uniform black appearance. This is due to the consistent alignment of silicon atoms within the single crystal. Some people prefer this look to blue solar panels, but it’s a matter of taste.
Who are they best suited to?
Black monocrystalline panels are a good choice if you have limited roof space and want to get the biggest bang for your buck in terms of energy generation. While they’re more pricey than blue polycrystalline panels, the extra efficiency they offer could be worth pursuing, depending on your budget, space and needs.
The solar panels we offer at E.ON are all black, monocrystalline panels. If you’d like to start your solar journey and think this type of panel is right for you, then get in touch for more guidance and a quote.
What to consider when choosing solar panels.
Choosing solar panels can feel daunting. There’s a lot of technical jargon to get your head round. Below is our quick guide to the key factors to consider, from energy needs and budget to roof space and aesthetics. Hopefully it’ll help you on your way to deciding whether black monocrystalline or blue polycrystalline panels are the right fit for your home.
What are your energy needs?
The first step in researching solar panels is to work out how much electricity you use. You can do this by calculating your daily usage with a few calculations from your energy bills. Then think about how much of your usage you want to cover with solar panel electricity generation. This will be a matter of balancing the upfront cost of solar panels with the potential for lower future electricity bills.
What’s your budget?
As covered, monocrystalline panels are a little more expensive than polycrystalline panels, but more efficient. Finding the right setup for you will be a balance of budget and roof space, which we’ll cover in the next section. If you have minimal space then it may be worth stretching your budget to go for monocrystalline panels with the potential to generate more electricity.
How much roof space do you have?
If you have ample space on your roof, slightly cheaper blue polycrystalline panels can be a viable option, as you can install more panels to compensate for their slightly lower efficiency. If you’re low on space then monocrystalline panels might be the best option for you.
Which style of panel do you prefer?
Blue and black solar panels look a little different to each other, due to their different manufacturing processes. Some people prefer the uniform black look of monocrystalline panels as it can look more modern and minimalistic. Others might prefer the blue hue of polycrystalline panels. This factor may be secondary to cost, performance and efficiency though.
How might your local climate affect your panel choice?
Your local climate can also affect the performance of the panels. While both types of panels work well in various weather conditions, black monocrystalline panels tend to perform slightly better in high temperatures. Polycrystalline panels can be more sensitive to temperature fluctuations.
Monocrystalline panels also tend to perform better in low-light conditions, such as cloudy days or mornings and evenings. This is due to their single crystal structure, which allows them to capture and distribute sunlight more efficiently across the panel.
Blue vs black solar panel FAQs.
Which are more affordable, blue or black solar panels?
Which are more aesthetically pleasing, blue or black solar panels?
Which are better for low-light conditions, blue or black solar panels?
Which are more durable, blue or black solar panels?
Have more questions? Find more answers at our solar panels FAQs.
Roundup.
So there you have it, our quick guide to the two main types of solar panels. As you can see, both types of panels have pros and cons. At E.ON Next we offer black, monocrystalline panels. If you’d like to find out more about whether going solar is right for you, get in touch with us for more information and a quote.