Technology
Polycrystalline silicon is a solar cell material composed of multiple silicon crystals. Polycrystalline solar panels (often with a bluish hue and a mosaic-looking cell structure) are made by pouring molten silicon into molds, allowing it to cool into a block with many crystallites. These panels generally have slightly lower efficiency than monocrystalline panels because grain boundaries in the crystals can impede electron flow. However, they are typically less expensive to manufacture. Polycrystalline panels provide a cost-effective solar option and are widely used in both residential and commercial installations, offering a good balance of performance and price.