Hello,


If I need to post this somewhere else... Let me know. I couldn't find a better place than this.

I have the opportunity to buy 100w Polys for $95 or 100w Monos for $125.

What would you do, and why?

Thanks!
George

 

Being in the research (low cost materials) end of things. You probably wont get a single crystalline, but few grain boundries.

mono-crystalline should be heavier and higher efficiency and more expensive to make. What I'm not sure about is thermal properies.
They are potentially more fragile (impact).

You need to factor in efficiency and see if it impacts the number of panels you need and the available space you have.

 

Let me also add that I plan on buying 4 either way...

Hello,


If I need to post this somewhere else... Let me know. I couldn't find a better place than this.

I have the opportunity to buy 100w Polys for $95 or 100w Monos for $125.

What would you do, and why?

Thanks!
George

 

Are the specifications and warranties identical?

 

Are the specifications and warranties identical?

Very similar...

Renogy 100 Watts 12 Volts Monocrystalline Solar Panel

• Maximum Power: 100W
• Maximum System Voltage: 600V DC (UL)
• Optimum Operating Voltage (Vmp): 18.9V
• Optimum Operating Current (Imp): 5.29A
• Open-Circuit Voltage (Voc): 22.5V
• Short-Circuit Current (Isc): 5.75A
• Output Cables: 4.0 mm2 (0.006 in2), 800mm (31.5 in)
• Connectors: MC4 Connectors
• 25-year power output warranty: 5-year/95% efficiency rate, 10-year/90% efficiency rate, 25-year/80% efficiency rate
• 5-year material and workmanship warranty

Newpowa 2 Piece 100W Polycrystalline Photovoltaic PV Solar Panel Module, 12V Battery Charging

• Maximum power (Pmax): 100W
• Voltage at Pmax (Vmp):17.2V
• Current at Pmax (Imp): 5.81A
• Diodes are pre-installed in junction box, with a pair of pre-attached 3ft MC4 Cable
• 25-year transferable power output warranty

 

I've got a few of the Renogy panels. High quality IMHO.

They are also fairly low noise and useful for low light detection sensors at night after a bit of signal processing.
https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/power-from-the-super-moon.765429/#post-5224011

 

I've got a few of the Renogy panels. High quality IMHO.

NAVY have you tested your panels for actual power output.
My 100W panels put out 45 to 65w at 15volts. In full Arizona desert sun at 90 deg. angle.
If you have tested them and its close to 100, I think i will get some more from Renogy.

 

NAVY have you tested your panels for actual power output.
My 100W panels put out 45 to 65w at 15volts. In full Arizona desert sun at 90 deg. angle.
If you have tested them and its close to 100, I think i will get some more from Renogy.

Look at the label I posted from the panel (“temperature coefficient (Pmax.)” ). Under perfect condition of bright sun and winter cold I can get pretty close to the 100w test conditions output at MPP. In the full Arizona desert sun (hot) I would expect some power loss.

https://www.civicsolar.com/support/installer/articles/how-solar-panel-temperature-affects-efficiency

It may seem counter-intuitive, but solar panel efficiency is affected negatively by temperature increases. Photovoltaic modules are tested at a temperature of 25 degrees C (STC) – about 77 degrees F., and depending on their installed location, heat can reduce output efficiency by 10-25%. As the temperature of the solar panel increases, its output current increases exponentially, while the voltage output is reduced linearly. In fact, the voltage reduction is so predictable, that it can be used to accurately measure temperature.

https://www.osti.gov/scitech/servlets/purl/548687/