When investing in solar panels, it’s important that you invest in the right ones to get the most power per dollar. Due to their efficiency in even very high temperatures, monocrystalline solar modules are widely viewed as the best type of solar panel. However, the prices can vary based on several different factors. Keep reading to learn what you need to know about the cost of these panels.
Cost by Type
Within the category of monocrystalline solar panels, there are many different subtypes. Here is what you need to know about these subtypes and their respective average costs:
- Mono-Si panels – Mono-Si is short for mono-silicon crystal, also known simply as traditional cells. Mono-Si panels are the most common choice among solar users but are becoming less popular as new technologies enter the field. Mono-Si panels tend to be bulkier, heavier, and less efficient than newer types of monocrystalline modules. However, they are also the cheapest, costing between $150 and $240 per panel.
- PERC cells – PERC stands for passivated emitter and rear contact cells, referring to the passivation layer inside the monocrystalline panel. This layer keeps the panel’s back from heating and bounces the sun’s rays back onto the energy-producing cells instead. This helps generate up to 5% more energy compared to Mono-Si panels. These cost between $300 and $500 a panel.
- Bifacial panels – These panels are designed for ground installations rather than rooftops. As the name implies, they have solar cells on both faces, so they can be mounted on a vertical pole to catch rays no matter where the sun may be in the sky.
Cost by Brand
The cost of panels can also vary depending on the brand you buy. It’s important to weigh both the pros and cons of buying from a popular brand that charges more for a similar product as compared to a lesser-known competitor. Oftentimes, popular brands have gained a reputation for excellence, and the higher cost is worth the reliability you get in return. However, it’s important to do your research and ensure you’re not just falling into the trap of picking the “name brand” product. Depending on who you work with, installing monocrystalline solar modules can cost anywhere between $5,000 and $14,000 to install ten panels
Keep in mind that the monocrystalline solar module prices listed in the first section were for the panels alone. You will also need to consider installation costs when setting your solar power system budget.
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