The main difference between the two technologies is the type of silicon solar cell they use: monocrystalline solar panels have solar cells made from a single silicon crystal. Which one suits your specific needs? There are three main types of solar panels used in solar projects: monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and thin-film. Each kind of solar. . When you evaluate solar panels for your photovoltaic (PV) system, you'll encounter two main categories of panels: monocrystalline solar panels (mono) and polycrystalline solar panels (poly). Both types produce energy from the sun, but there are some key differences to be aware of. Most homeowners. . Monocrystalline solar cells comprise the more premium panel since they more effectively harness the sun's rays. But polycrystalline panels are less expensive and can be a good option for high sunlight areas. . For solar cells, a thin semiconductor wafer is specially treated to form an electric field, positive on one side and negative on the other. When light energy strikes the solar cell, electrons are knocked loose from the atoms in the semiconductor material. If electrical conductors are attached to. . The difference between the two main types of solar panels installed today, monocrystalline and polycrystalline, starts with how they're made, a difference that affects how they perform, how long they last and how they look on your roof, said Rohit Kalyanpur, CEO of Optivolt, a Silicon Valley-based. . Monocrystalline solar cells are made from a single silicon ingot.