Why are photovoltaic panels blue

Why are polycrystalline solar panels blue?

The blue color of a polycrystalline solar panel is a side-effect of both the way the silicon crystals reflect light, as well as from the anti-reflective coating that the panels are treated with. As was touched upon earlier, monocrystalline solar panels make use of one silicon crystal within each solar cell in the panel.

Why are blue solar panels better than other solar panels?

By using anti-reflective coatings, blue solar panels can capture a higher percentage of incident sunlight, which in turn boosts their energy conversion efficiency. This technology has significantly contributed to improving the performance of blue panels and made them more competitive with other solar panel types.

Why are blue solar panels more expensive than black solar panels?

Blue solar panels are usually less expensive than black solar panels because the production process for polycrystalline silicon is less wasteful, but the lifetime savings may be lower. The type of panel you choose for your home PV system depends on a range of essential factors:

Do solar panels have a blue tinge?

Solar panels do not have a blue tinge in their appearance, but they do have lower absorptance at the extreme blue end of the spectrum. This may cause reflected light to have a blue tinge. Presumably, there must be small differences in the manufacturing process. A quick Google found this article that includes a typical absorption spectrum.

Why do silicon panels look blue?

The silicon used is first melted and poured into a square shape. This creates the distinct blue color we see. These panels get their unique blue look because of how the silicon crystals are shaped. Those crystals are not perfectly lined up, so they sparkle in a way that looks blue.

What are polycrystalline solar panels?

Polycrystalline solar panels are the more common, blue colored solar panels that have been widely popular for over a decade in the solar market. Polycrystalline solar panels are manufactured through a process where silicon is melted and poured into a mold. This leads to a solar cell that is made up of several silicon fragments.