🌍 Polycrystalline solar panels make up 0% of global panel production

📉 They have lower efficiency ratings than other models

📅 A polycrystalline system will generally have a relatively short lifespan

💎 They’re blue because they contain multiple silicon crystals

⚡ You’ll usually generate less electricity with polycrystalline panels

What are polycrystalline solar panels?

What are the characteristics of polycrystalline solar panels?

How much do polycrystalline solar panels cost?

The falling popularity of polycrystalline solar panels

Are polycrystalline solar panels worth it?

Polycrystalline solar panels: FAQs

What are the disadvantages of polycrystalline solar panels?

Do they still make polycrystalline solar panels?

How long do polycrystalline solar panels last?

Here's what polycrystalline solar panels are, how they’re made, and why they’ve fallen out of favour.

Polycrystalline solar panels: the expert guide [2025]

What's in this guide?

Polycrystalline solar panels: the expert guide

💪 Monocrystalline solar panels are considerably more efficient than other types

📅 They have the longest lifespan of any solar panel

📈 98% of solar cell production is now monocrystalline

✨ They’re made with wafers cut from a single silicon crystal ingot

🏆 The best monocrystalline panels use TOPCon, HJT, or back contact technology

What are monocrystalline solar panels?

What are the characteristics of monocrystalline solar panels?

How much do monocrystalline solar panels cost?

How popular are monocrystalline solar panels?

Types of monocrystalline solar cell

The best monocrystalline solar panels

Are monocrystalline solar panels worth it?

Monocrystalline solar panels: FAQs

Which solar panel is better, monocrystalline or polycrystalline?

What are the disadvantages of monocrystalline?

Do monocrystalline solar panels work on cloudy days?

Here are what monocrystalline solar panels are, how they’re made, and why they're better than other panel types.

Monocrystalline solar panels: the expert guide [2025]

Monocrystalline solar panels: the expert guide

💪 The most powerful solar panels are the Hydra, TOPBiHiKu7, and Panda 3.0 Plus 1

🏆 All of these are 720W monocrystalline solar panels

🔎 We’ve looked at all the panels made by the 21 largest manufacturers

🤏 There’s just 90W between the panels at the top and bottom of this list

🌞 At least a dozen manufacturers make panels that are at least 500W

What are the most powerful solar panels?

What is W/m² and why does it matter?

Our methodology

What’s the most powerful type of solar panel?

Has solar panel power increased?

Is power the most important solar panel factor?

Next steps

Most powerful solar panels: FAQs

Is there a 1,000W solar panel?

Can I have a 10kW solar system in the UK?

What is the highest wattage solar panel you can buy?

The 9 most powerful solar panels [2025]

The 9 most powerful solar panels

🏆 The two most efficient solar panels are the Hi-MO X10 Scientist and Tiger Neo 3.0

📈 Both of these panels have efficiency ratings of 24.8%

🔎 We’ve analysed every panel produced by the 21 biggest manufacturers

🤏 The gap between the top and bottom of this list is just 1.6 percentage points

⚡ At least 10 manufacturers make solar panels with 23% efficiency or higher

What are the most efficient solar panels?

What’s the most efficient type of solar panel?

Is efficiency the most important solar panel factor?

Most efficient solar panels: FAQs

Is there a 30% efficient solar panel?

What is the most efficient solar panel in the UK?

Is a 90% efficient solar panel possible?

Here are the most efficient solar panels on the market, with all the analysis you need to pick the best model for your home.

The 9 most efficient solar panels [2025]

The 9 most efficient solar panels

🌞 Solar thermal panels use the sun’s energy to heat your home’s water

🏡 5% of UK homes have solar PV and 0.2% have solar thermal

💷 Solar thermal systems usually cost about £6,000

✂️ Solar PV can cut your electricity bills by 86%, on average

📅 Solar thermal panels don’t last as long as solar PV

Get a quote for solar PV panels

What are solar thermal panels?

Solar thermal panels vs solar PV panels

Sign up for Sunsave Plus

Solar thermal or solar PV: our verdict

Solar thermal vs solar PV: FAQs

Is solar thermal better than solar PV?

Is solar thermal worth it in the UK?

What are the disadvantages of solar thermal systems?

Choosing between solar thermal panels and solar photovoltaic panels? Find out which is better when it comes to key factors like costs, savings, and government funding.

Solar thermal vs solar PV: which is better? [UK, 2025]

Solar thermal vs solar PV: which is better?

⚡ Microinverters ensure your panels produce as much electricity as possible

🌞 One underperforming panel won’t drag down the whole system

🕙 With microinverters, your panels can generate electricity for longer every day

📅 They usually come with a 25-year warranty

🧭 Microinverters can cope with a system that faces in three different directions

What are microinverters?

The pros and cons of microinverters

Does your solar PV system need microinverters?

How are microinverters installed?

How long do microinverters last?

Microinverters vs optimisers

Are microinverters worth it?

Microinverters: FAQs

Are microinverters better for solar panels?

What are the disadvantages of a microinverter?

How many solar panels can a microinverter handle?

Here's how microinverters work, their advantages and disadvantages, and whether they’re worth it for your home.

Solar panel microinverters: the expert guide [UK, 2025]

Solar panel microinverters: the expert guide

⚡ Optimisers help to maximise a solar panel’s output

🌳 Solar panels already have technology to help them deal with partial shade

📈 Optimisers increase the cost and complexity of your system

💷 Microinverters are generally better than optimisers, but cost more

🛠️ Either of these products can fix multiple issues that reduce your output

What is a solar panel optimiser?

The pros and cons of solar panel optimisers

Does your solar PV system need optimisers?

How long do solar panel optimisers last?

Solar panel optimisers vs microinverters

Are solar panel optimisers worth it?

Solar panel optimisers: FAQs

Do you need optimisers on all solar panels?

What does an optimiser do on a solar panel?

Where are solar optimisers fitted?

What is the warranty of optimisers vs microinverters?

Here's how optimisers work, their pros and cons, and which households should seriously consider getting them.

Solar panel optimisers: are they worth it? [UK, 2025]

Solar panel optimisers: the expert guide

🏆 Monocrystalline solar panels have the best efficiency and longest lifespan

🌞 Thin-film panels are a good, low-cost option for mobile homes

🖤 The most popular type of solar panel in the UK is monocrystalline

❌ Polycrystalline solar panels are no longer available from top installers

🚀 There are some types that could revolutionise the market – but none of them are ready

What are the main types of solar panels?

1. Polycrystalline solar panels

🤔 Thinking of going solar? Here's why a larger system makes sense ⬇️

2. Monocrystalline solar panels

3. Thin-film solar panels

4. Transparent solar panels

5. Solar tiles

6. Perovskite solar panels

What’s the best type of solar panel?

Future solar panels

Solar panel types: FAQs

Which type of solar panel is best?

What type of solar panel is the most efficient?

What's the newest type of solar panel?

Can you mix different types of solar panels?

What’s the most common type of solar panel?

Which is better: monocrystalline or polycrystalline solar panels?

What will happen to solar panels in the future?

Discover the six main types of solar panel, including thin-film, perovskite, and the best type for your home: monocrystalline.

The 6 types of solar panels | What’s the best type? [2025]

The 6 different types of solar panels

✂️ You can cut your heat pump bills by hundreds of pounds with solar panels

🏠 More than 280,000 households have installed a heat pump

👍 The majority of UK homes are suitable for a heat pump and solar panels

💷 Use a solar export tariff that favours heat pump owners to save even more

🌍 Running a heat pump on solar electricity shrinks your carbon footprint

Can you power a heat pump with solar panels?

How many solar panels do you need to power a heat pump?

Table sources

The ideal number of solar panels you should get doesn’t really change depending on whether you have a heat pump - either way, it’s best to make full use of the space on your roof. Once you’ve paid the fixed costs of installation such as scaffolding and labour, it makes sense to get as many solar panels as possible.

The UK's first solar subscription

How much does a heat pump with solar panels cost?

Using a heat pump with solar panels slashes your household’s carbon emissions by a total of 2.6 tonnes of CO2 per year, on average.

Is your home suitable for a heat pump and solar panels?

The best import & export tariffs for a heat pump with solar

Most homes in the UK are suitable for a heat pump and solar panels.

What’s the environmental benefit of a heat pump with solar panels?

Heat pumps with solar panels: FAQs

Do heat pumps work well with solar panels?

How many solar panels do I need to run a heat pump?

How much is a solar-assisted heat pump?

Is getting a heat pump with solar panels worth it?

Is a 5kW solar panel system enough to heat a house?

Do heat pumps and solar panels save you money?

How much electricity does a heat pump use?

Here's how a heat pump works with solar, how much it costs to buy and run, and which homes are most suitable.

Heat pumps & solar panels: the expert guide [UK, 2025]

Heat pumps & solar panels: the expert guide

⚖️ Thin-film solar panels are very lightweight and flexible

📊 However, they’re less efficient and durable than standard solar panels

🛥️ They’re perfect for mobile homes and canal boats, but less good for houses

📅 Their typical lifespan is relatively short

🛠️ The installation process is pretty easy

What are thin-film solar panels?

The pros and cons of thin-film solar panels

How are thin-film solar panels installed?

How much do thin-film solar panels cost?

Are thin-film solar panels worth it?

Thin-film solar panels: FAQs

Which is better: monocrystalline or thin-film solar panels?

What is the most efficient thin-film solar cell?

Where to use thin-film solar panels?

Thin-film solar panels are lightweight and flexible, but are they suitable for households looking to cut their energy bills? We explore the pros and cons.

Thin-film solar panels: explained [UK, 2025]

Thin-film solar panels: explained

✨ Transparent solar panels have a strong aesthetic appeal

💷 You can currently only buy panels that are partially transparent

📊 They're not as efficient as traditional crystalline solar panels

🏢 Solar glass is already being used on many public buildings across the UK

Explore our detailed guide to solar glass, including how they work, whether they're actually see-through, and whether they're worth it.

Transparent solar panels: an expert guide [UK, 2025]

What's on this page?

Transparent solar panels: an expert guide

Solar technology