Ballpark Lab
Solar

Monocrystalline panel

The dominant residential solar cell type, cut from a single silicon crystal for the highest efficiency — roughly 19–22% — and a uniform black look.

Monocrystalline panels are made from wafers sliced from a single silicon ingot, which gives them the highest efficiency (about 19–22% today) and the best performance in limited roof space or low light. They dominate the 2026 residential market.

The older polycrystalline (multi-crystal) panels are cheaper but less efficient and now rare on homes. Higher efficiency means you need fewer panels for a given system size in kilowatts, which matters on smaller roofs.

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