Monocrystalline Solar Panels Explained

What they are

Almost every domestic panel sold in the UK today is monocrystalline. The cells are cut from a single silicon crystal, which gives higher efficiency per square metre than the older polycrystalline construction. For a Norwich roof, where area is usually the binding constraint, that matters.

Efficiency, and what it is not

Efficiency describes how much of the light hitting the panel becomes electricity. A higher figure means more output from the same roof area. It does not mean better value automatically — a slightly less efficient panel can be the right answer if you have area to spare.

Two different warranties

Panels carry a product warranty against defects, commonly ten to twenty-five years depending on the manufacturer, and separately a performance warranty guaranteeing output stays above a stated percentage over time, commonly to around twenty-five or thirty years. They are not the same thing and the numbers rarely match. Your quotation should state both.