Crystalline PV Modules
Single Crystal
Single crystal silicon cells are extremely thin wafers of silicon cut from a single silicon crystal. These are the most efficient type of silicon cells and have a life expectancy exceeding 25 years. The cells are fragile and must be mounted in a rigid frame. You can tell it is a single crystal due to the uniform, rounded individual cells.
Multi Crystal
Multi crystal silicon cells are also extremely thin wafers of silicon but are cut from multiple crystals grown together in an ingot. They are similar to single crystal cells in life expectancy and fragility. However, they are slightly less efficient than single crystal cells and require more surface area to produce a given amount of electricity. These types of cells are usually square and will have a varied appearance.