Performance analysis of monocrystalline and polycrystalline photovoltaic cells under different solar irradiance conditions

This study presents a performance analysis of monocrystalline and polycrystalline photovoltaic (PV) cells under varying solar irradiance conditions. Two 250 W PV panels one of each type were evaluated using a controlled experimental setup exposed to natural sunlight. Solar irradiance was measured with a lux meter, while output voltage and current were recorded using digital meters to determine power output and efficiency. The results demonstrate a strong positive correlation between solar irradiance and electrical output for both panel types. However, the monocrystalline panel consistently outperformed the polycrystalline panel, achieving a maximum power output of 247.25 W and peak efficiency of 20.35% at an irradiance of 632 W/m², compared to 214.20 W and 17.80% for the polycrystalline panel under the same conditions. A slight drop in efficiency at the highest irradiance levels suggests the influence of thermal effects. Overall, the findings confirm that monocrystalline PV cells offer superior performance across a range of irradiance levels, particularly in both low and high light environments, making them more suitable for applications requiring high energy efficiency.