Why are solar panels available in black and blue? 2026-05-26
This article explains why solar panels are often referred to as the "blue ocean". Solar panels are mainly divided into polycrystalline (blue) and monocrystalline (black) types. Polycrystalline panels adopt the casting process; light scattering at grain boundaries and optical interference of anti-reflective coatings give them a blue hue. As an early photovoltaic technology, their power generation efficiency is generally below 18%. Monocrystalline panels are made via the Czochralski method with a neat crystal structure. Optimized production processes make them look deep black, and they have become mainstream since 2019 with an efficiency of over 23%. People can tell the two types apart by front-side colors, while the back of bifacial monocrystalline panels still appears blue due to the absence of textured surfaces.
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